Yachting USA — January 2018

2 8 YACHTING JANUARY 2018

main: istock/tr acerouda; opposite: (top) jim r aycroft, (bottom) quin bisset

 M

y charter yacht
cruised around an
outcropping off
Elbow Cay, and for
a moment, I thought I was back
in the South Pacifi c. The clear
water, white sand and arching
palm trees in this part of the
Abacos looked just like what
I’d seen in French Polynesia,
albeit with a fl atter backdrop.
It’s no wonder they call this
Bahamian hot spot
Tahiti Beach; it’s
a better-looking
sand spit than most
of the beaches I saw
on Tahiti itself. ¶ One of the
best things about Tahiti Beach
and the rest of the Abacos is
how much closer they are to
the U.S. mainland than other
winter destinations. I can’t re-
call how many hours it took me
to fl y from New York City to
Tahiti (somewhere between
“my back is stiff er than drift-
wood” and “is there any more
vodka on that cart?”), but I
know it was a lot longer than
the fi ve- or six-hour fl ight from

Manhattan to Marsh Harbour,

with a stopover in Fort Lau-

derdale. The Abacos are one

of the closer Bahamian island

chains to southeast Florida,

making them easily accessi-

ble winter charter grounds for

Americans. ¶ These islands are

known for great sport fi shing

(whisper “Abacos” to a marlin

fanatic and he’ll drool). The

snorkeling here can be good

too. Some of the best

charter yachts that

frequent the area

tow center consoles,

which let charter

guests explore both the

nearshore shallows and the

offshore fishing grounds.

¶ At cocktail hour, take a walk

ashore to Hope Town on Elbow

Cay. Harbour’s Edge has a bar

with all the local favorites —

Bahama Mama, Mango Punch,

Goombay Smash — plus a view

of the harbor’s iconic red-and-

white-striped lighthouse. It’s a

pleasant reminder that you’re

in the Abacos, a place unlike

anywhere else in the world.

CURRENTS CHARTER

THIS MONTH’S MAIN EVENTS

NEWYEAR’S DAYJUNKANOOPARADES These colorful, musical bashes

tend to start at noon, fi lling the streets with dancing and

celebration. Join the party in Dunmore Town on Harbour Island, or

in New Plymouth on Green Turtle Cay. BAHAMASGREAT

ABACOSCLASSICFrom January 18-24, the Abaco Club on Winding Bay

golf course is scheduled to host this tournament. Pro-ams

and clinics are expected to be part of the fun.

TRUE BLUE

These northern Bahamian islands always impress.

By Kim Kavin

Abacos

THE BAHAMAS