ABACOS ATTRACTIONS Rum: Drink of the Islands and Abacos. PETE'S PUB AND GALLERY Little Harbour: An outpost for those seeking art, adventure, the freshest food and a great watering hole. Little Harbour's remote and lush surroundings offered inspiration for bronze sculptor, the late Randolph Johnston. The Johnston's family has had a vivid history since settling this harbour over 50 years ago. Here they built a Bronze Art Foundry to cast their renowned sculptures. Peter Johnston continues his father's art in bronze and gold depicting the marine wildlife around him Abaco National Park The Abaco National Park was established in 1994 primarily to protect the northernmost range of the endangered Bahama Parrot. It encompasses 20,500 acres of the south-eastern portion of Great Abaco Island, including over 5,000 of pine forest, the major habitat of the parrot. In addition to the parrot, a great diversity of birdlife can be found, making Abaco National Park one of the most Important Bird Areas in The Bahamas. Abaco Wild Horse Preserve On the sun swept stage of a small island 150 miles off Florida’s Gold Coast, a threatened herd of rare and endangered horses have made their official debut to the world. Work begun in 1992 resulted, in August 2002, in having the horses designated a new strain of the critically endangered Spanish Barb breed by the Horse of the America’s Registry. Hope Town Lighthouse The British Imperial Lighthouse Service built this lighthouse to mark the Elbow Reef during the 1860's. It is one of only two remaining beacons saved from automation (that is vigorously opposed by residents). To read a good story about the Lighthouse, go HERE..... Cottman's Castle On a hilltop overlooking Marsh Harbour stands Seaview Castle, built by "Doctor" Evans Cottman (d. 1976), a high-school biology teacher from Madison, Indiana, who became the islands' official "unqualified practitioner" in the 1940s (i.e., he wasn't really a doctor, but he played one in the Bahamas). and went on to write a book called "Out Island Doctor." He built the castle himself, and the experience became the subject for another book, "My Castle in the Air." No longer a home, the castle is today a café run by Cottman's daughter, Gayle. Pelican Cays National Park Dotted with islets, small bays, and seemingly endless reefs, this 2,000 acre park is one of the best in The Bahamas. Pelican Cays Land and Sea Park is home to Sandy Cay reef. Encompassing 2,100 acres, the Pelican land and Sea Park is the sister park to the Exuma Cay Land and Sea Park which was the first marine fishery reserve in the Caribbean. Sandy Cay contains beautiful underwater caves, extensive coral reefs and beautiful terrestrial plants and animal life. It is 20 miles south of Marsh Harbour. Eight Mile Bay Eight Mile Bay is situated on the southeastern part of the island, between Cherokee Sound and Crossing Rocks. , defined by a long and incredibly beautiful beach, Castaway Cay Exceptionally rich in marine life, this small cay off the southwestern end of the island is a particularly attractive spot for divers, snorkelers, and fishermen. Formerly called "Gorda Cay", Now called "Castaways Cay, and owned by Disneyland, you can still snorkle around it, but watch out for Donald Duck's turds. Once owned by Dr. Antoni, whose grandson, Robert Antoni, is a known author. See a story written about the old island HERE......Disney is said to have spent $25,000,000 to develop and outfit the island, topping the $16 million spent by Holland America on Half Moon Cay, and the lesser efforts of other companies. As a result Castaway Cay has the most extensive facilities. Sea water is changed into pure water with reverse osmosis water processors. Construction took 18 months which included dredging 50,000 truckloads of sand from the depths of the Atlantic Ocean. The island is still largely undeveloped - only 55 of the 1000 acres are being used. See a Virtual Tour for Castaways Beach.... Man o' War Cay Man o' War Cay was once the boat building capital of the Abacos. Lying the shallow waters just off the cay is the wreck of the Adirondack, a federal warship sunk during the American Civil War. Elbow Cay In Elbow Cay is the small port of Hope Town, which is in turn the site of the most photographed object in the Abacos, the candy-stripped lighthouse. Treasure Cay Situated about 25 miles north of Marsh Harbor, this sprawling resort possesses its own marina, beach, golf-course, and airstrip. It also has "One of the Best 10 Beaches in the World" in many surveys. Green Turtle Cay This small resort island once hosted a thriving population of Green Turtles. Unfortunately, over the years most of the turtles were hunted and turned into soup. There is, however, a farm where green turtles are still raised for food, while those still remaining in the nearby waters are protected. Home to world-famous Nippers Bar and Grill The booze is so strong even white people think they can dance......home to Pig Roast every Sunday, too. Cooper's Town Just 17 miles from Treasure Cay, this is the idyllic jumping-off point from Little Abaco to Great Abaco. It was founded sometime after 1838 and is the largest settlement at the north end of Great Abaco. It is the closest mainland settlement to New Plymouth on Green Turtle Cay. It is also the headquarters for the island administrator in the North and has the only courthouse in the north. It has the largest Government clinic in The Abacos. Cooper's Town was originally settled in the 1870's by families from Grand Bahama (the Coopers) and Green Turtle Cay. In the early 1900's, Coopers Town produced pineapples and sponges, both of which are hard-to-find in the Abacos today. It is a real Bahamian working town, with several local restaurants that are worth a visit Walker's Cay The deeper waters surrounding this cay, along with a well-developed resort, have made this cay one of the most cherished fishing destinations in the islands. It is also the northernmost island of The Bahamas. Has great diving too, and is home to the famous "Shark Rodeo". Also home to popular television show, Walker Cay Chronicles....