The Abaco Club, an exclusive Bahamian private club and 500-acre sanctuary, on Great Abaco Island, delivers both breathtaking natural beauty and soul-enriching connection and community. Their newly transformed oceanfront beach club, The Bay Club, serves as the heart of this private paradise.
The Bay Club is part of a comprehensive $350 million transformation of The Abaco Club, one of the largest private club investments in the Caribbean. Developed, owned and operated by Southworth, a family-owned leader in private clubs, The Abaco Club is undergoing a ten-year investment plan expanding both amenities and residential offerings.
“The vision for The Bay Club was to create a welcoming, multi-generational beach club that fosters connection, relaxation and shared moments, blending indoor and outdoor living in a way that feels true to The Bahamas. The inspiration came directly from the island’s beauty, turquoise waters, white sand beaches, local craftsmanship and relaxed rhythm of daily life. Each element was carefully selected to reinforce a strong sense of place while delivering a contemporary atmosphere that feels timeless, sophisticated and aligned with The Abaco Club,” explains Southworth President Tommy Southworth.
On the ground floor of The Bay Club’s amenity-laden clubhouse are communal spaces that offer an active, flexible atmosphere for all club members. The cinema and game room transitions throughout the day from interactive group activities to family movie nights. Anchored by a large LED video wall, the space brings together gaming consoles, classic arcade games, shuffleboard, and tabletop games. Children often dash into the lobby for their daily fix of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. The first-floor lounge provides comfortable indoor and outdoor seating areas serving as welcoming nooks for connection over a morning coconut mango smoothie or an Abaco 75 cocktail at sunset.
Upstairs, the adults-only refined Horizon Lounge features natural materials and beach-inspired textures such as stone, rich woods and performance fabrics, all intended to withstand the marine climate while maintaining a sense of relaxed luxury. “The space embraces Bahamian culture through a calming palette of ocean blues, greens, sun-washed neutrals and subtle pink accents. A custom bar serves as both a visual focal point and a gathering place, complemented by a bespoke 800-pound chandelier, custom carpeting inspired by the movement of water and artwork sourced from local Bahamian artists. Together, these elements create an atmosphere that feels elegant yet approachable,” details Southworth.
A typical evening in the Horizon Lounge includes members relaxing over a drink from the bar menu which includes an extensive collection of whiskeys from Scotland, Japan, Ireland, Canada and the United States, along with a curated wine list featuring both Old World and New World selections. While some members enjoy the outdoor fire pits, others enjoy a game of billiards while cheering on their favorite sports team on the oversized screen. Other clubhouse amenities include an outdoor cigar lounge, and a boutique.
While you can soak in the views of the pristine two-mile stretch of white sand bordering Winding Bay and the Atlantic Ocean from the clubhouse, moving outdoors you can fully immerse yourself in this luxurious Bahamian paradise. The resort-style infinity pool serves as the focal point of The Bay Club and was designed to accommodate varying member experiences. It includes dedicated 25-meter lap lanes for fitness, a shallow sun shelf, elevated hot tub and beachfront bar for socializing. Curved seating echoes the shape of the shoreline, while the connecting boardwalk creates a fluid connection between the pool, beach and lower-level kids’ pool, allowing families and adults to enjoy the space comfortably together.
Just a few steps down from the expansive pool and sun deck members can sink their feet into the powdery soft white sand and relax on a padded turquoise lounge chair shaded by a palapa or dive into the perfectly clear azure water and swim out to an anchored raft. Interested in water sports? Beachfront staff are at the ready to assist with snorkeling, kayaking, kite surfing, Hobie Cats, water bikes, canoes, paddleboards, and e-Foils.
During the day the Flippers Beach Bar – think tiki hut mixed with sidewalk cafe – serves breakfast, lunch, and island cocktails. On Wednesday evenings, a local “rake ‘n’ scrape” band comes to Flippers for barbecue night, complete with dancing, beach bonfire, and s’mores for the kids. In the evening The Veranda restaurant provides both indoor and peaceful al fresco dining while you look up at the stars and listen to the lapping waves. Their state-of-the-art kitchen includes a handcrafted, wood-burning Marra Forni brick oven and rotisserie.
“Upon arrival, Sands or Kalik Bahamian beer is a must. Members’ favorite cocktails include the DC Breeze, named in honor of club ambassador and champion golfer Darren Clarke, and Theresa’s Punch. Food highlights include Ahi tuna tacos and the Mr. Flipper coconut-crusted grouper sandwich for lunch,” advises Southworth.
The Bay Club hosts a full calendar year of both daily and special programming including weekly paint and sip, trivia, and bingo events. Members can duck inside for rainy day board games, watch Sunday football games, and connect at member socials. Signature events include Lobster Fest, Wine Weekend, and Easter, the Fourth of July and Christmas celebrations.
“The Bay Club has quickly become the central gathering place of the community, and the response from members has been overwhelmingly positive. One of the most rewarding aspects has been seeing how effortlessly members have incorporated the space into their daily lives. Throughout the day, The Bay Club is filled with activity, from golfers unwinding in the hot tub after a round and families gathered by the pool to children enjoying the game room and members ending the evening with cocktails in the Horizon Lounge. The organic flow between wellness, recreation and social connection is precisely what The Bay Club was designed to foster, bringing the community together from morning through evening,” says Southworth.