Sightseeing in Abaco - what to see. Complete travel guide

The Abaco Islands are located in the northern part of the Bahamian archipelago, the largest and most visited are Great and Little Abaco. 13 smaller islands are also accessible for travellers. There are also interesting sights and beaches suitable for recreation. Active colonization of the islands by Europeans began at the end of the 18th century, and a significant part of the historical monuments preserved on the islands belong to this period.

The Abako Islands have best world-known yachting centres, amateurs of beach recreation and various sports will have an excellent opportunity to diversify their vacation by walking in historical places. The largest city of Marsh Harbor is located on the island of Great Abako, whose main historical symbol is Seaview Castle. It was built by a famous American physician Evans Kottman, who spent the last years of his life in the Bahamas and wrote a book about them. The beautiful castle has been surprising visitors for many years with its spectacular appearance. It is one of the most famous architectural sights of the archipelago.

Quite an unusual attraction is Pete's gallery-pub. In addition to the popular entertainment center, visitors can find an interesting museum. It was founded by the first settlers of the island - Peter and Rendolph Johnsons. Every week there are exciting entertaining events in the gallery. The nearby island of Elbow Cay can be easily reached by boat. It is sure to appeal to lovers of hiking. A significant part of the island is occupied by extensive centuries-old gardens. A beautiful lighthouse of middle 19th centuries is preserved here. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The largest settlement on the Elbow Cay island is Hope Town, that houses a historical museum in one of its most beautiful buildings. Here, you will find invaluable manuscripts and photographs telling about the history of the city, as well as an extensive collection of Chinese porcelain that has been saved from the numerous wrecks.

Man-O-War Cay Isle never ceases to attract the attention of divers. Its main attraction is hidden under water off the coast. Here, are wreckage of Adirondack, a military ship, that sank in coastal waters in 1862 during a civil war. The island itself has served as a center of boat construction for more than two hundred years, and offers lots of fascinating excursions.

From a historical perspective, Elbow Caw area is of great interest. A significant part of the monuments presented here has been destroyed by the strongest hurricanes. The surviving artifacts are stored in the local Wyannie Malone museum, the age of some of them is more than 200 years. Bahamian Design Studio is a place of interest not only for amateurs of excursions, but also for those who do not imagine their rest without shopping. The gallery features a rich collection of handicrafts: original patchwork quilts, tablecloths, bedspreads and silk pillows with skillful embroidery. All visitors can purchase any favourite product.

There are unique natural places on the islands as well. The most interesting among them is Abaco National Park. Its area is more than 5000 acres. A significant part of the park is occupied by tropical forests. They are home to hundreds of rare species of birds, including Bahamian parrots, whose numbers have declined significantly in recent years.

To the service of guests of Abaco, there is a fantastic choice of comfortable areas suitable for beach recreation. Great Abaco Island is the location of Tahiti Beach. This is an internationally famous beach with white sand and lush tropical flora. Rows of tall palm trees grow near the water, so vacationers do not need to have a sun umbrella as they can always hide under the shade of trees. Water is crystal clear in this area, so it is perfectly suitable for snorkeling and admiring colorful fish.

Numerous travelers are in love with Treasure Cay Beach and are delighted with its calm and peaceful atmosphere. This coastal area is a big one, so it is never crowded. At the beach, there is a popular restaurant with a rich selection of food. Lush tropical forests near the beach make this area even more attractive. Upscale travelers often choose Marsh Harbour Island as their vacation destination. The island has many luxurious hotels that are built directly in the middle of tropical forests. Each of these hotels has a comfortable private beach. It is an ideal destination for a trouble-free vacation and all kinds of water sports. In recent years, several modern diving centers have appeared on the island.