GREEN TURTLE CAY

A couple of miles offshore from Treasure Cay is Green Turtle Cay, just two miles by four miles. The story-book village of New Plymouth is situated here, a New England-style settlement with picturesque clapboard houses.

WHAT TO DO:

• In one of the town's Victorian houses is the Albert Lowe Museum, which traces the island's history back to the Loyalists. Albert Lowe was a model boat-builder and some of his models, alongside works by his artist son Alton, are on view in the museum.
• Visit The Memorial Sculpture Gardens featuring still living members of these loyalist families.
• For Nightlife visit Miss Emily's at the Green Turtle Club. Some of the captains (and the owners) of the world's most expensive yachts stop off here to enjoy the bartender's special, a "Tipsy Turtle," made by the gallon (orange juice, pineapple juice, vodka, coconut rum, banana rum, and grenadine). Appetizers are served nightly from 6:30 to 7:30pm. Live bands are featured on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights.
• Drop your card off at Miss Emily's Blue Bee Bar a simple bar likely to be the scene of the liveliest party in the Out Islands.
• Inquire at your hotel if the local Junkanoo band, the Gully Roosters, are playing their reggae- and calypso-inspired sounds. They're the best in the Abacos and often appear at various spots on the island.
• Boating: Rent a small boat and go snorkeling, diving, or fishing. Visit the surrounding Cays and settlements. Explore deserted islands and secret coves used by 17th Century pirates, Civil War blockade runners and Smugglers during Prohibition.
  Donny's Boat Rentals: Phone: 242-365-4119
  Reef Rentals: Phone: 242-365-4145
• Scuba: The world class reefs just off of Green Turtle Cay have gained an international reputation for their pristine beauty and abundance of sea life with numerous wrecks and caverns providing advanced divers with an unforgettable experience. Brendal's Dive Shop (242-365-4411), a member of the PADI Resort Association, is located directly adjacent to the Green Turtle Club Marina complex and offers all levels of certification and specialty courses.
• Fishing: The flats are home to the elusive bonefish. Abaco has become renowned for large bonefish with fish of 9 to 12 pounds a common occurrence. A world record bonefish, 17 lb 2 oz, was caught in Abaco in 1999 by visiting fisherman Lazaros Vostitsanos of Tarpon Springs, Florida, using 8 lb line and light spinning tackle. Local fishing guides are available to personalize all your fishing needs. Ricky Sawyer, (242-365-4261) reef and bone fishing; Ronny Sawyer (242-365-4070) bone fishing; Joe Sawyer (242-365-4173) reef fishing; Lincoln Jones (242-365-4223) fishing & snorkel beach cook-out; Eddie Bodie (242-365-4069) fishing and beach picnics. (It is highly recommended that reservations be made prior to your visit)
• Golf: At the Treasure Cay Resort Hotel & Marina, a short ferry ride away is an 18-hole golf course, considered the finest in The Bahamas.

WHERE TO EAT:

• Laura's Kitchen:
On the main street of town, Laura Sawyer serves up lunch and dinner in a simple, homey décor. The menu changes nightly, depending on what's at the market, but she always serves the old reliables her family has eaten for generations: fried grouper, fried chicken, and a tasty cracked conch.
• Plymouth Rock Liquors & Café: This place has the best selection of wines and liquors for sale in New Plymouth, including at least 70 kinds of rum, plus Cuban cigars. Part of its space is set aside for a pleasant and attractive luncheonette run by hardworking co-owners Kathleen and David Bethell.
• Rooster's: A local hang-out serving Bahamian fare including lobster, conch & fresh fish.
• Your best bets are of course the two resorts on the island, including the Green Turtle Club & The Bluff House both offering excellent cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• The Wrecking Tree Bar & Restaurant: This funky wooden place is recognized by its coral and terra-cotta colors, and by the much-mangled casuarina tree that grows next to its foundation. The hearty menu is as simple as can be, featuring mostly peas 'n' rice, conch, grouper fingers, chicken souse, and burgers.

GETTING TO GREEN TURTLE CAY:

To get to Green Turtle Cay, fly into Treasure Cay Airport (TCB) which is the closest airport, then take a taxi to the ferry, which has a set schedule and operates every day. (see below) The ferry stops at the Bluff House Hotel dock and at the Green Turtle Club Hotel dock. To get into historic New Plymouth Town, use the same ferry between the hotel and the town, or rent a golf cart.
Alternately, for more flight options, you can fly into Marsh Harbour Airport (MHH) and take a taxi to the Green Turtle Cay Ferry Dock. Taxi fare is approximately $65.00 for 1 or 2 people each way and the transfer time is approximately 40-minutes.