There are two adults and a teen. We like to explore, beach it, and eat well. Which out island offers the most to do. My husband seems to think we'll be bored, but his idea is Nirvana is Disney. A problem I know.

Well, Disney and the Out Islands are about as different as you can get. But, if your husband needs activity, and you can sell him on the Out Islands, I would suggest the Abacos, as they are the most developed (mind you, this is a relative term) of the Out Islands.

If you can handle a motorboat, you'll love island-hopping from cay to cay, each of which has its unique charms, and all of which have astonishingly beautiful beaches. (If you don't want to rent a boat, you can always ferry it, but it takes a bit more effort). Beyond beaches, you can climb a lighthouse and visit a museum in Hopetown; snorkel in any number of gorgeous spots; hunt for treasure (sand dollars) on Tilloo Bank; go to a pig roast on Great Guana Cay on a Sunday; people watch at one of several fun beach bars (Pete's Pub being my personal favorite); have a beach picnic with Lincoln Jones on Manjack Cay; surf the Garbanzo Break on Elbow Cay... Well, you get the idea.

There's plenty of water-oriented activity in the Abacos. What there isn't is glitzy stuff like casinos and duty free shopping and disco nightlife. It's all very laid back, with friendly people and basic comforts. Good food -- conch and grouper in preparations you never imagined, key lime pie, fabulous local bread -- but not haute cuisine.

What else can I tell you? You might just get hooked.

Callaloo, you nailed that on the head!! Your ideas are fabulous. And we go to the Out Islands to get away from the "Disney" places and see what the Bahamas were like before Nassau and the jewelry stores.

I, too, think Abacos would be a great trip and easy to get around on a boat as well. This would keep "disney dad" occupied and happy. Right now if we could pick one place for a vacation home, it would definitely be in the Abacos. So much fun to island hop or stay put on a gorgeous white sand beach and read your favorite book! It felt as though we were amongst long-time friends everywhere we went.

Leonara; The posters are right. If your hubby wants a planned scheduled of events, avoid Abaco. These words were posted on the bar wall at a local tavern; it's from the Abaco Message Board, and pretty well sums it all up. Robert59

ABACO IS NOT FOR YOU IF YOU:
Like a wild evening on the town
Prefer a wide choice of cuisine
Think a casino is important
Know the kids want to watch TV
Wish to be entertained by professional performers
Look forward to shopping in fancy department stores
Believe that, even if it is raining, there is always something to do
Think the hotel will have a "Kid's Club" or babysitting
Expect a lifeguard at the beach
Need to keep in close contact with the office
Expect room service and laundry
Would like to visit the local museums and parks
Are looking forward to learning limbo dancing


ABACO IS RIGHT FOR YOU IF YOU:
Like reading a book in the sun for hours
Enjoy boating or fishing
Can smile and say "hello" to total strangers you pass on the street
Have a family that can entertain itself
Don't mind sand in your shoes
Think 'Happy Hour' is watching the sunset with your family
Are glad you can't find a copy of "USA Today" or the "WSJ" anywhere
Enjoy that the fastest way to town is in a rented golf cart or on a bicycle
Find a tour of "Downtown" takes only 20 minutes on foot
Love snorkeling, scuba diving or swimming in the salty sea
Can handle the flight home leaving an hour or more late due to sudden bad weather
Think it's fun when the power goes out for the third time in two hours
Believe the highlight of the day is finding something neat on the beach

Thanks for sharing that Robert59!

Beachgirl; After I wrote that, I want to go back to Abaco. Still have my T-shirt "It's better in the Bahamas...but it's gooder in Guana Cay". Robert59

You might want to take a look at some of these websites.

www.bahamas.com
www.eleu.net
www.coconuttelgraph.com
www.myharbourisland.com
www.briland.com
www.where2stay.com

Have a great time.