Abaco Lodge

Abaco Lodge

Marls of Abaco Island, Marsh Harbour 99999 Great Abaco Island
Traveler (26)
Pool & Beach (3)
Tapas night and a Kalik
Dining (2)

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About

5.0
#1 of 1 lodge in Marsh Harbour
Location
4.9
Rooms
5.0
Value
4.3
Cleanliness
4.9
Service
4.9
Sleep Quality
5.0
Abaco Lodge on the Marls has been a premier flats-fishing destination for years due to its next-level populations of supersize bonefish. Here you'll find plenty of the latter, punctuated by more than 200 miles of prime skinny-water habitat known universally as the Marls. Step off your front porch, pour a mug of coffee, and open your eyes to an azure panoramic where tailing bones, not to mention permit and tarpon, are top on the agenda. Twenty- to thirty-fish days are a regular occurrence at Abaco Lodge, and many of our adult bonefish crack and exceed the magical 6+ pound mark. See it. Believe it. And then plan your way through the process with guides who know the program. Abaco Lodge is staffed with best in the northern Bahamas. Period. Bahamas bonefishing is an integral part of the culture, and these guys speak the language fluently. Top-of-the-line, shallow-draft Hell's Bay flats skiffs ensure maximum comfort while full-throttling it to fishing; while private rooms, 5-star dining, and professional service mean ultimate adrenaline on-and relaxation off-the water.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Free breakfast
Beach
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Airport transportation
Wifi
Paid wifi
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Business Center with Internet Access
Meeting rooms
Concierge
Non-smoking hotel
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Room features
Air conditioning
Room service
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Luxury
Charming

Location

Marls of Abaco Island, Marsh Harbour 99999 Great Abaco Island
27Reviews0Q+A8Room tips
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Detailed Reviews
BuckeyeZoo wrote a review Nov 2023
Denver, Colorado
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Outstanding 4 days of fishing. Everything is first class from the guides, accommodations, food and the lodge managers. The guides will put you on fish during the day and the staff will take excellent care of you once your back at the lodge. The rooms are very nice and the chef prepares outstanding meals
We look forward to going back
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacquelline L wrote a review Jun 2014
Rio de Janeiro, RJ
4.0 of 5 bubbles
I travelled last May, with my husband (Luiz A) that already have put down a review.
I absolutely agree with his analysis and would like to say a little more about the problem we had with fishing guides: in more than 25 years of outdoors travelling all over the world, I never experienced this kind of situation, where a fishing guide appears, at 8 am, smoking a cigar. For me this behavior is anacceptable and the things got worse when the guide did not agree - as a matter of courtesy and good education - in do not smoking during the fishing day.
Well, for me does not matter if this guide poles for Flip Pallot, Lefty Kreh, Chico Fernandez or even for Mr. Obama; for me does not matter how talented he could be, if the guy is a cigar addiceted, that are not able to stop some hours while is working for a no-smoking clients.
If someone wants to spoil his own healthy with cigars or cigarretes, as a Medical Doctor, I regreat and allways I will try to give a bit of advice, but I respect any behavior. After all, everybody is free to spoil his own healthy and life.
But I can't stand when someone wants to share his horrible smoke with me - specially when I am a client of a very expensive fishing lodge, .
That said, I endorse all the good things everybody tells about the lodge. It is one of the best fishing lodges I had already stayed all my life!
And once more as a Medical Doctor - and talking about how harmful cigars and cigarettes could be for healthy - IGNORANCE IT IS NOT A BLISS, IGNORANCE IS PATHETIC.
Jacquelline L
M.D. and Ph.D.
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Date of stay: May 2014
4.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
4.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
4.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Keith S wrote a review Jun 2014
Sarasota, Florida
5.0 of 5 bubbles
To start with I must correct the previous review from Luis A . The famous cigar smoking guide that he referred to in his review is none other than Marty Sawyer one of the most accomplished bonefish guides in the Bahamas if not the world period ! Sadly for Luis A he must not have been aware of this and missed out on a great trip. IGNORANCE IS BLISS . If Marty is good enough to pole Flip Pallot around I think he is good enough for anyone .As for me I spent four days fishing from the lodge and fished with three different guides which are all accomplished and exceptionally knowledgeable . Ken and his wife Anne Perkins are the Lodge managers who have definitely put their own personal touch on this lodge and it shows . One will need to search wide and far to encounter hosts more gracious and attentive than them . I won't go in to architectural reviews nor discuss the linen quality as I am not writing a column for Vanity Fair but needless to say all but the most difficult among us will be more than pleased . From the food to the staff to the accommodations Abaco Lodge is well worth a visit . As for me, I had many opportunities at fish and caught my fair share with a happy smile on my face .I have been fortunate enough to travel to many beautiful places to fish and can honestly say this experience ranks with the best of them . Cant wait to rebook my next trip this fall , Hell I might even smoke a cigar with Mr Marty ! Tight Lines ! Keith S.
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Date of stay: June 2014
4.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip: No Spa, No Fitness Center Lots of incredible food that makes this a mute point !
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chuck Dortenzio wrote a review Feb 2016
Southington, Connecticut
5.0 of 5 bubbles
The trip to Abaco Lodge was not my choice. An experienced fisherman in our group picked it based on multiple recommendations. It certainly did not disappoint. Greeted out of the cab by the beautiful Valeska and her partner Matt our group of 6 was welcomed to the lodge as though V was welcoming us to her casual, waterside home. If you are not expecting it, the view from the lodge over The Marls is breathtaking. The lodge never seemed short of staff. Velma, Kay, and Paige kept us well fed and comfortable when we were not out fishing. Marie always made sure we had a good breakfast to start the day, and Sid Munroe is the best chef in Abaco (I would venture in all of The Bahamas). Her nightly appetizers, entrees, and desserts were truly delicious works of art and culinary creation. If you read my other reviews or my reviews on Yelp I am a self proclaimed foody. Name a place I've been to and I'll start describing it by the food I've eaten there. Sid's work ranks at the top of my lists. Packed lunches everyday were also excellent.
I don't want you to think that Abaco Lodge is just about the hospitality in the lodge. If you want to fish the flats and be put on fish by great guides, then Abaco Lodge is also for you. Paul, Trevor, and Freddy were my guides for three days on the flats. Each guy is a little different. Talk with V and Matt and they will match you up. Freddy and Travis were the two great guides for our week. Everyone in our group loved them. They were serious when there was fish in the area, and great entertainers when there weren't. Paul took us out on perhaps the worst day of the year down there and he still made it fun. Not a lot of bonefish around that day but we got a great history of the area, lessons about what we were seeing, and lots of strikes by barracuda following his command "get the 'cuda rod" when it was time!
Overall it was a great 5 days at the Abaco Lodge. I felt like we were staying with friends who were happy to have us and made us feel welcome. We'll be back!
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Date of stay: February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kristine s wrote a review Jun 2014
Leland, North Carolina
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Had the best time there-went with a group and had a wonderful experience from day 1 to the very end. The guide that I had was Paul, and he couldn't have been any better or any nicer-we caught fish all day long! The food was fantastic, and everyone there was wonderful-would recommend it to everyone.
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Date of stay: June 2014
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with friends
Room Tip: I was in room #7 and it was great-slept like a rock and the shower and room was wonderful. Had a...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luiz A wrote a review Jun 2014
Rio de Janeiro, RJ
4.0 of 5 bubbles
THE LODGE

Abaco Lodge is a very well appointed fishing lodge. And I may say it is an icon when anyone thinks about fly fishing for bonefish in Bahamas, as the beautiful red wood building immediately comes to mind.
Located directly on the Marls (the huge area of flats and mangroves in the west side of Abaco) from any point of the lodge the view is great and peaceful, but does not offer a beach access. It has a small pool that is much more a decoration element than a real pool. Anyway, is refreshing after a hot day in the flats.
The rooms are large, very clean, with fans (take care with rods, better have them outside) and new silent split air-conditioners. All the furniture is nice and each room has its own porch over the water, with a great view. And the bathroom can be comparable to any of a 5 star hotel, with top quality towels, soap, shampoo and toilet paper.
The social area was tailored to create a very comfortable and cozy atmosphere, with long chairs and sofas, both in the external and internal area. In the internal area, we find the dining room – with a big table, as the meals are served family style – and a very well stocked bar, with honest whisky, bourbon, gin, vodka, rum and tequila, from many brands. As well, beers and soft drinks, ice and equipment for anyone make his own drink. Must be noted that prevails an “open bar policy”, and it is really opened. That means one can drink what he wants, without any limit (common sense is always desired, of course). Well, this policy reflects more expensive rates, and for people like me and my wife (we are very light drinkers) it’s not an advantage. But, for people that enjoy good drinking after a fishing day, may be an interesting point. The area is decorated with fly fishing elements and offers a TV set and free wi-fi internet connection, amazingly fast.

THE CUISINE

And the cuisine is a spare chapter! The Chef – a young and very talented cook graduated in Gastronomy in Nassau – and his team prepare appetizers and meals with rare combination of taste, proportions and impeccable presentations. I may say that I experienced the best conch fritters of my life, as well an unforgettable lobster. And the desserts seem to be made by a starry French confectioner. It must be noted that while guests were waiting for dinner, many appetizers were served, always including big shrimps and lobsters. An incredible feast!

THE FISHING

The lodge can offer good fishing in only five minutes boat ride, depending on the winds, tides or sun. But usually in 15 or 20 minute ride, you are fishing in good spots, including long and beautiful beaches areas. As the button is too soft, most of fishing is made from the boat. They have a very new fleet of immaculately clean Hell Bay Boats, powered with 60HP outboards, the best for the job. As everyone fly fisherman knows, good bonefishing is a combination of personal skills, favorable tides, mild winds, a lot of sun without clouds and, mainly, a GOOD GUIDE. And unfortunately, in this particular, Abaco Lodge does not have a homogeneous team. Yes, they have some of the best guides of Bahamas in the team, but also have some that could never be taken in consideration for the task. For example: with same good weather conditions, in a given day I caught only one bonefish. But the day after, with another guide, I caught fourteen! For sure, there is something wrong! In another day, our guide appears at the dock smoking a cigar! Incredible! It was 8 o’clock am and the guide was smoking a cigar! As we are absolutely no smokers and hate cigars smoke, we asked the guide not to smoke during the fishing day. Our request seems to sound like an offense and the guide disagreed, even when Ken, the polite and judicious manager of the lodge ask him not to smoke. So, we decided not to fish this day and as we had plenty of time in Abaco, we made an agreement with Ken, the manager, and will fish the last day instead. But, next day, another frustrating surprise: the guide that was designed for us was, again, the worse of the lodge! Just that one we caught only one fish! As the lodge uses the rotate guide policy, it sounded for us to weird to have the same guide, when there were at least two guides that we did not fish with. And, at the same time, there were some anglers that have never fished with this worse guide. Very upset, but not wanting to refuse again and mess another fishing day, we gone fishing. It was a very nice blue day, mild winds and plenty of sun. The result: only 7 fishes spotted and only one fishing caught. We arrived really very angry at the docks, but did not complain a word. It’s not our style! But Ken read our faces and ask the guide: “What did happen?” The guide, embarrassed only said: “I did not find the fish…It happens…” After dinner, Ken, the manager, have seen the bad situation, ask me to choose the guide I want to fish with, the next day. Well, I choose Travis (for praise, it good to say the name) a fantastic guide with whom I had caught 14 in a prior day. And the next day, bells jingle: I caught 18 good sized bones, thanks Travis.
Well, it’s seem to long for a review, but it is necessary, because these trips are more than expensive: they are our precious free time, involving dreams and hopes! And a lodge like Abaco Lodge don’t have the right of making these mistakes and must work to set an homogeneous team of guides. Because, at the end, IT IS A FISHING LODGE!
On the other hand, I must say that Ken tried to accommodate things, and, in some way, he did a great job. In our unexpected free day, he drove us in a small tour in Marsh Harbour, provided tickets for the ferry to Hope Town, and put a taxi to catch us back in the end of the afternoon. And we only have good words to Ann, his wife and right arm as a great hostess, as well for the rest of the crew, nice and polite.
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Date of stay: May 2014
3.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FGBIVCT wrote a review Dec 2012
Rowayton, Connecticut
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sometimes it isn't about the size of the fish or the quantity of fish, at Abaco Lodge you will find a very complete bonefishing collective experience. The operation is about 4 years old and has already withstood the test of time and weather. The words handsome, comfortable and welcoming come to mind when I think back on my stay in November of 2012.

The accommodations are lovely with King beds in small cottages, and cinnabar red-painted structures practically glow in the sunrise and sunset light, the bar is well stocked, and the tackle shop well supplied with everything from rods and reels to a superb assortment of flies and fly lines, (a critical "something" often missing at other bonefish destinations.) When you are there, be sure to notice the beautiful woodwork, architecture and furniture in the lodge and the cottages. This is stuff you'd be proud to have in your own home or club; its not beat-up stuff from some rent-a-center or old lodge that went out of business. These not-so-small touches add a gracious feel to your stay.

FYI, the Lodge was created and run by Oliver White, and while he will remain an active influence on the place, he is expanding his fishing management and destination development responsibilities with Nervous Waters (the new owners and a highly respected company that owns 7 or 8 other blue-ribbon fly fishing destinations in North and South America). The new club managers are Ken & Anne Perkinson, and they are already putting their own stamp on the place, and it is clearly a good stamp. They "get it" and are excellent additions to the Abaco Lodge experience.

As to the fish, what they lack in sheer size you'd more typically find on the west side of Andros or north side of Grand Bahama, they more than make up for in their challenge. These are smart, wary fish and they require a good cast. Scale is an important thing to remember, because the Marls of Abaco are an immense shallow water, bay-like structure, the fish are almost perpetually in skinny water, making them much more wary than their ocean transiting brothers on other islands in the Bahamas. They live in fear of birds, barracuda and small sharks, and when on a flat, they are particularly vulnerable, hence their "twitchy" state. The good news is that a 3 or 4 pound bonefish will get you into your backing, assuming you don't have your drag screwed down to "freight train". This is a sport to see , cast, hook and enjoy that singing reel drag. You categorically do NOT need to hook 8+ pound fish to to have a GREAT week in Abaco fly fishing for bonefish. (There are bigger bones in Abaco, but they aren't as frequently caught in the Marls as they tend to be found closer to deep water, and just pop up onto a flat for a quick feed and then back to the deeper havens.)

To be highly productive with a fly rod in the Marls, you need to be a good caster, but that doesn't mean that if you are new to fly fishing or need improvement in your casting with an 8- or 9-weight flyrod you shouldn't book a trip to Abaco Lodge; au contraire, the guides are very patient and have good teaching skills to make you more proficient and get you into bonefish.
The Marls also provides a lot of lee from wind, almost regardless of wind direction, because of all the different mangrove keys and various protected shorelines that run in different compass headings. Ordinarily I wouldn't fish for bones with less than an 8-wt, and usually fish a 9-wt. if the wind is blowing, but you will have chances to throw at bones with a 7-wt. and that fits the scale of the size fish better than a 9-wt rod overloaded with a 10-wt. line. The lee of the mangroves and pine-tree lined shores will give you windows of opportunity with the 7-wt that you should try to take advantage of if you get a chance. Again, it is a matter of scale...Tight lines!
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Date of stay: November 2012
4.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
4.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rueyturn wrote a review Jul 2011
Saint Augustine Beach, Florida
5.0 of 5 bubbles
My husband and I attended the Abaco Lodge on a four day fishing trip. The host Oliver was very helpful in accomating our needs. The fishing guides were experienced and friendly and the staff were fabulous. Where as I am not a fisher person I had nice relaxing days by the pool reading and relaxing, while my husband learned to fly fish.

If you love fishing you will love this place.
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Date of stay: July 2011
4.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with friends
Room Tip: All rooms were great!!!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ralph C wrote a review Jun 2017
Englewood, Florida
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Do you fly fish? If so, you must make a trip to the Abaco lodge. The people, place and particularly the fishing can't be better. The bonefish take off like torpedoes when the hook is set. The fish are so finicky that you must sneak up on them. Practice double hauls to 40 feet before you travel. You won't be sorry.
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Date of stay: June 2017Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bjornorama wrote a review Apr 2015
California
5.0 of 5 bubbles
I got to go here for dinner with my family and then a day on the water with one of their guides. Great operation. A good fishing lodge is easy to be in, comfortable, with all the details thought of and taken care of. That's how this place feels. The food was fantastic, the fishing was great, the boats are well maintained and right for the waters they fish, the Marls.

Get there.
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Date of stay: April 2015
4.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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farmstrong2016 wrote a tip Jun 2016
Winston Salem, North Carolina1 contribution1 helpful vote
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"All the rooms have a great view over the bay"
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chrisscookie wrote a tip Mar 2016
Saint Louis, Missouri14 contributions7 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"All but one room are built overlooking the Marls....beautiful rooms with king size beds, lovely linens, and nice touches."
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Don H wrote a tip Mar 2016
Hartford, Connecticut3 contributions1 helpful vote
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"all rooms have a great view of the open sound, sunrises and sun sets"
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BPlan71 wrote a tip Feb 2016
Hamden, Connecticut6 contributions3 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Most rooms overlook the water and are literally 10 feet away from it."
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bonons wrote a tip Nov 2015
halifax18 contributions12 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"all rooms are great....amazing beds, big executive bathrooms etc."
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LOCATION
CaribbeanBahamasOut IslandsAbaco IslandsGreat Abaco IslandMarsh Harbour
NUMBER OF ROOMS
10
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ABACO LODGE

Frequently Asked Questions about Abaco Lodge
Which popular attractions are close to Abaco Lodge?
Nearby attractions include Salty Island Shop (4.9 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Abaco Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and a pool.
What food & drink options are available at Abaco Lodge?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Abaco Lodge?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Abaco Lodge?
Conveniently located restaurants include The Bae, Da Blue Hole, and Da Bes Yet Bakery.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Abaco Lodge?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Does Abaco Lodge have airport transportation?
Yes, Abaco Lodge offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Are any cleaning services offered at Abaco Lodge?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Are pets allowed at Abaco Lodge?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Does Abaco Lodge offer any business services?
Yes, guests have access to a business center and meeting rooms during their stay.
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