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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
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Abaco, Bahamas- With summer quickly coming to a close and back-to-school just around the corner, you’re probably looking for a great way to spend the last few days with your kids. Well look no further, here’s the perfect idea for a last minute family vacation— visit any of the six Abaco national parks! Come get up close and personal with nature’s breathtaking wonders by island hopping from Abaco’s mainland to the various cays.
Begin your adventure at The Abaco National Park, located in Southern Abaco and is easily accessible by car out of Marsh Harbour towards Sandy Point. With over 20,500 acres of pine forest this park is rich in biodiversity and offers a number of trails for hiking, and bird watching. Kids can see and learn about the many species of birds including the endangered Bahama Parrot, indigenous to Abaco. Visitors need to contact the BNT Abaco office in advance to organize a guided tour with the park warden.
Hike, Play, and Explore at Abaco National Parks -
Hiking is just one of the great activities offered at the various national parks in Abaco. If you're heading to Abaco this summer, or looking for something for your family to do, visit Black Sound Cay National Reserve located off Green Turtle Cay and just a short bike or golf cart ride outside the settlement of New Plymouth. You and your family can hike, play and explore the unique features, critical habitats and seemingly endless abundance of stunning plant and animal wildlife. (Photo BNT)
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Known for its outstanding beauty, showcased through its wild and pristine natural environment, Tilloo Cay Reserve is approximately 7 miles southeast from Marsh Harbour. The park, though small in size is an important nesting site and breeding ground for White–tailed Tropicbirds, as well as other sea birds. Difficult to access the parks birdlife is best viewed by boat.
Located 8 miles north of Cherokee Sound, and 5 miles from Little Harbour, Great Abaco, is the Pelican Cays Land and Sea Park (PCLSP), which is a sister park to the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park and has all you need for a fun day out in Abaco! This 2,100 acre park is accessible by boat only and contains beautiful undersea caves, extensive coral reefs, and abounds with fish and other marine life. Swim, snorkel or dive in the park at Sandy Cay Reef or explore the rocky seashores, sandy beaches and coastal habitats. Moorings are provided for your use at PCLSP, at no charge but The BNT does accept donations. For more information the donation process please call the Bahamas National Trust Abaco Office Headquarters at (242) 367-6310 or visit their website at www.bnt.bs.
Locals Loving the View -
With summer coming to a close and back-to-school just around the corner, any of the six national parks in Abaco would be a great place to visit for a last minute family vacation. National park entry fees are as low as $5.00 per person or become a member of the BNT and enjoy free entry year-round. Come and get up close and personal with nature's breathtaking wonders by island hopping from Abaco's mainland to the various cays. Pictured above are locals enjoying the view at Pelican Cays Land and Sea Park. (Photo BNT)
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Two other marine treasures to behold in Abaco are both the Walker’s Cay National Park, and the Fowl Cays National Park. Reef structures and diversity of marine life have attracted divers to these areas for years. Walker’s Cay is an underwater paradise and hidden gem ready to be discovered by boat in the northernmost part of the Abaco chain of cays. With lots of time to spare, the park can be the ultimate adventure and learning experience since it’s barrier reef is home to schools of pompano, amberjack, colorful tropical fish, turtles, eagle rays and large marine predators such as sharks and barracudas— all in their natural habitat. As there are no moorings in the park, extreme care should be taken when anchoring.
Unlike Walker’ s Cay, where a boat is definitely needed for exploring, Fowl Cays National Park is conveniently located by Marsh Harbour and can also be accessed by boat but is much closer to most central Abaco cays and settlements. With a variety of tunnels and towers to a natural whirlpool inside the park at the right tide, this park will treat you and your family to a unique and memorable sea experience. For location and rules for mooring use, visit the BNT’s website or Facebook page. Remember only tie up boats less than 25ft!
Abaco is the bird haven of The Bahamas -
Known for its outstanding beauty, both the Abaco National Park and Tilloo Cay Reserve are two of the six parks in Abaco that are designated areas for the lovers of birds. Pictured is the endangered Bahama Parrot, indigenous to Abaco.
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Lastly, you should wrap up your visit to Abaco by stopping by to Black Sound Cay National Reserve located off Green Turtle Cay and just a short bike or golf cart ride outside the small settlement of New Plymouth. Exploring this miniature park is great way to ensure your vacation is an unforgettable and learning experience since it comprises of thick stands of mangrove vegetation, which are important habitats for terrestrial plant and animal life.
As with nature, there is strength in membership, numbers, and diversity therefore the Bahamas National Trust wishes to encourage anyone, especially locals to appreciate the national park system by joining as a member. Anyone can join and with membership includes free admission to all national parks with fees starting as low as $30.
Times are tough and sometimes traveling abroad can be expensive. But you can vacation right here at home or simply island hop away and experience any of the 27 National Parks and Reserves throughout in The Bahamas—with something to do for the entire family! National park entrance fees are as low as $5.00 or become a member and enjoy free entry year-round. For more information, contact The Bahamas National Trust at 367-6310/ 225-4479 or visit their website.
Fowls Cays National Park -
Conveniently located near Marsh Harbour and close to most central Abaco cays and settlements is the beautiful Fowl Cays National Park one of the six national parks in Abaco. With a variety of tunnels and towers to a natural whirlpool inside the park at the right tide, this park will treat you and your family to a unique and memorable sea experience. Visit today! (Photo BNT)
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