Garth, in regards to your several questions ... note that renting a car is not very common. Based on your questions, I think you're going to be very suprised at the seclusion of it all.

Directions - there are two - boat northwest or boat southeast. Get a map from the boat rental place. Very easy. 1 hour on a Bike and you'll know Marsh Harbour completely. One main road traverses Abaco.

Secluded beach - ALL beaches are secluded.

" " by car - few, if any. Except for Treasure Cay, mainland Abaco is NOT known for beaches - the outer cays are. Since Treasure Cay is a long boat ride, it would probably be a good choice to drive to. Plan on boating more than driving.

"Active beaches" - none. More conch than people.

Safe to be alone - You have no choice but to be alone, so unless you step on a sea urchin, EXTREMELY SAFE!

Moderate priced restaurants - Except for Capt. Jack's in Hopetown, very few. Most are $20-$30 plate for dinner. $15 lunch. Never ate in Marsh, but have heard about or biked by Wally's, Saphodillys, Jib Room, Tiki Hut, Conch Inn, Mother Merles.

So since I believe you're going to find that boating is the only way to go, I suggest by boat, in order of distance just to get used to boating.

Hopetown/Elbow Cay - do lighthouse, eat at Club Soleil ($20 Sunday Champagne brunch supposed to be good), Capt. Jacks, or Harbour's Edge. Snorkel (and drink) on reef in front of Hopetown Harbour Lodge. This will suck up a day.

Tahiti Beach/Elbow Cay - southern end of Elbow is a beautiful beach, best visisted during low tide when can just anchor your boat and jump out (of course keep an eye on your boat as the tide comes in).

Man-o-War - little to do, check out boat building, artsy crafty places, beautiful little town.

Snorkel at Sandy Cay south of Elbow, (best I've seen), Mermaid's reef right off mainland in Marsh, Fowl Cay north of Man-o-War. Nice, including a couple pretty picnic beaches, but difficult to get to the good stuff).

Guana - Eat a Nipper's (Sunday Boar roast) on awesome looong beach. Ok snorkeling.
Good chance to stop at Fowl Cay on your way back.

Little Habour - Pete's Pub (Sunday picnic). "Museum" of sculptures. That's about it, kind boring.

Boating tip - first time we boated south from Marsh Harbour, the cays on your left (east) and the mainland on your right (west) are within a couple miles, always easily visible, and it's very easy to keep your bearings - parallel the land. Going North to Man-O-War and Guana was a little disconcerting the first time as the distance between land masses is much greater - you feel like you're out in the ocean, and Man-o-war is not easily noticed except for all the sailboat masts sticking above the trees.

Follow Ups:

Re: Great Abaco beaches NJ Carol 16:23:00 11/12/98 (0)