Bahamas Air, Continental/Gulfstream, US Air and American Airlines have daily service from Miami, West Palm Beach or Ft. Lauderdale to Marsh Harbour. New additions are some of the smaller airlines such as the Yellow Air Taxi (based out of the Ft. Lauderdale Jet Center) Island Express and Vintage Air which flies direct from Melbourne and Daytona Beach, Florida.

Ask when you depart from the US if you need to reconfirm your return flight. Bahamas customs allows you to bring food for your personal consumption (no fruit or vegetables). You can bring a cooler (great to have on your boat) with some meat and other goods but if you don’t want to bother, the supermarkets in Marsh Harbour are well stocked. A taxi will take you from the airport to the ferry whose schedule may coincide with your flight. Usually the taxis will stop and let you do your shopping without an extra charge. The ferry will take you the three miles to the Hope Town public dock (near the post office) where our caretaker, Amanda Bethel, will meet you and take you to Carissa Cottage. Remember if you arrive on Saturday that stores in Hope Town will be closed on Sunday.

 
If you plan to rent a boat or golf cart reservations should be made at the time you reserve Carissa Cottage as supplies on Elbow Cay are limited. Bike rentals are also available and usually do not require advance reservations. We strongly recommend even if you are not going to go boating while here that you purchase “The Cruising Guide to Abaco” by Steve Dodge. It is updated annually and can be purchased at most marine stores or directly from White Sound Press at www.wspress.com or by calling 386-423-7880. This guide has very helpful information about all the islands in Abaco and what to see including a local telephone directory for reserving boats and carts.

 
What to Bring:

Beach towels, suntan lotion, hats, sunglasses, snorkeling gear, fishing equipment, several bathing suits and wraps or shirts for sun protection. You will probably bring too many clothes. Days are in bathing suits or shorts and dining out is casual.