Conveniently located close to Marsh Harbour, Elbow Cay is rightfully one of the most popular boating destinations in the Abacos. Plenty of marinas, protected anchorages and harbors and good provisioning and dining ashore make this area one of the nicest in the Bahamas.

On the north end of Elbow Cay is Hope Town Harbour, a beautiful anchorage and harbor with excellent marine facilities and a multitude of activities ashore. A large white and red light house is the hallmark of Hope Town and there are three marinas here with every imaginable service for visiting boaters.

There are two excellent markets in town for provisioning, and a great local bakery has fresh breads and pastries popping out of their ovens every day. If you want to take a tour around surrounding Elbow Cay, there are several facilities around the harbor that will rent bicycles or golf carts.

Fuel, ice, water, and boat services line every nook and cranny of the harbor’s shore. If you are into dining, several good restaurants serve local favorites as well as more traditional meals.

Hope Town Harbour., though popular, has a notoriously tricky entrance that starts all the way west of the harbor at Parrot Cays, and then winds through a zigzag entrance toward Eagle Rock, and finally into the harbor. Eagle Rock is visible in the image above, just to the left (north) of the last turn into Hope Town Harbor. There is a flashing green light on the south side that will help guide you in.

We recommend a good chart and a copy of a local cruising guide before entering. Depths average 5 to 6 feet. If in doubt, get on the radio and hail one of the local marinas (see our marina listings for the area) for local knowledge on the approach to Hope Town. It’s obviously to their advantage to get you safely into the harbor and tied up at one of their slips.

See our “Local Notices to Mariners” blog for updates on the latest conditions and advisories for this area.