Where to go in the Abacos?

[sportmodel]

Hello,

I'm new to this board, and I'm trying to find the "best match" of what we are looking for in a vacation spot. We are checking out the Abacos for the first time, and I am delighted to find this board! I've done some searches through the various posts, but I'm hoping I can get more refined information if I post a list of what we are looking for. Hope that is not an imposition. I'm cutting and pasting from an e-mail inquiry I sent to a villa owner, but this should give you some info:

At present we are hoping to come on either June 11th or 12th. Because we’re using frequent flyer miles, it looks like our air itinerary will force us into a 6 night rental rather than a 7. We are a party of 2 adults and 2 teens, and we think we'd rather have a house rental than a hotel/resort.

I am a MOST serious snorkler, and like to be as close to a reef as I can get by swimming, dinghy or preferably sea kayak. The teens might need some "in town" diversions" on a few afternoons and/or evenings, but being "away" from it all actually pleases my husband and me more, so relatively quick access to restaurants/town should be sufficient even with an "out of the way" location."

My husband and I both enjoy boating and fishing, whether it be from the beach, fly fishing or trolling for larger game. I would figure we need a boat rental for this and for other activities. But, we'd rather not have to have BOTH a golf care AND a boat. It would be great if a boat could suffice for our main mode of transportation.

All of us, of course, love easy access to beautiful beaches, and just lounging, reading, swimming in beautiful waters, etc. So.......

Your thoughts, ideas, suggestions, etc. are most appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Your suggestions on

[Mudpuppy]

I would suggest renting a house on Elbow Cay. You can get into town via golf cart or boat, and you can be away from the village on a gorgeous beach with great snorkeling.
Try: www.hopetown.com
www.elbowcayrentals.com
www.hopetownvillas.com
www.tannykey.com
Rent a boat from Island Marine: www.islandmarine.com

[riss]

if snorkling is a priority, i would recommend Guana Cay ... has the most amazing off beach snorkling ... the reef runs almost the whole lenght of the island, and there is a great reef at the north end, which you can access through a trip with "dive guana"

there are plenty of home rentals avalible on the island, a majority in easy walking distance to the settlement... this is a small community (less than 200 full time residence) so you will not have that "in-town" diversion, yet there is still tones to do, and without fear or hesitation on your part to let the teens go off on their own.

most of the boat rental companies will deliver to guana, and also "dive guana" rents boats, kayaks, and bikes as well.

we are avid snorklers, and i am always amazed at all the new thigns i see each time i go out with troy & maria ... they even led me onto a PX mask last year, and it is like i was seeing for the first time ... truly amazing

enjoy your trip, whichever island you end up staying on

[zancada2002]

Got to go with Elbow Cay, although Guana, Man O' War and Green Turtle are all wonderfully beautiful places to stay near good snorkling reefs. If you find a home in Hopetown, you won't need a golf cart and the town has many interesting places to explore..like the lighthouse. All the cays are safe for teens. Even though Elbow Cay is a favorite with our family, check out all the cays.....you'll love where ever you go!
Kathy
SV Zancada

[PatW]

Check out Dive Guana's web site for some great photos of the reefs and of some of the houses available here on Guana Cay.
www.diveguana.com (http://www.diveguana.com)




Hello,

I'm new to this board, and I'm trying to find the "best match" of what we are looking for in a vacation spot. We are checking out the Abacos for the first time, and I am delighted to find this board! I've done some searches through the various posts, but I'm hoping I can get more refined information if I post a list of what we are looking for. Hope that is not an imposition. I'm cutting and pasting from an e-mail inquiry I sent to a villa owner, but this should give you some info:

At present we are hoping to come on either June 11th or 12th. Because we’re using frequent flyer miles, it looks like our air itinerary will force us into a 6 night rental rather than a 7. We are a party of 2 adults and 2 teens, and we think we'd rather have a house rental than a hotel/resort.

I am a MOST serious snorkler, and like to be as close to a reef as I can get by swimming, dinghy or preferably sea kayak. The teens might need some "in town" diversions" on a few afternoons and/or evenings, but being "away" from it all actually pleases my husband and me more, so relatively quick access to restaurants/town should be sufficient even with an "out of the way" location."

My husband and I both enjoy boating and fishing, whether it be from the beach, fly fishing or trolling for larger game. I would figure we need a boat rental for this and for other activities. But, we'd rather not have to have BOTH a golf care AND a boat. It would be great if a boat could suffice for our main mode of transportation.

All of us, of course, love easy access to beautiful beaches, and just lounging, reading, swimming in beautiful waters, etc. So.......

Your thoughts, ideas, suggestions, etc. are most appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Your suggestions on

[Watercolours]

Sounds like the place you are looking for is Lubbers Quarters. Lubbers is the best location for access to Sandy Cay reef and Tilloo cut and lots of varied snorkling spots. Town is a 12 - 15 boat ride were you will find resturants, grocery and a settlement, there is a resturant on Lubbers too. No Golf cart needed for most of the homes since they are waterfront and have docks, your boat will be used like you use your car at home, it will be your main mode of transportation.
http://www.lubberslodging.com

[Baltimore Bob]

Everyone has given excellent advise on 'Where to go' however, for a first time visitor I think it's difficult to put the cays in perspective. I remember when I went through this decision process. Consider buying a copy of the Dodge Cruising Guide to the Abacos. In addition to cruising advise there's a wealth of information for a visitor to the Abacos.

http://www.wspress.com/books.htm

[Abacoparrott]

IF you want to have ferry access to the other cays then you are limited to Guana, Man O War, and Elbow (Hopetown) Cays. IF you have your own boat but need a "town" for your teens to visit on their own, then you are still limited to those 3 Cays. IF you and your husband like to have an occasional adult beverage then you can eliminate Man O War. Both Guana and Elbow have rentals in and close to town. If anything, Guana might be a little more adult oriented than Elbow but that is just my perception. As for reef snorkeling without a boat......it's Guana hands down. For ultimate privacy it's Lubbers Quarters....only one restaurant (but it's a very good one) and no other businesses or town. On all Cays you can find very private rentals but it didn't sound like that was important after you mentioned being "near town". For about 250.00 per week I would still rent a cart for exploring....Ken

[sportmodel]

Thanks for all the good suggestions. Truly, snorkeling is MY priority, so I'm interested in real reef snorkeling that is generally accessible from the beach, preferably directly from our accomodations. I've stayed at several such places in other locations, specifically along the Mexican Carribean., where the reef is often continueous for miles and only 300-400 yrds. from shore (at least where we stayed). That is almost swimmable, but I used kayaks in the past. If we have a rental skiff, then it would certainly be even better. Since the Abacos are so often billed with the "3rd" largest barrier reef in the world, I'm really trying to get to see it as easily as possible. I realize that could an unrealistic demand when meeting the needs of the rest of the group.

I'll check out all the links that have been sent, etc. Who wants to recommend an actual property based on these specifics? While I appreciate replies from home owners, "non-partisan" info is particularly helpful.

Thanks again, will continue to read, review, research this great board!

if snorkling is a priority, i would recommend Guana Cay ... has the most amazing off beach snorkling ... the reef runs almost the whole lenght of the island, and there is a great reef at the north end, which you can access through a trip with "dive guana"

there are plenty of home rentals avalible on the island, a majority in easy walking distance to the settlement... this is a small community (less than 200 full time residence) so you will not have that "in-town" diversion, yet there is still tones to do, and without fear or hesitation on your part to let the teens go off on their own.

most of the boat rental companies will deliver to guana, and also "dive guana" rents boats, kayaks, and bikes as well.

we are avid snorklers, and i am always amazed at all the new thigns i see each time i go out with troy & maria ... they even led me onto a PX mask last year, and it is like i was seeing for the first time ... truly amazing

enjoy your trip, whichever island you end up staying on

[riss]

here is a good link to a map that shows were some of the better snorkling reefs are http://www.go-abacos.com/dolphin/db_maps.html
also contact troy or maria at www.diveguana.com, and they may also be able to tell you which specific locations are worth looking into (in the way of reefs that is)

sorry can't recommend any specfic rental locations, but a google search with guana+rental+snorkleing will bring up lots of links
you and your family will love guana :)

[steamboat]

I would recommend CoCo Bay Cottages on Green Turtle or barring them, any house ocean front on Green Turtle for right off the beach snorkeling, small town, good eating establishments and enough to do for teens and adults. Some things to remember as you go forward with your quest. The week that your planning on being in the Abacos is an active week - if memory and travel planning for our group serves me right, you have 2 or 3 weddings on Guana that week which may limit accomodations on Guana, the Edgewater Boat Flotilla 20+ small boats with no sleeping areas on the boats is in the area for that week so Green Turtle and other cays may be their choice of residence for the week, other islands may be similarly occupied that week. I'm sure there are lots of choices on the islands left but don't hesitate too long or there may be very slim pickings. Same with a boat rentals - don't wait to rent one.

[Abacoparrott]

www.guanabeachwatch.com (http://www.guanabeachwatch.com) Ken

[islandsun]

As a vacationer of 8 years to Abaco, My wife and I love Guana Cay, We also snorkel,Troy & Maria give you an excellent snorkel trip at Dive Guana. If you go there stay at one of the houses behind Guana Seaside village, Get a boat ,no need for a cart if you want to get to the settelment ,just use the boat,or Guana village can take you in with there van.See www.guanaseaside.com
NO matter where you and up it's a great place.
Enjoy
Greg

[sportmodel]

....for all the recommendations and advice. We'll mull it all over, see what we come up with!

P.S. Continued suggestions always welcom!

Thanks again!

[bellavista]

If it's easy snorkeling from beach, it's guana. Also get snorkeling trips with Dive Guana.

[sportmodel]

Just to clarify for me, beach snorkeling along the EAST coast, yes?




If it's easy snorkeling from beach, it's guana. Also get snorkeling trips with Dive Guana.

[bellavista]

Right--the good old Atlantic Ocean--you can almost see Africa from Nippers.

[sportmodel]

Wish my eyesight was that good!

[Gone Bananas on Lubbers]

I agree that Lubbers Quarters is the place...secluded, yet accessible to Elbow Cay, Tilloo Cut, Tahiti Beach, Sandy Cay...a beautiful reef...Fowl Cay, and the Mermaids. Your boat will be your mode of transportation, but some rentals on Lubbers provide golf carts for island exploring.

[boatbum]

Based on what I have read in the original post, I'll submit that Elbow will work well for you. There are several restaurants, many more than Guana. While the dive shops on all of the cays are reputable, they all frequent similar stops except perhaps for North Guana which Dive Guana will have the easiest access to.
With two teenagers, having only Nippers and Grabbers and their environment, I'll submit that Sea Spray, The Reef Bar, The Edge and others on Elbow offer a better environment. In particular the snorkel off the reef bar will be easier for everyone.
As far as a boat vs. cart, that is a tough call. Look at the water where you will rent, and make your own call but I again will say Elbow just because there are more folks to chose from over here.
Note:
We are not home owners with an interest in luring you to any particular cay.
We have spent about a year over here at various cays over the last two years. We Winter here. If I was to rent a boat, I'd vote for the White Sound area. This way you can run from White Sound (on Elbow) up to Hope Town with the boat very easily. You can even walk it. You also have easy access to Tilloo Cut, the Reefs at the North of Elbow, Lubber's Quaters and Cracker Ps, the Abaco Inn, On Da Beach, Sea Spray, and a host of others up in Hope Town. You can also rent a cart if you like and several places will pick you up and give you a ride home if you want a ride in a van instead.

[PatW]

This thread started in 2005.

[007]

This thread started in 2005.

Good call on the date, Pat! I missed that, entirely.
Yet, the advice is still so very current after 6 years. Gotta love Abaco and all it has to offer!

[Betty Jean]

Step one: Go to www.wspress.com and order a copy of the cruising guide. It is not only a boater's book; it is also the best tourist/landlubber's guide for the Abacos. In it you will find ads and classifieds for many rental properties and property management companies.


Step Two: Pick a cay. I agree with all of the prior posts. All the cays they mention are great places to be. The reef off Guana, unlike the Mexican Caribbean, is just off shore, especially at low tide.

good luck and I know you'll enjoy the trip.

[Gone Bananas on Lubbers]

Even though I do have an interest in Lubbers Quarters, I must admit, based on our years of vacation and home ownership, I tend to agree with boatbum for a first time visit with teen-agers!

[menegaux]

I noticed as I rad through the replies here that the thread started in '05, funny I did not catch that either until it was pointed out. The Reef bar, is that still open? If so, where? I have never been there or even heard of it, that threw me. Is it now On Da Beach?

[Two Rock Reef]

The Reef bar is the Pool bar at the Lodge. Gary's World.

[marc]

check out the bita bay house on g.t.c. there is a excellent reef right in front of the house.
marc

[Gone Bananas on Lubbers]

I agree!

[Gone Bananas on Lubbers]

Dodge Cruising Guide to the Abacos is definitely a "must buy" for boating visitors to Abaco.

[Sunkissed]

And they never came back and said where they stayed???? Not fair, the suspense has kept people talking for years!! LOL


This thread started in 2005.

[dp]

Rent a boat and do the whole Sea of Abaco! It doesn't matter where you stay, the teens won't find what they're looking for anyway. But boats are golden in Abaco because there are so many places to go and see. If you aren't a boater, charter one for a couple of days. It will be worth every penny!