www.bnt.bs/parks/abaco/

Snorkelers and boaters should abide by the posted rules to protect the reef: No standing on the reef, No fishing, No taking of anything from the water and no anchoring on the reef. There are mooring buoys in most areas for those snorkeling from boats but the boats must be less than 25 feet in length in order to use them.

Pelican Cays Land and Sea Park is a vast 2,100-acre reserve located eight miles south of Sunny Delight. It is home to some of the most unique and beautiful marine life in the world and features an extensive number of undersea caves, coral reefs, and other beautiful flora and fauna.

Sandy Cay reef itself is on the seaward side of the Cay which is part of The Pelican Cays Land and Sea Park. Sandy Cay is a privately owned island, so access to the snorkeling areas is by boat only. Sandy Cay Reef has the reputation of being home to the largest concentration of elkhorn coral in a single area and is therefore one of the highlights of the snorkelers that visit Abaco. Beautiful and majestic eagle rays have been known to gracefully patrol this area as well as their cousins, the southern stingray which can often be seen in the sandy areas just off the reef. Green turtles and loggerhead turtles also frequent the area making it excellent for photo opportunities. Fowl Cays National Park is a 1,920-acre reserve that is conveniently reached from most central Abaco Cays and settlements. The park has steadily become attractive to scuba divers and is an extremely popular area for local boating and snorkeling. The reef has three 25′ to 40′ dive spots in untouched water.

Mermaid Reef is just off the shore of Great Abaco and is under the protection of the Bahamas National Trust. This is a popular snorkeling spot. It is located at Marsh Harbour just about 1 mile south east of the main harbor entrance. The area is pretty hard to miss as there is a floating sign and mooring buoys, the reef is about 50 to 60 feet on the shore side of the mooring buoys. The beach area is rocky here so appropriate footwear is advised. Marine life can include green moray eels, schools of yellowtail, trumpet fish and four eyed butterfly fish.

Abaco Blue Holes www.abacoescape.com/BlueHole.html

If you would like to dive, there are several dive boat operations around Abaco. We recommend Dive Guana at www.diveguana.com.

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Cruise Abaco is located on Marsh Harbour, they offer day sails and ASA sailing classes.

www.cruiseabaco.com

Lubbers Beach is a beautiful, secluded beach located on the west side of Lubbers Quarters Cay. This beach is an easy walk from Sunny Delight. There are several other beaches only accessible by boat.

Tahiti Beach is located on the southern tip of Elbow Cay, directly across from Sunny Delight's dock. This picturesque beach with soft white sand and arcs out into calm clear water. This is a perfect spot for swimming, collecting shells, sea glass, starfish and sand dollars; especially during low tide when there is an endless sand bar. Periodically, the "Thirsty Cuda", a floating bar, drops anchor and supplies frozen libations and light snacks.

Pelican Cay Beach is situated 1.1 miles northeast of Channel Cay, Pelican Cays Beach is on the southeast coast of the island, you should think about stopping by on your way to Pete’s Pub or Sandy Cay Reef.

Guana Cay has an incredible seven-mile-long beach that spreads out below a tall dune that offers breathtaking views of the tropical Atlantic.

Treasure Cay Beach, this renowned beach has some of the finest, whitest sand on earth fronting the brilliant turquoise of the Sea of Abaco. This gorgeous 3.5 mile stretch of beach was voted one of the best 10 Caribbean beaches in a Caribbean Travel and Life reader’s poll.

Charter a fishing boat for world class deep sea fishing just minutes from Sunny Delight through Tilloo Cut, contact a guide for local flats and fly fishing or try it for yourself just off the shores of Lubbers Quarters. You can also catch some great fish off the dock at Sunny Delight.

If you are interested in a fishing charter, contact Michael Schreiner at www.abacodowndeep.com

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Or, Captain Justin at www.hopetownfishing.com

Hope Town is the home to the famous Elbow Reef Lighthouse. Probably the most recognizable landmark in Abaco, the lighthouse is one of the last manual lighthouses in the world. The lamp burns pressurized Kerosene oil with a wick and mantle. The Fresnel lenses concentrate the mantle’s light into a beam directed straight towards the horizon. The lenses and burner equipment, weighing 8,000lbs, float in a circular lubricated tub. This reduces friction so that the 700lbs of weight, when wound up to the top of the tower by hand, smoothly rotates the 4-ton apparatus once every 15 seconds. The lighthouse keeper on duty must wind up the weights every 2 hours in order for the red and white candy-striped lighthouse to be seen from 17 miles away. The lighthouse is a must see while visiting Abaco.

www.elbowreeflighthousesociety.com

Other lighthouses of Abaco www.abacoescape.com/HitW.html