Major city · 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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BSD
- Best months
- Dec–May
- avoid Jun–Nov (hurricane risk)
- Airport
- MHH
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bah…
- Caribbean ↗Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bahamas and Jamaica) jail visitors for a single stray bullet or cartridge in their luggage; empty every bag and pocket before you pack.
- Caribbean ↗From August to October keep a free last day before your flight home and check the national hurricane centre daily; airports close when a named storm approaches.
- Caribbean ↗Wearing camouflage clothing is illegal for civilians in several islands, including Barbados, Antigua, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Grenada, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica; leave it at home, children's clothes included.
- The Bahamas ↗Check entry rules for your passport on the official Bahamas government sources before you fly; requirements differ by nationality.
- The Bahamas ↗Respect marine protected areas: fishing, collecting shells or coral and anchoring rules are enforced in national parks such as the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park.
- The Bahamas ↗Do not bring firearms or ammunition; even a single forgotten round in a bag can lead to arrest.
- The Bahamas ↗Water-sports operators on Nassau and Paradise Island beaches are poorly regulated: use tour companies booked through your hotel and wear a life jacket.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Elbow Cay911 ▾
- Police / General emergencies911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Elbow Cay, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Bahamian dollar (BSD), held at par with the US dollar; US dollars are accepted everywhere and change often comes back mixed.The Bahamas-wide
- SIM or eSIMBTC and Aliv sell prepaid SIMs and eSIMs at Nassau airport and in town.The Bahamas-wide
- Tap waterNassau tap water is treated but many buy bottled; on the Out Islands drink bottled or filtered.The Bahamas-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 15% often added; check the bill.The Bahamas-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.The Bahamas-wide
- SafetyElbow Cay is generally safe; petty theft is rare but keep valuables locked, watch for strong currents when swimming…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsIn hotels, restaurants and marinas; few public toilets.The Bahamas-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police / general emergencies
- Sundays & holidaysSunday closures common; Out Island shops close by 17:00.Sunday closures common; Out Island shops close by 5:00 PM.The Bahamas-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMHH Marsh Harbor International Airport (Taxi to Albury’s Ferry Dock, then ~1 h ferry to Hope Town.).
- Getting aroundFoot or bicycle in Hope Town; golf carts for longer trips on the island’s narrow roads.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MHH Marsh Harbor International Airport (Taxi to Albury’s Ferry Dock, then ~1 h ferry to Hope Town.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Feb
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Mar
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Apr
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
May
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Dec
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Best: Dec–May. Avoid: Jun–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Jul (11 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Elbow Cay: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5 rd
Feb
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5 rd
Mar
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
Apr
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
11 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
11 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
Nov
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
Dec
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Foot or bicycle in Hope Town; golf carts for longer trips on the island’s narrow roads.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tahiti Beach
goDoor to door: 5 min
Golf‑cart or short walk from Hope Town
Shallow, clear water; family‑friendly.
Sugar Sand Beach
goDoor to door: 10 min
Walk behind the fire station and up the bluffs
Located in town; easy access.
Hope Town Lighthouse
goDoor to door: 15 min
Walk up the hill from town centre
Kerosen‑powered lighthouse operating since 1854.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
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.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- BSD 80–120 excl. accommodation
- Mid
- BSD 120–200 excl. accommodation
Trip budget
| Cottage or small resort room2 × 2 nights × BSD 180 | BSD 720 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × BSD 150 | BSD 600 |
| Ferry round‑trip to Hope Town2 × BSD 45 · check | BSD 90 |
| Golf‑cart rental (half‑day)2 × BSD 30 · check | BSD 60 |
| eSIM, 1 week data2 × BSD 25 · check | BSD 50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | BSD 152 |
| Trip total≈ BSD 418 per person per day, bed included | BSD 1,672 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| 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 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ferry schedules can change; confirm times before departure.
- Spearfishing is allowed only with slings; check local regulations.
- Hurricane season (Jun–Nov) may disrupt travel.
Emergency numbers
- Police / General emergencies
- 911
Pocket card
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Elbow CayElbow Cay
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / General emergencies911
Embassy
US consulate in Nassau; other embassies in Nassau.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Marsh Harbor → Hope Town ferry: about BSD 45 round‑trip, ~1 h (check)
- Golf‑cart hire (half‑day): about BSD 30
Say or show
- Excuse me / Sorry — Excuse me / Sorry (Excuse me)
- Thank you — Thank you (Thank 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?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Elbow Cay. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–May · avoid Jun–Nov (hurricane risk) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Elbow Cay
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