Hope Town, Abaco
Hope Town itself, is a charming, romantic little village with pretty New England style pastel-colored clapboard houses surrounded by white picket fences. Village life is slow and laid-back, golf carts are the main form of transportation – and there are a limited number of shops and restaurants. The town’s Wyannie Malone Historical Museum, restored as it was in the “old days”, gives a good idea of the old-time life of the Abaconians right down to the rocking chairs and broom-making press. The perfect destination for a honeymoon couple. This is where you want to explore the outdoors and enjoy the uncrowded beaches.
Hope Town, Elbow Cay
With it candy-striped lighthouse as its signature attraction, Elbow Cay is another favoured Bahamian Out-Island. Its spectacular white-sand beaches and colonial style clapboard cottages with white-picket fences and picturesque small harbour add to the charm of this destination.
The island is almost free of cars. In exploring Hope Town, you can take one of two roads: “Up Along” or “Down Along,” which runs along the water.
As with many of the Abaco Cays, Island life is simple and locals and friendly and accommodating. This very close-knit community is quite proud of its island and the lifestyle in which many generations have grown-up. Today the annual box cart races and surfing competitions as well as many other activities are a testament to the togetherness of the locals.
- Exploring The Island
The small island of Elbow Cay is only about 3-milesby 1/2 mile at its widest. A Golf Cart is the accepted mode of transportation and is highly suited for the narrow alleys in Hope Town (the main town on Elbow Cay). Although walking would certainly suffice, if heading out into what some locals affectionately refer to as “The ‘Ills” (Abaconians regularly drop their H’s) or to “‘Ollywood”, a golf-cart will come in quite handy. Stop by the Abaco Inn for a “Conch Pearl”, and of course get one for the road as well.
Rental carts: Please contact
Lighthouse Cart Rentals
Tel: + 1 242 827 9156 or + 1 242 475 0218
Website: www.lighthousegolfcartrentals.com
Hope Town Cart Rentals
Contact: Tel: + 1 242 458 0442
Website: www.hopetowncartrental.com
Getaway Carts
Contact: Tel: + 1 242 477 5201 or + 1 242 357 6672
Website: www.getawaycartrentals.com
Island Cart Rentals
Contact: Tel: + 1 242 577 0317
Website: www.islandcartrentals.com
- Boat Rental
The ideal way to explore the Abacos is by boat. Rental boats are available through Island Marine. In one of its rental boats, you can cruise to the boat-building settlement of Man-O-War Cay, to artist Pete Johnson’s bronze foundry-gallery in Little Harbour, and to many uninhabited cays and deserted beaches where you can go shelling, exploring, and picnicking in peace. Small-boat rentals range from a 5m (17-ft.) Boston Whaler to 7m(23-ft.) Man-O-War boats, or even 6.5m (22-ft.) Aqua sports. Most of the boat rental companies are located on Marsh Harbour, but the boats can be collected or delivered to Hope Town.The easiest way by far is to hire a boat and captain and leave the navigation up to them. You can have them plan a full day of island hopping for you with a little swimming and snorkeling planned into the day. Maybe plan a trip to see the swimming pigs or visit the foundry and gallery at Little Harbour. The possibilities are endless.
Here are just a few charter companies/captains
Captain Plug Adventures
Phone: + 1 242 5770273
Island Boy Excursions Capt Francis Charles
Tel: + 1 242 8081789
- Abaco Inn
From simple light fare for lunch to delectable gourmet dishes at night, The Abaco Inn with its oceanfront setting is an Elbow Cay must. The dinner menu changes frequently but usually features sea food, vegetarian, and meat dishes, each expertly seasoned and well prepared. Typical meals are likely to begin with sea food bisque, followed by coconut grouper (a house specialty), spinach fettuccine Alfredo, roasted lamb with herbs and mint sauce, or, our favorite, broiled red snapper with a light salsa. The Key lime, crème brûlée, coconut and chocolate silk pies are delectable. The inn will send a minivan to pick you up from other parts of the island if you phone in advance.
Cap’N Jacks
Tel: + 1 242 475 0868
website: www.capnjackshopetown.com
Firefly Sunset Resort Bar & Restaurant.
Open for lunch and dinner in featuring indoor or outdoor dining.
Tel: + 1 242 225 8635
Website: www.fireflysunsetresort.com
Hope Town Inn & Marina
Call them for reservations, and for their ferry service across to their restaurant.
Tel: + 1 242 366 0003
website: www.hopetownmarina.com
On Da Beach Bar
Open daily from 11.30am until 9.00pm
website: https://www.turtlehill.com/on-da-beach
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