Belize vs. Abacos vs. St. John
Feb 27th, 2009, 07:02 AM
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Belize vs. Abacos vs. St. John
My wife and I are planning a trip at the end of May. We are debating between Belize, Abacos/Andros islands , or a repeat trip to St. John (also open to suggestions of other palces). Ideally we would like to spend most of our time on the beach, do some flats fishing, lots of snorkeling, and maybe some SCUBA(not a deal breaker) (my wife would need to get certified). Some decent restuarants (dont need to be as nice as St. John). Prob 5-6 nights, like to keep the trip 3-5K without airfare. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.
We spent a week in St. John, stayed at Gallows and rented a jeep and had the time of our lives a few years back. We definitely would not want any nicer accomadations than we had at Gallows.
Thanks
We spent a week in St. John, stayed at Gallows and rented a jeep and had the time of our lives a few years back. We definitely would not want any nicer accomadations than we had at Gallows.
Thanks
Feb 27th, 2009, 08:17 AM
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Sounds like a recipe for the Abacos!
Don't get me wrong ... I loved Belize, and I loved the Virgin Islands ... but the Abacos and some other Bahamian Out Islands offer ALL of what you seek. Belize might meet most of your requirements, but the beaches just aren't that great (though Belize has much other stuff to offer, like Mayan ruins and jungles). Plus your budget for the Abacos would be a no-brainer, especially since you're not including airfare. To add even more ammunition for the Out Islands, May is just about the best time of year to visit there.
In terms of logistics, you could fly either to Marsh Harbour (if you're wanting to stay on Elbow, Great Guana, Man-O-War or Lubbers Quarters cays), or to Treasure Cay (for Treasure Cay or Green Turtle Cay) from Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Nassau -- with the exception of Treasure Cay, most visitors interested in beaches don't stay on "mainland" Great Abaco and ferry over to one of the cays instead. The cays have small (really small) resorts and lots of quaint rental villas; visitors rent runabouts and/or golf carts to get around by land or sea. Each of the cays has a main settlement with a handful of bars, restaurants, and shops. Most also have a few dive and adventure operators who will take you diving, snorkeling, etc. The only real logistical disconnect is that most watersports in the Abacos are on the cays or the Sea of Abaco (east) side of Great Abaco, while the flats fishing is on the other (west) side of Great Abaco.
Hope this is helpful; feel free to ask more. You're making me reallllllly reallllllly want an Abaco fix right now!
Don't get me wrong ... I loved Belize, and I loved the Virgin Islands ... but the Abacos and some other Bahamian Out Islands offer ALL of what you seek. Belize might meet most of your requirements, but the beaches just aren't that great (though Belize has much other stuff to offer, like Mayan ruins and jungles). Plus your budget for the Abacos would be a no-brainer, especially since you're not including airfare. To add even more ammunition for the Out Islands, May is just about the best time of year to visit there.
In terms of logistics, you could fly either to Marsh Harbour (if you're wanting to stay on Elbow, Great Guana, Man-O-War or Lubbers Quarters cays), or to Treasure Cay (for Treasure Cay or Green Turtle Cay) from Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Nassau -- with the exception of Treasure Cay, most visitors interested in beaches don't stay on "mainland" Great Abaco and ferry over to one of the cays instead. The cays have small (really small) resorts and lots of quaint rental villas; visitors rent runabouts and/or golf carts to get around by land or sea. Each of the cays has a main settlement with a handful of bars, restaurants, and shops. Most also have a few dive and adventure operators who will take you diving, snorkeling, etc. The only real logistical disconnect is that most watersports in the Abacos are on the cays or the Sea of Abaco (east) side of Great Abaco, while the flats fishing is on the other (west) side of Great Abaco.
Hope this is helpful; feel free to ask more. You're making me reallllllly reallllllly want an Abaco fix right now!
Feb 28th, 2009, 06:52 AM
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I agree with previous post that the beaches at Belize are not that great. The snorkeling at the major reef off of Belize however is awesome. I would got to Belize to snorkel only but not stay there.
