In Hope Town, you'll find sandy beaches right at your doorstep, and more beaches are only a 15-minute ride south. Garbanzo Beach, near Sea Spray Resort, lures many surfers. Isolated Tahiti Beach, at the island's southern end (a little more than .6km/1 mile from Sea Spray), got its name from its thick wall of palms. At low tide, the shelling can be excellent along this gorgeous curve of sand, and the shallow waters make for good bonefishing, too. Across the way, you can see uninhabited Tilloo Cay and the Atlantic's crashing waves in the distance. Tahiti Beach is about a 10-minute bike ride from Sea Spray and about 20 minutes from Abaco Inn, in the White Sound area. To get here, you have to walk your bike up and down a few small but rocky rises.
Traveling along, you'll pass sea-grape trees, fluffy long-needled pines, and other varied roadside vegetation. Turn left when you come to the first major place to do so (by the white house on the bluff) and then turn right when you see two stone pillars. Go downhill and turn left at the end of the road at the wire fences. Take this path to the end. Walk along the dense palm grove to the beach. Because you're heading for the shore, which is public, ignore the PRIVATE -- NO TRESPASSING signs.
Irresistible deserted beaches lie south of Elbow Cay on pencil-thin Tilloo Cay and the tiny Pelican Cays, excellent targets for a day's sail. The waters here, packed with grouper and conch, are particularly good for fishing and swimming. In Pelican Cays Land and Sea Park, Sandy Cay Reef is one of the most colorful dive sites around. Line fishing, spear fishing, and shelling, however, are all taboo in this protected area.
The waves and breezes at Garbanzo Beach, also in the White Sound area, make it prime hang-ten territory. If you didn't bring a surfboard, the staff at nearby Sea Spray Resort (tel. 242/366-0065) can help you get one.
The waters off the coast of Elbow Cay are popular for boating and fishing. Head to the marina to join the fun.
About 20 steps south of Hope Town's post office, Froggies Out Island Adventures, on Harbour Road (tel. 242/366-0431; www.froggiesabaco.com), is the largest dive outfitter in the Abacos, with three boats (ranging 9-17m in length) that owner Theresa Albury uses to take divers to local sites. A certified scuba diver is charged US$95 (£48) for an outing and gear rental. Snorkeling excursions cost US$55 (£28) for adults and US$40 (£20) for children.
The company also organizes dolphin-watching trips. A full-day cruise out to Great Guana Cay costs US$45 (£23) per person. An equivalent tour to Little Harbour, near the southernmost point of the Abacos, including visits to selected restaurants, bars, and an art gallery, also costs US$45 (£23) per person.
Exploring the Abacos by Boat -- The ideal way to explore the Abacos is by boat. Island Marine, Parrot Cay in Hope Town (tel. 242/366-0282; fax 242/366-0281; www.islandmarine.com), will set you up with one of its rentals. You can then cruise to the boat-building settlement of Man-O-War Cay, to artist Pete Johnston's bronze foundry/gallery/pub in Little Harbour, and to many uninhabited cays and deserted beaches where you can go shelling, exploring, and picnicking in peace. Small-boat rentals range from a 5.1m Boston Whaler to 7m Man-O-War boats. Prices run from US$125 to US$250 (£63-£125) per day or US$625 to US$1,100 (£313-£550) per week.
