Abaco's best beaches face the Atlantic on the eastern side of the barrier cays. The water is clear and the sand is fine and pale; the surf varies from calm to brisk depending on wind direction.
Treasure Cay Beach on Great Abaco is one of the most celebrated in the Bahamas — a three-and-a-half mile arc of soft white sand with shallow turquoise water that's often described as looking computer-generated. It fronts a resort development, so it's groomed and accessible, but never crowded mid-week.
The ocean side of Elbow Cay near Hope Town has a long stretch of Atlantic-facing beach that's more exposed and wilder. Worth the walk across the narrow island from the harbour side.
Nippers Beach Bar on Great Guana Cay sits above a stretch of beach on the Atlantic side and has become something of a Bahamas institution — part beach bar, part party venue, with a pool built into the dunes above the sand.
For complete solitude, the outer cays south of Tilloo Cay National Reserve have beaches that see almost no visitors. You'll need a boat.