Freeport to Abaco

[wregle]

Is there a good and easy way to get from Grand Bahama Island to Abaco? AirTran out of Atlanta is running a really good fare to Grand Bahama Island but I don't know how to get to Abaco from there. Thanks for any info!

[DrRalph]

Major's Air (Google them) flies from Freeport to MHH, I think that's about the only way to do it. There is a ferry from Grand Bahama to Little Abaco, but that is only for the VERY HARDY.

[Abacoparrott]

only 3 choices.......private charter, Majors scheduled service (twice a day I believe) or ferry if you have plenty of vitamins, booze, energy and time........and, since you will probably have to rent a car at Crown Haven in order to get to Marsh Harbour....it costs more....this question has come up often over the years and the advice is always the same....Majors...Ken

[wregle]

Thanks so much for all the info. I asked the same question on "the other board" and mainly got smart*** answers! Thanks for the legit replies!

[sandy shaw]

I read the replies on the other forum and they seemed to give you all this info. The only smart*** answer was about the "bridge" but that was said tongue in cheek and par for the course on these types of boards...

[bellavista]

check out some old abaconians from about 3 years ago.
big headlines re government studying feasibility of bridge from
eastern Grand Bahama to Little Exuma. Maybe they can extend from
Spanish to Lanyard Cay and we could change the spelling to Key so
we could be "just like Florida".
Apparently they were semiserious about it unless someone brought up the issue of available money within the Bahamaian government and then it died.

[Abacoparrott]

remember how many times the old Treasure Cay Hotel was gonna be rebuilt??...Yes, 'tings move sloooooooooooooooooooowly in de islands, Mon......Ken

[Luff'em]

... or ferry if you have plenty of vitamins, booze, energy and time...

I have read this type of post about the ferry before. Has anyone ever been on it? All the info I found on Bahama ferries show the Incat type ferries. These are rather impressive and are being looked at as a way of transporting US troops intra-theater at a high speed. I would guess that it's similar to flying depending on the weather it's not that bad of a ride. But I also can find enjoyment in constant 20+ knots of wind on a sailboat...

I'll take my FLL to MHH and be done with it...

[Abacoparrott]

I kin assure you........this ain't no high-falutin' ferry service. I actually don't know of ANYONE who asked about this service and wound up taking it......as Ralph alluded to in a previous post......this is a VERY long and round-about-way to get to Abaco. It is my understanding that day-workers mainly use this ferry.....and they are not headed all the way to Marsh Harbour.....It would be terrific if us Abaco-lovers could take advantage of some of the "deals" to Freeport in order to get to Abaco.....alas......it is not so....ken

[Luff'em]

I kin assure you........this ain't no high-falutin' ferry service.

Do you know what type of vessel it is? Not looking to use it just very curious now as to what they use.

[Abacoparrott]

it is about 25ft......probably something like the ferry service on eleuthera to Harbour Island......I have been on those.....very small.....10-12 people tops......Ken

[sandy shaw]

Last time I saw it (3-4 years ago) it was a 28ft Boston Whaler, completely open to the elements.

[Abacoparrott]

I thought it was something like that but I wasn't sure. I think the biggest problem with taking this ferry is the cost to get to/from it. It's a pretty long cab ride from FPO TO the ferry and a VERY long cab ride FROM the ferry to MHH on Abaco. the cab fares alone will be more than the cost of a flight, not counting the ferry rate........I think some folks think that the ferry goes straight from Freeport directly into Marsh Harbour.......I wish, I wish..........Ken

[sandy shaw]

You are right there Parrott. However, I understand there is now a scheduled bus service running from FPO connecting with the ferry. Then, on arrival at Crown Haven, Abaco you can rent a car for the duration of your vacation and drop it back when you return. It's more an 'adventure' for the hardy types! (or those completely freaked out by flying).
I'm sure I read something earlier this year that the ferry service from Palm Beach to Freeport had stopped running. So that would blow the whole plan anyway. Can anyone confirm this? - I'm too lazy to Google it!

[patw]

The ferries have changed. My sister in law sells the tickets for the Fast Ferry that leaves out of Sandy Point.
This is one of the ferries.

[patw]

By the way, many Abaconians use the Fast Ferry because they can take their own cars on the ferry.

[Abacoparrott]

from Abaco to NASSAU right Pat??

[TurtleDreams]

government studying feasibility of bridge from
eastern Grand Bahama to Little Exuma.

That would be a heck of a bridge...:rolleyes:

[patw]

Yes, from Sandy Point to Nassau. They do have a web site, I found it on google but wasn't sure if I could post it here. :confused:
from Abaco to NASSAU right Pat??

[CR]

Ken,
That is correct - Sandy Point, Abaco to Nassau.

R.

[rgroseclose]

I can speak to the ferry from Mccleans Town to Crown haven Abaco. I used the ferry on the 29th of July. 2006 I had heard about it from some of the Locals at Treasure cay on my visit in June.2006 I thought we ought to try it just in case the airlines could not fly for some reason. We took Discovery cruiselines from Fort Lauderdale to Grand Bahama cost for Round trip was $745.00 for me my wife my 22 year old son and 16 year old daughter and 9 year old son. The ship left about 8:00 am then arrived about 1:00 PM in Free Port the only hassle was the boarding Process ( be sure and be there at least 2 hours ahead of time. I had called the number for the Ferry and they had a car waiting for me and I followed them to the ferry dock at Mcleans town. this took about 45 minutes at 65 to 70 mph.
the cost for the rental car was $70.00 there is also a Bus but the cost would have been about the same. They had a chris Craft that day with two 200 HP Out Boards. The Cabin was Jamb Packed with Items and when we finally boarded there were 20 people and two children on board. the Locals travel on the Cruise Ship and Bring thier Purchases Back as bagage as this is cheaper than Freight. The boat operater was very careful and I did not feel the Boat lurch or pitch even though he had to make a series of sharp turns due to shallow water. My concern was the crowded conditions and lack of Life preservers. We arrived at Crown haven about 50 minutes later. The Dock still hasnt been repaired but the Goverment has issued a Contract to do so. I had Cornish Car Rental in Treasure Cay meet us with a Rental Van. so we could use it while in treasure cay. Cost for the Ferry one way was $40.00 per adult 20.00 for the youngest Child. Total ferry cost 180.00 plus rental of car from freeport to Mccleans town 250.00. the Drive from Crown haven to Treasure Cay was about 40 Minutes. This was a little to rough traviling with children and Bagage for an eight day Trip. I bought tickets on vintage Props and jets for our return to Fort Lauderdale Great flight Total 48 Minute Trip I will definetly fly them when I return christmas. total cost 745.00 one way and they are pet friendly. Travel in the Morning We were the only people at coustoms in Fort Lauderdale. I would go the Ferry route if i were going to spend time in Freeport and then travel to Abaco bu they will have to get another larger Boat witha shallow draft. I think the Bahamian Govt. should help Subsidize this It would increase Tourisam for Both Islands. PS Discovery is a Great way to Travel and everyone I meet employes and Passengers were great they cheerfully refunded the unused portion of our trip. Also the People at the Ferry were supper nice and Helpful.

[Abacoparrott]

That was a pretty specific description of travel using the ferry. By my calculations, using 2-person travel as a benchmark, the cost was 203.00 pp one-way.......not really too much more than what most of us pay for a one-way flight to TC or MHH. Certainly a viable alternative for those who do not like to fly. I know you left FLL at 8 am on the Discovery ship. What time did you actually arrive in Treasure Cay? this will be valuable info for those who ask in the future.......Ken

[rgroseclose]

i arived about 4:30 Pm also if a guy named Prentis meets you at the Ferry Dock in Crown haven delivering your Rental from Cornish in Tresure cay. Tell him you will do the driving back to treasure cay Prentis must have had the Ricky Bobby Nascar Expieriance driving School. he scared the hell out of me with his driving

[rgroseclose]

Am I the only one having Abaco withdrawl symptoms? If this gets any worse Im headed to the store for a Gallon of Makers Mark

[Abacobrad]

Just had a friend book ATL- Freeport on Delta arrives 11:45. Has a 1:00 Regional Airt to Treasure cay- Awesome connection and good price too. Now if we can just get Airtran to reschedule in the morning again like before. Regional has three flights daily from Freeport to Treasure and Marsh.