Abaco is Unique

When one hears of the Abacos in the Bahamas, one is told of the many wonders of the climate, the beauty, the water, the serenity, the fishing, the water sports, the charming villages, the laid back life style and the warm and friendly people. Yes, Abaco does have all these marvelous attributes and is second to nowhere in the world. However, most tropical island paradises, from the Caribbean to the Pacific, have all of these things to one degree or another. Why, then, is Abaco unique? Abaco has three things that other island havens do not.

1) The proximity to the United States mainland - When one chooses to settle even part time in the islands, no matter how much they may love the lifestyle, they will periodically wish to visit the United States. They will want shopping, gourmet dining, theater and other culture, specialized medical services or whatever, which may not be available locally. From Abaco it is both relatively easy and inexpensive to travel to the U.S. It is only an hour and ten-minute trip by one of the several daily scheduled airline flights, local charter carriers or by private airplane. For the yachtsman, it is a twenty-hour trip at ten knots or a ten-hour trip at twenty knots.

2) The Sea of Abaco - Between the Abaco mainland and the offshore Cays and barrier reef lies the Sea of Abaco. The area extends for 120 miles from Little Harbour in the south to Walker's Cay in the north and averages four to five miles in width. It is shallow with an average water depth of ten to twelve feet. Throughout its length there are literally hundreds of quiet and often deserted bays, beaches, coves, creeks and anchorages to visit, relax, play in and explore. There are a number of quaint settlements, each with its own distinctive character. The prevailing southeasterly breeze generally blows at 10-12 knots for good and safe sailing. The geography is diverse enough to be interesting, exciting and even challenging at times for the experienced yachtsman, yet, it is well protected so that the novice may enjoy it with safety. Yachtsmen with world-wide experience agree that nowhere on earth is there another water sports area like the Sea of Abaco.

3) Security - Today, regrettably, much of our world is a dangerous place with violent crime a factor on everyone's mind. In Abaco, due to its population and relative size, there is very little crime. It is safe to walk the streets or beaches at any time of day or night. There are no neighborhoods to be avoided. Particularly in the Cays, it is very rare to lock one's home except when leaving for an extended period of time. There are few areas anywhere that can claim the amount of personal safety and security as that found in Abaco.

LOCATION - Centered at 77 degrees 00 minutes West Longitude and 26 degrees 30 minutes North Latitude. Marsh Harbour, the major hub of the island, is 175 miles due east of Palm Beach, Florida - (1 hour 15 minute flight), 100 miles north of Nassau (45 minute flight).

POPULATION - The population of Abaco is roughly 14,000 permanent residents. In addition there are approximately 2,000 homes owned by seasonal residents on Abaco and the Cays.

THE ISLANDS - The Abaco Islands are Great Abaco and Little Abaco with a barrier reef and many small islands or "Cays" on part of the east and north east sides. The main islands extend roughly 120 miles. When the northern cays are added, the archipelago extends a total of 165 miles. Abaco has a land area of 650 square miles, about half the size of the state of Rhode Island.

CLIMATE - The annual average temperature is 75 degrees. Temperatures in the summer seldom reach above the low 90's, in the winter seldom below the mid-fifties. The climate is tempered by the Gulfstream which runs up the Straits of Florida between the Bahamas and the southern U.S. When it is very hot in Florida, it is generally 5-10 degrees cooler in Abaco. When it is very cold in Florida, it is generally 5-10 degrees warmer. Average rainfall is between 50 and 60 inches annually.