Cruising in the Abacos, Bahamas
The Abaco Islands are known as one of the world’s top boating and sailing destinations with calm seas surrounded by charming islands, each worth a visit. The Abacos have everything for perfect cruising grounds-- quaint colonial towns, miles and miles of beautiful beaches, great fishing and snorkeling (off some of the best coral reefs in the world!) and sailing.
The Abacos were settled by English colonists who remained loyal to the crown after the American Revolutionary War. So the settlements like Hope Town on Elbow Cay and New Plymouth on Green Turtle Cay have the look of New England fishing towns complete with picket fences and gingerbread trim, but with the distinctive Bahamian touch of pastel colors.
Geographically, the Abacos are simply ideal for boating and sailing. Great Abaco’s coastline is scalloped with bays and coves and protected harbors. Great Abaco Island and Little Abaco serve as the "mainland" with the body of water between them called the "Crystal Sea"--the calm, shallow Sea of Abaco.
Marsh Harbour
Great Abaco Island is home to Marsh Harbour, the “bright lights and big city” of the Abacos. Marsh Harbor has the local airport (a short flight from Fort Lauderdale or Miami).
Hope Town
Hope Town is on Elbow Cay and home to the famous candy-striped lighthouse, a favorite photo subject now, but quite controversial when it was under construction back in 1863 because up until then, the island’s residents had been making a comfortable living by salvaging ships that wrecked on the offshore reefs
Treasure Cay
North of Marsh Harbour is Treasure Cay, with the whitest, softest sand you’ve ever seen. To the south lies Little Harbour, a picturesque protected bay where you’ll find a small artist colony based around the Johnston family and Pete Johnston’s Pub and Gallery.
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Man-O-War Cay
North of Elbow Cay, Man-O-War is another Loyalist settlement, known as the “dry” island" and Abacos’ boat-building center, with a wonderful naturally protected harbor and boat-fitting and sail shops.
Great Guana Cay
Next up the chain is beachy Great Guana Cay, famed for the Sunday barbecues thrown at Nippers Bar that sits atop the island’s tall sand dune, and overlooks Guana’s magnificent seven-mile-long beach. Off the beaches--snorkel or scuba the famous coral reefs.
DiggerKat will be sailing in the Abacos in March and April (depending on bookings). Please contact us directly about prices for cruising vacations.
Contact us for more information: Captains Bob and Kat, Cell phone: 612-750-5826 or 612-850-2981
