The Abacos, a string of quiet Bahamian islands, are located 186 miles east of Palm Beach, Florida and just to the northwest of Eleuthera. The pace is decidedly (and intentionally) slower here than in Nassau or Freeport, with the main attractions being the crystal-clear waters and secluded beaches of the Atlantic Ocean and The Sea of Abaco. Great Abaco, at 120 miles in length, is the largest island in the Abaco chain and is home to an abundance of wildlife, including wild horses, boars, and the noted Abaco Parrot. Small, offshore barrier islands create the protected Sea of Abaco, ideal for boating with countless deserted sand beaches and romantic “out island” villages. The Abaco Club is a secluded enclave situated on Winding Bay, nestled amongst the palms on the island’s western shore.
The Abacos are truly heaven on earth for boaters, sailors, snorkelers, divers, and fishermen. Whether you’re looking to cruise amongst the islands and cays in search of a beach to call your own for an afternoon, or to go diving amongst the brilliant tropical fish while you explore wrecks or caves, the aquamarine waters around these islands are brimming with possibilities. Bonefishing is a particular favorite of Abaco visitors, and there are excellent bonefishing waters within minutes of the Club.
There’s also plenty for landlubbers to do in The Abacos. Marsh Harbour is an attractive and thriving town with excellent restaurants, shops, banks, medical facilities, and other attractions. Hope Town on Elbow Cay is a quaint harbour village with all manner of shops, restaurants, museums, historic sites, and pastel cottage homes that hearken back to the colonial era. You won’t find a better place to enjoy high tea or sip the favorite local rum drink, the Abaco Smile. The adventures continue in other exotic locales nearby like Green Turtle Cay, Great Guana Cay, and Lubbers Quarters Cay, where beach bars and restaurants attract travelers from all over the world and serve up just-caught seafood like grouper, mahi-mahi, and the famous conch fritters.
Closer to the club, there’s the historic village of Cherokee, a step back in time to the island’s earliest settlement. Little Harbour (where the club’s dedicated boat slips will be located) is a picturesque, protected harbour that leads out to the Abaco Sea. There you’ll find Pete’s Pub, where you can sample fresh-caught fish and Pete’s tropical drink of the day, as well as a historic foundry and gallery, where beautiful bronze sculptures are created and offered for sale.
The Abacos are also well known for their parks, too—both on land and below the sea. The Fowl Cay Government Preserve is a particular favorite, with abundant sea life, reef formations, and undersea tunnels to explore. The south end of Great Abaco, near Hole in the Wall, is home to Abaco National Park, 20,000+ acres of wilderness that’s home to more than 1000 of the brilliantly colored (and often boisterous) Abaco Parrots.
Abaco can be enjoyed year-round. Here in the most northerly part of The Bahamas, a temperate climate prevails, with average maximum temperatures between 70˚ and 85˚ (21˚-30˚celsius) throughout the year. Daily flights will quickly and easily bring you to Great Abaco’s Marsh Harbour Airport from Miami, Nassau, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and other cities.
