Frequently Asked
QUESTIONS

Abaco is located just 186 miles directly east of West Palm Beach, Fla., a short plane ride away.
The island has its own modern airport, Marsh Harbour International Airport. There are a number of direct daily flights from several points in Florida, including West Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami and Orlando. Regularly scheduled service is also available into Marsh Harbour from Atlanta and Nassau. Airlines that service Abaco include Delta, American, United, Silver Airways and Bahamas Air. A number of charter flights also fly from Fort Lauderdale into Marsh Harbour, including Tropic Ocean Airways. Special pricing is available on certain Tropic Ocean flights when they are booked directly through the Club. Delta introduced direct flights to Abaco from Atlanta in 2016 to help meet rising demand for this exciting destination.
For those wishing to fly to Abaco aboard private aircraft, you can enter Abaco via the Cherokee FBO at Marsh Harbour International Airport, which is an official Bahamian Airport of Entry with Customs. Landing fees are waived for single-engine planes at Marsh Harbour and other government-owned airports, but there is a $50 processing fee and all passengers must pay a $29 departure tax, including pilot and co-pilot. For more information on specific requirements and documentation to fly private, please visit www.bahamas.com/flying-faqs. For more information or to contact the Cherokee FBO at Marsh Harbour International Airport, please email fboinfo@cherokeeair.com.
For boaters coming from Florida, the trip is approximately 160 nautical miles from West Palm Beach to Abaco.

Anytime! The Bahamas have a tropical savannah climate and the weather is usually temperate with little humidity. From November through May, the temperature usually ranges from the low to high 70’s to the low 80’s. From June through September, it ranges from the low 80’s to high 80’s, hitting 90’s on occasion. While the winter is a great time for snowbirds to escape to Abaco from northern climes, the summer is actually one of the busiest times in Abaco, since visitors from Europe especially love to come to the area to enjoy the warm sunshine, while those from southern states find refuge from the oppressive humidity that usually dominates their home areas at that time.

There are 700 islands in The Bahamas, so things to do on or under the water are at the top of the list. The Out Islands are well known for their world-class boating, fly fishing, deep sea fishing, beautiful beaches, tranquil turquoise water, snorkeling and diving. The islands boast an almost infinite array of sea life including turtles, rays, star fish and more. There are even swimming pigs on two different islands!
Island hopping is an especially popular sport. A number of islands have unique histories, with many different cultures culminating into one. Historic colonial villages exist on many islands, and you can visit museums and the homes of the earliest settlers in The Bahamas. Smalls shops and restaurants offer a taste of The Bahamas to enjoy during your visit and take home with you.
One example is Hope Town, located on nearby Elbow Cay, a 20-minute ferry or boat ride away from The Abaco Club. Hope Town is the perfect day trip from the Club, as the island is only 4.5 miles long and approximately 1000 yards wide. You can walk, rent a bicycle or golf cart to get around the cay. Hope Town has one of the last manual lighthouses in the world, and still uses a kerosene wick to provide a safe way for boaters in the dark. The Wyannie Malone Museum tells the history of Hope Town from the origins of the Lucayan Indians, pirates, and rum runners to the days of settlers arriving from the U.S. and beyond in pictures. There are plenty of options for food and drink, including the Abaco Inn and FireFly. Tahiti Beach is a great snorkeling and shell-hunting spot.
Our Club Concierge can assist you with any off-property plans you may wish to make to during your stay.

The Bahamas has world-class fishing – whether you are looking for deep sea, sport/tournament fishing or fly/bonefishing in the beautiful saltwater flats. Guests travel from all over the world in search of permit, tarpon and bonefish.
There are a number of big-game fishing tournaments in The Bahamas held on various islands. Dozens of records are broken each year on catches of marlin, tuna and sharks, to name a few. You can try your hand at landing a fish that outweighs you by more than 5 times in a tournament or head out on a day excursion. The best part of deep sea fishing in The Bahamas is that you don’t have to go very far. Due to the topography of The Bahamas, there are deep-water drop offs only 10 minutes out to sea.
Bonefish look almost transparent in the water, which is part of the sport of Bahamian fly fishing. You can wade into shallow waters and cast, or take a boat out into the flats with a guide who can help you spot and show you how to cast. If you do catch a game fish, the Club Concierge can have a chef clean and cook the fish for your dinner!
HOW DO I ARRANGE FOR A FISHING OR BOATING EXCURSION?
Booking an excursion is easy, as the Concierge at The Abaco Club has a preferred list of guides and captains. Whether you are interested in fishing, snorkeling, island hopping, diving, the Club Concierge can assist in choosing the appropriate excursion for your preferences and skill level.

No matter what time you arrive at the Marsh Harbour International Airport or FBO, The Abaco Club Concierge can assist with arranging transportation to get to your destination. The concierge can assist with having a driver greet you at the airport, take you grocery shopping, to Pete’s Pub, the ferry station or any of the other sites on Abaco.
Dating from Colonial British rule, the cars in The Bahamas drive on left side of the road. With a valid driver’s license, the concierge can also assist in making a reservation for a rental car, or have one delivered to the Club for you.

The Abaco Club boasts the #1 golf course in the Caribbean, and if the undulating greens and winds aren’t challenging enough, concentrating on your shotmaking with the breathtaking bay and ocean views you’ll encounter throughout the course might be. Green fees for Cottage and Cabana guests, including cart and access to the Club’s extensive new practice area, is $175 in the high season and $125 in the off-peak season. Rental clubs are available for an additional fee.

When traveling for leisure, The Bahamas is fairly casual. During the day, shorts, swimsuits and cover ups, a hat, sunscreen, sundress might be appropriate depending on your activities.
Golfers should bring proper golf attire and golf shoes. For men, that includes a collared short or long sleeve shirt, slacks or knee-length Bermuda shorts. Women’s options include a sport dress, skirt, slacks, knee-length Bermuda shorts and collared golf or sport top. Tank tops, T-shirts, short shorts and halter tops are not permitted.
The tennis dress code includes proper tennis shoes and shorts/skirts. Shirts are required at all times.
The pool area is located on the outdoor deck of the Cliff House. Appropriate swimming attire is required. Cutoffs, dungarees, Speedos and Bermuda shorts are not permitted at the pool. A cover-up/ dress or shirt and shoes or other foot coverings must be worn outside the swimming pool area when entering other facilities. Children must be at least 3 years of age and toilet-trained in order to use the pool. The wearing of diapers is not permitted in the pool.
Casual workout attire is acceptable at the fitness facility, including T-shirts, tank tops, tights, gym shorts or warm-up pants. Only aerobic or court shoes may be worn to use the fitness equipment – no persons will be permitted to use the machines or participate in exercise classes without the proper footwear. It is requested that all jewelry be removed prior to exercising, as it can damage the machines.

Flippers Beach Bar permits beach attire, but shirts and cover-ups must be worn while dining or remaining at the facilities.
The Cliff House restaurant dress code is resort casual with appropriate restaurant dining attire. While a jacket and tie are not required, shoes and shirts must be worn at all times. Pool, beach or fitness attire is not permitted in the Cliff House restaurant.
During the evening, it can get a bit cool and windy, and a light jacket or sweater would suffice.

The Commonwealth of The Bahamas has been an independent country since 1973, so a passport is absolutely necessary to gain entry. You will pass through immigration and customs upon entering The Bahamas and as you return to your country of origin.

The Bahamian dollar is on par with the U.S. dollar, so most Bahamas retailers accept both Bahamian and U.S. currency. Credit cards are accepted at The Abaco Club. If you take an excursion, many places accept credit cards, but not all cards are accepted at all retailers. You may want to inquire before you leave The Abaco Club.

As a private members club, The Abaco Club took the decision to eliminate tipping from the Club’s daily activities. This decision stemmed from the desire to eliminate as much crass commercialism from the club experience as possible, both for members and guests of the Club. You are here to relax and rejuvenate, not worry about dollars and cents. No tipping is ever permitted for any club service— so don’t be offended if a staff member turns down a tip! Instead of tipping, the Club pays its staff members excellent wages, and employees are additionally provided with annual bonuses.

We would be delighted to help you explore club membership or home ownership opportunities at any time. Kristi Hull, the Club’s Director of Sales, can be reached at khull@theabacoclub.com or at 242- 366-3838 to answer any questions you might have or to schedule a tour. Membership and real estate offerings are detailed on our website: TheAbacoClub.com.

If you are traveling from the U.S., Canada or other countries where the standard is 100 – 127V, you will not need an adapter. If you are traveling from Europe or Asia where they commonly use 220-240V, you will need an adapter.

Pets are not permitted at The Abaco Club unless you are a resident or guest of a resident and staying in the resident’s home.
The Bahamas has strict pet guidelines for bringing a pet into the country. You can find information on www.bahamas.gov.
Please check with your airline in advance of making reservations as each has guidelines and restrictions for flying with pets.

While the origins of Junkanoo are debatable, what is absolutely clear is that this is one of the biggest and most fun parades in the world! Junkanoo consists of band troupes, sometimes 1,000 in a troupe, dressed in bright costumes and made up of dancers plus horn and drum players. The troupe performs intricate dance routines and moves as it parades around. Most Junkanoo troupes participate in competitive ‘rush outs,’ which culminate in the entire troupe ending in a sensational procession. The bells, whistles, drums, horns and dancers create a very festive mood! At the end of the parade, judges award prizes for the best costumes, best music and best overall group presentation.
The Abaco Club hosts our own Junkanoo parades on occasion at Flippers Beach Bar.

Yes, the International Persons Landholding Act of 1993 allows foreigners to easily buy property in the Bahamas.

Most properties in the Bahamas are sold freehold (“fee simple”) and are transferred by way of a written conveyance or deed.

Yes, a local attorney is required. Legal fees vary but typically the rate is between .875 and 1.5% of the value of the purchase price.

You can expect to pay half of the Stamp Tax and VAT on any property purchased. This is equivalent to 5% of the purchase price.

Approximately 80% of our members are from the United States, but the Club has residents and club members from Canada, the U.K., South Africa, and The Bahamas, as well.

The Bahamas Building Code was established by the government of the Bahamas and dictates regulations on building construction. These codes are very similar to the regulations of the Miami-Dade Code, and ensure that all builders adhere to best practices as specified in that code—which is recognised as one of the world’s best.

Yes, many of our homeowners rent their properties. The club manages the rental process but the homeowner receives 60%of the net rental proceeds. A major benefit to joining the club’s rental program is the fact that you can apply for an annual property tax exemption. On a $2 million property, this equates to a savings of approximately $17,000 annually. The Club also offers property management services so that when you are away from home the Club can look after it.

Yes, hurricane insurance is readily available and covered by most standard policies.

Yes, financing is available. We have contacts at Scotia Wealth Management in Nassau should you wish to find out further details.

Yes, Club membership is required with each real estate purchase. It provides all residents and their guests access to the Club’s many amenities, activities and facilities. Buyers of developer-owned homes receive a $25,000 credit on their Club initiation fee for a Full Resident Membership.

Yes, the Club has a Preferred Builder program. We can provide recommendations for builders who have created other homes at the Club and have shown themselves to be highly skilled and reliable.

Yes, there are several law firms and insurance agents that Abaco Club home buyers have used before and endorsed. We’d be happy to introduce you to them.

Bahamas Immigration will typically allow non-resident visitors to stay in The Bahamas for up to six months per visit.