Just back from a trip to Abaco in the Bahamas. Was in Marsh Harbour and Hopetown. Already planning to go back and for next trip am thinking Green Turtle Cay. Has anyone stayed at either Bluff House or Green Turtle Cay Club recently and if so, what are your impressions? Thanks.

Hi; My wife and I spent many times on GTC while doing reef surveys from the next cay down, Great Guana. We never stayed at either place, but ate there and got refreshed before heading out to other cays in the chain off Abaco. The view of the ocean and landscape is neat from Bluff House, but GTC Club has a better beach. You can call the Bluff House at 1-800-745-4911 or email them at Bluffhouse@oiinet for specifics. I don't know the email or toll free number for GTC Club, but I'm sure they have one. We ran into J.R. Roberts who runs an all day snorkeling and picnic adventure on a remote island off of GTC. I believe it's Manjack Cay, where the Hollywood film with Al Pacino was filmed. Any one remember the film I'm thinking about? Feel free to chip in because I can't remember its name. Any how, it is a totally isolated small cay of GTC and has beautiful snorkeling off its shores. We felt like Robinson Crusoe and explored it ourselves. But the J.R. Roberts tour takes tourists out to it, and he dives with you to catch spiny lobster, and includes them with coconuts in the lunch buffet. Ask anyone in New Plymouth and they'll steer you to J.R. Mike's restaurant/pub is open again and the Sundowner has been completely renovated; good food and fun 24-7 there. Also, a placae called Pineapples is opening, has pool side burger bar at the Other Shore Club with a vista of the harbour in New Plymouth. You may want to rent a Boston Whaler, and explore the nearby cays yourself. Don't miss Great Guana Cay just south, or Manjack Cay which is totally isolated and remote; your footprints will be the only ones left there. Hope this gives you some ideas. Robert

Oops, Sorry- I like the beach better at Bluff House. Robert

Robert, since you seem to know Abaco and it's beaches very well, how do you compare the following beaches (& cays)?<BR><BR>Treasure Cay, Green Turtle, Great Guana, Elbow Cay, ManOWar and Marsh Habour. Are they better then say, Paridise Island or Harbour Island?<BR><BR>I have read many guidebooks on Abaco, but I can't seem to get a good 7 day travel plan. To see the better beaches via ferry, where should I base, Marsh Harbour or Treasure cay?

Hi, Fran; Wow! Hard question since all the places you mentioned have miles of beach, and, we do mostly snorkeling and scuba patch reefs in the Sea of Abaco and out in the Atlantic near shorelines. So, I would highly recommend you rent a Boston Whaler and explore. However...here goes! I love Guana Cay's Beaches, because of memories of my wife, daughter and me sunbathing and snorkeling off them since 1988, on the northern end. Baker's Bay is now a deserted cruise ship stop off, since it deserted the operation. On the Atlantic side, there's 7 miles of beach that is desolate most of the time, especially in the northern section, past Guana Seaside Resort. Elbow Cay has a wonderful beach on the Atlantic side, but not a whole lot of shade by palm trees and caribbean pines. All the islands you mentioned have great beaches, if that's all you want to do is sunbathe and take a dip throughout the day, while sipping Guana Grabbers and Bahama Mama's. Nothing wrong with that, but I kind of visit the beaches in between reef surveys. If you want adventure, buy some high quality snorkeling equipment, rent a boat in Treasure Cay, and dive in on the beaches at Treasure Cay, the go to GTC, then head south to Great Guana Cay, then to Man-O-War, then Elbow Cay, Lubber's Quarters Cay, and finally to Tilloo Cay. Then, back up across the Sea of Abaco, past Marsh Harbor, to your starting point at Treasure Cay. Just a thought! It would be an adventurous 7 days, you could visit them all!! Robert