Elbow Cay- "three must do's"?

[TA]

Thank you all for offering your great insight on this board. My wife and I will be on Elbow Cay (White Sound) next month for a week. Allthough we took a day trip to Hopetown last year from our stay on Guana, we were only there a few hours.
We would like your opinion on the three "must do's" that are important for vacations: 1) Must see 2) Must eat 3) Must drink. We look forward to your personal favorites.

[big fish]

Just walk the beach in front of your house (ocean side). It's incredible!

Bruce

[wregle]

I am anxiously awaiting everyone's reply! We will be on Lubbers in April but want to make sure we don't miss anything. Any favorites within boating distance of Lubbers to make sure we don't miss? I have the Sail shop and Vernon's on the list!

[Jerry S]

Breath taking view from Abaco Inn
Vernon's Bread and KeyLime Pies
Yellow Bird at HT Harbour Lodge

[BA]

Just to get you started...

Must see - view from top of the lighthouse
Must eat - anything from Jack's, bread from Vernons, mac & cheese from Munchies (in no particular order!)
Must drink - any one of the concoctions Gary has listed at the Hope Town Harbour Lodge (Baby Cuda is my fav) - spend some time w/ Gary, you'll enjoy every minute!

[It'lldo]

light house

the Boat House Sandwhich for breakfast on the patio @ Sea Spray

anything food or beverage wise @ Capn' Jacks while sitting on the deck watching the goings on in the harbour.

I do love Munchies fried chicken dinner

I know that's four-I could go on and on but I won't.

[TA]

Thanks everyone- these are helping us get through our cold February. What's in the yellow bird at the Harbour Lodge?

[wregle]

Please go on - for us first timers, we love to hear everyone's experiences and are counting on you guys to help us make sure we don't miss anything!

[JONES]

I agree. Thanks to all the people who are so generous with the info.

[Jerry S]

Thanks everyone- these are helping us get through our cold February. What's in the yellow bird at the Harbour Lodge?
Rum,Rum,juice, Rum and other stuff! Good luck getting the recipe.. LOL!

[juless]

what/where is Vernons bread and key lime pie???? We too would like to hear from one and all for things we must do, see and eat (or drink) during our 1st time visit to Elbow Cay in April!!!

[P2Pooz]

Everyday will bring a new adventure....
Tahiti Beach is great! You can pull your boat in and drop anchor just off the beach area, and then go for lunch and coooooold Kalik's at Cracker P's. You can make it out in the distance from Tahiti Beach... it is the dock with all the flags. During low tide you can stroll quite a ways out by Tilloo Cut.
Anglers Restaurant at Boat Harbour on the big island was exceptional last April. It was a 5 star dinner.
A day on the beach in front of Nippers on Guana Cay is also not to be missed. You can spend time snorkeling, and run up the stairs and have lunch, or bring Nipper Juice down to the beach, go back upstairs and soak in one of the 2 pools they have.
Also, the little outer Cay's have the gorgeous white sand beaches that you can't believe!
I wish I was there now.....sigh...
Patti

[R]

Good day,
I don't know how you could beat a charter with the one and only Robert Lowe.
Catch fish, see the area, bring fish back to your home to eat.

Just a thought,
R.

[momshell]

Several must do's from my perspective....The beach on Tilloo off the Tilloo Bank ( south of the castle, just north of Channel Cay) on the Sea of Abaco- Incredible reef a hundred yards or so off beach and a quiet beach with casaurina pines for lovely shade- usually you will be the only ones there. Also, eat at Captain Jacks in Hopetown. Those staying on Lubbers need to call "D" Albury on the radio at "Sunshine Bakery". She will bake fresh (THE BEST) Banana Bread, cookies, pies, etc, and deliver to you door because she also lives on Lubbers. Of course , Tahiti Beach on Elbow is a great place.

[Local Knowledge]

Fresh conch salad if you can find someone making it or get some conch & make it yourself. The best!!

LK.

[biggy]

1.On your day of arrival,explore the island until late afternoon,then hit Seaspray for happy hour.A very gregarious crowd assembles there daily,remember you are in the very best of the Bahamas,so make sure you engage as many locals as you can,their wit and friendliness will delight you.
2.If you are into dancing and you are there on a Saturday night.Harbour'sEdge is the place to go.A very friendly crowd and everyone gets up and moves.Plenty of local participation,remember:the true treasure of these Family Islands are the people.
3.Tahiti Beach,nightcaps at the Lodge or lunch with Gary enjoying his humor and singing,Brenda Mackey's steamed fish or chicken souse at Seaspray on saturday mornings,the list is endless.If you are in good health and above the grass,you will enjoy yourself! Good Luck

[bahamassun]

eat, drink,and be silly,,,

[TA]

Thanks everyone, these all sound great!

[DrRalph]

There are lots of photos of White Sound, Elbow Cay, and points south in the second half of our 2005 Trip Report (http://www.************/05TripReport.html).

[Alan Brown]

TA,

I second Biggy's suggestion of enjoying Happy Hour at Sea Spray. While there, don't hesitate to try the conch fingers or the grouper fingers. We eat these all the time for supper and spend the money we save on more Kaliks! Decisions, decisions, all the time decisions!

Enjoy!

[TA]

I'll drink to that! Thanks.

[katydid]

uhhh... how does everyone do Happy Hour at Seaspray?
Do all of you have your own boat?
Sounds like you run at night.... after a lot of drinks???? please clarify !

[biggy]

Happy hour is at approx,5:00pm,it is light until 6:30-7:00pm as we speak.Plenty of time to a.walk b.boat c.ride in a golf cart d.ride a bike. e.call Sherman's island cab.

[JONES]

Could you please tell me how to contact Sherman's or other island cab info.
Thanks in advance.
Jones

[jet]

Hi, we are here now and staying about mid island. Today is quite windy so it is an inside day.

We take our golf cart around in the afternoon. Abacao Inn will come pick you up in their van if you want to go for drinks and eat at their place (right down the road from Sea spray). I like Abaco Inn for drinks and apps.

To call Sherman- get on channel 16 on your VHF and call- "island cab, island cab."

Everything is pretty laid back here- you dont have to plan things like cabs in advance or anything. Also, your hotel or house rental care taker will tell you all you need to know about getting around once you arrive.

[JONES]

Thank you Jet

[panachecon]

Hi; When you go to Vernons Grocery/Bakery in Hopetown be sure to go IN the front door and OUT the back as indicated on his hand lettered signs Vernon is very particular about the traffic patterns in his establishment. And DO NOT refer to Bahamian currency as "funny money" in his presence. Also should you need to get married in Hopetown, Vernon is your man. jim

[TA]

Thanks. We have heard alot about Vernons bakery and look forward to provisioning the baked goods abd breads.

[menegaux]

Don't complain about the prices................DO have the Key Lime Pie. if you can beat me to it that is!

[Agur's Wish]

Do go beachcombing. Don't tell anybody but we found American, English, and Spanish coins from the late 19th and early 20th century, pottery shards with castles and horses imprinted, an intact small glass bottle with H and T intertwined and engraved and a gold bracelet (unfortunately, late 20th century but still gold) and tons of semi-precious sea glass. This was after Francis and Jeanne but any good storm will bring treasures. Our only tools were something sharp to dig with and something smooth to drink. Sorry we can't divulge the exact whereabouts except to say it's anywhere between the church and the graveyard and a little bit beyond on either side.

[TA]

Got it - thanks.

[Cathy Arizona]

Don't forget to plan to sit and do nothing while looking out on the Sea of Abaco. Our favorite thing to do. Abaco is my "24 hour massage." Of course a chunk of Vernon's bread and a Bahama Mama go well with doing nothing.

[TA]

Thank you all!

[pelicanpete]

One thing I hold precious in my memory was to stop, talk to and pass the time of day watching Mr. Winer Malone build an Abaco Dinghy in his shed right on the harbour's edge. If I was given the choice of three "must do" things, I would trade them for just that "one" experience. What a gentle man.

[Gayleupstairs]

I'm a died-hard walker (about 2,400 miles a year!). For a "must see" I suggest you slip on your walking shoes and wander from the village south down the road. Check out the side roads. Look here and there at yards, landscaping and the native flora and fauna. When you get to Turtle Hill, get off the paved road and go straight down the dirt road. It will eventually tie back into the paved road so there's really no risk of getting lost. Or - do the same by walking north through town and all the way to the north end of the Cay. You are going to see things you'll never know are there if you just stay on the main road in your golf cart. For a "must eat" I love the Boathouse Salad at SeaSpray and my "must drink" is the Goombay Smash at Cap't Jack's. Whatever you do - or don't do - you'll have a wonderful time.

[TA]

I agree. The best sights are usually off the beaten path. Thanks for the directions.

[Istaboa]

Brandy, apricot 3/4 oz.
Rum, banana 3/4 oz.
Rum, coconut 3/4 oz.
Orange Juice 4 oz.
This is one version... I have also used Galiano instead of Apricot Brandy.
Kinda like a good woman... Sweet and strong.

[sbgary1]

1) Pack a cooler full of good food and beer and visit Pelican Cay. Pelican Cay is a small, uninhabited island below Elbow Cay that has about the prettiest beach in the Bahamas. The beach is on the back (sound) side of the island and is basically a big sand bar. Here is a pic I found.

http://www.pbase.com/wkimages/image/44975915

2) Pack a cooler full of good food and beer/wine/champagne and have a sunset dinner on Baker Bay on the North end of Guana Cay - that is if you can still visit Baker Bay without being run off by the developers.

3) Go scuba diving off Green Turtle Cay with Brendal and then have him spear and cook you a HUGE lobster lunch. (PS: Don't wear a Speedo. You don't want to be comparing physiques (or anything else) with Brendal)

http://oii.net/brendal/

[TA]

Great Pic- thanks. We went to Baker's Bay last year about one month prior any construction. Thanks for the new beach idea.

[TA]

Just wanted to thank all of you for helping us come up with some great ideas. This board and its contributors are fantastic.
Elbow Cay- here we come!

[momshell]

We stay on Lubbers every year. Do not miss 1) the beach on the Tilloo Bank- south of the castle on Sea of Abaco 2) home made Banana choc. chip bread baked at Sunshine Shack on Lubbers- just call on your radio for Sunshine Bakery or Sunshine shack- Dee Albury lives on Lubbers and will deliver breads, cookies, etc. to your rental cottage 3) Nippers pig roast 4) Mermaid Reef is fun for guaranteed calm and colorful snorkel- great reef fish 5) North beach on Elbow at Hopetown - usually quiet and very natural 6) Captain Jacks one night for dinner, 7) and a great boatride down to pelican cays for wonderful views and snorkeling. Have a great time.

[betsgal]

Attend Sunday service at St. James Methodist Church and check out the view from the pew!

Tahiti Beach!

Peas n Rice at Munchies, fried chicken and Mac and Cheese at Sea Spray, key lime pie from Captain Jacks.

Vernon's banana bread.

[TA]

Thanks Momshell and Betsgal!

[fuzznsmoo]

-climb the light house
-snorkel between East Point and the Lodge
-eat Vernon's Key Lime Pie twice a day (pre-snorkel snack and dinner)
-sit out at sunset (the hedge or Capn Jacks are good spots) and watch the lighthouse get lit
-eat fish every lunch and dinner
-go out fishing with Will Key for a day (helps w/ previous item)
-try everyone's house specialty rum drink
-lunch at On Da Beach

sorry, can't limit it to only 3, LOL

[Hooked]

My wife and I like to have lunch at Harbour's Edge..you pull up with the boat and have lunch on the picnic tables...service is quick and food good..you overlook the harbor..one time a dolphin came into the harbor...I think Horbour's Edge is one of the few places open on Sundays for lunch. Sea Spray is also great..Go in Vern's and read all the jokes and sayings that are on the walls...the guys wacked out (funny)...fuel can be had at lighthouse marina as well as a small gift shop and a spirit shop too.

[Abacowilly]

....a significant part of the fun and intrigue of any new place (Abaco included) is the adventure of exploration. Knowing where everybody says to go is nice if you are trying to make a "whirlwind" tour. But, if you are on "island time" and relaxing, take time to discover on your own, use the cruising guide, local maps or just simply stop and talk with others - it's much more fun and trust me, eventually you will find it all! "Discover" the Abacos - it's more fun that way!