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Abaco
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The Abacos has been called the sailing capital of the world and it is surely the "sailing capital" of the Bahamas. The islands off the mainland are called cays (pronounced Keys). Travel is most easily accompished amoung the cays by boat, although there is a ferry that can take you to a couple of the larger cays. This diverse third largest Bahamian Island has something for everyone:
The main settlement that serves as the transportation hub is Marsh Harbour (MHH) and all major US carriers have daily service from Florida. Marsh Harbor is full of resturants serving local fair and in the hub on the nightlife on Abacos. If you are interested in sailing through and around Abacos you can charter a sailboat through the Moorings which is based out of Marsh Harbor. A short ferry ride directly east will take you to to the island of Elbow Cay will give you the most unforgettable visit: Hope Town. With it's candy striped lighthouse and Martha's vinyard loyalist cottages this settlement is the must see destination of the Abacos. Rent a golf cart and make your way south to White Sound which has great waves for surfing and a great beach to go seaglass hunting. Elow Cay has all ammenities you would want in THe Bahamas, scuba and snorkeling trips, boat rental, vacation home rental... dive boat charters etc. Head South to Little Harbor and make a stop at Sandy Cay National Preserve. It is a reef full of abundant sea life which you can see clearly with a mask and snorkel. Make sure only to anchor at the approved moorings as on stray anchor can casue thousands of years of damage on the reefs. Little Harbor is home to Pete's Pub and a copper cast muesum. Call ahead on the VHF to let him know you are coming. Heading back up north stop at Tilloo Cay which is home to a sand dollar and sea urchin "park". Please don't take live sea urching or sea bisquits, they will die a long slow (stinky) death. Pull up to the beach to find plenty of empty shells you can take homeas a souvenir. North of Elbow cay is Great Guana Cay offers a magnificant white powdered sand beach and a famous restaurant/bar serving a Sunday Native Pork Roast. Upscale Treasure Cay (on the mainland w/add'l airport (TCB)) has a full resort with golf course. It also has one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world according to Carribbean Travel and Life Magazine, where white powder meets the turquoise swells. The Marina at Treasure Cay is one of the largest and busiest in Abacos. Unlike its name suggests Treasure Cay is again on the mainland and can be reached by approx 40 min car ride from Marsh Harbor Airport. Green Turtle Cay is the sister settlement to Florida's Key West. Although Florida experienced much more of a growth boom, this sleepy fishing village has a historical museum and Art Gallery. Man of War Cay was a bustling boat building capital. It now is home to a quaint village full of arcitectual detail and sail bag gifts. Yes, because of the proximity the the US coast - you can arrive Abaco within a hours' flight... Disney Cruise Lines even has a private Abaco island on its itinerary! The islands of the Bahamas... it just keeps getting better! |
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Grand bahama island
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Grand Bahama is located in the North of the Bahamas. Contrary to what the name suggest it's not the biggest island, that's Andros. The island is the home of Freeport, aka Lucaya, the second biggest city of the Bahamas. Freeport has a faster pace and a more cosmopolitan atmosphere than the old-world sophistication of Nassau.
Freeport is a sportsman's paradise, with many golf, tennis, scuba diving, pan handler dodging, and fishing facilities. The city was set up completely as a tourist resort. Forty years ago Freeport didn't exist; today, it's "a fantasy vacation made real on the shores of Grand Bahama". We recently stayed at the Taino Beach Resort next store to the Ritz, and we enjoyed our stay immensly. Freeport is a great alternative to Nassau, having vacationed to both islands on several occasions. Freeport people are more hospitable and kind, the beaches are great and the two casinos and new resorts make for a lot of fun. If you are looking to get laid bring condoms and double up this place has a high rate of aids. When attending the islands booze cruze don't drink too much punch there is something in it witch will get you so messed up they'll have to wheel you off the boat in a wheelchair without your wallet. The best place in this hell hole to eat is LE CHICKEN SHACK the best bbq chicken i've ever eaten its worth getting riped off by the taxi driver to visit this place. |
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Out islands
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Andros
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Andros, Bahamas
The largest Bahamian island located off of Florida's south-eastern tip. Andros on the most part is largely uninhabited. The island is characterized into North, Central and South with airports servicing all areas. Tourism here is more personal - offering bone fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving. The extensive famous Blue Hole system offers tremendous eco-tourism adventures. There are species of noctornal fish found nowhere else on Earth. Andros hosts an anual crab festival and island regatta. Andros is home to the second longest barrier reef in the world. Andros is bursting with agricultural and environmental possibilities. With its proximity to Florida and the captial of Nassau seeing this gem "Andros" is easy. |
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Cat island
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Truly an "out of the way" destination
Low tech everything and true island hospitality
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Exumas
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Exuma offers a very relaxed, casual dress-type environment, not filled with much nightlife of a typical vacation resort destination. If you're looking for a secluded and romantic getaway, this is the place for you! There are several small hotels, straw markets, native restaurants, boutiques, grocery and liquor stores, post office, telegraph station, United Parcel Service, Bank of Nova Scotia, clinic doctor and dentist, and many churches of denomination located throughout the island. Exuma is the Cabin of the Annual Out Island Regatta, held in peaceful Elizabeth Harbor. Exuma is also known for its World Class Bone Fishing. | |
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Nassau
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Nassau is a city on the island of New Providence in the Bahamas. It is not one of the biggest islands, but it is the most popular one for tourism. It is also the capital of the country. It's a very popular place because of its casinos. There are remote parts of the island, too. Mainly, the island is the center of the economy for the people of the Bahamas. It is the business center for sure. Most of the banks of the Bahamas - the second largest industry of the Bahamas - are located in Nassau. Tourism is the largest industry. Locals try to sell souvenirs and the like. The island has it's not-so-much like a resort area too, outside of the northern end of the island is where most of the resorts are. |
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Freeport
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A great alternative to Nassau. People and staff are kind and hospitable, the beaches and roads are clean, and the rates are very reasonable for hotel and time share accomodations.
We stayed at the Taino Beach Resort. Reasonably priced, clean and prompt service. We recommend purchasing the weekly pass for the 5 minute ferry boat ride ($25 for 7 days). It takes you to Lucayas Beach Resort where there's a new casino and plenty of Bars and restaurants and shopping. It's the only way to get their from Taino Beach, unless you use a taxi. We used the ride at least 10 times over the course of our weekly stay. |