Abaco - Marsh Harbour

Abaco is a chain of islands located in the northeastern region of the Bahamas. The two main islands , Great and Little Abaco are separated from a string of outer islands called cays (pronounced keys). It is approx 180 miles from Ft Lauderdale.

Local Bahamian population numbers about 22,000.  The climate is semi tropical and similar to that of South Florida.

Columbus arrived in the Bahamas in 1492.  The Bahamas eventually became a British Colony and a haven fo American Loyalists during the American Revolution. The British Loyalist were given land on Abaco and began arriving in 1783. Abaco's treacherous outer reefs lay along major shipping lines and many ships went down until the lighthouses were build in the 19th century.  Marsh Harbour on Great Abaco which also has a protected harbour, became Abaco's largest "city" and its commercial and governmental hub. Today about 5,000 people live in Marsh Harbour.  No public transportation is available except ferries.  Marsh Harbour has the only stoplight in Abaco.

Life on the outer cays can be roughly correlated with suburban living.  Hundreds of workers, school children, shopper and others commute daily from the cays to the mainland on two highly reliable efficient commercial ferry services. The Green Turtle Ferry and the Albury's Ferry.