Wow, this town is pure Bahamas – New Plymouth Settlement, Pineapple Bar and Grill, narrow roads, and colorful buildings! We’re so glad to have sailed here, and we’re excited to share Green Turtle Cay with you!
After sailing the sea of Abaco (watch here), we couldn’t have asked for a better place to set foot on ground…and let Mocha roam around! LOL
What You Should Know About Sailing to Green Turtle Cay
Devastated by a hurricane. Forsaken by tourists and travelers. Green Turtle Cay has had a rough few years, but that’s just what makes it perfect for sailors and cruisers! There’s a bit of construction happening in New Plymouth Settlement, but the charm is still there and definitely a stop worth making while sailing the Abacos.
Are the Abacos Destroyed by Hurricane Dorian
We almost didn’t come to the Abacos, which means we would have missed Green Turtle Cay (and other great islands like Powell Cay).
You see, many sailors told us don’t go to the Abacos. “It’s destroyed by hurricane Dorian.” “It’s shallow and full of debris.” “You won’t have a good experience sailing there.”
…they say.
As is normal for us, we do the opposite of the crowd.
In this case, it paid off.
We found entire cays to ourselves, and we discovered that Green Turtle Cay is open and welcoming to cruisers!
New Plymouth Settlement
The cay, like most Abaco islands, has Lucayan roots, but the settlement at Green Turtle finds its origin with New England settlers in the XX00s. They were British loyalists and escaped the American Revolution to find a new home in this little slice of paradise.
We were beyond pleased to find quaint colorful buildings and old settlement-sized roads through this little town.
The town can be walked in about 15 minutes, from the hardware store to the two groceries, up the hill, and back down to the old jailhouse.
We grabbed lunch at what the marina clerk called “the ghetto” side of town – which we couldn’t understand why. Plenty of properties are for sale and many under development in what appeared to be future vacation rentals.
But back to lunch.
Our destination was the one and only, Two Shorties.
Two shorties is a charming little food shack with a covered porch and a roadside picnic table. On the menu? Conch, fried fish, and fish burgers (when freshly caught – usually Mahi). Also, a daily special, which on our day was grilled chicken quarters with rice and peas, slaw, and fries. For a really special $15!
Those prices are unheard of in the Bahamas!
SIDE NOTE: Bring Tums for the greasy gut. LOL
Pineapple Bar and Green Turtle Marina
Two other attractions that are worth a visit are the Pineapple Bar and Grill and the Green Turtle Marina.
The Pineapple Bar and Grill has a mom-and-pop resort feel. Strange combo right?
Mom-and-pop + Resort.
But that’s what we got from it. On two visits. After docking the dinghy, we made a little walk up the rocks, under a few palms, and around the mangroves.
You can sit or order at the bar and find great drinks and a pretty good grill menu (the conch fritters weren’t as good as West End). But you don’t come here because it’s a 5-star restaurant. You come here to soak your legs in the pool, sip a beer on the beach, or just marvel at the view and meet a few ex-pats and fellow cruisers.
And the marina is just around the corner up in the harbor. Two things about it: It looks like they have a good yard for hurricane season, and the ship store is well-stocked for repairs and minor projects.
Things To Do in Green Turtle Cay
Visit the Albert Lowe Museum: This museum is a must-visit for history buffs. It houses a collection of artifacts, photographs, and documents that showcase the island’s rich history and culture.
Explore the beaches: Green Turtle Cay is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the Bahamas.
Go snorkeling or scuba diving: Green Turtle Cay has some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving spots in the Bahamas.
I hope you enjoyed the blog on Green Turtle Cay. What looked the most interesting to you? We’d love to hear from you or answer any questions. Chat with us in the comments below!
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