Things to do
The Abacos
Not the Bahamas in general. Abaco.
About
The boating capital of the Bahamas
The Abacos is known as the boating capital of the Bahamas, and it is popular for fishing and fishing tournaments.
Spinnaker Point is centrally located, which makes it easier to jump off to the different cays and beaches. All the major cays are reachable by private boat or ferry — and if you do not have your own boat you can rent one for the day or the week, or rent a car and take the ferry across.
Check Abaco Sun for boat rental and golf-cart rental options.
A suggested seven days
Pick an area to see what I would do
Day one · home base
Marsh Harbour, Great Abaco
Things to do
- Walk over to the Abaco Beach Resort for lunch and drinks at the Terrace, then stay for the beach and pool.
- Head to Mermaid Reef for a great snorkel. It is a protected reef — which is exactly what makes it so good — so no fishing and nothing leaves with you.
How to get there
- The Abaco Beach Resort is a 10-minute walk from Spinnaker Point.
- Mermaid Reef is a 5-minute drive. You can also take the boat over; there are mooring balls.
Eat & drink
- Snappas — food and drinks overlooking the harbour, with occasional live music.
- Wally’s — food and drinks steps from the harbour.
- Jib Room — food, drinks and a pool dunk after Mermaid Reef.
- Colors — food and drinks.
- Aloha Cafe — proper espresso and small bites.
Hope Town and the lighthouse
Elbow Cay
Things to do
- Start in the south of Elbow at Tahiti Beach, with a drink from the floating bar, Thirsty Cuda.
- Lunch at Abaco Inn or Firefly.
- Stop at On Da Beach for a drink and a view of the ocean.
- Walk around Hope Town — souvenir shops, very scenic, with beach access on the ocean side.
- Take a self-guided tour of the Hope Town Lighthouse.
How to get there
- Private boat or ferry. The ferry dock is a 5-minute drive from Spinnaker Point.
- If you arrive by ferry, rent a golf cart for the day.
Eat & drink
- Hope Town Inn — food, drinks and a dunk in the pool.
- Cap’n Jack’s — food and drinks.
- Sea Biscuit Bakery — coffee and breakfast treats.
Turtles, rays and a Goombay Smash
Green Turtle Cay
Things to do
- Start your day at Coco Bay to see the turtles and stingrays. If you want to feed them, stop at the Green Turtle Club & Marina and buy squid first.
- Visit the Bluff House for lunch, a drink and a swim at their beach.
- Head south to Bita Bay for a swim and a snorkel.
- Keep going south to Gillam Bay — very calm, and it looks like a giant swimming pool.
- End your day at Miss Emily for a Goombay Smash.
How to get there
- Private boat or ferry. The Treasure Cay ferry dock is a 45-minute drive from Spinnaker Point.
- If you arrive by ferry, rent a golf cart for the day.
Eat & drink
- Pineapples — food, bar and a pool dunk.
- McIntosh Restaurant & Bakery — food.
- Seagrapes — lunch.
The blue that photographs best
Treasure Cay
Things to do
- Start at the Bahama Beach Club. The beach is sandy and a beautiful blue that will be great for pictures; the water is calm and good for swimming, less so for snorkelling. Dinner and drinks at the pool bar.
- On the way back to Marsh Harbour, stop at Sunset Pizza for great food, drinks and ambiance.
- Do not forget the newer Treasure Sands Club, near Sunset Pizza.
How to get there
- Treasure Cay is a 40-minute drive from Spinnaker Point.
- You can also take the boat and anchor off the Treasure Cay beach.
Eat & drink
- Cafe La Florence — known for their cinnamon rolls.
Nippers and Grabbers
Great Guana Cay
Things to do
- Great Guana Cay is known for two bars: Nippers and Grabbers. Both serve food and have pools and a beach.
- Nippers is well known for Sunday Funday, when they roast a pig. The beach there is long and sandy — perfect for a stroll.
How to get there
- Private boat or ferry. The Guana Cay ferry leaves from Marsh Harbour, a 5-minute drive from Spinnaker Point.
- Off the ferry dock, head left and walk 5 minutes to Grabbers, or right and walk 5 minutes to Nippers. Both are signposted, so you will not get lost.
Eat & drink
- Kidd’s Cove Seafood Bar & Grill.
Starfish, sand dollars and Pete’s
South Great Abaco
Things to do
- Start your day in Casuarina. The water is shallow and calm, and you can find starfish and sand dollars.
- Head to Pete’s Pub & Gallery for lunch and drinks — and do not skip the gallery.
- Also down here: the Cherokee long dock, and The Abaco Club at Winding Bay.
How to get there
- Casuarina and Pete’s Pub are both a 35-minute drive from Spinnaker Point.
- If you have a boat, you can anchor off Pete’s Pub in Little Harbour.
Eat & drink
- Pete’s Pub & Gallery, Little Harbour — lunch and drinks.
If you have a boat
Other Cays
Things to do
- Sandy Cay for some of the best snorkelling in the Abacos.
- Tilloo Cay has a nice sand bar to anchor off for a boat picnic.
- If you are into swimming with the pigs, No Name Cay has them, plus a bar and restaurant.
- Scotland Cay for a swim and a snorkel.
How to get there
- Sandy Cay is a 35-minute boat ride from the Spinnaker Point dock.
- Tilloo is 20 minutes out — good on the way back from Sandy Cay.
- No Name Cay is just south of Green Turtle Cay.
- Scotland Cay is just south of Great Guana Cay.
Eat & drink
- Pete’s Pub in Little Harbour.
- Big O’s restaurant and bar at No Name Cay.
- Or pack your lunch and drinks for a boat picnic.
Check business websites and social pages for current hours and menus — island schedules move.
Which bay you go to depends on the wind. West wind? Shelter on the east side. Ask me before you set out and I will tell you what I know.