Overview of Bahamas Bonefishing Lodge - Abaco Island
What can we say…this Bahamas bonefishing lodge gives you a luxury fishing trip or simply a private luxury resort trip! If a portion of your group is not interested in fishing, they will be well cared for with numerous activities as well as just basking in luxury and delicious meals. Your Bahamas bonefishing lodge experience will spoil you forever.
This is a boutique luxury plantation house and fishing lodge in an idyllic wilderness location. Its guests enjoy the best of Bahamas bonefishing, brilliant birding and a wide range other activities in one of the Bahamas’ hidden beauty spots.
Its top quality accommodation and food and its beautiful, unspoiled location attract nature lovers from all over the world and others in search of the perfect tropical hideaway.
Many guests come to fly fish for bonefish – bonefishing in the Bahamas is well known as the best in the world and on Abaco it is exceptionally good. But others are drawn by the wildlife, private beaches and the unspoilt beauty of the location. The excellent birding is now also attracting greater recognition. To be able to enjoy these pursuits from a beautiful base overlooking a deserted sandy beach on Abaco’s stunning Atlantic coastline is a rare treat.
The lodge is close to the world-class bonefishing flats of the Abaco Marls, where large numbers of uneducated bonefish provide fantastic sport for fly-fishermen in uncrowded waters. There are also superb white-sand wading flats at Cherokee Sound, where larger and more seasoned bone fish and occasional permit present a special challenge, and at Cross Harbour. With the right conditions, there can also be great fishing off the Club’s beach.
For birding, Abaco offers a wide range of avian habitats – an extensive coastline that attracts many migrants, then miles of mangrove wetlands, ancient pine forests and dense hardwood coppice. Over 280 species of birds have been recorded on the island. The lodge has published a large photo-book in the birds of Abaco.
There are many options for non-fishers and non-birders, both active and inactive. Diving over spectacular coral reefs; golf at Treasure Cay; guided snorkelling; big game fishing and miles of beachcombing along Abaco’s amazing sandy coastline.
For the less active, boat trips to the charming outer islands, with their picture-postcard colonial villages; massage and beauty treatments; shopping for local crafts in Marsh Harbour; or guided trips on sea or land to explore the amazing wild life and scenery of the Abacos.
Or guests can just completely chill out in the pool garden, on the beach or on one of the Club’s large verandahs, perhaps with a cool glass of Meursault, enjoying one of the world’s most pleasant climates and most beautiful seascapes.
Note that the lodge is not a hotel in any conventional sense. Its atmosphere and the way in which it is run are more akin to a private country house party, elegant yet informal – and very relaxed.
This elegant beachfront retreat is half an hour south of Marsh Harbour, which has an international airport with many direct flights to and from the US and Nassau each day.
Most guests come for a week, but shorter stays are possible. There is a very high level of repeat visits.
Fishing
The Bahamas are the bonefishing capital of the world. Fishermen normally fish in pairs with a guide. Single occupancy of a boat may be available at extra charge. For bone fishing, the lodge is close to the world-class bonefishing flats of the Abaco Marls, where large numbers of uneducated bonefish provide fantastic sport for fly-fishermen in uncrowded waters. There are also superb white-sand wading flats at nearby Cherokee Sound where larger and more seasoned bone fish present a special challenge.
The great majority of the fishing is from boats, but there may be opportunities for wading, especially at Cherokee Sound. Most of the fishing, however, is normally on the west side of Abaco in the famous Marls, where wading is less easy. Bonefish and other species are sometimes also caught right off the Club beach. Whether wading alone on the flats, paddling a kayak or poling gently through the mangroves in a guided skiff, fishermen will enjoy many opportunities to cast to these most powerful but stealthy of fish.
The lodge shop has plenty of local fly patterns but no monopoly of wisdom, so bring all your bonefish and other saltwater flies.
The lodge boats (Dolphin 16ft skiffs with 40hp motors) have padded seats, a leaning bar on the casting platform and dry storage lockers, as well as radios & GPS locators.
The excitement and anticipation of bonefishing has no equal in the flyfishing world. Stalking these spooky fish in beautiful shallow waters, casting delicately to a cruising shadow and then trembling with tension as the reel screams out line to a fantastically powerful five-pounder is one of the most complete fishing experiences.
And visually bonefishing is a glorious enterprise, with diverse wildlife on the flats, stunning colours and frequently exquisite weather. Even if the fish are moody and disinclined to play, the whole experience of being out on the water, far away from civilization, is deeply rewarding.
Bonefishing is a year-round activity, although it is generally best in good sunny weather, with not too much wind, when visibility is optimal. The Bahamas has a very benign climate throughout the year, with average monthly low/high temperatures ranging between 65 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit.
As with any fishing, one can be unlucky with the weather for a few days, but cool, overcast or windy spells rarely last long in the Bahamas. Difficult weeks are possible, especially in the winter, and there are occasional hurricane threats in the summer. But for the great majority of the time the conditions for bonefishing are good or excellent
Fishermen normally fish in pairs with a guide. Single occupancy of a boat may be available at extra charge.
Lodging
Designed in the style of an 18th century colonial plantation house, with large wrap-around verandahs, the 8-bedroom hotel stands on a small hill to catch the sea breezes and panoramic ocean views. With beautiful gardens and a tranquil setting, it’s a romantic getaway, a luxury bonefish resort and a birder’s paradise all rolled into one.
The club overlooks an idyllic beach called Rolling Harbour on the east coast of Great Abaco. Quite apart from its beautiful sandy beach and turquoise seas, the Club has a lovely pool, an eclectic library, a great wine cellar and a fabulous atmosphere.
Secluded, tranquil and surrounded by dense vegetation, the Lodge stands some fifty feet above sea level and offers panoramic views over the Atlantic.
The Great Room at the center of the house features an enormous dining table (which can seat over twenty people), a discreet honesty bar, abundant comfortable seating and, again, stunning views from its many glass doors. With fine antiques and an overhead gallery full of fishing paraphernalia, the Great Room is full of character and atmosphere.
The adjacent library is well-stocked with a wide choice of books and features (with some reluctance) the Lodge’s only TV in case of sporting emergencies or global financial melt-down.
Six of the Club’s eight bedrooms are on the ground floor. There are two more on the third floor. All have lovely ocean views and there is a choice of super-king size beds or queen size twins.
Outside, the landscaped gardens feature bougainvillea, frangipani, oleander, hibiscus, ficus and a wide variety of palms and other shrubs. There’s an attractive infinity pool and patio with comfortable sun loungers.
The Lodge is run in the style of a country house party, where the characters change from time to time. Everyone generally eats together at one big table from a set menu. There are no bell hops or room service – it’s just a relaxed gathering of kindred spirits in a spectacular location with the best of everything.
The Club is also popular with family or corporate groups wanting to take the whole lodge for a private but fully catered house party, perhaps to mark a special occasion. This can be a remarkably inexpensive option for a group of 12 to 16 people.
Due to its highly secluded location (it can only be accessed by a mile-long forest laneway and there is only one other house within a one mile radius), the Club is also an ideal hideaway for those wishing to escape the glare of public life. The small staff is reliable and discreet.
Length of Stay / Itinerary
All trips are customized for your interests. You might enjoy a quick 3 night stay or a luxurious week long vacation!
Travel Details & Location
Guests fly into Marsh Harbour where they will be greeted by the lodge and transfer by road about 30 minutes.
Other Activities
Activities
There are numerous options for non-anglers, both active and inactive.
- Guided dives to spectacular coral reefs
- Golf at Treasure Cay
- Guided snorkeling
- Big game fishing
- Miles of beachcombing along Abaco’s amazing sandy coastline.
For the less active:
- Boat trips to the charming outer islands, with their picture-postcard colonial villages;
- massage and beauty treatments by the pool
- Shopping for local crafts in Marsh Harbour
- Guided trips on sea or land to explore the amazing wild life and scenery of the Abacos.
Or guests can just completely chill out in the pool garden, on the beach or on one of the Club’s large verandahs, perhaps with a cool glass of Meursault, enjoying one of the world’s most pleasant climates and most beautiful seascapes.
Nearby:
- The outer cays, with their charming colonial settlements such as Hope Town and Green Turtle Cay, are easily reached by ferries from Marsh Harbour and Treasure Cay and make for pleasant day trips.
- Big game fishing charters are available in Marsh Harbour and golf is available at Treasure Cay and sometimes at Ritz Carlton’s superb Winding Bay course.
- The Club has close links with excellent scuba diving instructors and snorkeling guides. Abaco has some wonderful reefs.
There is an excellent guide for nature tours who is a mine of information about Abaco’s bird life, flora and fauna. Eco-tours by cycle or kayak are also possible.
Internet & Communications
Telephones in rooms
Guest computer with free internet access
Free Wi-Fi access in public rooms
Pricing
Call for updated pricing
Pricing October 2024-July 2025 Season | |||
Number of Nights / Days | Solo Room & Solo Boat Per room |
Solo Room & Shared Boat* PP | Shared Room* & Shared Boat PP
|
5N/4D | $10,750 | $8,400 | $6,850 |
4N/3D | $8,370 | $6,600 | $5,370 |
3N/2D | $5,985 | $4,810 | $3,885 |
Trip Insurance & Cancellation Info
“Trip insurance is highly recommended to protect your investment on this trip. We will assist you with trip insurance upon booking. See links at the bottom of this page for the two providers we suggest for our clients.
Antlers & Anglers Worldwide, LLC confirmation and refund policy:
If your trip is more than 90 days out from date of departure, a 50% non-refundable deposit confirms your reservation and must be received within 10 days of booking to confirm your dates. All trips must be paid in full at least 90 days prior to the departure date. If your trip date is within 90 days, FULL payment for the trip is required. All payments to Antlers & Anglers Worldwide, LLC are non-refundable. Should you need to reschedule or cancel your trip, we will do everything in our power to assist you in finding a suitable substitute or transferring your dates per the lodge/providers/government requirements. Trip insurance protects your investment!”