Chill: Boat Building Tour
For a unique day trip, set sail to Abaco’s Man-O-War Cay and the Lewis Uriah Albury & Sons Boat Works studio. It’s where you’ll meet master boat builder, Joe Albury, whose father launched the operation back in the 1920s.
Albury has spent decades designing and building wooden dinghies and speed boats—by hand. We toured his workshop crammed with nails, drills, and boats in various stages of completion. The soft-spoken gent–descended from English “loyalists” who fled the newly independent United States of America in the 1700s—has been honored by Bahamian officials for his artistry. Next door, Albury’s wife Mary Ann, runs a souvenir shop where his model boats, hand-carved signs and picture frames are sold. Down the road, the Albury Sail Shop is where other Albury women sew good looking bags and other items using 8-ounce cotton duck fabric—the same sailcloth once used for the community’s boats. Talk about recycling!
Thrill and Chill: Beach Bar Hopping
You haven’t lived until you don your swimsuit, board a boat with pals, and take off for the nearest beach bar in the Abacos. We cruised past Hope Town, Tahiti Beach and Tilloo Cay National Reserve, disembarking twice at two delightful spots with ocean views, beach breezes and endless cocktails. The first, the Abaco Inn in Elbow Cay is cozy with friendly bartenders. Next was Cracker P’s, a lively bar in Lubber’s Quarters named for a legendary local with a colorful past. Hours passed as we chatted with owner Patrick Stewart, sampled peas and rice and played darts against a backdrop of groovy tunes. If there’s time, make your way to Nipper’s Beach Bar & Grill in Great Guana Cay, a party spot where Beyonce and Jay-Z reportedly hung out while vacationing in The Abacos earlier this year.
