ssgomezz

Hi there-I posted recently w/ a question about France and am thrilled to report our vacation plans have changed to a warmer climate. It is very easy for us to get to either Marsh Harbour or Treasure Cay in the Abacos, or Freeport. We have roughly narrowed our destination to either Elbow or Guana. We plan on renting an independant house. We do not mind isolation and do not have to be right on the water-in fact, on a hill or 'cliff' overlooking the water would be great. My husband wants to fly fish and I am looking forward to biking, walking, running. PLEASE SUGGEST A CAY...any suggestions would be great for our above listed needs. Thank you!

Robert

Guana Cay may be of interest to you. When we stayed at the Guana Seaside Resort, you could fly fish off their beach for the "gray ghost" (bonefish). Unfortunately, one of the most pristine, deserted beach and estuary anywhere, called Bakers Bay is going to be bulldozed and made into a boat marina and golf course next to Guana Seaside Resort. So, better hurry and enjoy the ambience of Bakers Bay before its ruined forever. Elbow Cay has nice cottages for rent along the ocean or on the Sea of Abaco. There is a remote cay off Elbow, called Lubbers Quarters Cay, which is very remote, and you can fly fish off the beaches there. I would definately rent a boat and explore the coral reefs south of Lubbers and throughout the Sea of Abaco. Robert

ssgomezz

Thank you! I did stumble across some info regarding the citizens' protest against the development. Have they been completely unsuccessful in their fight?
Is the recommendation for Guana pretty much based on their fly fishing accessibliity? Any other personal thoughts on what sets it apart from Elbow or others? I have read your other posts and they have helped me enormously-so glad you answered this one! Thank you!!

RobertoB

Either Elbow or Great Guana would make good choices for a stay in the Abacos. There is a wide variety of rental homes on both cays. We happened to have spent most of our time on two trips on Lubbers Quarters at a house called Green Bananas. Great location on the water overlooking Tilloo Cut. On Lubbers you need to rent a boat as there is no ferry service. We did spend three days at the end of one trip at Dolphin Beach Resort on Guana. Deciding on a cay is probably the most difficult process of visiting the Abacos. A Goggle search on either cay should also turn up a list of places to stay.

For additional research I highly recommend following these two sites on the Abacos:

http://coconuttelegraph.net/forums/
(There’s a recent post on ‘Where to stay?’ which may prove helpful.)

http://www.drralph.net/index.html

Robert's correct. Baker's Bay is a little treasure in the Abacos. And don't forget to visit Man-O-War.

Robert

ssgomezz; Yes, the northern section of Great Guana Cay may be ruined by the Passerine Development, and bulldozers may start, thanks to The Discovery Land Co. The development will bulldoze over 585 acres for a luxury golf course, with locked and guarded gates. A huge 240 slip marina will be built on Baker's Baby, which means dredging out the grassbeds where many of us have visited and snorkeled. Now, it will all be members only. Unfortunately, only 50 feet from shore lies the world's 3rd largest coral reef. The reef runs closer in certain spots. The golf course and pollutants and pesticides will kill the reef; it will not be able to withstand that tremendous of an impact. The estuary and Joe's Creek itself will be bulldozed and dredged out; the only remaining area where ocean fish come to lay eggs and young. All the huge sports fish we see on TV had their humble beginnings in these protected areas of estuary and mangrove. The gin-colored waters off of Abaco will be devastated. You can join "Save Guana Cay Reef", which is a group dedicated to protecting this natural phenomena, which tourists like us enjoy visiting.
The intent of their website is to inform the public and motivate people to take action! Contact them, or become informed, at: [email protected]
Robert

lrike

Take a look at the Directory of rentals on the Bahamas
www.getawaybahamas.com

mnag

We were in abacos last year and stayed at the Hopetown Harbor Lodge. Liked elbow cay but loved guana cay. Several nice beaches on elbow however I found guana to be more quaint/pretty/scenic. Was thrilled by the beach by Nippers bar. Guana is more quiet. Probably more dining options on elbow.

ssgomezz

Just returned from Guana-it was beautiful, and fortunately, the planned development has not yet started. They are still fighting it-the reef would not survive a golf course on the island.
Guana Cay is very peaceful. The beach is wonderful and the water is an incredible color. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a tranquil spot to swim, dive, fish, or just sit by the water and read!

Robert

SSgomez: Glad to hear you had a great time on Guana. mnag, the reef off Nippers is really nice; I recorded, with underwater videocam, a record-sized Rainbow Parrot fish off of Nippers. It was over 31/2 feet long! Also, there is a smaller but nice reef just 20 feet off of Hopetown Harbor Lodge beach. If you walk down the steps from the pool, it begins toward the left of the steps. Did you swim over it? If so, what reef critters did you see? Glad to hear their fighting the destruction of the pristine north side of Great Guana Cay. Robert

mnag

Hi Robert, we did a snorkelling trip to fowl cay and loved it. Saw a ton of fish and beautiful coral. We did not snorkell/swim by the reefs off of nippers or the harbor lodge. The beach by nippers is just gorgeous (white sand and turquoise blue water). We walked towards the right of the bar and we were the only people on this incredibly beautiful beach.

Robert

mnag; Oh, yes, Nippers is not easy to forget. A postcard beach. Robert

springsgirl

We have been to the Abacos (Marsh Harbour) twice and absolutely loved it. We have found it to be the perfect place for us to get away and enjoy our two girls (now 9 and 5). There are few distractions other than the beautiful waters and the difficult decision of which cay or reef to visit on any particular day; no casinos, no high-rises, no peddlers. Listening to the early morning "cruiser's net" heard over the VHF radio is a must for finding out what's going on around the cays. Friends of ours just came back from their first trip there (Great Guana Cay) and have also fallen in love with the islands and the people. Their girls even said they don't want to go back to Disney World, they just want to go back to Guana. We're starting to plan a joint trip for next spring. My husband spent a day bonefishing with a guide and still marvels at the beauty and thrill of the experience. Look into the Abaco message board at www.coconuttelegraph.net for a wealth of information and advice. Enjoy !