THREE DAYS IN THE ABACOS, BAHAMAS

Visit Treasure, Elbow and Man-O-War Cays

A weekend boating getaway in the Abacos may seem a bit of a misnomer, given that Marsh Harbour on Great Abaco Island is about 250 NM from Palm Beach, FL, and vessels must cross open ocean passages to get there. But once a boat is in Marsh Harbour, it makes the perfect starting point for a long weekend cruise. And since Marsh Harbor has its own airport with regularly scheduled flights to and from Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, Caribbean boating is less than an hour away from Florida.

A relatively large Bahamian town, boaters can find provisions, chandleries, laundries and boat repair services fairly easily in Marsh Harbour. Everything you buy there, whether it’s a quart of fresh strawberries, a fuel filter or a gallon of bleach, has arrived in the Bahamas by sea or air from the United States. Hence, all those items carry premium prices. That being said, the best grocery in town for provisioning is Maxwell's Supermarket. Marsh Harbour Boatyards is the major full-service repair facility, and National Marine is well-stocked.

Marsh Harbour's Abaco Beach Resort & Boat Harbour Marina makes the best choice for dockage. It’s a well-protected, world-class marina that will accommodate yachts up to 200 feet LOA with a maximum draft of 11 feet. Services include 24-hour security, Wi-Fi, full detailing and cleaning, electricity, and fueling. On-site Customs and Immigration makes clearance very easy when arriving directly from Florida by sea.  Another great option in Marsh Harbour is the more laid back Conch Inn & Marina with 73 dock slips and a new hotel. 

Another option for short-term cruising in the Abacos is bareboat chartering. The Moorings base in Marsh Harbour offers charters aboard power catamarans, sailing catamarans and sailing monohulls. The “Sea” of Abaco is really a 60-mile-long saltwater lagoon that separates Great Abaco Island from a chain of barrier islands known as the Abaco Cays. With shallow depths generally between 6 and 12 feet, the Sea of Abaco is dotted with shoals and reefs.

DAY 1 - TREASURE CAY

Treasure Cay is about a 20 NM run northwest along the coast of Great Abaco Island. Why go to Treasure Cay? It's all about the 3.5 miles of award-winning secluded white sand beach, along with superb fishing, diving and snorkeling.  Although much of the island was destroyed in Hurricane Dorian, the island is coming back to life along with its beauty.  So spend the day and head on to your next destination!

DAY 2 - HOPE TOWN

Found on Elbow Cay, Hope Town is the second day's port of call, 20 NM southeast of Treasure Cay. The famed Elbow Reef Lighthouse can be seen here, its brilliant red and white striped tower making it the most recognized landmark in the Abacos. Climb up the 100-plus steps to summit the last manually operated lighthouse in the world.

Tie up for the night at Hope Town Inn & Marina, located in the prettiest harbor in the Bahamas and just a short walk from the lighthouse. The marina provides 50 deep-water slips for yachts up to 125 feet LOA. Electricity, fresh water, lockers, laundry and showers are equipped, as well as a mooring field for boats up to 45 feet LOA. The property's restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Bridget's Rum Bar purveys a unique selection of specialty island cocktails to wet one’s whistle.

DAY 3 - MAN-O-WAR CAY

Located just 5 NM from Hope Town following the eastern side of the Sea of Abaco to the north, Man-O-War Cay is famous for its boatbuilding history. William H. Albury, or “Uncle Will,” was a renowned Bahamian boatbuilder, having completed his first schooner at the age of 14. Uncle Will passed away in 1972, but local boatbuilders maintain the Cay’s tradition by making the occasional Abaco Dinghy in Madeira mahogany and other native hardwoods. Considered works of art, these fine wooden vessels are often sought after by collectors.

The first settlers of Man-O-War Cay were British loyalists who fled the Carolinas in 1780 during the American Revolution for a new life in the Abaco out islands. Their descendants today reflect the island's heritage as a community of boatbuilders, fishermen and master carpenters. Some of the original settlers no doubt made their living as wreckers, salvaging cargo from ships gone aground on the nearby reefs.

The pastel-colored homes and white picket fences of Hope Town bestow upon visitors the feel of a New England fishing village. Proud residents show strong affection toward Great Britain and their loyalist background.

Although Man-O-War Cay is only two-and-a-half miles long and very narrow, its beach affords excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. The final destination for this weekend jaunt, Man-O-War Marina Village offers 28 slips for yachts up to 100 feet LOA and a dockside depth of 7 feet. Since the approach channel is only 5 feet deep at MLW, deeper-draft vessels may prefer to enter at high tide. To this day, Man-O-War Marina Village reflects the values of the Albury family, which still owns it.

Whether you cruise in your own boat or charter one in The Bahamas, the Sea of Abaco grants thrilling sailing between Great Abaco and the outer islands. And do remember to watch your depth finder, as there is plenty of skinny water, and sometimes even the local guides run aground.

Find out more about marinas in The Abacos!

Written for Marinalife by Capt. Jeff Werner who has been in the yachting industry for over 30 years. In addition to working as a captain on private and charter yachts, both sail and power, he is a certified instructor for the USCG, US Sailing, RYA and the MCA.