A little more than 150 miles due east of West Palm Beach, Florida, across the deep, mysterious waters of the Gulf Stream, lies a tiny speck of land known as Elbow Cay. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the dazzling Sea of Abaco, Elbow Cay is the most easterly point in the Abaco chain with nothing but ocean beyond it until you reach the west coast of Africa.
Flights go regularly from Miami, Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale and take about an hour to Marsh Harbour, where you take a 20 minute ferry to Elbow Cay. Our Property Managers will collect you from the ferry and five minutes later you'll be 'home' in Hummingbird Hill.
Crossing by air between Florida and Marsh Harbour, Abaco is a kaleidoscopic delight. Depending on which airline you choose, your departure point and your flight-day weather, you'll look down on ever-changing panoramas of colorful sea and reef-scapes, remote settlements, miles of empty beaches, coral formations just a few feet below the aquamarine water and miles of pine forests.
Initially you'll cross the inky blue waters of the Gulf Stream, play ground to such celebrities as Ernest Hemmingway, Zane Gray and Howard Hughes. The islands you'll pass over are primarily Grand Bahama Island (if you're flying from West Palm or Ft. Lauderdale), the Bimini islands and a hint of Andros' bulk (with a flight from Miami) and The Abacos' west side "Marls" (100's if not 1,000's of mangrove outcroppings, zillions of "islands-lets" and lots of very thin water).
Whatever your flight's route, the aqua-terrain below is certain to change from "amazing" to "incredible" to "...quick, where's the camera?".
We strongly suggest you book your flight directly into Marsh Harbour and avoid a transfer in Nassau or Freeport. By flying direct, you'll get there faster, have a much better chance of arriving with ALL your luggage and, in general, have a far better, much less stressful trip. Marsh Harbour's International Airport is serviced by several FAA certified airlines and reliable charter operators.
On arrival in Marsh Harbour you'll need a valid passport to clear immigration and customs. The days of only needing a voter's card or driving license are long gone, so make sure your passport is valid for 6 months. Once outside the airport building, ask a taxi driver to take you to the Hope Town Ferry dock.
At the ferry dock you will see several ferry boats waiting to leave with tourists, locals, groceries, spare parts, in fact all manner of stuff. These ferries are the main "bus" service to the outer islands and can be busy so make sure you get on the right boat - otherwise you'll end up on Man o'War or Guana Cay. The ferry is very reliable, on time and efficient. You pay for your ticket after you get on board so make sure you have $10 and $20 bills handy. US$ are accepted one-for-one for Bahamian$.
After the ferry is under way you can tell the Captain (driver) that you want to be dropped at the Post Office Dock in Hope Town and ask him to radio ahead to "Swept Away" to tell them you are on your way over. "Swept away" is the radio call sign of our property managers, who will be on the post office dock to greet you, take you to the house and show you around.
You've arrived!!!
