Last updated: September 2026
Tahiti Beach is the palm-lined sandbar at the southern tip of Elbow Cay, Abaco. At low tide a wide crescent of white sand emerges into shallow, glass-calm water with views across to Lubbers Quarters and Tilloo Cay. It is reachable by golf cart and a short walk, or by boat, and it is best visited around low tide.
Where is Tahiti Beach?
Tahiti Beach sits at the very southern end of Elbow Cay, past White Sound and the Sea Spray area, near Doros Cove. It faces the protected Sea of Abaco rather than the open Atlantic, which is why the water is so calm and shallow. From Catch A Wave it is a short golf-cart ride south.
What makes it special
The beach is really a tidal sandbar. As the tide drops, a long spit of sand appears, fringed by coconut palms on the shore side and knee-deep turquoise water on the other. Boats anchor off the bar, families wade for hundreds of yards, and on busy days a floating bar boat, the Thirsty Cuda, pulls up to serve drinks to people standing in the water.
Because it is shallow and sheltered, Tahiti Beach is the best spot on Elbow Cay for young children, paddleboarding, and shelling. The Atlantic surf beaches on the east side, including the one below Catch A Wave, are better for swimming in waves and bodysurfing.
Check the tide before you go
Timing is everything. Around low tide the sandbar is fully exposed and the water is ankle to knee deep. Near high tide most of the bar is underwater and the beach shrinks to a narrow strip under the palms. Aim to arrive an hour or two before low tide and stay through it.
| Tide | What you will find |
|---|---|
| Low tide | Wide exposed sandbar, shallow wading, best photos |
| Mid tide (falling) | Bar emerging; good for arriving and setting up |
| Mid tide (rising) | Water creeping back; move your towels |
| High tide | Sandbar mostly submerged; boats anchor closer in |
Getting there
- By golf cart: drive south on the main road to its end near the Sea Spray area, park where the road stops, and follow the sandy path through the trees for about ten minutes on foot. Wear shoes for the path; it can be rooty.
- By boat: anchor in the shallows off the sandbar on the Sea of Abaco side. This is the classic way to arrive and the reason you will see a dozen boats on a sunny afternoon.
- By paddleboard or kayak: from White Sound it is a pleasant paddle south along the sound side on a calm morning.
What to bring
- Water, snacks, and shade: there are no facilities, restrooms, or shops at the beach
- Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat; the sandbar has no natural shade
- Water shoes for the path and for wading over the occasional shell bed
- A dry bag and a trash bag; pack out everything you bring in
Frequently asked questions
- How do you get to Tahiti Beach on Elbow Cay?
- Drive a golf cart to the south end of the island past White Sound, park where the road ends, and walk the sandy path for about ten minutes. You can also arrive by boat and anchor off the sandbar.
- When is the best time to visit Tahiti Beach?
- Around low tide, when the sandbar is fully exposed and the water is shallow. Check a local tide table and arrive an hour or two before low tide.
- Is Tahiti Beach good for kids?
- Yes. It is the calmest, shallowest beach on Elbow Cay, with warm knee-deep water over sand. Bring shade and water because there are no facilities.
- Is there a bar at Tahiti Beach?
- There are no buildings at the beach, but a floating bar boat, the Thirsty Cuda, often anchors off the sandbar on busy afternoons and serves drinks to people standing in the water.
