By Rachel Belt

Wednesday, May 30, 2013

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (HCNN) – A remote beach on the island of Ile-a-Vache, off of the Southern Coast of Haiti, ranked 57th on CNN’s World’s 100 best beaches report, which is another sign of Haiti’s growing tourism sector and a boost for a government initiative to turn the island into a major tourism destination.

Abaka Bay Beach is located on Ile-a-Vache (Cow Island), a small island whose submarine sand still lodges precious articles and remains of the warship of British Captain, Henry Morgan and other famous sea adventurers.

The beach, with very white sand and very clear water, is home to a resort, the Abaka Bay Resort, which offers rooms and very original beachside cabins.

The CNN report said “the island of Ile a Vache in Haiti punches above its weight in the beach class division — the eight-by-two-mile island is home to Akaba Bay, boasting some of the best photo ops in the Caribbean. Quality and good value accommodation line the sands”.

As a Highlight, CNN says “Abaka Bay Resort provides great views of the ocean, is one step from the beach and serves a mean conch dinner.”

The Haitian government has broken ground on plans to build environmentally friendly infrastructure including an international airport and roads for small non polluting electric carts, as no cars will be allowed on the island, located at about 20 minutes from the Southern town of Les Cayes.

The Ile-à-Vache tourism plan, which will be developed over several years, will cost some $350 million, according to the Haitian Minister of Tourism, Stephanie B. Villedrouin.

Besides Haitian states funds that will be used for building basic infrastructure on the Island, investments opportunities are open to national and international private investors.

Ile-à-Vache is also surrounded by several other small islands with incredible sand, crystal-clear water and unique aquatic species, such as Lovers’ Island, Caille-à-l’Eau, among others .

The island’s submarine is reputed to be full of precious articles and remains from the wreck of a British warship Captained by a 17th-century privateer Henry Morgan, that was sent to defend Jamaica in 1669.

Another beach resort on the Island, Port Morgan hotel, was named after the famous British captain. Port-Morgan is also one of the great attractions on Ile-à-Vache, which is increasingly and rapidly becoming a major tourism destinations for tourists in Haiti and from around the world.