The Abaco Sea — the 30-mile-long body of protected water between the barrier cays and Great Abaco — is one of the classic sailing grounds of the western Atlantic. The water is shallow (typically 15 to 20 feet), clearly turquoise, and well charted, with reliable trade winds and a string of anchorages a few miles apart. You can sail the whole chain in a week without retracing a route, stopping each night at a different cay.
Bareboat charter is available from Marsh Harbour; several operators including Moorings and Sunsail operate fleets there. The sailing is genuinely uncomplicated — no significant tides, manageable currents, and good visibility for reef navigation — making the Abacos a popular choice for first-time bareboat charterers. In July and early August, the Regatta Time in Abaco draws racing boats from across the region to compete in a series of races between the cays.