To start, there are two places, roughly, to bring the boat when going to Hopetown. The first is inside the well protected harbor. The second is outside the harbor.
Depending on your draft and when you want to leave you may want an outside spot. There are no mooring balls outside, so plan to anchor. If there is going to be a bad blow, get in early because I don’t think you can easily anchor inside the harbor and the moorings fill up quickly. Now I chose to be outside for reasons that have nothing to do with leaving at low tide. These reasons number in the millions. Mosquitoes. I found on the last trip to the Bahamas, that well protected harbors block the wind well and mosquitoes take advantage of that. So after many many whelps, I try to stay a few hundred yards off shore in the lee of the island I am visiting.
The main feature of Hopetown is the Hopetown Light House. Red and white striped it looms above the island telling others that a safe harbor beckons. It is a working light, with a Fresnel lens. The climb to the top seems burdensome in the heat of summer, but once at the top the reward pays double the effort. The 360 degree view of the reef, the harbor, the anchorage, as well as the rest of the Abacos provides a furtive image against which you will frame the rest of your trip. Trust me and make the climb to the top, it costs nothing but time…
After all that climbing you might become hungry and thirsty. I know I did. If so or if not, take the dinghy ride further into the harbor. Many houses line the shore with docks. One dock that stands out belongs to Capn Jacks restaurant. Don’t pass it up. Tie up to their dock and enjoy cold drinks with good food. I recommend the lobster salad and the somewhat spicy Mac N Cheese. This doesn’t come out of a box that says Kraft on it.
I enjoy walking the streets of hopetown. Wide enough for a golf cart, one must stand off the street as any vehicle goes by. You see many small cottages reflective of the entire area. Some have weathered many a hurricane or violent storm and all have some unique twist to them.
There are also a few inns on the island. Although, I would recommend one with rooms facing south and near the south shore. These will make the most of the sea breeze that blows through constantly.
The inviting beach facing south beckons with blue/green hues and white crystalline sand. A long walk down the beach will show some formations
that not located in Florida. Each adds interest to the area. A reef within swimming distance of the shore presents no real problems for decent swimmers, although the swell can sometimes push one hard. But the few fish found on the reef don’t seem bothered by anyone’s presence.
