Abaco vs. BVI

[svennn]

I realize this a forum for people who like (love?) Abaco, but I need to try and get an honest comparison between the BVI's and Abaco.

I am planing a bareboat charter for the spring of 2006. I have been to the BVI's on a number of occasions and had a great time. The things I liked best were the sailing, blue water, good beaches, and fun bars.

I was looking around when Herve turned me on to Abaco. Has anyone here been to both spots? How would you compare the two? I love to try new spots but most of the time just wish I went back to the BVI's.

I look forward to reading any input.

-Steve

[Noontide]

In my opinion The Abacos have a smaller nicer comunity, anchorages are less crowded, charter fleet is much smaller, and you won't have the Puertorican flotilla showing up on the long weekends. Don't get me wrong I love the BVI's and visited them repeatedly for over 30 years but now The Abacos are where I can go. To me todays Abaco is what the BVI's were 20+ years ago.

[Eva H.]

I have multiple BVI charters under my belt, as well as several in the Abacos (as well as the Grenadines and Belize). The Abacos remain my favorite chartering destination.

First and foremost, one of the nicest things about the Abacos is NO CRUISE SHIPS!

Beyond that, I second everything Noontide has written, and add the following random observations:

- The Abacos have more beautiful water than anywhere else in the Caribbean, save some of the other Bahamas Out Islands. You can be skimming along the Sea of Abaco in your catamaran, looking down between the webbing, and counting the starfish which you can clearly see on the bottom.

- Like the BVIs, the Abacos are oriented towards boaters, as there is a good-sized (but not large) cruising community, and just about everyone gets around by boat. Plenty of stops to dock and buy groceries, grab dinner or drinks, etc.

- The settlements are very picturesque. Hopetown is one of my favorites. Candy-colored saltbox houses, a red-and-white striped lighthouse, picket fences carved in fanciful designs, etc. The "streets" are no wider than sidewalks, and cars are few and far between. Golf carts are the predominant mode of transport.

- The ocean side beaches run for ever and ever.

- Tilloo Bank is a giant sandbar off Tilloo Cay, and the water is a shimmering, irridescent blue. The bottom is studded with giant starfish, and sand dollars and sea biscuits for treasure hunting.

- Get to Baker's Bay, on the north end of Great Guana Cay, before the developers do. Three amazing beaches -- on on the Sea of Abaco, one on the north end of the cay, and one endless one on the ocean. A beach lovers dream.

- For the shell seeker, Spoil Bank Cay is paradise. Millions and millions of shells. But be sure to wear your shoes!

Needless to say, I love the Abacos and plan to return for a charter in November. In the meantime, I'm done with the BVI for a while.

[AbacoPeach]

"In the meantime, I'm done with the BVI for a while."

Since Herve has moved his boat to Abaco, I guess he is too!

[svennn]

This is exactly the type of information I am looking for. Please keep it coming.


-Steve

[Herve]

Laura,

I am so done....just looking at the endless threads on TTOL about pollution in the various anchorages, the cruise ships problems, the atitude of people etc...
I am so glad Mama Cocha is now in Marsh Harbor....if I could only find a way to get there more often.

Jaime,

Don't diss the PR navy....I hear your dad is now the commodore with his new boat....

[Noontide]

Herve,

He actually now likes to go further than the BVI's to places like Matinique and beyond primarily to avoid the Puerto Rican invasion. The way my family tells me is that in PR just like most of the US everyone and anyone is buying a boat and going places. Problem is most don't have a clew of what they are doing and don't give a "BEEP" about the environement or the fact that it is not their country.

All I have are the great memories of the days before moorings and the days when we were the only boat anchored at the Baths, Cane Gardens, The Caves at Norman Island. and even Sir Francis Bay. Memories what great memories!!!

[DrRalph]

Go to: http://www.************/Articlesdex.html, check out "Traveling to Abaco in Your Boat" and "Attitude Adjustment in ABaco 2001."

[SusieAndAl]

We couldn't agree more with their comments. We have traveled all over the world, and spent most of our free time the last 15 years or so searching for the perfect place for a second home. We found it in Abaco, and we couldn't be happier with our decision. The people, beaches, water, cays and on and on are everything we had hoped for and more. When Noontide said that Abaco is like the BVIs of 20 years ago, he was exactly right! Hmmm....wonder what we'll be saying about Abaco in 20 years...

[biggy]

The weather is certainly more reliable in the BVI's and the water warmer during the winter.The true treasures of Abaco are the Abaconians.They are more engaging,honest and humorous than any people I have met anywhere.So if you need perfect weather go to the BVI's but if you want to enjoy gregarious,gentle people and a beautiful place,come to Abaco.

[ncdd]

like the others we have sailed in various places and Abacos is our favorite. Eva and Jamie has said it perfectly.
But if there is anything that, is better in the BVI, it is the wind. It might have the edge on that. Every time we were in the BVI we had great sailing winds. And in comparision, Abaco is sometimes like being on a huge crystal clear lake. And you do have to be more careful due to shallower depths and more reefs. But outside on the ocean can be a blast with great sailing.
Also you can generally get to Abacos easier than BVI. Usually one less lay over!

And last but most important is the people!!!!!!!

[bellavista]

Been sailing in BVIS 3 times on 80s and 90s and stayed there in 1972. It was great in 70s and 80s, but getting too over done now.

I like the out islands of the Bahamas better. We now have a house in Abacos so I guess you know where my vote is.

If you have already been to BVIs that much I would pick Abaco. If you want another alternative, the St Martin Anguilla St Barts week to 2 week rental out of St Martin is also great.

[Alan Brown]

Steve,

When lengthy and costly boat repairs hit me hard last June, I decided to leave Nassau and sail north to the Abacos. My original goal had been to winter in the Dominican Republic. What a great decision! I spent nearly 2 months just cruising around the Sea of Abaco, snorkeling, diving with Froggies, anchoring out, and having a ball! I was so impressed with the Abacos that I decided to leave my boat over there rather than sail it back to Florida.

When I got back to the States, I posted my comments on the SSCA (Seven Seas Cruising Association) Discussion Board. If you access their website, go to the "Destinations" section and scroll down until you find my post, "Abaco Impressions". This may help you to make your decision.

Fair winds.

Alan

I was

[Agur's Wish]

We have done multiple charters in the VI's and loved them. Actually that's where we're supposed to be right now,hmm, I wonder what happened. We sailed over here a year ago and haven't left yet, so obviously we love it here too. I have to admit, though, if I only had a one or two week charter and couldn't get in the water I would be deeply disappointed. Springtime in the Bahamas is iffy weather, I would suggest trying it after May then fall in love and never leave. We have the fun bars and the wonderful people (you will be invited or dragged along to the happy hours and potlucks even if you are a charterer and that never happened to us in the VI's) and the one thing we don't have is crime (St. Thomas gets uglier every time we go there). This is a very close community and if something goes walk about it will be found. After all this rambling I guess what I'm saying is if you want to insure warm weather and water your better bet is the VI but arrange your next charter in the summer and come to the Abacos. I wouldn't want you to get a bad impression and never come back. That would be a tragedy!

[DockRat]

Svennn,

My wife and I have bareboat-chartered in Abaco and in the BVIs and USVIs (recently).

Abaco has great people, clean water, and uncrowded beaches. It’s peaceful and quiet. It’s quaint. You have a choice of blue water or protected, calm water. There is a variety of fishing (fly, reef, offshore). You might snorkel, collect sand dollars or watch parrots. There are natural wonders like Hole in the Wall and numerous blue holes.

The VIs have more bars, restaurants, nightlife, entertainment, and shopping. There are beautiful peaks rising out of the water. There are spectacular sights like The Baths on Virgin Gorda and historic sugar mill ruins on St. John. You can also find quiet spots like Anegada where you might take a swim then snooze in a hammock at Loblolly Bay and later enjoy a lobster dinner barbecued on the beach.

That said, I'll give you an analogy, albeit exaggerated: It's a bit like comparing Mayberry to spring break. Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I'll also tell you that we have purchased property in Abaco and plan to build soon.

DockRat

[BahamaAngie]

SHHHHH! Lets keep this a secret! We do not want too many people to discover Abaco.

[mwinni]

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