The Abacos Other Lighthouse HOLE-IN-THE-WALL*  From Sandy Estabrook's Guide to the Abacos, Bahamas Everyone if familiar with the candy striped lighthouse in Hope Town. Yet in Abaco there are two others, The "Old Lighthouse" (a tower) at Little Harbour. which is actually defunct. Abaco's No.2 lighthouse, Hole in the Wall stands guard on the baron, lonely and out of the way Southeast Coast of Great Abaco. Contrary to what one might imagine, it's name comes literally from a hole in the wall of a rocky tidal outcropping by the sea near the light. It's out of the way locationis a beautiful spot but 15 miles from the nearest paved road. It's access is through a single lane unpaved, rock strewn and bumpy road taking you through the pine barons of the Bahamas National Trust where you can find the endangered Bahamian / Abaco Parrot. Car rental companies wont permit you to go in anything but a four wheel drive vechicle. I'll take you over an hour with no civilization to be found in case of an emergency or breakdown. Yet the Lighthouse beckons and visitors still go there. More Info can be found at "Abaco Friends of the Environment". We have included a couple trip stories poseed on an Abaco bulletin board. One is by a Hope Town resident and island guide, Cap'n Plug. He can be reached at Captain Plug's Adventures. 242-366-0554. We suggest you give him a call. The Hole in the Wall Lighthouse was built in conjunction with the Hope Town Lighthouse in 1838. This was despite the objections of the local residents as a good portion of their lively hood came from salvaging the wrecks off the Abaco reefs. Sabotage during the building process commenced, however maritime interests prevailed and the commerce of wrecking diminished in the Abacos as a result. The Hole in the Wall Light became automated in 1995 and serves as a beacon for Maritime traffic from the Bahama Bank, Nassau the the Communities on northern Eleuthera. Today the lighthouse is run down and beat up by the hurricanes of 1999 & 2004, but it still operates. *Oh, As a result of Hurricane Sandy in the fall 2012, the outcroping with its "Hole in the Wall" that gave the lighthouse its name was distroyed and fell into the sea. Gone for all time but written about in an Excellent Story Here and pict at bottom. Folks still climb to the top albeit a bit rickety. The views from the top are spectacular as you will see below. On occasion you might run into a naturalist group, dolphin researchers or whale watchers that go there to observe the Beaked Whale that frequent the region. For more lovely pictures like the two above check Marinas.com. For administrators and information click Lighthouses of the Bahamas. For the adventurous who want to go. The road to Hole in the Wall MJTaz BB Member: ......The other highlight of the trip was one that I have been trying (unsuccessfully) for the past 3 years to do. We finally were able to find someone to take us to Hole-in-the-wall!!! What an amazing day that was!! We drove through the Abaco National Forest for what seemed like an eternity! I definitely would not want to take my own vehicle through there! Our "guide" was extremely familiar with the area and knew what all the plants and birds were. We saw a couple of parrots! I was very pleasantly surprised when we arrived at the Hole-in-the-Wall Lighthouse… From what I have read, I really expected it to be in bad shape. It was BEAUTIFUL!! Looked like it had a fairly fresh coat of paint. The doors weren't attached so we were able to go in. I was quite amazed that every step was there and in good condition. We were able to go all the way to the top – WOW! What an amazing view from there! We then walked down to the actual Hole-in-the-Wall. That in itself was quite a hike – I only fell once there! It was pretty windy so we didn't walk out on the wall, but I could've stood there all day and watch it! The water has such force as it is coming in from both sides at the same time. It was very impressive! (the whole report can be found at Abaco Trip Tales Wynne72 BB Member   Photos from our Journey to Hole In The Wall Lighthouse ....... In October my uncle took me to Hole in the Wall. The drive down the rocky road took 2 hrs. The two wood doors which lead into the lighthouse were destroyed. I do not know what I was thinking but I decided to venture up to the top. I would never do it gain. Way too dangerous! There are 6 concrete landings that bridge the wood stairs up to the top. These landings are beginning to detach from the lighthouse walls as the rebar is rusting and busting out. The spiral iron railings are beginning to break away in addition to several of the wood steps are broken and split. The top of the lighthouse is separated into (2) levels. The first level has smaller windows. There is a separate steel staircase that takes you from this level up to where the light is. Many of the windows are broken allowing the salt air, almost like a cancer destroying it from the inside. *This is the "Hole in the Wall." for which the name was given back in the 1800's. In 2012 the pounding by Hurricane Sandy broke its natural bridge. Story here