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Voykit pocket guide · The Bahamas
Elbow Cay
Spend 2–3 days: explore Hope Town, visit Tahiti and Sugar Sand beaches, climb the 1854 lighthouse, and try a half‑day fishing or spearfishing charter.
Elbow Cay is a six‑mile island east of Great Abaco, reachable by a short ferry from Marsh Harbor. Its main draw is the pastel‑coloured town of Hope Town, historic lighthouse, and easy‑access beaches, making a long stay unnecessary.
- Country
- The Bahamas
- Best months
- Dec–May
- Avoid
- Jun–Nov (hurricane risk)
- Stay
- 2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- BSD
- Money
- Currency is the Bahamian dollar (BSD), held at par with the US dollar; US dollars are accepted everywhere and change often comes back mixed.
- Daily spend
- Budget BSD 80–120 excl. accommodation · Mid BSD 120–200 excl. accommodation (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- BTC and Aliv sell prepaid SIMs and eSIMs at Nassau airport and in town.
- Emergency
- Police / General emergencies 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · Same as the US.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 15% often added; check the bill.; Taxis: 15%.; Hotels: Gratuity often added; extra for porters and housekeeping.
- Water
- Nassau tap water is treated but many buy bottled; on the Out Islands drink bottled or filtered.
- Toilets
- In hotels, restaurants and marinas; few public toilets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal at Cap’n Jack’s | BSD 15–25 |
| Bottled water (1 L) | BSD 2–3 |
| Taxi to ferry dock (one way) | BSD 10–15 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- MHH · Marsh Harbor International Airport
- Taxi to Albury’s Ferry Dock, then ~1 h ferry to Hope Town.
Typical fares
- Marsh Harbor → Hope Town ferry
- about BSD 45 round‑trip, ~1 h (check)
- Golf‑cart hire (half‑day)
- about BSD 30
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Foot or bicycle in Hope Town; golf carts for longer trips on the island’s narrow roads.
See and do
Known for
- Hope Town
- Tahiti Beach
- Sugar Sand Beach
- Hope Town Historic Lighthouse
- Local fishing and spearfishing
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tahiti Beach | Golf‑cart or short walk from Hope Town | 5 min |
| Sugar Sand Beach | Walk behind the fire station and up the bluffs | 10 min |
| Hope Town Lighthouse | Walk up the hill from town centre | 15 min |
Sleep
- Rental cottages in Hope Town
- Secluded, often beachfront; ideal for 1–2 nights.
- Small resorts around the island
- Limited facilities; good for a night or two.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Excuse me / SorryExcuse me |
| Thank you | Thank youThank you |
| How much is it? | How much is it?How much is it? |
| Where is the bathroom? | Where is the bathroom?Where is the bathroom? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Good morning / good afternoon first; avoid: Straight to business
- Dress: Cover up in town; avoid: Swimwear on Bay Street
- Pace: Allow island time; avoid: Showing impatience
- Photos: Ask before photographing people; avoid: Assuming consent
Scams and watch-outs
- Ferry schedules can change; confirm times before departure.
- Spearfishing is allowed only with slings; check local regulations.
- Hurricane season (Jun–Nov) may disrupt travel.
Elbow Cay is generally safe; petty theft is rare but keep valuables locked, watch for strong currents when swimming, and heed hurricane warnings in season.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Elbow Cay yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Hope Town
- Tahiti Beach
- Sugar Sand Beach
- Hope Town Historic Lighthouse
- Local fishing and spearfishing
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Elbow Cay: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1234567
- Wikivoyage: Elbow Cay, revision 4945419 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4945419
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Elbow Cay
To this address, please
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / General emergencies911
US consulate in Nassau; other embassies in Nassau.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/elbow-cay). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.