The Abacos, also known as the family islands or friendly Islands, is a string of Bahamian islands located about 185 miles east of Florida. The Abacos consist of 2 main islands, namely, The Great Abaco and The Little Abaco. The Great Abaco extends about 90 miles long, and about 4 miles wide on average. It’s the largest island in the Abacos chain of islands, and is home to all kinds of wildlife including, but not limited to; boars, wild horses, and the Abaco Parrot.
The Abaco Islands in general boast lots of important natural areas, more so coral reef areas, large forests, among others. Noted for their casual and relaxed atmosphere, and friendliness of its’ people, these family Islands also feature some of the planet’s most luxurious resorts where tourists can get to enjoy horseback riding, scuba diving, tennis, golf and lots of other activities.
The family Islands offer many fun filled activities which are not only exciting, but also educational. They are an absolute paradise, for adventure seekers, nature lovers, water lovers and beach lovers, offering a great collection of some of the best beaches and best spots for kayaking, boating, sailing, bird watching, and snorkeling in the region. As a matter of fact, the family islands attract professional boaters from all over the world, and are considered to be among the top boating and sailing destinations on the planet.
Things To Do
- Spend a Day in Hope Town – Hope Town is among the most well known islands in Abacos, and is home to the well known candy striped lighthouse which you can climb all the way to the top. Hope Town is really charming and it’s fun to simply stroll the streets, and explore this friendly town. Here, you’ll find all manner of shops, historical sites, restaurants, museums and even pastel cottage homes. If you are looking for family friendly fun on the waters, there is snorkeling in the shallow coral gardens, and great boating excursions to the offshore cays.
- Visit the Abaco National Park – When you visit the Abaco national park, you might get to see the rare Abaco parrot amidst the park’s 20,500 acre forest. Consider starting your search for the elusive parrot on southern end of the park. Here, you might even get to see many other exotic species such as the white crowned pigeon, Bahamas mocking birds and iguanas. For those who are not into animals, then the absolutely breathtaking views of the Caribbean Pine also warrant a visit.
- Go Scuba Diving – The Abacos has some of the best scuba diving sites. They are relatively shallow, at about 60 ft or less, which means you do not have to go too far to propel through the crystal waters and past all kinds of mysterious caverns and colorful fish. If you are the more adventurous type, you can head to Walker’s Cay where you’ll get to try shark diving.
- Best Time of the Year to Visit the Abacos – The months of June, July, and August are the best times to visit the Abacos for swimming, sailing and boating. December to May is also a good time to visit since the weather is pleasant with temperatures ranging between 70s and 80s; deep sea fishing, is best during this time of the year.
