Discover Your Perfect Weekend with a Flight to the Abaco Islands
The Abaco Islands are filled with entertainment and adventure, featuring beachside resorts, five-star restaurants, beach bars, boat rentals and local shops on almost every corner. For those that may be visiting just for the weekend, it’s especially important to make the most out of your time. Below are our weekender tips and recommendations to help you plan the perfect trip before boarding your flight to the Abaco Islands.
Lodging
If you want to stay in a resort with a restaurant, activities and transportation all available on property, Green Turtle Club Resort & Marina is the place to be. The resort features waterfront rooms with personal decks and docks for private boats, as well as smaller rooms that are perfect for a couple’s beach getaway. Green Turtle Club works closely with Brendal’s Dive Center and offers discounts for resort guests, as well as scuba certification for all levels. The reefs of Green Turtle Cay are some of the best in the world, so you don’t want to miss out on a chance to explore the sea life right outside your bedroom window. Convenience is key at Green Turtle Club, so many activities are available directly through the resort. D&P Cart Rentals is located right on the property, making getting around the island even more accessible for guests. You’re definitely in for some fun and pampering while staying here!
If you want a more private experience, we suggest renting a cottage with Oceanfrontier Hideaways. Each loft-style cottage has two bedrooms, a private deck and a kitchen. With only six cottages on the property, you will feel like you’re ‘living like a local’ in these cozy lofts by the sea. However, you’re not completely on your own, because Oceanfrontier Hideaways has a working relationship with Dive Guana and Nipper’s Beach Bar, where guests can enjoy preferred rates and pool access. Stick around for Nipper’s Sunday pig roast and grab a “feared and famous” Nipper Juice, and you’ll blend right into the island ambiance.
Sight Seeing
Get a bird’s eye view from the top of the Hope Town Lighthouse. After 101 steps to the top, you will get a panoramic view of Hope Town and the surrounding islands, and you’ll also have a chance to take a look at the original lens and turning equipment in the lighthouse, made in the early 1900’s! The lighthouse was built in 1864, which speaks volumes about the Elbow Reef Lighthouse Society’s restoration efforts. How often do you get to visit places built more than a century ago?
Dining
The Treasure Sands Club is not your ordinary upscale restaurant in the Abacos. Located next to Treasure Cay Beach, this restaurant pairs traditional Bahamian food with European influence. Meals are prepared with utmost care, and most of what you eat is grown on their property at the Bahama Woodstar Farm. They believe that humans need to have a deeper connection with their food, and they hope to inspire others to feel the same. In fact, they feel so strongly about this concept that they started the Farm-to-Preschool Community Project by supplying preschoolers from Head Start Academy with nutritious, seasonal and culturally authentic lunches every day. Each meal includes a $1 donation to the program, so you can feel even better about eating exquisite Caribbean Lobster Stew or Mango Curry Shrimp. The Treasure Sands Club also takes pride in their French wine collection and can offer advice for the best wine pairings for each meal.
Beaches
With so many beaches in the Abacos, choosing the perfect one might be a challenge. But wouldn’t you want to spend an afternoon on one of the top 10 best beaches of the Caribbean? Treasure Cay Beach actually made the top 10 list from Caribbean Travel & Life, and the three-and-a-half mile powder-white beach lives up to its ranking. The contrast of the turquoise water along the shore line is something you’ll have to see to believe. Although this beach is open to the public, you’ll feel like you’re on your own private oasis as there is plenty of room to spread out and relax. You can take a break from the sun at Coco Beach Bar and Grill just 100 yards from the water and cool off with a frozen Bahamian drink. They also offer lounge chairs, a volleyball court and have a sports cabana to rent kayaks and banana boats.
Getting There
Some of these destinations are a bit spread out across the Abacos, but not to worry, between Albury’s Ferry Service and the plethora of golf cart rentals, your perfect weekend is a reservation away. Start your perfect vacation with a scheduled flight to Marsh Harbour or Treasure Cay with Air Unlimited. Book your flight today by heading to our website!
- Published in News
The Abaco’s Top Five Adventure Excursions Are Only a Private Plane Ride Away
Your vacation is finally here and after a quick and relaxing scheduled flight to the Abacos with Air Unlimited, the last thing you want to do is waste time researching activities and excursions to complete your itinerary. That’s why we’ve highlighted a few of the tried and true tours and activities that will completely immerse you in the exciting atmosphere of the Abacos.
Parrots, pubs, and caves, oh my! The South Abaco Adventure offered through Abaco Tours & Activities will take you on a walking tour to see one of the most colorful Abaco natives, the Bahama parrot. These parrots are the only ground nesting species in the Bahamas, so you’ll be happy to have a tour guide there to point out where these birds might be hiding. The next stop will be Little Harbor, where you’ll stop at the famous Pete’s Pub and Bronze Sculpture Garden. Pete’s Pub is your classic island hang out spot, complete with a beach bar, Bahamian seafood and weekly events and specials. Pete’s Pub is also home to a bronze foundry that has been up and running for more than three generations. Few places still have a facility like this, but after walking through the bronze garden yourself, you’ll see why they’ve kept it around. After grabbing a quick bite, like the delicious Mango Grilled Grouper, the tour will end at the Abaco Caves. These breathtaking caves are found in discrete pools throughout the island and are easy to miss if you aren’t with someone who knows where to find them. Once you’re in the water, you can explore from the surface or take a deeper dive, at your own risk. Either way, you’ll be ready to cool off in this amazing blue oasis.
At Brendal’s Dive Center, you’re almost always guaranteed to see dolphins on the Reef Trip and Wild Dolphin Encounter. These are not trained dolphins that you’ll be in the water with; the captain will take you to known dolphin-spotting reefs where you can take pictures from the boat or put your mask and flippers on as you slip into the water to see these beauties in their natural habitat. You’ll also be treated to lunch on a private beach with your choice of fresh seafood and island drinks.
Another Brendal favorite is the Abaco Swimming Pigs Adventure. You’ve probably seen someone you know visit the Bahamas and feed a giant swimming pig. Well now it’s your turn to get up close and personal with the Abaco’s most famous attraction! These friendly pigs are great with visitors of all ages and truly make for a unique island experience.
Get closer to nature on an Abaco Eco Kayak Adventure in Elbow Cay. It’s your choice where to start your trip from either Tahiti Beach, White Sound or Hope Town Harbour, but we suggest Tahiti Beach. It’s a secluded beach only reachable by foot, bike, or boat so you can enjoy being the king or queen of the beach before setting off on your adventure. This is a self-led tour, but don’t worry, Abaco Eco will explain exactly where to go to get the most out of your trip. Along the way, you’ll see dense mangrove islands with wading birds hunting in the shallows. Make sure to stop and check out the water underneath, because you might spot a school of fish or even a turtle or nurse shark.
Finally, for those who really want to see it all, you can book a week-long sailing trip with Cruise Abaco or create your own personalized boat trip. We’re serious when we say you’ll see it all, because the sailing trip begins at the Great Abaco Beach Resort in Marsh Harbour and sails through Guana Cay, Man O War, and Hope Town. You’ll have the opportunity to choose which vessel you would like to sail in and consult with your captain on exactly where you want to go. The eight-day sample itinerary includes exploring local shops, museums and landmarks, paddle boarding and snorkeling and of course eating amazing food along the way.
Let the experts guide you through these incredible islands and provide you with memories that will last a lifetime. The team at Air Unlimited is very familiar with the Abacos islands and would love to offer tips and recommendations on some of their personal favorite must-sees. Start your adventure with us by calling 407-585-4300 or visiting www.FlyAirUnlimited.com to book a flight to paradise.
- Published in News
Pigs, Palms and Paradise: It’s Time to Experience Your Next Scheduled Island Flight
The Abaco Islands are made up of one main island and a string of smaller islands surrounding it, which together cover more than 650 square miles. For those looking to get the most out of their trip, this guide provides tips and tricks for traveling on land and over water, allowing you to bask in the beauty of the Abaco Islands in every way possible. One of the quickest and most convenient ways to begin your journey is with a scheduled island flight via Air Unlimited from Sanford, Florida to either Marsh Harbour or Treasure Cay, Bahamas. These private flights fit up to nine passengers, eliminate the hassle of traditional airport lines and security revisions and make sure you get to the islands faster than most commercial airlines.
After flying for less than 90 minutes, you will arrive at either the Marsh Harbour or Treasure Cay Airport, depending on which you’ve specified beforehand. Once you decide where you want to go, it’s totally up to you how you would like to get there. Both Marsh Harbour and Treasure Cay have rental cars, taxis, buses and ferries available, as well as bikes, mopeds and golf carts for easy island travel. Taxis are one of the most common methods for getting from one place to the next, or car rentals allow you to explore additional parts of the island on your own time. You may also want to check with your hotel ahead of time, as many of them offer transportation from the airport, depending on where you’re headed.
Once you arrive in Treasure Cay, you can easily jump on a ferry and head to Green Turtle Cay. This is the easiest route to Green Turtle Cay and you will have plenty of time to explore Treasure Cay once you return. While visiting Green Turtle Cay, you can travel by foot (the island is just three miles long!) or rent a golf cart, if traveling with wheels is more your style. Golf carts are the locals’ transportation of choice, and there are plenty of rental facilities available for visitors to choose from.
For those that are more marine savvy, you can check out the fleet at Sunset Marine & Boat Rentals in Turtle Cay, and tool around the island or schedule a designated island hopping tour. Sunset Marine & Boat Rentals offers ten different kinds of boats, ranging from a versatile 17-foot Aquasport to a luxurious 26-foot Scorpion. On an island hopping tour you’ll have the chance to be guided to the surrounding islands that you may have previously missed, and if you choose to create your own itinerary, make sure to stop at a little island called No Name Cay, and feed the pigs in Piggyville. Yes, Piggyville is a real place with plenty of friendly, free-roaming pigs and piglets! Once you’re back in either Marsh Harbour or Treasure Cay, and ready to relax on the beach or indulge in some authentic Bahamian food, you’ll definitely want to rent a golf cart – just remember that Bahamians drive on the left side of the road!
Knowing exactly how to get around in a foreign place can bring you so much peace of mind. Let Air Unlimited be your first choice for round trip scheduled island flights to the Abacos, and we’d be happy to offer further transportation and sightseeing suggestions along the way.
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Book a Private Jet for Lobster Season in the Abacos
Lobster season kicks off on August 1st, which means it’s time to pack up the gear and head to the Abacos with your fishing buddies. Since you’ll be on a boat from dawn till dusk loading up on the legal limit, we suggest taking Air Unlimited’s private jet to the islands to get you on the water as soon as possible. The Citation Mustang seats five, with more than enough room for all of your baggage and gear. If you’re traveling with more than four people, the King Air 200 is a better option. This aircraft seats nine comfortably with more head and shoulder space than most small aircrafts.
Unless you have your own boat in the Abacos, you will need to find a charter service to take you lobstering and typically, the charter boat captains will know all the best spots for taking full advantage of lobster season. If you are fishing off of a noncommercial boat, you will need to get a fishing permit from the Bahamian Customs Office. All Bahamian owned charter boats will already have fishing licenses but it’s always best to ask and make sure that everyone is covered.
Since it is illegal to dive for lobsters wearing scuba gear or any kind of air regulator, you will need to find shallow water to free dive in. The suggested depth is a spot where it only takes 30 seconds to get from the ocean floor to the surface. Spear guns are also illegal to use in the Bahamas, so keep your gear simple. All you will need is a mask or goggles, snorkel if desired, fins, a net and a tickle stick.
The last thing you want to do is get yourself and the entire boat in legal trouble from violating the Bahamian fishing guides, so be aware of the lobster regulations ahead of time. You are allowed six lobsters per person who is fishing (the captain doesn’t count). And you will need to make sure the lobster you are catching is not a female carrying eggs or a lobster too small for catching. This can be a bit tricky when you’re underwater and trying to gauge the size of the lobster or look under its tail for eggs while chasing it into your net. A lobster gauge is very useful in this situation. It is basically a small ruler made of aluminum, with indentations where you will need to place the gauge in between the lobster’s eyeballs and extend it to the end of its carapace. The measurement from the eyeballs to the carapace should be no smaller than 3 3/8 inches in length, or its tail should be at least six inches long. If your lobster reaches either of those measurements, it’s a keeper! If you catch a lobster that is under size or carrying eggs, just release it and move on.
To catch a lobster, you will need to find an area suitable for lobsters to live. This includes caves or artificial reefs where lobsters can hide. You will coax the lobster out of its cave by moving your tickle stick to the back of the cave and pulling it towards the front while hopefully running into a lobster. Once the lobster feels the tickle stick, it will shoot out of the cave so keep your net ready! After you catch one, make sure to measure it and twist your net to not let your catch free.
If you’re catching lobsters, hopefully you have a place to cook them. But if not, ask your charter captain for the best local restaurants that will cook your catch for you, and enjoy!
The Air Unlimited team is always ready to offer advice or recommendations for your lobster season adventure. Conveniently book your flight by giving us a call at 407-585-4300.
- Published in News