Elbow Cay

Elbow Cay is a barrier island in the Abaco Islands of The Bahamas, best known for the settlement of Hope Town and its distinctive lighthouse, first established in 1864.

The cay offers sheltered harbours, shallow reefs for snorkeling and diving, and sandy beaches; Hope Town contains shops, restaurants and traditional timber cottages painted in pastel colors. The island is popular with boaters and island-hoppers exploring the Abacos.

The Elbow Reef Lighthouse was built in 1864 and remains an active navigation aid; it is a local landmark and one of the region’s historic lighthouse structures. The settlement and waterfront developed to serve maritime traffic and the local fishing community.

Elbow Cay lies off the eastern shore of Great Abaco Island within the Abaco district; the main settlement, Hope Town, occupies a narrow strip of land and the cay is accessed by small ferries and private craft from Marsh Harbour and nearby islands.

• Access: The island is part of the Abaco Islands and is served by private boats and seasonal ferries from Marsh Harbour and other Abaco points.

What to See#

• Hope Town: The small settlement that forms the island’s focal point, with narrow streets, pastel cottages and local shops clustered around the harbour.
• Elbow Reef Lighthouse: A 19th-century, red-and-white striped reef lighthouse established in 1864 that remains an active aid to navigation and one of the few in the region still tended in a traditional way.