Vacation Rentals by Owner

Oceanfront, Private Beach, Tennis Court, Dock, Kayaks, Bikes [#7018] | View Property

Little Harbour
Villa, 3 Bedrooms + Loft, 3 Baths (Sleeps 6)
$1197/wk US Dollars
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Traveler Reviews (22)

• Best place in the Bahamas for Birders!

  Best place in the Bahamas for Birders!

  • Guest Marci and Terry
  • Date of stay 04/27/13
  • Review Submitted 05/13/13
  Our group was mixed snorkelers, swimmers, fishermen, birders, explorers, relaxers. We couldn't have picked a better rental than this one. Especially for birding. We were trying to stay toward the south end of Abaco, where the National Park is, and discovered that many of the Bahama endemic target species were as close as the front yard! For example - the Bahama Woodstar worked the gardens. And the biggie - the Bahama Parrot - was only about 10 miles south in an old development, rather than all the way down in the Park. We understand that in the Winter it even ranges up into the Little Harbour area. Little Harbour is a scenic, charming area - tucked away with lots of great unspoiled land in the area - varying from pine forests to tropical scrub to mangrove marsh. Lots to explore in the area. Pete's Pub is great fun and good food. Snorkeling was okay in the area. Best is Mermaid Reef up near Marsh Harbour. Jim's bonefishing guide recommendation was great. Jim also arranged for a local birder to stop by our first morning there and give birding tips - very helpful! He also helped with some tips on understanding how the utilities work - since it's all self-contained solar and wind, there's some interesting things to learn about it all. Again, if you're interested in the birds of the Bahamas, this is THE place to be!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children.

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• Wonderful Week-long Stay

  Wonderful Week-long Stay

  • Guest AJ
  • Date of stay 03/11/13
  • Review Submitted 04/14/13
  I had a lovely time at Bahamas back roads villa. I stayed with my girlfriend in the apartment on the first floor and it was exceedingly pleasant. We enjoyed being able to grill on the front deck, and took advantage of the screened porch, eating most of our meals at the table there and reading there when it rained. First, Joe's email was very helpful. His directions were great and his recommendations for activities were just what we needed. We saw and went to many of them. The photos on the site don't do justice to how pretty the property was. It is a really pleasant place. It was clean and well maintained, and as soon as we had a problem (one day the water went out) it was fixed immediately. The property is very pretty, with the harbor on one side and the bight on the other. We carried the kayaks over to the bight (a bit of a trek with the kayak but well worth it) and went to some of the recommended spots. The water was calm and clear and inviting. When we didn't feel like walking too far we swam off of the dock and thoroughly enjoyed its proximity. We also sat up on the deck at the top of the hill and read and watched the sun rise and set many days there. The kitchen was great for preparing food (albeit a little bit dark) and was stocked with all the essentials. The dining room is nicely sized, though we ate most of our meals at the counter bar or on the screened porch. The multiple fans kept air moving nicely, and we never felt like we needed air conditioning. When we didn't grill we went to Pete's Pub for dinner, and the crowd there was very friendly, the food was great and the drinks were satisfying. It is a bit on the expensive side for a beach bar, but it was a fun spot to hang. The master bedroom was excellent. The bed was comfortable, there was ample storage and lots of light from the windows. With the windows open and the fan on (occasionally) we stayed cool all night and comfortable during the day. It was nice to have the room opening up directly onto the screened porch. Cooking smells never penetrated the room. The bathroom is sufficient, though not spacious. It is efficient. There was hot water and good water pressure every time we showered. We kept them short in order to be more sustainable and save some water. Bug spray is not really necessary except in the sunset hours. We were fine, and mostly unbitten. Other reviews over-exaggerated the bugs. All in all it was a great stay and I would love to go back again!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, pet owners, sightseeing.

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• Wonderful Week-long Stay

  Wonderful Week-long Stay

  • Guest AJ
  • Date of stay 03/11/13
  • Review Submitted 04/14/13
  I had a lovely time at Bahamas back roads villa. I stayed with my girlfriend in the apartment on the first floor and it was exceedingly pleasant. We enjoyed being able to grill on the front deck, and took advantage of the screened porch, eating most of our meals at the table there and reading there when it rained. First, Joe's email was very helpful. His directions were great and his recommendations for activities were just what we needed. We saw and went to many of them. The photos on the site don't do justice to how pretty the property was. It is a really pleasant place. It was clean and well maintained, and as soon as we had a problem (one day the water went out) it was fixed immediately. The property is very pretty, with the harbor on one side and the bight on the other. We carried the kayaks over to the bight (a bit of a trek with the kayak but well worth it) and went to some of the recommended spots. The water was calm and clear and inviting. When we didn't feel like walking too far we swam off of the dock and thoroughly enjoyed its proximity. We also sat up on the deck at the top of the hill and read and watched the sun rise and set many days there. The kitchen was great for preparing food (albeit a little bit dark) and was stocked with all the essentials. The dining room is nicely sized, though we ate most of our meals at the counter bar or on the screened porch. The multiple fans kept air moving nicely, and we never felt like we needed air conditioning. When we didn't grill we went to Pete's Pub for dinner, and the crowd there was very friendly, the food was great and the drinks were satisfying. It is a bit on the expensive side for a beach bar, but it was a fun spot to hang. The master bedroom was excellent. The bed was comfortable, there was ample storage and lots of light from the windows. With the windows open and the fan on (occasionally) we stayed cool all night and comfortable during the day. It was nice to have the room opening up directly onto the screened porch. Cooking smells never penetrated the room. The bathroom is sufficient, though not spacious. It is efficient. There was hot water and good water pressure every time we showered. We kept them short in order to be more sustainable and save some water. Bug spray is not really necessary except in the sunset hours. We were fine, and mostly unbitten. Other reviews over-exaggerated the bugs. All in all it was a great stay and I would love to go back again!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, pet owners, sightseeing.

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• Beautiful, secluded spot!

  Beautiful, secluded spot!

  • Guest Lee
  • Date of stay 03/11/13
  • Review Submitted 04/14/13
  My recent vacation to the Bahamas Backroads Villa was wonderful. Located in Little Harbour, the secluded property is a pleasant and relaxing getaway. I was so impressed with how expansive it is, from the bight, private tennis courts, large house with multiple decks, and dock area. The pictures on the website really don't do it justice. In addition, the house caretaker was quick to respond to our concerns and questions, and the information provided via email by the owner prior to arrival was particularly helpful. Directions to the grocery store and nearby beaches were essential, and a rental car is a must. Bookies' Beach (a short walk from the house) and Winding Bay (a 15 minute drive) were our favorites. As Pete's Pub is the only restaurant in the area, we cooked in a lot. This was one of the most fun parts of the trip, and the house is well equipped for cooking large meals and barbecues. Highly recommended, and we can't wait to go back!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

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• Great property

  Guest comment entered by owner

  Great property

  • Guest Iain
  • Date of stay 12/01/12
  • Review Submitted 01/19/13
  We had a great time. The house was so much larger than we expected and the location was stunning. I think next time, we will bing the whole family. Congratulations on Having a great property!

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• Great house, great location, nice village

  Great house, great location, nice village

  • Guest bill c.
  • Date of stay 05/05/12
  • Review Submitted 10/06/12
  The house is comfortable, well-equipped and is in a unique, secluded spot as there are water views from all around.We have been traveling in the Caribbean for two decades and the Bahamas Backroads villa is as good as it gets. Have no hesitation at all about recommending this to others. It is even better than advertised!l

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

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• A senior couple from Michigan

  A senior couple from Michigan

  • Guest connie
  • Date of stay 04/01/12
  • Review Submitted 07/28/12
  My husband and I really enjoyed the Island and the Backroads Villa in March 2012. We appreciated the experience to learn to be more responsible regarding energy and water conservation. The villa was nicer than the pictures and the grounds were quite expansive. The tennis court was in excellent shape. The extensive list of instructions and tips on what to do in the area was very helpful. WE enjoyed walking to the beach, kayaking, tennis, visiting Island spots like Treasure Cay and Hope town. One note, if you do kayak, it does take some strength to put the Kayak in and out of the water. Fortunately my husband is in great shape. If he wouldn't have been able to do it, I would have purchased a small pulley to help. The fish dinners at Pete's pub is excellent and we were able to see the pouring at the artist foundry. Bob stopped by regularly to see if we needed anything. First night we really got bitten by bugs but after that ran the fan in the bedroom and we were fine. I found that the locally made bug spray was the best. Also best to rent a used car from a dealer the owner recommends because the roads out to the villa can be rough. In summary this was a unique and interesting and outstanding experience. We hope we can go back some day.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, sightseeing.

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• Heavenly!

  Guest comment entered by owner

  Heavenly!

  • Guest Ray
  • Date of stay 01/23/12
  • Review Submitted 02/11/12
  Joe, Our vacation at your villa and LH and Robinson's Bight was an adventure to remember, and just couldn't have been finer! Thank you! We did leave some items of unopened food for the next occupants. including a pint of ice cream. Other than that, we did what we could to leave it even better than we found it, as we ourselves are so much better for having been there. What a place! Heavenly! We have returned home now to the tumult, but life slowed down for us for a week. A Blessing! Sure hope this finds you well. Please let us know if there are other considerations for us to cover for our visit , or if you have any questions. We'd like very much to get back next winter if possible. Very Best, over and out, Ray

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• Its got it all!

  Its got it all!

  • Guest bill c.
  • Date of stay 11/02/11
  • Review Submitted 12/13/11
  The great memories from two weeks at the Bahama Backroads will carry us a long way through the winter. The house is in an ideal location. The views from the house and deck are fantastic. The village and people are very friendly. All the tropical plants and gardens are beautiful. The only problem - if you want to call it that - we had was making up our minds about what activity to pursue on a daily basis. Moreover with snorkeling, fishing, tennis, kayaking basketball, billiards, ping pong, running etc, etc. to choose from, we could not find time to do everything. We decided the only solution to that problem was to make a return trip in the spring. Can't wait! spring.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

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• perfect getaway

  perfect getaway

  • Guest bobby
  • Date of stay 10/08/11
  • Review Submitted 11/25/11
  We were looking for a place to unwind, do some fishing, swim, walk the beaches and enjoy the sun and the sea. The Bahama Backroads was the perfect choice. After two weeks the batteries were recharged and we were ready to return to the busy business world. The house has everything you and the solar-wind renewable energy system is impressive. It is somehow comforting just to know that our carbon footprint was negligble in such a beautiful tropical setting. Looking forward to a return visit next year.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

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• Better and Better

  Better and Better

  • Guest Viva
  • Date of stay 09/26/11
  • Review Submitted 10/08/11
  We returned to the Bahama Backroads for the third time in 10 years. Every time we come the experience is better than the last. The new bedrooms and game room are a great additionand the new gardens are beautiful and make for a most relaxing stay. . The fishing was excellent. We rented a boat for a week and explored the Robinson's Bight and the barrier islands every day. The kids really enjoyed the bikes and kayaks. Anybody who has been to Little Harbour knows it is a very special place.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway.

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• Renter beware - read before booking

  Renter beware - read before booking

  • Guest davemc
  • Date of stay 07/26/11
  • Review Submitted 09/14/11
  This was our first VRBO experience, and first trip to Abaco. To call our stay at this property disappointing is an understatement. Maybe some of it was my fault for being a rookie, but even after reading the property description when I returned, I didn't see any mention of the issues we had. I am posting this in hopes that future interested renters will read this and at least have all the property facts before booking. Our biggest issue with the property was the house only has window A/c units in the bedrooms. Maybe that isn't such a big issue in the winter, but I strongly discourage it during the summer. While there were nice breezes, they didn't reach the house because the trees on the property blocked the wind. Those a/c units are powered by a propane generator. One tank of propane costs $175 and lasts about 10-12 hours. They do a good job of cooling the bedrooms, but do nothing for the rest of the house. So after a long hot day in the Bahamian sun, don't expect to come back to the house for a cool and relaxing evening. It was hotter in the living room than it was outside and the ceiling fan didn't help. And don't expect to sit outside at dusk and enjoy the breeze and sunset instead. The property is heavily wooded, which makes the mosquitoes so bad that no bug spray on the market will let you enjoy that time of day. If you do reserve the house, the first thing you'll receive after sending your money is a 5 page instruction manual on water conservation (rainwater is the only source) and the do's and don'ts on using electricity (everything except a/c runs on solar power). There are no public utilities serving this peninsula of the island. Now I'm not opposed to energy conservation, but having to continually watch the water and electric usage with a family of 5 is not what I expected, nor would I consider that a relaxing vacation. So after the first 3 days of our week-long family vacation, we decided this was not the relaxing vacation we had envisioned. So in an effort to salvage the family experience we decided to relocate to a more habitable location, instead of spending hundreds more on propane fuel. When I relayed these issues to Joe and politely asked him to consider refunding our unused portion of the rental fee, he adamantly declined which is obviously his prerogative but not the accommodating response I was hoping for.

  Owner response: Unfortunately these comments are a distorted interpretation of the renter's visit. The renter was informed from the first inquiry that the cost of using the wall-mounted air conditioners was extra and was expensive. The initial response was that they would NOT need the air conditioners. Later I was approached by a different person from the original inquirer in the group and was told there was a need for the air conditioners. Thus I made arrangements to have fuel delivered. Concerning the complaints about five pages of instructions about saving water and electricity, again, the comments are exaggerated. I do provide five pages of information to all renters but these details include directions to the house, best places to buy food and beverages, tips about local attractions, restaurants etc. All of this info is provided in the interest of making for a trouble free and fulfilling visit. The fact is that the recommendations on energy and water conservation involve simple measures such as turning off lights when not in use and not standing under the shower for an excessive length of time. By no means do these measures mean renters must endure a spartan lifestyle. About the mosquitoes: the Bahamas is no different than any other tropical destination, especially during the wet season months of summer. And the wooded lot, which offers maximum privacy, is not the cause. It is the abundance of water from daily afternoon or evening showers. But the fact is that there are NO bugs inside the house - provided, of course, the screen doors are kept closed. The fact is that I make it very clear that the Bahama Backroads villa is not for people looking for a luxory hotel holiday. Clearly the renters that submitted this review erred in their judgment of just what kind of accomodation they were looking for. I did not feel that I should suffer the financial loss for their misjudgement, especially considering that I had several other rental offers for the same week. I did offer to return the cost of the fuel they paid for but did not use.

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• An Awesome Vacation June 7-14, 2010

  An Awesome Vacation June 7-14, 2010

  • Guest Carolyn
  • Date of stay 06/07/11
  • Review Submitted 07/13/11
  Joe, Thank you for sharing your villa--the house was very comfortable and had everything we needed. It was a perfect setting to celebrate with our eighteen year old grandson his high school graduation. We had an awesome time exploring the area: bonefishing, kayaking, and snorkeling with Captain Keith from Dive Abaco. The locals are amazingly warm and friendly, and the folks and the food at Pete's Pub were all great. Fishing from the pier was such a joy as we watched a six to eight foot shark swimming among the baracudas and stingray. The sunrises and sunsets are incredible. The beach at Treasure Cay is breathtaking. Our week was a splendid adventure. Although we stayed very busy, we came home feeling relaxed and renewed. We are grateful! Thank you, Carolyn, Richard and Jordan

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, tourists without a car.

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• Guest comment entered by owner

  • Guest Bjorn
  • Date of stay 04/16/11
  • Review Submitted 05/30/11
  Joe: We had a great time in Abaco and really enjoyed staying in your villa. It was superb, no problems whatsoever. Location was great, and we liked the vibe and laid-back atmosphere down there. I'm missing it already.. Thanks!

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• Great house -we will be back

  Guest comment entered by owner

  Great house -we will be back

  • Guest William
  • Date of stay 04/02/11
  • Review Submitted 09/10/11
  We had a great time in Abaco this past April. You have a wonderful place there. It was a real treat to be able to enjoy it for a week. Since my return, I have been busy passing the good word to others. Sooner or later I'm sure I will get at least one group to visit there. I would also like to make a return visit myself. We spent most of our time sleeping, eating and fly fishing for bonefish. It was great to have nice bonefish flats close to your villa. The bonefish there are somewhat spooky but we did manage to land quite a few. We were also successful in catching enough fresh seafood for several meals.

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• Guest comment entered by owner

  • Guest Joel Rathbone
  • Date of stay 02/26/11
  • Review Submitted 03/26/11
  Hey Joe, I want to say thanks for the villa rental. We had a blast and loved the villa and its location. We ate at Pete’s pub almost every night, bone fished, snorkeled, played tennis and even found time to relax. Bob came by and helped us in locating some of the local things, like the cave sink hole next door. He was very nice. We had no problem with water but we were very conservative. No problems with electricity but very conservative with that as well. Ran the generator twice. Once for laundry and the other time for about 10 min while girls blow dried their hair. Tank should still be almost full. Thanks again, it was awesome. Joel Rathbone Operations Manager NPSA 3312 Broadway, Suite 105 Kansas City, MO 64111 Phone (816) 960-6552 Phone Toll Free (866) 777-0635 Cell (816) 935-2454 Fax (816) 960-6575 joel@npsa.org www.npsa.org

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• Guest comment entered by owner

  • Guest Jeremy and Jenny O'Connor
  • Date of stay 04/16/10
  • Review Submitted 05/04/10
  Good Morning Joe, The house was great and we loved the community and surrounding area. In the small duration of time that we spent on the island we fell in love with the locals and the relaxed atmosphere that seems to take over the day to day tasks. Thank you for the experience. Jeremy and Jenny O'Connor

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• Guest comment entered by owner

  • Guest Jeremy and Jenny O'Connor
  • Date of stay 04/16/10
  • Review Submitted 05/04/10
  Good Morning Joe, The house was great and we loved the community and surrounding area. In the small duration of time that we spent on the island we fell in love with the locals and the relaxed atmosphere that seems to take over the day to day tasks. Thank you for the experience. Jeremy and Jenny O'Connor

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• Guest comment entered by owner

  • Guest Fernando Paulo Brito
  • Date of stay 04/03/10
  • Review Submitted 04/14/10
  We just returned from a very relaxing stay at your villa. The house has everything. Fantastic views, especially of the sunset and sunrise. Great kitchen. Tastefully decorated. Very clean. The decks were great for sunbathing. The tennis court and basketball court are in excellent shape and we used them every morning. In the afternoon we swam and snorkeled from the dock and private beach. In the evening we had great family fun using the ping pong table and the pool table. Little Harbour is a special place. Pete's Pub is a nice tropical tavern and the food was great, especially the fresh fish that was cooked perfectly. Looking forward to a future visit.

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• Guest comment entered by owner

  • Guest Kathryn Rolston
  • Date of stay 03/22/10
  • Review Submitted 04/20/10
  Hi Joe, Ed and I had a wonderful time at your villa. The house was quite comfortable, had everything we needed, and the location was lovely and exceeded our expectations. We very much enjoyed the grounds and the docks, the little beach, and the unique aspects of the property, such as the rock walls and the "hole in the wall," the plantings, and of course the views couldn't be equaled. Little Harbor was a wonderful setting and we took full advantage of our dock with a rented boat that allowed us to explore the nearby cays and experience breathtaking underwater views while snorkeling. We also made use of the tennis court and the sea kayak.

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• Guest comment entered by owner

  • Guest marisa ostolani
  • Date of stay 12/19/09
  • Review Submitted 04/14/10
  I really enjoyed my stay as did my kids and my husband. We played tennis every day and we had a long swim on the bay. We explored the Caribbean environment and we kayaked to the splendid reefs. Fryday nite my husband and myself enjoyed a cold beer with the local community at Pete's Pub.... so nice!!!

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• Guest comment entered by owner

  • Guest Darrel Wong
  • Date of stay 05/16/09
  • Review Submitted 04/14/10
  Joe: We just wanted to check in and let you know what a wonderful time we had at your Abaco home. You certainly have a unique spot there and we enjoyed it immensely! We were also quite impressed with how nice everyone that we encountered was. We met Lenoire and Dave from the other side of the harbor on the first day and ran into them a few times while we were there. They even shared some dolphin fish with us that they had caught while participating in the fishing tournament. Your caretaker Simeon was great and a big help to have around on a regular basis. You're lucky to have such a nice, capable, hard working guy watching over the house.

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