As a 26 year homeowner on nearby Elbow Cay, I always had a special feeling about Man O War Cay. After selling my Elbow Cay home in 2009, I decided despite advancing age, that I wanted to buy a cottage on MOW. We found one for sale called 'Low Overhead' and it had recently been renovated down to the studs. We figured it had been named 'Low Overhead' to emphasize that it would be inexpensive to maintain. It's pale yellow siding, blue metal roof, and white picket fence captivated us. When we arrived to see it, we were very surprised to find that the ceiling height was 6'2" hence the real 'Low Overhead'. We bought it anyway and re-named it 'Lost and Found' and started renovations with our caretaker, Glenn Albury, doing the work. We took out the second floor, put in beams to stiffen the cottage, and added a tongue and groove ceiling, thus creating a wide open cathedral ceiling. We enlarged a storage room and made it into the master bedroom, a laundry room, and a bathroom with a large tiled shower. We bought all new furniture, mattresses, bedding, linens, and a flat screen smart TV for the living room. All rooms are tiled and have split air conditioning units. We have cable TV with sports channels and good internet service. The kitchen is very well equipped with a dishwasher, microwave oven, coffee maker, blender and refrigerator. The house has its own standby generator (diesel fuel for generator at renter's expense). We have a Paulie's Island rope hammock under the shade of our beautiful palm tree in the back yard. Cart and boat rentals are available.
ALL ABOUT MOW
A clean and industrious island, we don't even let the garbage stay on the island. Historically the boat building capital of the Bahamas . The harbour front is very interesting with marine businesses and workshops open to the street. The local people are religious, hard working, straight forward, and friendly. The whole atmosphere reminds one of life 50 years ago. After a day or two of exploring, you'll be wishing you lived here. Naturally the biggest attractions are the beaches (1/4 mile from cottage) and the clearest water you will ever see. These beaches run almost the whole length of the island and with their white sand, are drop dead gorgeous. Once out of the village, the roads are sand as you wind your way past beautiful estates, always with a view of the water. This is the Queen's Highway, barely wide enough for 2 golf carts to pass. Mid island you come to the 'Low Spot' where the island is about 30 yards wide. There is a beautiful beach on the calm side (Sea of Abaco), and the locals have built a gazebo there so that you can get out of the sun or have a picnic. It is highly recommended that you rent a boat and explore the Sea of Abaco which is protected and very interesting.
STORES AND SHOPS---- MOW Grocery on the upper street has a complete stock of groceries and sundries. In addition the store usually has some baked snacks made by the local ladies. Russell's little store sells groceries and an ever changing selection of local baked and cooked foods. Shop at Joe's Studio for hats, T shirts, clothing, books (many Bahamian), household furnishings and gifts. A must see is the Sail Shop on the harbor at the edge of the village. Their canvas luggage, bags, and purses with the MOW logo are fabulous and guaranteed for life. The MOW Marina property is now being rebuilt. The 2 main docks are done and gas and diesel are being sold for boats and golf carts. The buildings are to include 2 restaurants (re-creating the very popular "Dock and Dine").
RESTAURANTS AND FOOD
MOW is a dry island and spirits cannot be purchased here. You can, however, purchase them in Marsh Harbour or on other islands. The very popular Hibiscus Restaurant is closed but we hope it will re-open in the future. Local ladies advertise take away lunches and dinners cooked at home. They bake wonderful Bahamian bread, pies and cinnamon rolls. Charmaine will help you download "MOW Eats" on What's App to see what is available during your stay. There is a coffee shop behind the museum with wonderful pastries and breakfast sandwiches. Russell's little store also cooks things for take away. There is now the Snacky Shack which serves ice cream, sundaes, and milk shakes. They are now serving various foods (hamburgers, hot dogs, conch fritters, etc).
TWO OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS TO DO ON MOW
1. Take your rental boat in the late afternoon or evening, with drinks and snacks of course, and slowly cruise the harbour.
2. After dinner have ice cream at the Snacky Shack. Interesting because many local families come down with kids in tow and its fun to listen and talk.
WHAT TO DO NEARBY
Explore the Sea of Abaco in your rental boat. It is about 10 to 15' deep with very few dangers. The clarity of the water will quickly help you pick out shallow areas. Heading north there are many small islands at the edge of the ocean. The last one before Scotland Cay has a natural hot tub. Anchor off the beach at low to mid tide and you will find the pool at the rocks, at the edge of the ocean. At high tide, seawater comes into the sand bottom pool and, as the tide lowers, is captured and heated by the sun. What a wonderful place! Next north is Scotland Cay, a private island. At the north end is a lagoon which looks like the South Seas. Wonderful to anchor and swim. Just trim your motor and glide over the shallow bar. Next is Guana Cay with an interesting village and several restaurants. Guana is home to Nipper's, a very popular oceanfront bar and restaurant with 2 swimming pools, and everyone dances to both American and calypso music. Their Sunday brunch featuring wild boar is well attended. A new addition is the wonderful Grabber's Bar and Grill. Big open air bar, swimming pool, their own docks, music, good food and a happy atmosphere. Near the north end is Baker's Bay, a new resort for the rich and famous. Go around the north end of the island and you will experience the most beautiful beach in the world. Stay between the beach and the reef. On a calm day you can venture to Green Turtle Cay, a most interesting island. Explore the village and then motor around to White Sound and have lunch at the G.T. Club or the Bluff house. There is much to see here and I've just skimmed the surface. A reef runs the whole oceanside of these islands for those who like to snorkel or dive. Also visit Treasure Cay with its fabulous beach and marina with restaurant and swimming pool. Going south from MOW, the next island is Elbow Cay and its village of Hope Town, famous for its red and white striped lighthouse. Very interesting village with restaurants, shops, art galleries, etc. Take your boat right up to your table at Cap'n Jacks. The Hope Town Inn and Marina is wonderful with great atmosphere (marina, swimming pool, handsome bar and restaurant) About 1 mile south of Hope Town is Firefly Resort. Beautiful open air dining. Try their lobster fritters. Down in White Sound is the Abaco Inn with swimming pool on the ocean and good food. Also in White Sound is Sea Spray Resort. Sea Spray suffered hurricane damage but docks have been rebuilt and it should open shortly. South end of island is Tahiti Beach a great spot for a swim. Further south is Lubbers Quarters Cay. Continuing south is Tilloo Cay banks, a shallow area for swimming. Next are the Pelican Cays. Anchor off and you'll think you are in the South Seas. To the west is Sandy Cay, a national underwater park, with an extensive reef within the Sea of Abaco and has moorings. Further south past Lynyard Cay (nice beaches) is Little Harbour, the southern end of the Sea of Abaco. Home of the Johnson family - artists and famous for their sculptures. Preceeded by his father Randy, Pete carries on the family tradition. Have lunch at his wreck of a bar and grill and visit the gallery. These are just the highlights of the Sea of Abaco. A word about the local hotels. You are welcome to visit and feel free to use their pools. They just hope you will buy a drink or have a meal. In my opinion there is no other place like this.
POST DORIAN UPDATE
Lost & Found escaped the hurricane with very little damage. Our wonderful caretakers, Charmaine and Glenn Albury were not so lucky and repaired their house while living in Lost & Found. Now back at their home, Glenn has done the necessary repairs for us. The house exterior has been re-painted. Thankfully, the interior was not damaged at all. Our shed out back flew off to parts unknown and Glenn has built a new shed attached to the back of the house. The boat dock we rented was destroyed and is now rebuilt so you can leave your boat there. The main public dock has been repaired and enlarged and has a gazebo. As far as the island is concerned, the vegetation is green, the sea is still blue, and the weather is great. Terrific progress has been made with all the newly repaired and re-painted buildings. Electricity from Marsh Harbour has been restored and the town now also has it's own large generator. Cable TV and internet is back and as good as ever. The Sail Shop is open so their wonderful bags are available. The Clinic with resident nurse, much better is almost done. All the local churches have been repaired. The iconic gazebo at the Low Spot has been rebuilt and all the roads to the north end have been repaired. Sadly, the MOW Marina and Dock & Dine restaurant were destroyed, but docks are rebuilt and 2 restaurants coming soon.. They sell fuel at the dock and in their drive. The very industrious local people rely on their faith and their own hands to restore the island to the place we all love.
