Some help again please

[jloehle]

My wife and I will be honeymooning in the Abacos in early November. I came on here and asked about air travel and got some good info. Just to let others know, I decided to go with Craig Air out of JAX and stay a day longer to catch a return trip with them.

We are staying at the Abaco Inn on Elbow Cay, but had already made our reservations to stay 5 nights and now we'll be around for 6. A friend of ours suggested that instead of just extending another night there, we go back to Marsh Harbour for a day and night and explore there before heading home. We really liked that idea so now we need some advice.

Where is a good place to stay on Marsh Harbour? It's only one night, but it'll be our last there.

What are some must see things on Marsh Harbour? We had thought about going to see the Abaco National Park, but the web site for it is pretty so-so looking. Any other place that'll be worth the effort to get there?

Lastly, we'll have a golf cart on Elbow Cay, but not sure what to do for Marsh Harbour. We liked the idea of a couple of scooters, but I read of at least one person online that had trouble renting a scooter because they didn't have "motorcycle experience" or a motorcycle license. Any ideas on places that rent?

Thanks a lot folks. We have learned a lot on this board. And we promise to show some photos when we get back. I'm a professional photographer and we also have a new point-and-shoot with underwater housing. Hopefully we'll get some good stuff.

Joe

[JJ]

First, I must preface that I have never stayed on Elbow (just a day trip) and have not spent a lot of time in Marsh Harbor, but if Elbow is as enjoyable as Green Turtle, Man O'War and Guana, where i have stayed (and I think it will be) you will probably find that 5 days is not near long enough and you will want to spend your extra day there. You can always catch a ferry and do a day trip to MH during your stay if you really want to go there. I am not sure there is a lot to see and do in Marsh Harbor but you could rent a car and go down to Cherokee, Little Harbor, and Causarina Point. In my opinion, the only real advantage to staying in MH is that it will be closer to the airport on your day of departure and you will likely find much less expensive lodging in Marsh Harbor for that last night.

Good luck.

[jloehle]

Well, that is certainly a possibility too. We just like to explore, so were thinking we might like to check out something else and then be close to the airport the next day.

Anyone know of things to do around Marsh Harbour? What about the scooter situation?

Joe

[abacobob]

I have rented scooters from Rental Wheels in Marsh before and there wasn't any previous experience requirement. It's a fun way to visit the area and even as far south as Little Harbour, Cherokee, the National Park, and Sandy Point. Just watch the gas....they don't hold much and gas stations are few and far between when you leave Marsh Harbour.

[mikie]

If you don't drive a motorcycle regularly at home, think twice about scooter rental, just my opinion.... (saw an awful accident last week on Paradise Island!).
Grab a boat in MH, there are several rental places (B&B, Blue Wave, Abaco Dorado) right there in town. There are also rooms at the Mooring's charter base for the odd night in town - or the Abaco Beach Resort. enjoy!

[momshell]

Just my two cents, but to pack up, move to a new place, unpack, rent a scooter , etc., you are going to lose most of that 6th day. I would probably stay an extra day on Elbow and just take your rental boat or a ferry up to Guana or Man-O-War, or a day snorkel/dive trip, etc out of Elbow. There are so many things to do on the outer cays that you will find you want to stay even longer. Just my opinion, but either way , how can you not have a great time? Congrats and enjoy your honeymonn.

[ishkrbibbl]

I think I would base my answer on the time of your flight home out of Marsh Harbour. I totally agree about not wanting to cut short your time on Elbow; however, a couple of times (after a week on Elbow or Lubber's) we took the "leisurely" way home by checking out, returning the rental boat, ferrying to Marsh Harbour and spending the night at the Abaco Beach Resort for a low key afternoon (we did rent scooters once but just poked around Marsh Harbour), spent a while at the pool, and had a wonderful and special "last night" romantic dinner at Wally's, slept late, had a great brunch then went to the airport less rushed than doing it all in one day. If you decide to do it, you don't pack and unpack, you merely put the things you need for the night and the next day on top of your suitcase or in a carry on bag until you need them. It has been a couple of years, is Wally's still there and still good? Others can recommend dinner spots but one time it was our first anniversary (second marriages) and it was a very relaxing "end of a great trip". Have a wonderful honeymoon whatever you decide- you picked a great place!

[Cathy Arizona]

I agree with ishkrbibbi. The time of your flight can easily determine the convenience of staying in MH or on Elbow for your last night. We usually stay on Elbow but have spent a week in Marsh and once we stayed two weeks down at Casuarina. We loved it all. You can rent a car for the day in MH also and drive up to Treasure Cay or south to Little Harbour and Casuarina. I recommend taking along a snack if you head south. We got to Little Harbour and were too late for lunch on our way back from Sandy Point. Luckily, it's just 25 minutes or so from Marsh Harbour.

[ishkrbibbl]

Great suggestion- I forgot to mention that about renting a car for a day. After reading Sandy Estabrook's adventures the last couple of trips on Great Abaco it has made me want to rent a car and see the island instead of rushing off to other locales.

[Cathy Arizona]

If you decide to rent a car in MH it's real convenient to rent from the car rental place at the airport. I can't recall the name of that business, but it's so much less hurried to just return your car and already be at the airport. Wally's is a great place for dinner. If you are lucky, maybe Estin Sawyer will be singing there. He's great.

[BahamaAngie]

I think MHH is a great hub. You can go to Pete's Pub for lunch which is great after going to Cherokee for shells (nees to be low tide) or drive too Treasure Cay for a wonderfull lunch at Coco Beach Bar and view one of the most incredible beaches in the world! There are great little shops to buy souveniers....great places to eat, Mangoes, Wallys, I forget the other place right on the water that has great sandwiches/burgers. Can't go wrong no matter what you do. Just need to do careful planning to get as much in as possible. Lots of luck to you and have a great time!