Waterways rentals for boats - Albury 18.5 not Boston Whalers.

Elbow Cay Rentals or Hopetown Hideaways for cottages.

I agree wholeheartedly with Beachgirl that the Abacos are a great first trip to the out islands. You need to now decide on which island to "home base"- for a first trip I really would recommend Elbow Cay (village of Hopetown is there)- you can find many rentals on vrbo.com and through various realtors (like abacovacationrentals.com). If you want a "hotel"- they are all very, very small even though they use the word "resort"- you might look into the Hopetown Harbour Lodge, the SeaSpray Resort, the Abaco Inn or even Turtle Hill- on Great Guana, look at Dolphin Beach Resort. Do rent a boat or go on day trips with local companies and see Little Harbour, Man-O-War, Guana (if you don't stay there) and, if possible (you can't always take a rental boat there unless it is larger and you are experienced) Green Turtle Cay.
The beauty of the Abacos is that even if you are not a boater, you can spend part of your vacation on one island the ferry (maybe back through Marsh Harbour or Treasure Cay but not that big a deal and worth it) to another for the other part.
Have a great time!!
PS I have not been to Vieques but have spent a week on Culebra- loved it- so I think I know what you are referring to as to loving the atmosphere.

Thanks for all the responses! I'm booking the flight to TCB this weekend.

So how much do boats run a day? Can you rent them for multiple days? Any other recommendations on things to do or places to eat (and drink!) while we are there.

Thanks!

That's great!

Here is the info from the boat rental place on Treasure Cay:

http://www.jicboatrentals.com/rates.html


Do you have a place to stay yet? If you're interested, I'll find the 2 bedroom villa on the beach we rented.

Just checking- which island did you decide on? You do know that Treasure is the airport for some and Marsh Harbour is the airport for others, right? (see ferry information from both locations to see which islands they go to). There are many boat rental companies but it would depend on where you were staying as to who you would want to rent from. They will post or quote you weekly rates, or rates for single days, or multiple days but less that a week - many places give you a week for the price of 6 days.

Here is the villa we rented that is on the beach. Loved the location:
www.vrbo.com/10756

Which key do you think has the most activity in the evening?

Also, does anyone have a good online photo album on their trip they would be willing to share?

I've got photos of the various cays on my travel webpage www.islandtime.homestead.com. My last 3 trips were sailing trips, during which we visited most of the cays; the prior two (which are not on the website) were land-based on Elbow Cay. For the land-based trips, we stayed at Sea Spray and rented boats from them (they have a few Albury 20s or 22s available for their guest to rent).

The Out Islands are pretty low key so not a lot of activity at night. There is Nipper's on Great Guana Cay but unless you are staying on the island you will have to depart before dusk as they don't allow the rental boats out after dark.

Check the ferry schedule to Green Turtle Cay to see when the last ferry returns to Treasure Cay. They have several places that will have people to mingle with. The marina bar at Treasure Cay Marina is alright, too. There is a lot of activity during the day, especially on Sunday at Nipper's for the Sunday pig roast. You don't want to miss that!

Ohhh, you've got to have a look at Salt Cay! Contrary to what the first post said, there are NO all inclusives, it's very laid back and delightful! Here's a link to a blog that will give you an idea of what to expect... www.annhawk.blogspot.com
The weather during the time you're planning would be perfect!

Treasure Cay was a ghost town and I mean quiet when we visited two weeks ago. It also looked as though it could do with a lick of paint. We also had our second worst meal in 41 years at Coco Beach Bar.

In short - do not stay at Treasure Cay.

So Hope town or Marsh Harbor would be our best launching point for daily activities? Ideally I'd like to have lunch and afternoon drinks out at the other cays and have somewhere near where we are staying to have dinner at night.

Ok, so i've run into a slight problem in my planning. My wife is worrying about Abacos being too dead. Seeing how she hasn't had a chance to go out at night in a little over a year an a half (since she was pregnant) I'm all about the mellow beach scene and cursing around in a boat, which she loves as well, but she wants something to do at night. Suggestions?? Please help? I'm ready to pull the trigger on a flight

Harbour Island!

Fly into North Eleuthera (ELH) and a very short boat ride to Harbour Island (5 min max). It takes more time to load the boat than to motor over.

It will offer you the small island feel with the Bahamian charm and gorgeous, pink sand beach. Plus, fine cuisine and spots for cocktails at night.

http://www.harbourislandguide.com/photos-31.htm

http://www.harbourislandguide.com/restaurants.htm


You'll love it!

So Harbor Island is where we should stay, opposed to ELH? Thanks again for working with me.

If you want things to happen after dark - The Abacos is't a good choice.

Harbour Island is next on our list be interested to hear about other people's experiences.

I would stay on Harbour Island and if the budget allows, hire a boat and driver for the day to explore some of the nearby deserted beaches of North Eleuthera. We did this and had a great time and enjoyed getting on the water. We also hired a pilot to fly us around and see the gorgeous cays by air. Stunning scenery. Rosie, the pilot, took us down to Staniel Cay for lunch and then back to Harbour Island. That was a highlight of our trip. Harbour Island has so much charm and one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. I'm sure you will love it.

Staying on Eleuthera would be similar to The Abacos in regards to nightlife, or lack thereof.

For lodging, we stayed at Runaway Hill - great beach and the rooms have been updated
www.runawayhill.com

Coral Sands
www.coralsands.com

Pink Sands
www.pinksandsresort.com/

And, a favorite spot for a drink and view:

Sip Sip, on the pink, sand beach
http://www.harbourislandguide.com/photos-28.htm

Give those a peek. I think you'll like them.

Beach Girl

How would you compare The Abacos with Harbour Island.

We have visited Hopetown twice - Harbour Island looks a few strata further up the ladder. Armani rather than GAP.

Is it?

Good analogy, markrosy.

The Abacos is definitely more laid back and less pretentious. Plenty of money there but it isn't in your face. Harbour Island is a refined, laid-back atmosphere. It isn't Miami by any means but the food options are much better and the accommodations nicer and unfortunately, more expensive.

Harbour Island is tres chic - island syle. Flip flops, nice linen shorts, chic island attire and expensive watches. It's a beautiful island and the charming cottages and transportation by golf cart adds to the charm.

The Abacos is what it is and I like it for that. No frills. No pretense. Gorgeous water, beautiful beaches. And, a lot of interesting sailors and visitors sharing their stories over the perfect goombay smash.

Both are a wonderful place to visit.