Hope Town · Elbow Cay
Your Essential Guide to Elbow Cay & Hope Town
Explore the iconic candy-striped lighthouse, pristine beaches, and harbor-side dining. Get around by golf cart, bicycle, or boat, and use our local directory to plan your ultimate Abaco vacation.
Welcome to Paradise
Pastel cottages, breezy bluffs, & boundless adventure
Elbow Cay is one of the Abacos' most beloved barrier islands — home to Loyalist history, sugar-white sands, and an easygoing pace that draws families back generation after generation.
The historic settlement of Hope Town is anchored by the Elbow Reef Lighthouse — watched over by one of the last manually operated, kerosene-burning lighthouses in the world. Around the harbor, 19th-century pastel-colored cottages and locally owned cafes line the pathways, making it perfect for wandering on foot.
Beyond the town, the island stretches 8 miles south, offering a gorgeous blend of rolling sand dunes, Atlantic surf beaches, and calm harbourside bars. It represents the very best of classic Out Island Bahamas living.
Arrival & Transport
Getting here & navigating the island
Planning a trip to the Out Islands requires a little coordination, but the reward is a peaceful escape far removed from mass tourism. Here is what you need to know:
1. Fly into Marsh Harbour
Most visitors fly into Leonard M. Thompson International Airport (MHH) in Marsh Harbour, which accepts direct commercial flights from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Nassau, and Charlotte.
2. Passenger Ferry Crossing
From the airport, take a short taxi to the ferry dock, followed by a scenic 20-minute crossing on the G&L Passenger Ferry directly to Hope Town or White Sound docks.
3. Golf Cart & Boat Travel
There are no guest rental cars on Elbow Cay. Visitors get around by renting golf carts or bicycles, and hire boats to cruise the protected waters of the Sea of Abaco.
Local Road Regulations
While local residents and service crews operate utility vehicles, visitors are not permitted to rent standard cars on the island. Carts are the primary mode of travel, keeping the island pace relaxed, slower-moving, and incredibly friendly. Be sure to book your golf cart well in advance of your trip!
Don't Miss
Elbow Cay highlights
Tahiti Beach & Sandbar
Located on the southern tip of the island, Tahiti Beach is famous for its shallow sandbar that emerges at low tide, lined with coconut palms.
Hope Town Lighthouse
Constructed in 1863, the red-and-white candy-striped beacon is the last hand-cranked, kerosene-burning lighthouse in the world.
Historic Settlement
Stroll the narrow lanes of historic Hope Town village. Gaze at 19th-century pastel Loyalist cottages, boutiques, and bakeries.
Sea of Abaco Cruising
Rent a boat or hire a local charter captain to island-hop to nearby cays, snorkeling reefs, and swimming pigs.
Make Catch A Wave
Your Island Home Base
Ideally situated in the quiet western end of Elbow Cay near Sea Spray Marina, Catch A Wave offers the ultimate family beach escape. Walk to the pristine surf beach, explore world-famous Tahiti Beach, or take a quick golf cart ride into Hope Town village for local dining and groceries.
- Fenced-in private pool
- Steps to surf beach
- Breathtaking ocean decks
- Golf cart access
- Fast Wi-Fi & workspace
- Fully equipped kitchen
Plan the trip
Dive into our local guides
Frequently Asked
Elbow Cay & Hope Town FAQs
Several companies rent golf carts on Elbow Cay, including Island Cart Rentals, Getaway Golf Carts, Hope Town Cart Rentals, Elbow Cay Cart Rentals, and Big Hill Golf Cart Rentals. There are no rental cars for visitors on the island, so most visitors rent a cart for the week.
Yes. Hope Town and White Sound have harbour-side restaurants and beach bars such as Abaco Inn, Captain Jack's, Sea Spray, Firefly, and On Da Beach, plus bakeries, takeout, and conch shacks. Nearby cays add favorites like Nippers and Grabbers on Great Guana Cay.
There is no ATM on Elbow Cay. First Caribbean International Bank opens Tuesdays from 10am–2pm and can do credit-card cash advances. Bring cash for taxis, ferries, and smaller vendors.
Celestial Water delivers drinking water, and there's a refill station in White Sound. For groceries, try Vernon's Grocery, LVA, In and Out, or L & L General Store — and stock up soon after you arrive, as stores can sell out between supply boats.
The Hope Town Clinic is open weekdays 9am–1pm (about a $30 visitor fee). Marsh Harbour has a larger government clinic a short ferry away, and emergency airlifts to Nassau or Florida can be arranged for serious cases.
Book Direct & Save
Make Elbow Cay your home base
Check live availability and book directly with the owners — no booking fees, just a great home on Elbow Cay.