Sailing the Abaco Islands, Bahamas

The Abaco Islands are an idyllic sailing paradise, with perfect winds but flat calm turquoise seas, thanks to the Atlantic side reef cays. Across the island chain there are numerous unspoilt beaches to visit, and of course plenty of lively bars and restaurants.



We recently had the opportunity to experience this Bahamas paradise first hand, whilst chartering a Fountain Pajot “Helia 44” catamaran for 10 days, organized with charter company Cruise Abaco. This “owners version” private yacht features 3 luxury double cabins (all en-suite of course) with the master cabin taking over the entire starboard hull and featuring a dressing room, private office area, sofa, and extensive en-suite facilities.



Commissioned in 2013, the yacht was incredibly well equipped, with every toy aboard you could wish for; including state-of-the-art entertainments systems, electric winches, 110V generator, air conditioning, and a powerful RIB tender ideal for water sports (and of course we had a paddleboard and kayak aboard too!) With a draft of less than 4ft, and beam of over 25ft, this catamaran is the ideal yacht to combine stable family cruising with uncompromising luxury and open spaces.



Cruise Abaco turned out to be a fantastic company to charter a yacht with. They are a small family run business, offering a tailor made service – yet they still have sufficient coverage to offer the support of the larger fleets. The Cruise Abaco base is in Boat Harbour Marina, Marsh Harbour, which is great place to start your charter from. There is a large supermarket just around the corner, and the marina has a fantastic resort with bar, restaurant and pool…to get you in the holiday mood from the moment you arrive!



The Abaco islands remain an unspoilt peaceful retreat, with many only accessible by private yacht. These islands form a string of pearls that include a variety of natural harbors and secluded beaches that span hundreds of miles of crystal clear turquoise water. The Abacos are the idyllic setting for total relaxation, with distinct personalities and many natural wonders.



The highlight of our itinerary must include Little Harbour in the south. This beautiful natural harbor is literally in the middle of nowhere, and offers a true retreat in a peaceful, laid back setting. Further up the coast, Hope Town is a great place for some shore side exploring – there is a good variety of shops, restaurants, and bars to frequent; and the Atlantic side of Hope Town offers some truly fantastic beaches to comb. Further north again, Treasure Cay has the most beautiful beach in the region, along with another great marina to spend the night. And finally, don't miss the reef snorkeling at Fowl Cay. The weather and tide must be with you, but your efforts will be rewarded by some of the most amazing underwater life in the world!

By Daniel Barber, Director of AquaCruise Luxury Yacht Charter