National Parks and Nature Reserves Of Great Abaco Island In The Bahamas
Great Abaco Island is the primary island of a group of small to tiny islands collected under the same name, usually refered to as the Abacos or the Abaco Islands. These islands are a part of the greater group of islands that make up the Bahamas. In addition to the many other attributes that make Great Abaco Island an excellent choice for a Bahamas vacation destination, the island is home to some important national parks and nature reserves.
Abaco National Park is best known for the lush vegetation that serves as a habitat for the multitude of bird species that attract birdwatchers from all over the world. It was founded in 1994, primarily to serve as a protective area for the Bahama Parrot, an endangered species. Abaco National park sprawls across 20,500 acres of land, with 5,000 of these acres being devoted to the pine forests that the Bahama Parrot prefers.
The Abaco National Park, however, is home to many other species of birds, making it one of the best bird sighting areas in the region. An incredible range of birds can be spotted in the park. These include the West Indies Woodpecker, at least five species of Warblers, four species of Flycatchers, including the La Sangria Flycatcher, and a broad variety of doves. The Cuban Emerald Humming Bird, the Bahama Mockingbird, the BanaQuits, and many more colorful birds spend time in the park.
Marsh harbor is another excellent place for bird watching. Flocks of loud, colorful tropical birds are frequent visitors to this peaceful, beautiful resort village. The Loyalist Memorial Sculpture Garden is yet another fine place for watching birds, amongst statures of famous Bahamians from history.
At the Pelican Cays National Park, which serves as an underwater preserve, there is a wide variety of marine life to be seen. This land and sea park encompasses about 2,000 acres and contains numerous underground caves, coral reefs, tiny islets and small bays. Among the many varieties of marine life to be found here are grouper fish and spiny tailed lobsters. The park offers both day and night diving programs.
As large as these parks are, there are still several other nature reserves and parks in the area. In Hope Town on Great Abaco Island, Fowl Cay is a sea and land preserve that is especially attractive to divers and snorkelers. Chartered boating tours are popular in this area also, as the sailing is said to be superb.
Nature preservation is very important to the government of the Bahamas, They’ve invested thousand upon thousand of acres of land into the future of plant and animal life in the Bahamas. The shift in tourism philosophy is towards in the Bahamas is towards more eco-friendly, low environmental impact ventures. And, it’s paying off. The Bahamas have made great strides in restoring some endanger creatures to their natural habitats.
Great Abaco offers an excellent example of that commitment and success. It is a fascinating and beautiful vacation destination that should certainly be visited – with care and consideration for its ecology.