Abaco Islands

Here, in villages first settled in the late 18th century by Loyalists who left New England after the American Revolution, the clapboard houses in pastel tones suggest an early Cape Cod moved to warmer latitude. The Abacos are only about a 60-minute flight from South Florida, but the days here move at a much slower pace than in the neon-disco resort worlds of Nassau and Freeport – leaving just that much more time for beachcombing along deserted coves, fishing (major billfish tournaments are a tip-off), diving (several reef-rich underwater preserves, including Pelican Cays National Park), and exploring some of the 100 or so uninhabited offshore cays.

Start a less-than-whirlwind tour (these are part of low-key “Out Islands,” after all) at Marsh Harbour, the main town on the island of Great Abaco (which, in the best Bahamian tradition, is really a pair of islands, Great Abaco and Little Abaco). For a pair of outstanding beaches, head south to Eight Mile Bay (near Cherokee Sound) or to Treasure Cay (despite the “cay,” it’s on Great Abaco), where you’ll find a 3-mile stretch of sand that frequently shows up on “World’s Top 10 Beaches” lists. And after refueling at Marsh Harbour’s restaurants and marinas (charter boats are widely available), you can set course for the cays on the horizon, including, from north to south…