The Abacos Islands, Bahamas
The Abaco Islands lie in the northern Bahamas.
Abaco Island Beach by Steve Beger
Photography (Beger.com productions) cc |
Main islandsGreat Abaco is surrounded by small CaysSmaller Cays- Wood Cay
- Elbow Cay
- Lubbers Quarters Cay
- Green Turtle Cay
- Great Guana Cay
- Castaway Cay
- Man-o-War Cay
- Stranger's Cay
- Umbrella Cay
- Great Stirrup Cay
- Walker's Cay
- Little Grand Cay
- Moore's Island
- Sandy Point
The Abaco Islands constitute five of the 31 Administration Districts of the Bahamas: North Abaco, Central Abaco, South Abaco, Moore's Island, and Hope Town. Towns in the islands include Marsh Harbour, Hope Town, Treasure Cay, Coopers Town, and Cornishtown.
History of the IslandThe Abaco Islands were first inhabited by the Lucayan. The first European settlers of the islands were Loyalists fleeing the American Revolution who arrived in 1783, as was also the case at Cat Island.
These original Loyalist settlers made a modest living by salvaging wrecks, by building small wooden boats, and by basic farming.
Prior to the 1970s, a group of American businessmen, arms traffickers, supporters of free enterprise, a black agent of the information services, and a Member of Parliament of the British House of Lords planned the independence of Abaco, or that would have a UK dependency status similar to that of Anguilla.
Abaco was to be a utopia for businessmen fearing socialism.
They would promise one acre (4,000 m²) to each of the natives on the island. This would have left thousands of acres for realtors and their financial backers. At least one flag was designed, combining the Hope Town Lighthouse with a Union Flag.
The British government had no interest in this scheme, which in any case would have been strongly opposed by the national government in Nassau.
Finally, the locals did not support the plan, perhaps because unspoken racial issues are alleged to have mixed into it. In any event, the Abaco Independence Movement was quelled by 1975.
DemographicsThe combined population of the islands is about 13 000, and the principal settlement and capital is Marsh Harbour. The ethnic make up is about 50% white and 50% black.
In addition to Marsh Harbour there are several other settlements on Great Abaco including Rocky Point, Cherokee Sound, Sandy Point, Winding Bay, Treasure Cay, Wilson City, Crossing Rock, Spring City, Little Harbour and Cooper's Town.
Where to stay in AbacoThere are several areas and Cays to choose from in Abaco, each with their own personal style. Private home rentals are a major source of accommodation. Hotels and resorts are widely available as well.
Activities on the IslandThe islands are a noted base for sailing activities in the Bahamas, as well as resort tourism.
The red and white striped lighthouse at Hope Town in the Abaco Islands, is a noted local landmark.
The Abacos Islands in the Bahamas have four national parks that attract tourists:
- Pelican Cays Land & Sea Park
- Abaco Wild Horse Preserve
- Man-O-War Cay
- Great Guana Cay
Getting around
Marsh Harbour Airport and Treasure Cay Airport serve the islands. Outislands can be reached by ferries operated by Alburys Ferry Service and Green Turtle Ferry. Bahamas Fast Ferry operates between Nassau and Sandy Point on the southern end of Abaco. While on some of the smaller cays, golf carts are the main mode of transportation, along with bikes or scooters.
The Natural Environment of The Abacos
The Abaco Islands boast important natural areas, especially important coral reef areas, barrier-island terrestrial habitats and large forests of Bahamian Pine (Pinus caribaea var. bahamensis), some of which still contain old-growth trees. As development expands in the Abacos, local groups have begun to more fiercely fight for the preservation of their natural resources, such as in the development case on Great Guana Cay.
Notable species include the Bahamian subspecies of Cuban Amazon (Amazona leucocephala bahamensis), which exists only in Cuba, the Cayman Islands, the southern Bahamas and Abaco. This population is unique in that nests in limestone solution cavities rather than tree cavities. Abaco is also known for its intact elkhorn and staghorn coral structures, and for its critically endangered species of wild horse, the Abaco Barb.
Green Turtle Cay
Green Turtle Cay is an island in The Bahamas. It is located in the "Abaco Out Islands" and is 3 miles (4.8 km) long and 1/2 mile wide. It was named after the abundance of green turtles that inhabited the area. The population of the island is about 450 and its main settlement is New Plymouth which was founded in the 18th century. The architecture of the older homes in the village is unique in the Bahamas, with steep-pitched roofs, originating with settlers from New England.
New Plymouth contains a post office, several restaurants and bars, and there is a museum featuring the paintings of noted Bahamian painter Alton Lowe.
Vehicular traffic is restricted on the island. Golf carts and bicycles are the usual mode of transport.
Green Turtle Cay is known for its excellent beaches and has several full-service hotel-resorts with boat marinas. There is also a boat repair yard with haul-out slips. Green Turtle Cay is a stopover-point for southbound vessels during periods of rage seas in the Whale Cay Passage. (Wikipedia) cc