Elbow Cay

Elbow Cay is in the Bahamas.

Hopetown Lighthouse

Understand

Located several miles east of Great Abaco Island, this six-mile stretch of land is less than an hour-long ferry ride from Great Abaco’s Marsh Harbor. Elbow Cay offers visitors a quiet retreat from mainstream tourist destinations in the Bahamas. The small island is rich with local culture and history authentic to British loyalist traditions. Elbow Cay offers a variety of activities and places for visitors to explore.

Hope Town, a small and quaint town, is the main town on the island where visitors can find any of their vacation needs.

Get in

Visitors usually fly into Marsh Harbor International Airport via a number of major airlines. From there, taxi services run to Albury’s Ferry Dock, 242-367-0290, where visitors can take the hour-long ferry ride to the island. A number of yachters also moor or dock in Hope Town harbor during their stay.

Get around

The narrow streets of Hope Town can only be traversed by foot or bicycle giving it a truly authentic island feel. Golf carts are often rented to get around the rest of the island’s small roads.

See

• 1 Tahiti Beach (on the south side of the island). This beach offers visitors shallow, gin-clear water perfect for any family. The beach is just a quick taxi or golf cart ride away from Hope Town. 
• Sugar Sand Beach. Located right in town, Sugar Sand Beach is as good as it gets in the Bahamas. It is just a short walk behind the local fire station and over the bluffs that shadow Hope Town. 
• 2 Hope Town Historic Lighthouse (Elbow Reef Lighthouse). This kerosene-powered lighthouse has stood the test of time, having become operation since 1854.  

Do

Fishing- Stemming from the Island’s long history in the fishing trade, the sport is still very much alive in the waters surrounding Elbow Cay. Charter fishing endeavors sail year around, seeking out species ranging from Grouper to Wahoo and other pelagic fish. The knowledgeable captains in the area can undoubtedly take visitors on an unforgettable fishing experience.

Spearfishing- A long-standing tradition in Elbow Cay, visitors can take to the pristine waters with Hawaiian slings in hand and enjoy fishing in its purest form. The reefs surrounding the island create an ideal habitat for spearfishing species such as Snapper and Spiny Lobster. The Bahamas only allow spearfishing with slings only and always check rules and regulations before jumping in the water.

Surfing- The Island hosts some of the most remote reef breaks in the Bahamas with good swell consistency year around. There are several easily accessible spots throughout the island and rental surfboards available.

Buy

• 1 Vernon's Store, Queen's Hwy, ☏ +1 242 366-0037. M-Sa 8AM-1PM, 2PM-6PM. A grocery as well as a bakery selling the town's most famous home-made bread and pies. (updated Jul 2023)

Eat

• 1 Cap’n Jack’s (Captain Jacks), ☏ +1 242-699-3067. M-Sa 11AM-9PM. A popular spot among locals and visitors. The bar has authentic Bahamian dishes and amazing comfort food as well. Cap’n Jack’s really lights up when night falls, serving good and affordable drinks. 

Drink

• 1 The Thirsty Cuda. Daily noon-6PM. A floating beach bar. Try the burgers with a Cuda punch, the bar's signature drink. (updated Jul 2023)

Sleep

Visitors often rent houses or small cottages around the island or in Hope Town. The rental properties have a secluded feel and often overlook small beaches around the island. In addition, there are several smaller resorts located around the island that have much to offer.