Maine Cat Charters - Bahamas and Maine Catamaran bareboat charter

Hope Town, Abacos, Bahamas

Civilized yet uncrowded
The Abacos consist of a string of picturesque islands, each having unique charms and personality.
Here, in villages first settled in the late 18th century by Loyalists who left New England after the American Revolution, the clapboard houses in pastel tones suggest an early Cape Cod moved to warmer latitude.
The Abacos are only about a 60-minute flight from South Florida, but the days here move at a much slower pace than in the neon-disco resort worlds of Nassau and Freeport. Activities most popular are, beachcombing along deserted coves, fishing, diving (several reef-rich underwater preserves, including Pelican Cays National Park), and exploring some of the 100 or so uninhabited offshore cays.

A favorite destination of knowledgeable yachtsmen and sailors, the Abacos are referred to as "The Winter Sailing Capital of the World".

Cruising The Sea of Abaco
The northern hemisphere's third largest barrier reef system, almost 100 miles long, stretches from Walker's Cay to 20 miles south of Elbow Cay. The Abacos' string of offshore cays inside the reef extends almost the same distance. This reef system and the offshore cays combine to create the eastern edge of the Sea of Abaco, with the large islands of Great and Little Abaco forming the western boundry. Ranging from 1.5 to over 5 miles in width, this sheltered body of water is relatively shallow throughout, assuring calm, safe cruising on waters known to be amongst the clearest in the world. While the majority of Abaco's cays remain uninhabited, several islands have "been discovered" by travelers and yachtsmen following paths less traveled.

Discover Hope Town
Amongst these "discoveries" is Hope Town, on Elbow Cay, a small 18th century picturesque village built around a protected harbour. One of The Abacos' more popular island hideaways, Elbow Cay is home to the most famous landmark in the Abacos - the red and white striped Elbow Reef lighthouse. Also called the Hope Town Lighthouse and the Elbow Cay Lighthouse, it is one of only three kerosene-powered lights in the world (all three are in the Bahamas). The large Fresnel lens floats in a bath of mercury and generates a light visible for more than 17 miles.
There is no motorized traffic in Hope Town, and the hilly streets must be explored on foot. Water is visible on both sides of the island -- the blue ocean on one side, the green harbor on the other. Elbow Cay is approximately 6 miles long and 1/4 mile wide. A magnificent barrier reef protects the long sandy beaches, making them perfect for swimming, snorkeling, diving, and fishing.

Friends and Amenities
Hope Town has several fine restaurants, lovely inns, good grocery stores with fresh baked bread, a drugstore, interesting shops with artwork, jewelry, and clothing; modern marinas, daily & weekly boat rentals, private vacation homes, historical museum, medical clinic and most importantly a genuinely kind and friendly population.