The group of Bahamian islands known as Abaco is approximately 160 miles east of West Palm Beach, Florida and consist of 100 mile long Great Abaco Island and a string of small barrier islands about 5 miles off its eastern shore. Elbow Cay, with its settlement of Hope Town, is in the middle of this string of barrier islands. The protected area between Great Abaco Island and the barrier islands is called the Sea of Abaco and is consistently listed as one of the best cruising areas in the whole world.

 
The first inhabitants arrived in the 1700’s and the Wyannie Malone Museum in Hope Town is very informative about the early development of Abaco. Many of today’s islanders are descendents of British Loyalists who fled the United States during the Revolutionary War.

Elbow Cay itself is a four mile long barrier island with Hope Town near its northern end. It has a picturesque protected harbor and at the entrance stands the candy striped lighthouse which is a much photographed Island landmark. The original settlement, located between a beautiful beach and the harbor, has perhaps 350 permanent residents and is reminiscent of a New England fishing village set in the tropics. Its main street, the Queen’s Highway, is 8' wide and no motorized vehicles are allowed in the settlement.

Things to Do:

By now if you are not already familiar with Abaco and Elbow Cay, you will have an idea that this is not Miami or Nassau. Abaco and Elbow Cay is for those whose nighttime activities require no more than nice restaurants and an occasional Calypso band with dancing. Evenings are spent reading, playing games, listening to music, or looking at the night sky. The Sea of Abaco is a protected body of water with miles and miles of calm sandy beaches and several quaint villages for you to explore.

There are many places for you to cross the islands or take your boat to get to deserted ocean beaches. Snorkeling and skin diving can be done in shallow or deep water and the choices are numerous. For the true diving enthusiast, the reefs are magnificent with wrecks, two underwater marine parks, and miles and miles of reefs to explore on the ocean side of the islands. Combine this with the clearest water in the world and that spells beautiful diving. Fishing is great and includes: wahoo, grouper, snapper, marlin, tuna, sailfish, bonefish, and dolphin. Other species can be found just a short distance offshore. There are excellent local guides and fishing and dive charters available at reasonable prices.