The Abaco Islands lie in the north-eastern Bahamas in the Atlantic, two hundred and ninety kilometres east of Palm Beach, Florida. They comprise the main islands of Great Abaco and Little Abaco, along with smaller barrier cays made up of coral and limestone formations. The turquoise water and white sandy beaches provide a beautiful backdrop to the expansive bonefishing grounds.

Abaco Lodge is set up primarily as a fly fishing lodge and is highly regarded as one of the best managed and run operations in the Bahamas. Featuring luxury waterfront accommodation, it overlooks world-renowned flats on the west side of Great Abaco Island, just north of Marsh Harbor.

The lodge has eight air-conditioned, clean, comfortable and stylish private, single rooms. They all have a private bath, with plenty of storage space for your fishing gear and clothing. Rooms feature large king beds, plush linens, rain showers, and patios that terrace over the rugged shoreline.

As well as a bright, comfortable lodge with dining facilities and fully stocked bar (soft drinks, plenty of ice, a blender and mixers for cocktails) the lodge also has a pool, outside fire pit and plenty of patio space to stretch out on the sun loungers—ideal for kicking back, telling stories over a beer and taking in the stunning views. Amenities include high-speed internet, WIFI connections, phone service, tying room, and a new flat-screen TV for all the games.

In terms of food at the lodge, think fresh, creative, indigenous, and delicious. Abaco Lodge takes pride in serving spectacular food, deriving its acclaimed menu from top local produce and specialising in fresh-from-the-ocean plates brimming with Mahi, Tuna, Grouper, Snapper, Conch, and Lobster.

Tasty appetizers are served on the verandah, where you’ll sample local Bahamian specialties such as cracked Conch, Grouper fingers, and Conch salad. Desserts vary from chocolate decadence to key lime parfaits and rum cake with coconut ice cream.

Breads, pastries, and treats are baked daily and breakfast features a variety of cereals, fresh-ground coffee and a selection of teas, as well as fruit. Eggs are prepared a-la-carte, with bacon, sausage, and grits or potatoes. Hot cereals are also available.

Place your menu order nightly for the next day’s lunch. They have an open bar policy at the lodge, where you’ll find cold beers, spirits, and a blender for cocktails, as well as soft drinks. House wines such as Chilean Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon will be served with dinner. After dinner, coffee, tea, and liquors are served in the sitting room.

Abaco Lodge also caters to special dietary needs.

The ‘Marls of Abaco’ are situated along the western shore of Great Abaco Island, encompassing a vast swath of prime, wilderness bonefish habitat. The Marls has long been considered one of the most unique and productive fisheries in the Bahamas for its prolific numbers, tailing and cooperative fish.

Twenty- to thirty-fish days are a regular occurrence at Abaco Lodge, and many adult Bonefish crack and exceed the magical six-plus pound mark.

A typical day starts after breakfast at 7:00 am, leaving the dock at 8:00 am with a planned return time of 4:00 or 5:00 pm, however, this is flexible. Bahamas Bonefishing is an integral part of the culture, and these guys speak the language fluently. Top-of-the-line, shallow-draft Hell’s Bay flats skiffs ensure maximum comfort while full-throttling it to the fishing grounds.

Most of the fishing over the Marls is from the skiffs; however, there are opportunities to walk and wade the flats. Fish are mostly in the region of two to four pounds in weight, but clearly bigger fish are seen and caught with the ocean side flats offering the best chance of catching fish in excess of six pounds. Permit and juvenile Tarpon also visit the Marls depending on the season.

Of course, other species of fish show up as well such as Barracuda, Jacks and Sharks, all of which will readily take a fly, so it pays to have the right gear to take advantage of these chances when they arrive.

In addition to the Marls, Abaco Lodge offers incredible fishing on the eastern, oceanside, where chance encounters with superlative-size Bonefish are a distinct possibility. Combine this with rarely fished areas such as Cherokee Sound, the Bight of Robinson, and Snake Cay which are minutes from the lodge and house incredible but challenging Bonefishing, there are plenty of options at hand.

Both east and west side options allow anglers and guides to work around potentially inclement weather, making missing a day of fishing rare. The Marls side is accessed from the lodge dock and is just a short walk whilst fishing the ocean side requires a short drive.

For an additional fee, Abaco can offer some world-class big game fishing for Marlin, Sailfish, Wahoo, Dorado and Tuna depending on the season. The lodge can make the arrangements using the services of the best local captains and offers some really exciting Bluewater fly fishing opportunities.

As per all Fly Odyssey bookings, we will provide a comprehensive and detailed pre-trip fly fishing guide, and advise of travel requirements prior to your departure.

Passport with minimum six months validity.

Nationals of the European Union and Australia do not require a visa to enter the Bahamas.

There are various international flight options, either direct or via the US or Canada to Nassau. From there, take a flight to Marsh Harbor Airport, or a direct Seaplane charter direct to the lodge.

There is a Bahamian departure tax of $15.

Let us do the groundwork for you.

Our tailored fly fishing and accommodation itineraries are designed with you in mind to suit your preferences. They are also quoted in your local currency with very favourable exchange rates.

Fly Odyssey has access to the best guiding and lodging rates, suitable tides and updated availability to this destination which can vary throughout the season.

This includes flight bookings, transit accommodation, transfers and a host of non-angling activities and experiences.

We specialise in family, couples and group stays to the region, and our long involvement with our partners on the ground in the Bahamas will ensure you are well looked after both on and off the water.

This includes extended coastal stays in Florida, Cuba and Mexico.

Please enquire for the latest rates and availability, including information on any applicable special offers.

CONTACT OUR INTERNATIONAL OFFICE

• M: +61 (0)499 900816
• E: travel@flyodyssey.com.au

CONTACT OUR UK OFFICE

• M: +44 (0)7936 708305
• E: enquiries@flyodyssey.co.uk

Creating and sharing memorable travel experiences with our clients and friends provides us with genuine satisfaction. All of our trips are bespoke, tailored to your needs, and we always love hearing all about the adventure on your return.

Our knowledge of travel logistics saves you time, and our highly experienced team is here to ensure it’s spent on the water and not at the desk or on a long flight connection that you didn’t require. Since 2006 we have developed a valued client-base that has travelled to all corners of the globe.

We are a fully-accredited travel agency, where all of our flights, accommodation and associated travel bookings are made in-house, which means that you pay less. We have access to a huge range of specials, deals, great volume pricing and excellent currency exchange rates which allows us to pass these benefits directly onto you.

On the fishing front, our extensive expertise and experience around prime seasons, species, moon-phases, tides and personalised customer service is centred around one principal – preparation. This includes detailed gear and equipment lists, the fly patterns, transfer details, up-to-date fishing reports and some of the finer aspects that can often be overlooked.

We travel extensively and understand that your free-time is important. Just as we all understand from experience, that the key to a successful trip is pre-trip preparation.

Our highly experienced team has fly fished the world for the last 25 years, and we understand the considerations and gear needed to turn a good fly fishing trip into a great one.

Fly fishing and travel is our passion. It’s all we do.