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Abaco "like" vacation spots? #203836
09/05/2019 01:21 PM
09/05/2019 01:21 PM
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,113
Petoskey, MI
CottageGirl Offline OP
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CottageGirl  Offline OP
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Petoskey, MI
We had planned a vacation to the Abacos for March 2020 and put a deposit down on a house rental. Given the recent circumstances, it does not appear we will be going there. From the looks of the devastation it will be quite some time before the islands become inhabitable. We spent a week on Green Turtle Cay last year and loved the islands and her people. We will definitely be going back, just not this next spring.

Which brings me to this question - where to go? Obviously we can go to the BVI's - we will already be there late January 2020 sailing - but am looking for another location with the ease of island hopping in a small (25-28') boat rental. Does such a place exist?

All ideas welcome!
Julie

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Re: Abaco "like" vacation spots? [Re: CottageGirl] #203853
09/05/2019 01:56 PM
09/05/2019 01:56 PM
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 41
Massachusetts
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DuxDweller Offline
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Hi Julie! Not necessarily a boating vacation - but STJ and the Abacos have some commonality IMO. Laid back locals - not "resorty" - beautiful beaches and water. Just a thought.



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Re: Abaco "like" vacation spots? [Re: CottageGirl] #203854
09/05/2019 02:02 PM
09/05/2019 02:02 PM
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,113
Petoskey, MI
CottageGirl Offline OP
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CottageGirl  Offline OP
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Petoskey, MI
Dux - yup! We’ve been to STJ many times - always camped at Mahoe Bay and loved it! Looking for some way to get out on the water a bit without doing a full on bareboat charter. It’s my husband and I and our son & girlfriend.

Re: Abaco "like" vacation spots? [Re: CottageGirl] #203855
09/05/2019 02:06 PM
09/05/2019 02:06 PM
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 41
Massachusetts
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DuxDweller Offline
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Miss Maho and Concordia too! Stayed last Christmas at a nice little villa on Gifft Hill and really loved it.



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Re: Abaco "like" vacation spots? [Re: CottageGirl] #203856
09/05/2019 02:09 PM
09/05/2019 02:09 PM
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,214
Toledo, OH, USA
Orange_Burst Offline
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Toledo, OH, USA
I don't know that there is a lot of boating, but I've been looking into Anguilla. It seems like a small, laid back island. There are some very expensive hotels, but also some more reasonable places too. I was looking at either Shoal Bay Villas or Turtles Nest. Both have 1 and 2 bedroom villas.


Colleen

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Re: Abaco "like" vacation spots? [Re: CottageGirl] #203858
09/05/2019 02:27 PM
09/05/2019 02:27 PM
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,668
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There are many other "out islands" in the Bahamas that are all equally gorgeous, our favorite is Exuma. Research the "out islands".

Re: Abaco "like" vacation spots? [Re: CottageGirl] #203863
09/05/2019 03:19 PM
09/05/2019 03:19 PM
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,113
Petoskey, MI
CottageGirl Offline OP
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CottageGirl  Offline OP
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Petoskey, MI
Am "down the rabbit hole" now googling the out islands! Looks amazing and I'm finding some great looking Airbnb rentals on Exhuma.
What is the day boating island to island like there?

(PS: Sorry I know this isn't specifically BVI related .....)

Re: Abaco "like" vacation spots? [Re: CottageGirl] #203867
09/05/2019 04:28 PM
09/05/2019 04:28 PM
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 6
west coast of Florida
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raysfan03 Offline
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I just returned from the Exumas two weeks ago. We were on a power yacht, but saw many opportunities to rent houses. Check out Staniel Cay, Black Point Cay and Norman Cay.

Re: Abaco "like" vacation spots? [Re: CottageGirl] #203875
09/05/2019 06:09 PM
09/05/2019 06:09 PM
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 850
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Cleobeach Offline
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As mentioned, there are other out islands that didn’t have damage. (I follow someone on Instagram that lives on Exuma)

We really liked Anguilla. We never ate so good on vacation, the restaurants are fabulous. The island is fancier than the VIs but there is something for everyone there.

Check into Barbuda. More rentals are coming back on line and the island certainly can use the tourist dollars. We visited in Feb 2017 and it was a dream trip. Wonderful people and completely undeveloped.

Last edited by Cleobeach; 09/05/2019 06:09 PM.
Re: Abaco "like" vacation spots? [Re: CottageGirl] #203886
09/05/2019 07:28 PM
09/05/2019 07:28 PM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,003
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sail445 Offline
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The Abacos had a problem with looting and they sent in the Bahama defense and they robbed and looted.
What else is new in the islands of love?

Re: Abaco "like" vacation spots? [Re: sail445] #203888
09/05/2019 08:35 PM
09/05/2019 08:35 PM
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,347
USVI
LocalSailor Offline
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Western Puerto Rico has some great places to stay and a big number of boating destinations to explore.
Culebra or Vieques are also good options to stay and boat from.
You might find that sailing the Spanish Virgins are a wonderful change of pace for your next charter too!!

Re: Abaco "like" vacation spots? [Re: CottageGirl] #203891
09/05/2019 11:41 PM
09/05/2019 11:41 PM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 22
Phoenix, AZ
Bilge_Idiot Offline
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Phoenix, AZ
Following... We love the Abacos and they were a top contender for a summer 2020 trip until now. 🙁

Re: Abaco "like" vacation spots? [Re: CottageGirl] #203970
09/06/2019 09:12 PM
09/06/2019 09:12 PM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 207
East Tennessee
Annoddddd Offline
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East Tennessee
We loved Exuma and the opportunity to rent a center console for a day or two. The house was awesome too.

Re: Abaco "like" vacation spots? [Re: CottageGirl] #203975
09/06/2019 11:37 PM
09/06/2019 11:37 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,228
Somewhere out there
kneafseym Offline
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Somewhere out there
Exumas are great, but you need access to a powerboat to explore. Anguilla is also great, and you just need a rental car.


Mike
Re: Abaco "like" vacation spots? [Re: CottageGirl] #203986
09/07/2019 10:02 AM
09/07/2019 10:02 AM
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 348
Pittsburgh, PA
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Schwendy Offline
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I too recommend exploring the Out Islands but keep in mind they are all very different from Abacos and each other. Exumas are good. Staniel cay not a lot to do. Once you go see the pigs, the nurse sharks and the 007 grotto, not much to do by boat unless you like to fish. Georgetown on Exuma is probably a better option. You can rent small power boats and go to Stocking Island and a few deserted beaches but it's just day boating and returning in the late afternoon. It has built up some in the past years and like all the islands, it has changed. Thanks HGTV.

Eluethera - lot's of house options but you need a car and it's a long island, hard to explore without driving all day. Didn't have the atmosphere I like. Not on my list to ever go back to.

Cat Island - very remote but two small airports. No boat rentals but you can go out with someone. Fishing and diving for conch, lobster is great! Super nice beaches and friendly people. I love cat island! Also need a car, it's long but doable. Both ends of the island are very cool.

Anguilla - Been there 3 times. Actually got married there. Again, it has changed a lot. Crime is worse, some of the more affordable places are more expensive now and more run down. Carimar was a nice beach hotel. Food, like other's have said is the best I've had but expensive. No boat rentals but you can go out with someone for a day. Can take the ferry over to St. Maarten or a small plane over to Saba. Saba is a volcanic mountain. No boats or beaches but it's beautiful and great to spend two days there. Best diving around! Hope that helps.



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Re: Abaco "like" vacation spots? [Re: CottageGirl] #204015
09/07/2019 02:56 PM
09/07/2019 02:56 PM
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,676
An island state of mind
tradewinds Offline
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An island state of mind
The Exumas are best enjoyed on a boat.

Re: Abaco "like" vacation spots? [Re: CottageGirl] #204025
09/07/2019 04:47 PM
09/07/2019 04:47 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,557
Toronto, Ontario
gordaguy2 Offline
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Anegada is the nearest to Abaco


GordaGuy2
Re: Abaco "like" vacation spots? [Re: CottageGirl] #204160
09/09/2019 10:36 AM
09/09/2019 10:36 AM
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,113
Petoskey, MI
CottageGirl Offline OP
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CottageGirl  Offline OP
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Petoskey, MI
All great options - thanks! I think we’ve settled on Exuma - looking to chill out, snorkel, explore a bit. Found a great looking Airbnb rental that comes with paddle boards, kayaks and ability to rent a 15’ Boston whaler.

*GordaGuy - we spent a week on Anegada this last Feb at Ann’s cottages. Loved it!

Re: Abaco "like" vacation spots? [Re: CottageGirl] #204172
09/09/2019 12:26 PM
09/09/2019 12:26 PM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,647
Memphis, BVI, CT
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RatmansWife Online content
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FYI, all rentals on Great Camanoe include a boat, often a Whaler.

Re: Abaco "like" vacation spots? [Re: CottageGirl] #204181
09/09/2019 03:15 PM
09/09/2019 03:15 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,557
Toronto, Ontario
gordaguy2 Offline
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We need to venture over to Ann's cottages and check it out.


GordaGuy2
Re: Abaco "like" vacation spots? [Re: CottageGirl] #204232
09/10/2019 08:13 AM
09/10/2019 08:13 AM
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 788
Kannapolis, NC
ndfaninnc Offline
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Ann's cottages are spacious and beautifully decorated. She really did a nice job and I hope she does very well with them. Of course the location is equally amazing.


Go Irish!!

Bill

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