Help! After much research, we decided to go to Guana Cay (off Great Abaco) for two weeks at the beginning of next November. It seemed ideal-quiet, uncrowded, good from-shore snorkeling, deserted beaches. Now I read that this huge resort/golf course has been approved or is about to be.Does anyone know if the building has started or when it is scheduled to begin? I'm assuming all the reasons we wanted to go to Guana won't exist during or after the construction. I'm so sorry for the people and habitat there. Any input? We had planned to stay at Dolphin Beach. Thanks.

Development/clearing was started then ordered to stop. There will be a court ruling at the end of this month. This link should keep you up to date:

http://www.saveguanacayreef.com/

Regardless of whether the development continues, you should find -- at least in the short run -- what you seek on Guana, which I had the pleasure of re-visiting this past November.

Though the new development consumes some of the choicest stretches of beach on the cay (Baker's Bay and environs), it is isolated at the north end. While we did see the cranes, we didn't notice any more people around or congestion. Miles of spectacular beach front remain open, and are seldom shared with others except, perhaps, when you go to the irresistible pig roast at Nipper's.

Even if the development continues, given the pace at which things move in the Out Islands, it will be years before it is completed. And even then, I expect it will be an "exclusive" enclave which will have little interaction with the rest of the cay.

If you are truly concerned, didn't give up on the Abacos altogether. Green Turtle Cay and Elbow Cay remain free of large developments. Pick your spot.

Thank You! These responses have been helpful, mostly to my mental state.

Callaloo, if you don't mind, how was the weather, water temperature, and snorkeling (if you snorkel) in November? Thanks.

The weather this past November was absolutely sublime -- many people say November is the best time of year to visit the Bahamas, and based on my last 3 trips, I have no argument. Temperatures around 80 during the day, 70s at night (we were on a sailboat, and had to cover up at night), sunny and not humid. The water was perfect for swimming and snorkeling. We snorkeled at the Pelican Cays, and it was quite good, with lots of healthy corals and fish.

However, as you probably know, there are no guarantees of good weather. While this year's trip to the Abacos was perfect, as well as the prior 2 years' trips to Cat Island, I'm told the week after ours was blustery. And in November 2001, our planned trip to Abaco was canceled the day before departure because of arriving Hurricane Michelle (the week turned out fine after the storm, but still...).

One never knows ... but the odds for good weather in November, at least in my experience, are good.

Thank you so much. Thanks to input from various sources, I think we will go to Guana next November. We are very excited abour it and won't hold you responsible for the weather!