Last-minute yacht charter getaway to Abacos: top-notch spot for spur-of-the-moment sailing adventure
A quick getaway in the winter blues? Yearning for sunshine and water so blue it'll make your heart ache? Well, buddy, I've got just the place for ya - the Abacos! This paradise is the perfect spot for a last-minute charter vacation, and it's easier than patching holes in a sail. Here's why:
Flights to the Abacos
Readying for takeoff? Flights to Marsh Harbour are quick, affordable, and drop-dead gorgeous. Fasten your seatbelts, because you're in for one stunning descent over all shades of turquoise and beaches that look like they're straight from a postcard. Here are some airports offering direct flights:
- Miami (MIA)
- Tampa (TPA)
- Orlando (MCO)
- Atlanta (ATL)
- Charlotte (CLT)
- Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
- West Palm Beach (PBI)
Ease of Travel
After recovering from the view, customs is just a short stroll. The agent stamps your passport, and voila! Your luggage awaits. Taxis line up around the clock. Affordable, friendly, and ready to show you the ropes. Our ride cost $35, including a stop at Abaco Grocery and the liquor store next door. Raising a glass to local brews, Kalik and Sands, and the delectable Bahamian coconut rum, Ricardo's, would be a travesty.
Upon docking at the marina, you'll find Abaco Grocery Dockside, right at the entrance to the Abaco Beach Resort. No need to leave land. The store has all you need for a week at sea. Online provisioning from The Moorings? Now that's convenience! With that, you can skedaddle from Miami to your yacht in paradise in just over an hour; talk about convenient!
The Abacos Resort Base
The Abaco Beach Resort and Marina? A stress-melting place. Flowers and palm trees line the driveway, and even in the marina, the water is clear enough to spot sea turtles and fish swimming between boats. Arrive with a smile, and the team will greet you like old pals. Travis, Chelsea, and the local gang make sure you feel right at home. A whole article couldn't cover their kindness towards both guests and yachts.
The pool area’s a charm, with a restaurant, swim-up bar, a pool table, and games that'll keep you entertained for hours. A small beach with a swimming area lies just down from the pool, and it’s all within reach for charter guests. Fun, games, and relaxation? We've got it covered!
Sleep Aboard Your Yacht Charter
Planning on sleeping aboard your yacht? Not just to settle in, but to dive headfirst into the culture. The marina's lovely, but Colors restaurant and Fatty's Conch Salad right next to it? That's the real show. For local cuisine and culture, it's tough to beat. With a prime seat for the sunset, Colors serves up conch fritters and Bahamian Mac & Cheese, baked to perfection. Can't resist the tempting cocktail of the Bahamas? Sip on Gully Wash or Sky Juice, made fresh daily.
On the beach, a family member of the restaurant owner, dubbed Fatty, prepares conch salad made-to-order with freshly caught conch. The restaurant is more than happy for you to enjoy it on their bar, where you can watch the colors paint the sky.
Chart Briefings Before Your Cruise
In the Abacos, chart briefings are straightforward affairs. No need to spend weeks planning. Travis or one of his team will sit down with you and pull out a big ol' paper chart. They'll trace the safest routes to steer clear of sandbars and hand you a weather and tide forecast for the coming week. Sailing in deep waters? Don't worry; this team eases the process. They'll walk you through the timing of entrances and exits, guide you to the best winds, and ensure you set sail with a solid plan. Ready to cast off? A skipper will escort you and the boat to a fuel dock, taking the stress out of a tight marina. Hired a skipper or booked a crewed yacht? Your briefing'll focus on your favorite activities and suggestions for unforgettable experiences.
Flexible Bahamas Itinerary
The Abacos cater to every taste. Craving live music on the beach? You'll find It at Pete's Pub. Into upscale sea views? The Abaco Inn or Firefly on Elbow Cay'll hit the spot. Prefer to catch and cook your own fish with no one around? Grill it up on the beach at Tilloo Cay. Love snorkeling? The waters here are so clear that the sun dances in prisms on the sand between coral heads teeming with tropical fish at Fowl Cay Preserve.
A favorite spot? Nipper's, on Great Guana Cay. Bright teal waves crash onto powdery white sands, framed by the vibrant colors of the bar where your Goombay Smash awaits. Sure, Nippers will convince even the grumpiest sailor that love at first sight exists. When the day at Nippers comes to an end, Grabber's is right around the corner, offering breathtaking sunset views.
Looking for history? Head to Hope Town, where church bells chime hymns on the hour and the candy-striped lighthouse keeps watch over the harbor.
No matter your style, be it race or glide, the Abacos offer routes tailored to your rhythm. Whether you have 5 days or two weeks, there's always something new and captivating just waiting for you.
The Yacht Charter Fleet
The yacht charter fleet in the Abacos keeps expanding while maintaining the island vibe. Sailors will find choices like the Moorings 4200, Moorings 4500L, or Moorings 5000, which offer all the creature comforts. Power boaters will want to check out the latest options from the owner's version 403PC to the 464PC and the big sister of them all, the 534PC, with full-sized refrigerators and spacious flybridges, turning yachts into a home away from home.
The People of the Abacos
The people make a destination a home. I have a soft spot for the Abacos. Traveling can take a lovely place to somewhere I love. The folks of the Abacos create that leap from enjoyable stop to destination dear. No need for elaborate plans, just arrive, and you'll feel like family. Wanna escape the winter blues? The Abacos will give you a warm, island welcome.
Plan for your Abaco escape!
- For a fashionable touch to your yacht charter, consider shopping at boutiques along Marsh Harbour's Bay Street, offering everything from swimwear to resort wear.
- If you're a sports enthusiast, don't miss the Abaco's golf courses, including Winding Bay and The Abaco Club, for a challenging round with breathtaking ocean views.
- Quench your thirst for entertainment with live music performances at various venues around the Abacos, such as Firefly's Pizza Bar, Sundowners, or Peter's Pub.
- Foodies will adore local Bahamian delicacies, like conch salad, cracked conch, and peas 'n' rice, available at seaside eateries like Joe's Conch Shack and Danny's Conch Stand.
- For those seeking active pursuits, the Abacos offer a variety of sports, including kayaking, paddleboarding, and tennis, at the Abaco Beach Resort and Marshall Derna Tennis Club.
