boat rental in Abaco
 

Well, after 2 trips to Nassau, we're venturing out to the out islands! Sooo excited. We plan to rent a boat while we're in Abaco, staying on Elbow Cay. Has anyone done this? Any suggestions as to which company is the best one to work with? I've researched and found several possibilities. Also any other suggestions for must-do activities would be welcomed. We'll be there July 21-27. Counting the days! Can't wait. Thanks!

As they say on the Abaco Board......reserve the boat now! Seriously you are less than a month away and boat rentals are difficult to come by in the prime rental season. We stayed on Lubbers, near Elbow, and had a very pleasant experience with Seahorse Rentals ( http://www.sea-horse.com/ ). Clean, well maintained boats and very pleasant staff. Island Marine ( http://www.islandmarine.com/ ) also has an excellent reputation. Buy a copy of the Dodge Guide and review it before you go.

For must dos...Tahiti Beach, visit Man-O-War, Tilloo Bank, Sandy Cay ( Pelican Cays Land & Sea Park ), Pete's Pub and Studios in Little Harbour, and of course Hopetown Light on Elbow.

The Abacos are a great Out Island choice.

Thanks Roberto! Never heard back from sea horse so we went with waterways. got an 18' boston whaler for 90/day for 3 days, they only had one left! sooo glad i listened to you. =) we're getting there on friday, and have fri and sat to acquaint ourselves with the area, then sunday we're off on our boating adventure hehe. i think we'll get some rods and do a little fishing too. hope we'll have better luck than we did on the charter out of nassau. just a few barracuda then. I printed off your suggestions on places to see. any other suggestions while we're there? planning on nipper's on sunday, 3 days on the boat, at least one day golf carting or scootering around elbow cay. what's there to see on abaco island? will we need transportation there or just take the boat around and go ashore here and there? is the only way to get the dodge guide to order it from the website? do i still have time for that? can't find it in local stores here. thanks again!

The Dodge Guide is available here ( http://www.wspress.com/books.htm ). The Cruising Guide to Abaco, Bahamas 2006. I would call to see how quickly they ship.

With the boat I would concentrate on local areas such as Man-O-War ( the Sail Shop ), Tahiti Beach, Tillo Bank, and the Pelican Sea Park. In my opinion there's not much to see on Great Abaco. Keep in mind that you can always use the ferry system from Elbow to Marsh Harbour to visit other cays. You also may be able to pick up some extra boat days by calling once you're on Elbow. I'd also recommend lunch or dinner at Cracker P's on Lubbers on a boat day.

You'll definitely enjoy the Abacos.

Hi there!
Last year I took the same kind of vacation...I agree with everything Roberto says. It's possible the Dodge guide will be available at the boat rental place. We got ours with our rental cottage (paid a $25 fee and got the book, boat and golfcart reservations made for us - well worth it).

Not worth going back to the mainland in only three days - we had our boat for the whole week and didn't go back. There are quite a few cays and places to explore in the barrier islands, as Roberto pointed out.

Nippers is hilarious. THe later in the day it gets, the funnier it gets. Beautiful snorkeling beach there also. I recommend buying a CD by Barefoot Man, to get you in the proper mood before you go((H)).

Kalik's are ridiculously expensive (we paid over $40 a case), but well worth it anyway. There are a few good restaurants on Elbow Cay, all of them fairly expensive. You can take your golfcart after dark into Hopetown for a nice selection of restaurants.

What cottage are you renting? We rented "bali hai cottage" on Tahiti Beach. Just lovely!

Have a great time - don't forget the sunscreen and the camera!

thanks again roberto! and hello joan =) we are getting antsy to leave now! just a couple more weeks. not renting a cottage joan, staying at the abaco inn in a seaside bungalow. prly next time we'll get a cottage (with a boat! ;) ) has anyone stayed there? we'll report when we get back.

Haven't stayed there, but the views were awesome - both Sound view and Atlantic view. And I enjoyed my lobster dinner at the Abaco Inn restaurant. Tip: from there, you will be able to take your golf cart, head south to the end of Elbow (exploring along the backroads along the way), and you will eventually end at Tahiti Beach. Enjoy!