The Abacos

Abaco Bahamas are tropical islands that are packed with exciting activities. Adventure water sports such as scuba diving, snorkeling, kite surfing, and paddle boarding is available around every corner.

In the Abaco Bahamas, nature quests where you will encounter exotic wildlife, plant life and marine life such as the famous swimming pigs, Green turtles, stingrays, sharks, and more. Historical journeys as you discover the roots of the Bahamian culture and heritage from the Lucayan Indians to the British Loyalists. Enjoy an exciting island hopping tour where you can visit Treasure Cay Bahamas, Green Turtle Cay, Man-O-War Cay, Great Guana Cay and many others. Your day trip to Bahamas can be as brief as a Miami to Bahamas day trip or as lengthy as a five day cruise to Bahamas or longer. A one day trip to Bahamas from Miami is a hot, trendy getaway.

Your day trip to Bahamas will include a stop at Great Abaco Island, the main island of Abaco Bahamas. There are impressive beaches and activities to be had; fishing, diving, snorkeling and boating. Take a ferry to Green Turtle Cay for the Bahamas Pig Tour or to Hope Town Bahamas and climb the historic lighthouse. Rent a boat and visit the surrounding Cays. Spend some time at white sand beaches. Whatever cay you visit, you will find fun and adventure. In just a one day trip to Bahamas from Miami there is so much to see and experience.

Each cay offers some of the best accommodations in the world. Treasure Cay Bahamas has some of the best beaches in the world. Each morning and step out onto white sand beaches. Awake early and watch the sunrise. Relax in the evening with the sunset. Imagine a Miami to Bahamas day trip enjoying the sun and sand on a tropical beach. The Abaco island hotels include fancy resorts, quaint cabins, small boutique hotels and rustic accommodations. The Abaco island hotels typically have restaurants and bars to treat you to delicious Bahamian cuisine. A day trip to Bahamas will unveil the peaceful beauty of the Abacos.

Abaco Bahamas is a chain of islands northeast of the main Bahamas Islands. They are called the Out Islands, because they line the outer edge of the Bahamas. The chain is about 120 miles long and contains some of the best remote vacation spots in the world. In fact, the Out Islands are easily accessible via an exclusive Bahamas air charter by Bahamas Air Tours. For a quick getaway, a one day trip to Bahamas from Miami will is ideal. Each isle is encircled with remarkable beaches.

Most have a small colonial settlement that dates back to the mid 1700s. Each offers it own attractions and activities from diving extensive, exotic reefs to island hopping Bahamas on your own boat or chartered. As the sailing capital of the world you will see some of the most distinguished yachts and sailboats. Boat building has been part of the history of Abaco Bahamas. Today, modern boats are still built on Man-O-War Cay. Abaco Bahamas is ideal for a one day trip to Bahamas from Miami to soak in the sun, fun, and beauty.

Green Turtle Cay

Green Turtle Cay is a scenic ferry ride from Treasure Cay Bahamas. The Green Turtle Cay Bahamas day trip will find you exploring the colonial village of New Plymouth. Stunning beaches, wonderful snorkeling and diving ventures, historical finds and nature attractions top the list of things to do. This remote island can be reached in just two hours time from Florida. Flying to Bahamas from Florida is a snap. Learn about the Loyalists who fled the America for a safe haven in Abaco Bahamas. There is nothing like the island hopping Bahamas pigs tour which is fun for all ages. Enjoy the picturesque architecture and partake in some of the Bahamian cultural festivals and events. New Plymouth has museums, shops, restaurants, hotels and much more. A day trip to Bahamas from Fort Lauderdale is a unique getaway. Or you could try a one day trip to Bahamas from Miami. All this is available via ferry from Treasure Cay Bahamas.

Green Turtle Cay is known for its Bahamas Pigs Tour. Where else can you go swimming with pigs Bahamas style? A Bahamas day trip is not complete unless you have experienced the Pig Island Bahamas tours located at No Name Cay, just a short boat ride away. Boat excursions are easily available and will take you on a variety of Bahamas island hopping adventures. The Pig Island Bahamas tours are definitely a signature attraction.

As you approach these chunky little animals enter the water and come out to greet you. They are hoping you brought a treat like fresh fruit and veggies. It is perfectly fine to jump in the water with them and experience swimming with pigs Bahamas style. You will be delighted by the cute grunts and snorts along with the soft nudges from their little pig noses. You may be wondering who cares for these pigs. There is a local resident who has taken it upon himself to arrange for food and fresh water for the pigs. In fact, it is rather a community project as many locals donate to help the pigs. Tourists are encouraged to donate food, water and money to help in the cause. This is one way to be involved in ecotourism on your one day trip to Bahamas from Miami.

What can rival a Bahamas pigs tour; a tour to Coco Bay where you can swim with Green Turtles. These gentle, charming creatures are beautiful with a mix of green, brown and yellow colours. The Green Turtle can grow to be quite large at almost 350 pounds, and they have strong flippers which help them glide gracefully through the water. While the swimming pigs Bahamas like to eat fruits and veggies, the turtles like to eat sea grasses. But one of their favorites is squid. You can get buckets of squid to feed the turtles. Feed them carefully as they have a strong bite. If you are staying on Green Turtle Cay, your hotel may provide you a golf cart or there are carts for rental. Drive the golf cart to Coco Bay to witness the Green turtles in action. This encounter during your one day trip to Bahamas from Miami is something you will never forget. A Miami day trip to Bahamas is easy to set up with Bahamas Air Tours.

The exotic adventures continue as you swim with sharks and stingrays. A boat excursion to nearby Manjack Cay north of Green Turtle Cay will bring you to a place of crystal clear water with stingrays, Nurse Sharks and Lemon Sharks. You may be nervous to get in the water with them, but they are typically very gentle. This once in a lifetime opportunity will be thrilling as you feel the sharks nudge you in the water. Or watch the stingrays as they effortless “fly” through the water past you. They are soft to the touch and their contrasting colours of white and charcoal stand out in the pristine waters. On a one day trip to Bahamas from Miami you can experience the exotic wildlife.

The adventures on Green Turtle Cay will be very fulfilling and you will realize your Bahamas Day trip has been worth it. Vacations and day trips Bahamas style are very rewarding and you will soon be making plans to return to this island paradise. A Miami day trip to Bahamas is easy to arrange through Bahamas Air Tours.

Hope Town on Elbow Cay

Take a trip to a colonial village where there are no cars and the colonial architecture is witnessed in the small cottage type homes; this is Hope Town on Elbow Cay. This delightful little cay has signature beaches, full-service marina, golf cart rentals and accommodations to fill every need. One of the landmarks of Abaco Bahamas is the Hope Town Lighthouse, standing 120 feet tall with its colorful red and white striped exterior. A climb to the top will give you a panoramic view of Elbow Cay. Elbow Cay is easily accessible on a one day trip to Bahamas from Miami.

Hope Town Bahamas was founded by Wyannie Malone. She was a widow who traveled from South Carolina with her 4 children. Their service as British Loyalists earned them hundreds of acres of land on Elbow Cay. At one time there was an enormous cholera outbreak that took over 100 lives. These folks were buried in a common cemetery called the Cholera Cemetery, it is available to visit. Miami day trips are ideal for history lovers.

Wyannie Malone Historical Museum is an interesting attraction that tells the story of Elbow Cay including the First Nation people, the Lucayan Indians. There were pirates, rum runners, British Loyalists, boat builders and farmers. This history is captured at the museum with historical manuscripts, artifacts and photographs.

There are several beaches on Elbow Cay; one of the most popular is Tahiti Beach, located on the southwest end of Elbow Cay. The aqua waters are shallow, great for beach combing, sun bathing, kayaking, paddle boarding and more. It is a place where the boats pull up on the sand bar and people hang out. A quiet, more private beach is Garabonzo Beach, located on the west side of Elbow Cay. All this is available via Miami day trips with Bahamas Air Tours.

Elbow Cay has a history of boat building, ship wracking and pineapple farming. Today the main industry is tourism. Hope Town Lighthouse, museums and beaches are all popular attractions.

Flying to Bahamas from Florida, you will land at Marsh Harbor International Airport on Abaco Bahamas. From there you will take the Albury Ferry to Elbow Cay. The cost is just $30 round trip with an open ended ticket so you can return at your convenience. The 20-minute ride across the Sea of Abaco is scenic. A visit to Elbow Cay is the ideal one day trip to Bahamas from Miami.

Treasure Cay

Treasure Cay Bahamas is part of Great Abaco Island. Treasure Cay Bahamas is known for magnificent beaches; picture postcard perfect! Voted the Best Caribbean Beach, Treasure Cay Bahamas is the ideal destination for a one day trip to Bahamas from Miami. Marine activities including snorkeling and diving some of the most beautiful underwater reefs and caves. Check in at the Treasure Cay Marina for all your boating and water sport needs. Championship golf courses on Treasure Cay Bahamas lend themselves not only to a challenging game but also to picturesque island scenes.

Treasure Cay hotels such as the Treasure Cay Beach Marina & Golf Course have full-services. Private villas line the beach. Rental boats are available on Treasure Cay Bahamas at the Treasure Cay Marina. You can also book a fishing charter of your choosing whether it be for bone fish or the magnificent blue marlin. Being the boating capital of the world, there are pristine waters and exotic islands to be explored. Treasure Cay Marina has 164 deep water slips and can accommodate all types of boats. Imagine your Bahamas day trip starting with a fabulous flight to Bahamas from Florida and then island hopping on a charter or renting your own boat to explore independently.

Other Treasure Cay hotels include the Bahama Beach Club with seaside condos. This Treasure Cay Bahamas resort also offers full amenities including championship golf, ocean front Jacuzzis, boat rentals, excursions, waterskiing, diving, snorkeling, and kayaking. There are bike and golf cart rentals for ease of exploring. A one day trip to Bahamas from Miami is a great way to experience the tropical island paradise. This is your Bahamas day trip – do as much or as little as you desire.

Treasure Cay Bahamas has a small international airport that receives about 15 flights a day from Florida or Nassau Bahamas. Near the Treasure Cay Bahamas airport is the Lowe’s Green Turtle Cay Ferry which is a jumping off point for a fantastic island hopping day trip to Bahamas. Flying from Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas is a common Treasure Cay Bahamas day trip and is a perfect way for Bahamas Air Tours to introduce you to the adventure of a lifetime as you island hop the Abaco Islands from Treasure Cay Bahamas. Treasure Cay Bahamas is also the perfect destination for a one day trip to Bahamas from Miami.

Man-O-War Cay

Man-O-War cay is the home to boat building. In fact, the Albury family (who runs the Albury ferry from Marsh Harbour) is still in the boat building business. Their boat building history spans across several generations. Today, Joe Albury still builds hand crafted boats on Man-O-War Cay and is renowned for his boat building skills. He also builds models of the boats that are for sale in his studio. This is a great place to stop on a one day trip to Bahamas from Miami, especially as you are island hopping.

Great Guana Cay

Great Guana Cay is an islet in Abaco Bahamas. Your Bahamas Day trip will find you visiting this remote location and its stunning beaches, spectacular sunsets, world-class sailing, and other water sports such as snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and fishing. Under the right conditions, surfing is a great sport as well. Bicycles and golf carts are available for rent so you can explore the island. The geography is different from one end to the other and is a very interesting tour. Fishing charters are also available; not only will you get a catch, you will see a lot of scenic territory while out on the water. The amenities are exactly what most people are looking for: restaurants, grocery stores, shopping, drug store, medical services, hardware, a bank, and a church. Plan a one day trip to Bahamas from Miami today.

Nippers Beach Bar & Grill is a renowned restaurant and bar right on the beach which is the go-to place for party fun. They serve signature cocktails, delicious Bahamian dishes and some of your favorite seafood entrées such as lobster, cracked conch, and jumbo shrimp. This place has two pools and a tiki bar. When you visit Great Guana Cay, Nippers is a hot spot, especially Sundays when they serve a Pig Roast Buffet that includes all the side dishes.

If you are looking for a place to stay, there are several Abaco hotels from which to choose. The accommodations range from rental homes, to bungalows, small cottages, suites and apartments. It is best to get your reservations in early.

This settlement was established in the early 1800’s. After the American Revolution, the British Loyalists were demanded to leave. Many went to Canada and others fled to the Bahamas, a British territory. There were as many as 1,000 Loyalists in Abaco Bahamas which dispersed to surrounding cays. The residents were instrumental in establishing boat building, fishing and wrecking. The industry growth helped the settlements to grab hold.

From end to end on this small sliver of an island you will find things to explore and do. Eventually, you will end up at Nipper’s and have a fine close to your day. A day trip to Bahamas from Fort Lauderdale could find you lounging at Nipper’s, enjoying the sights and sounds.

Abaco National Park

There are four national parks in the Abaco chain of islands. Each park represents its own beauty, geography, and wildlife for which the nature preserves were established to protect. The Abaco National Park is located at the southern tip of Abaco Bahamas is home to the Abaco Parrot. Only 3,000 of these endangered, exotic birds still exist on Abaco.

The Pelican Cays Land & Sea Park is set up to preserve the barrier reef and islands. It is an ideal place for snorkeling and diving to experience the exotic, colorful marine life. It has an extensive cave system. It is located south of Marsh Harbour, and north of Cherokee Sound. The Tilloo Cay National Reserve is a fabulous nesting area for tropical birds including the very rare White-Tailed Tropicbird. This park is ideal for bird watchers as many tropical birds make their home here. It is located just south of Elbow Cay. The Black Sound Cay National Reserve is near Green Turtle Cay and home to mangrove swamps that are attractive to exotic tropical birds. Fowl Cays National Park was established to protect the coral reef. It is known as an excellent place to snorkel and dive. A lot of non-commercial fishing is done near the reef as well.

The Wild Horses of Abaco Preserve is located on Treasure Cay Bahamas. It was once home to the now extinct Spanish Colonial Horses that were brought over with explorers such as Christopher Columbus. The horses were once 200 strong and then in the 1960s reduced to just three. Soon after the last mare died, efforts began to re-establish the herd through cloning. This pine forest region of Abaco Bahamas is available for touring and hiking by reservation. A one day trip to Bahamas from Miami is ideal for naturists, bird and butterfly watchers and those with natural botanical interests. What a great way to spend time on your day trip to Bahamas from Florida.

Ecotourism is a trend where you can spend time in nature with wildlife and contribute to the conservation efforts through volunteering and monetary donations. Many ecotourism venues are available include the swimming pigs, Green turtles, sharks and stingrays birds, plants, reefs and much more. A one day trip to Bahamas from Miami is a great way to get involved in the ecotourism trend.

Abaco’s Hidden Underwater World

For those who love scuba diving or want to learn, Abaco Bahamas is an ideal destination. The miles of reefs, the blue holes and intricate cave systems that can be found at several of the Out Islands as well as under Great Abaco and Treasure Cay Bahamas are excellent venues to encounter the exotic marine flora and fauna. Ideal for a Miami day trip to Bahamas.

A blue hole is an opening to an underwater cave system. They get their name because they appear very blue when viewed from the sky; it is thought the blue color is a reflection of the sky. The surface water can be darker in color, but the water underneath is crystal clear. It is thought these cave systems were developed over centuries through a series of naturally occurring events of erosion.

The Sawmill Sink Blue Hole is located inland on Abaco Bahamas. Until you take a dive into the depths of this blue hole you will find it hard to imagine what lies underneath. Intricate cave systems, crystals, stalactites and stalagmites, and other formations are the norm. The Sawmill Sink Blue Hole is 55 feet across and 110 feet deep. The Sawmill Sink Blue Hole has drawn the attention of the science and archaeology communities as they have discovered many fossils that date back over 2,000 years. When the archaeology team is there, the Sawmill Sink Blue Hole is closed to the public. This is just one of many blue holes that dot Abaco Bahamas.

Some of the crystal caves that are on Abaco Bahamas include: Dan’s Cave, Tennakie Blue Hole, Ralph’s Cave, Donker’s Blue Hole, and Basin Harbour Crack. Aside from the blue holes and cave systems, Abaco Bahamas offers other types of dives such as ship wrecks, reefs, and underwater cliff sites. No matter what your level of dive skill, there is a dive for you!

Many of the local resorts offer dive excursions. One of the top notch dive places is Brendal’s located on Green Turtle Cay. There are experienced instructors and guides who will take you to some of the most splendid underwater places you can ever experience. If you are looking for adventure, a one day trip to Bahamas from Miami is an ideal option.

Boater’s Paradise: Sailing Capital of the Bahamas

Abaco Bahamas is the sailing capital of the world. The calm pristine waters, the beautiful beaches and the archipelago of islands make it ideal to island hop Bahamas. There are plenty of rental boats from which to choose. With a boat in your control you can easily take a one day Bahamas cruise and see and experience all Bahamas has to offer. If you don’t want to pilot a boat, there are many options of boat excursions from which to choose. Island hopping Bahamas has become a trend especially flying from Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas. Once you land on Great Abaco you can rent boats from Treasure Cay Bahamas or Marsh Harbour. Most of the other cays also have marinas where you can rent boats.

Sailing and boating is a desired activity in Abaco Bahamas; the cays are close together, there is much to see and do and the weather is mostly perfect. If island hopping Bahama is on your list of things to do, sailing and boating is one of the best ways. Man-O-War Cay is an ideal spot for a one day Bahamas cruise.

Marsh Harbour

Marsh Harbour Bahamas is the biggest town of Abaco Bahamas. It is the landing pad for many Bahamas day trips. You can arrange an exclusive charter flight or try a package deal with Bahamas Air Tours. They will fly you to Bahamas from Florida where you will land at the Marsh Harbour International Airport. This airport has regular commercial service or you can take a private air charter with Bahamas Air Tours. At the airport you can rent a car or arrange for service to take you on a short ride to the Albury Ferry at Marsh Harbour where it will take you to any number of Cays such as Green Turtle Cay, Elbow Cay, Man-O-War Cay and Great Guana Cay. From Marsh Harbour Bahamas it is very convenient to visit many Bahamas Cays. Marsh Harbour is easily accessed on a one day trip to Bahamas from Miami.

From Marsh Harbour it is a 30-minute drive to Treasure Cay Bahamas. There is Lowe’s Green Turtle Cay Ferry terminal there that can take you to Green Turtle Cay.

Abaco Bahamas: Perfect Island Hopping Experience

Exploring Abaco Bahamas, known as the Out Islands, will give you a splendid experience away from the typical cruise ship crowds. These small tropical islands, with just a few hundred residents, are very inviting and ideal for a day trip to Bahamas; offering you excursions and expeditions that you can only find in Abaco Bahamas. In close proximity to Florida, you can easily take a Bahamas day trip and set out on exotic encounters with swimming pigs, gentle Green turtles, mystifying stingrays and mellow Nurse Sharks. Explore underwater cave systems, reefs and open your eyes to another world that lies beneath Abaco Bahamas. Soak up the history and culture of the Out Islands; take in museums, scenic landmarks such as the Hope Town Lighthouse, and the annual festivals. Taste the cuisine of fresh seafood, tropical fruit, spices, and signature drinks. Abaco Bahamas has all the ingredients of a fabulous Bahamas vacation adventure.

Bahamas Air Tours offers one day trips to Bahamas from Miami or a variety of day trips to Bahamas from locations such as Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, Vero Beach and Orlando. Exclusive Bahamas air charters can be booked or you can choose from one of the tour packages. Whether a day trip or a five day cruise to Bahamas, you will feel the excitement build as you plan your Bahamas day trip!

The Abacos Map

Select images courtesy of the Bahamas Ministry Of Tourism.

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