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 picturesque 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.

Farther south along Elbow Cay is White Sound, where you will find the Abaco Inn and Sea Spray Marina. While anchoring is not feasible in the harbor here, there is a small area to drop the hook just north of the entrance to the sound.

Lastly, south of Tahiti Beach is Tilloo Cut, where skilled anglers can gain access to the ocean. Tilloo Cut is visible just near the bottom of the image above. Currents are strong here and this is clearly present as photographed from the air. Do not attempt this cut without local knowledge or in bad weather. Results can be disastrous if the cut is run improperly.

There are several excellent harbors and anchorages on Elbow Cay, and we will discuss each individually here.

Probably the most popular and widely used boating area on Elbow Cay is Hope Town Harbour. Though popular, it 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. We recommend a good chart and a copy of a local cruising guide before entering. Depths average 5 to 6 feet.

White Sound, farther south, is easier to enter and is well-marked along its length. A flashing white light marks the entrance, and smaller buoys line up along the channel the rest of the way in. A small anchorage is available just north of the entrance to White Sound. Dornos Cove is the next area south, and Marnes Landing and a mall marina are here.

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

Aside from snorkeling, beach combing, sailing, and other water activities, there is an active and vibrant calendar of other scheduled events in the Abacos. See our “Helpful Links” section below for a detailed calendar of events.

There is no airstrip on Elbow Cay, so arriving here by boat is your only option. The nearest airport is not far away, though. Marsh Harbour International is only 6 miles to the west of Elbow Cay.

Guide to Elbow Cay

Islands of the Bahamas Tourism

Guide to the Abacos

Abacos Calendar of Events

Marsh Harbour Airport