Escape to the uncrowded cays, white-sand beaches and slow pace of life on the tranquil Abaco Islands for the perfectly secluded honeymoon.
With its 200km-long coastline fringed by pencil-thin cays, cerulean lagoons and crystal clear waters surrounding the world’s third-longest barrier reef, the Abaco Islands offer some of the best snorkelling, diving and deep-sea fishing in the Bahamas.
Boasting favourable trade winds, the Abaco Islands are also known as the sailing capital of the Bahamas.
Explore the nearby cays and often unnamed beaches by rental boat. On Great Abaco Island, snorkel the clear, warm waters off Elbow Cay and Mermaid Reef or scuba dive the undersea caves and seemingly endless coral reefs at Pelican Cays Land and Sea Park – just perfect for adventurous honeymoon couples.
With underwater visibility stretching further than 30m, it’s easy to explore caverns, blue holes, coral reefs and underwater coral gardens filled with huge tube and barrel sponges, fields of stag and elkhorn coral, as well as a choice of old shipwrecks.
The island group is highly rated for some of the best deep-sea fishing in the Bahamas: hook up a charter at Treasure Cay or Walkers Cay to chase down barracuda, bonefish, grouper, amberjack, yellowtail, snapper, tuna, blue marlin, dolphin fish and wahoo.
On land, visit Hope Town where you can stroll picturesque streets lined with silver grey and pastel-painted houses and marvel at the photogenic, 36m-high, candy-striped lighthouse.
Elbow Cay, located about 20 minutes via service from Great Abaco's Marsh Harbour, offers some of the best beaches. Its east shore just one long wave-lashed stretch of sugar-white sand.
(Elbow Cay) – Unwind on one of the Bahamas’ best beaches – a secluded, 400m-long stretch of sugar-white sand that curves around a dense palm-fringed shoreline facing crystal clear waters that are perfect for swimming and snorkelling.
There are no facilities here so you may need to pack a picnic. Access to the beach is by boat, foot or bike from Hope Town.
Tahiti Beach is located at the southern tip of Elbow Cay Island, just a short walk or bike ride from the Sea Spray Resort & Marina.
(Great Abaco) – Pick your own spot to relax on this uncrowded, 5.5km-long, soft white-sand beach that shelves into an alluring turquoise sea and is probably one of the top 10 beaches in the Bahamas.
Located on Great Abaco's east coast, the beach boasts the luxurious Treasure Cay Beach Marina & Golf Resort as well as the Bahama Beach Club Resort (photo), where you can be pampered with a range of creature comforts.
(Green Turtle Cay) – Dig your toes into the soft white sand of this gorgeous kilometre-long beach that stretches along the eastern shore of Green Turtle Cay – a stunning island of forest-clad hills that sweep down to secluded inlets and deep water coves.
With coral gardens teeming with colourful sea life and water depths seldom exceeding 6m, Green Turtle Cay offers superb snorkelling.
Visit the island by boat on a day trip or stay longer in style at either the Green Turtle Cay Resort & Marina or the Bluff House Beach Resort & Marina.
Green Turtle Cay is located just 5km off Great Abaco's east coast.
Although less visited than some of the more glamorous islands, the Abacos nonetheless offer excellent resort accommodation options to suit all honeymoon budgets.
On Great Abaco, choose from the Abaco Beach Resort & Boat Harbour at Marsh Harbour, the luxurious Treasure Cay Hotel Resort and Marina or the family friendly Bahama Beach Club, both at Treasure Cay.
On Elbow Cay, try the Hope Town Harbour Lodge or the Sea Spray Resort & Marina. And for laid-back luxury on Green Turtle Cay, discover the Green Turtle Cay Resort & Marina.
Abaco Beach Resort & Boat Harbour
Location: Marsh Harbour, Bahamas
Rating: 4-star
Prices: from AUD498 per room
Description: Located on the east shore of Great Abaco Island, this beachfront resort is a great choice, especially if you're interested in diving or fishing. Well-furnished guest rooms offer private terraces or balconies with views overlooking the marina and Sea of Abaco. The on-site Angler's Restaurant offers one of Marsh Harbour's best dining experiences. Facilities incl.: restaurant, 2 bars, 2 outdoor pools, excercise room, Wi-Fi (free in lobby), 2 tennis courts, bikes and watersports.
Treasure Cay Beach, Marina & Golf Resort
Location: Treasure Cay, Bahamas
Rating: 3-star
Prices: from AUD131 per room
Description: With 7 km of private beach, a marina and an 18-hole golf course, Treasure Cay Beach, Marina & Golf Resort is facing Brigantine Bay. Free Wi-Fi access is available in all areas and public parking is free of charge. The accommodations are air conditioned and have cable TV and a balcony or patio. Some units also include a bath or shower in the bathroom. The apartments boast a kitchenette. Treasure Cay Beach, Marina & Golf Resort features 3 restaurants and bars on site.
Green Turtle Club Resort & Marina
Location: Green Turtle Cay, Bahamas
Rating: 3-star
Prices: from AUD339 per room
Description: Enjoy laid-back luxury at this beachfront resort that also offers a full-service on-site marina and dive shop. Spread across 32 hectares of low-lying scrubland, the resort feels very much like a country club with a choice of spacious and luxurious bungalows set within a gently sloping landscaped garden. Bedrooms boast four-poster beds, French-inspired draperies, oak floors, terra-cotta tiled patios and wicker or rattan furniture. Villas with kitchens are also available. Facilities incl.: 2 restaurants, 2 bars, outdoor pool, bikes and watersports.
The best time to visit Abaco is from mid-November to early-May, when temperatures average a balmy 24°C (75°F) with cooling trade winds.
Temperatures average 28°C (82°F) during the rest of the year, with the temperature dropping about 5°C (41°F) after dark.
Summer, from May to October, is the rainy season. June through to November marks the official hurricane season.
For more climate info: Abaco Island weather and Bahamas weather…
The Abaco Islands are located in the northern Bahamas, about 121km (75mi) north of Nassau, and 290km (180mi) east of South Florida.
The islands comprise the main islands of Great Abaco and Little Abaco, along with smaller barrier cays.
The northernmost islands include Walker's Cay and Grand Cay. To the south, lie Spanish Cay and Green Turtle Cay (home to New Plymouth), Great Guana Cay, Scotland Cay, Man-O-War Cay and Elbow Cay (home to Hope Town).
The onetime Gorda Cay, now a Disney Island and cruise ship stop and renamed Castaway Cay, sits of Abaco's western coast.
Great Abaco Island is home to Marsh Harbour – the largest settlement – and the resort area of Treasure Cay. Both have airports: Leonard M. Thompson International Airport (MHH) and Treasure Cay Airport (TCB), respectively.
The most convenient route to the Abaco Islands is by air to Marsh Harbour's Leonard M. Thompson International Airport (MHH), formerly known as Marsh Harbour Airport, which receives daily nonstop flights from Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando and Nassau.
A fast ferry service also links Nassau with Great Abaco Island.
More information on how to get to Abaco…
Latest update: Abaco Islands: 12 July, 2024
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