Why you must visit Hope Town in the Abacos Islands (2024)

Home to the famous Hope Town Lighthouse, Hope Town Bahamas is known as the jewel of the Abacos, and for good reason! This quaint, colonial town emanates charm, as well as giving visitors a chance to immerse themselves in both the cultural and natural beauty that is the Bahamas. Whether you’re on an overnight Bahamas tour, or a Bahamas day trip, Hope Town is sure to satisfy a comprehensive set of expectations when visiting this splendid archipelago.

Bahamas Air Tours offers some of the world’s very best packages for visiting the Bahamas. Hope Town on Elbow Cay Abaco Bahamas is just moments away, with our marvellous and time-conscious trips ensuring that you make the utmost of your tour.

Hope Town Lighthouse

Hope Town is not just a place of beauty and culture, it is also rich with historical significance, much of which is centered around the Hope Town Lighthouse. Also known as the Elbow Reef Lighthouse after the treacherous nearby reef which gave need for the lighthouse to begin with. Though it certainly still serves its purpose, this lighthouse has a far more significant story to tell.

This red and white striped monument to the past is the only kerosene powered, hand cranked lighthouse left in the world. It is a true marvel to behold, and a fascinating piece of engineering. Built in the 1860’s, this British Imperial lighthouse has stood the test of time. However, this structure was not always the subject of wonder and amazement. In fact, once construction had begun the locals cried out against it. The reason for this was that Hope Town’s economy was greatly boosted by their wrecking trade, which essentially means that they would wait for ships or other vessels to run aground on Elbow Reef and seek repairs in Hope Town. The local outrage only grew along with the Hope Town Lighthouse, which eventually resulted in the intentional sinking of a barge that was being used to transport materials nearby. Despite their aggressive distaste for the project, construction continued and the Hope Town Lighthouse began operating in 1863.

Standing at almost 90ft, with 101 steps to reach the top, this structure has since become something for locals and visitors alike to celebrate. Not only does it represent the tenacity and strength of English Colonial construction, having stood for more than 150 years, but it has also become a favorite attraction for all in Hope Town. The reason for this is mostly because of the phenomenal viewpoint that it provides. A walk up to the top of the Hope Town Lighthouse will have you gazing around the island and the surrounding Abacos islands, as well as providing you with a fantastic view of Hope Town Abaco.

Elbow Cay and Abaco Bahamas

Of course, you shouldn’t confine yourself to a single destination when visiting the Abacos islands. This array of islands each offer a different and unique experience like nothing else on earth. Island hopping the Abacos is an absolute must for all who have yet to visit this marvellous destination. The reason for this is simply that there is so much to see.

Abaco Island Hopping Day 1

Booking a 2 day trip with Bahamas Air Tours will ensure you an unforgettable vacation. While the tour really begins as you soar above the gemlike islands of Abaco Bahamas, your first destination will be Man-o-War Cay. Much like Elbow Cay Abaco, this site has a lot more to offer than just natural beauty and a rich culture. Man-o-War Cay is actually the original boat building capital of the Bahamas. While this may have been very many years ago, the locals uphold this tradition, with boats still being hand carved from wood. A tour of Joe Albury’s workshop will give you a first-hand look at the process of carving these boats.

Next on the itinerary is Elbow Cay and the famous Hope Town Lighthouse. This trip will include a walking tour of Hope Town with a local guide who will provide you with interesting facts and historical stories about each of the sites along the tour. This really is a wonderful way to connect with Hope Town, and gain a deeper understanding of both its past and its present. This historically rich destination has a past of not just colonial settlers, but also Lucayan Indians, rum runnners, ship wreckers and even pirates. A tour of Elbow Cay would not be complete without a trip to one of the many gorgeous beaches on offer. From Tahiti Beach at the islands southern tip, to a collection of smaller beaches encompassing Elbow Cay, you will certainly not want for some fun in the sun. Hiring a golf cart is an excellent way to see a number of these beaches before its time to leave.

Having explored Hope Town Lighthouse and all the surrounding attractions, you will be transported to the idyllic Treasure Cay. This pristine destination is like something right out of a tropical dream. The crystal clear turquoise water borders the exquisite white sandy beaches to create the perfect vacation setting. With a number of palm trees lining the beach, this is the perfect place to lie back and enjoy the beauty of your surroundings in the dappled sunlight through the palm fronds. This will be your final stop for the first day, and you will enjoy a well-earned rest at our Hotel on Treasure Cay.

Abaco Island Hopping Day 2

Your second day will be packed with wildlife excursions, beginning with a boat tour of Green Turtle Cay. After several hours of gliding along the surface of this picturesque water, you’ll be ready to visit one of the greatest highlights of the Bahamas: the swimming pigs. One of the world’s most sought after trips, a visit to the swimming pigs of No Name Cay will have you smiling from ear to ear. These delightful creatures will come paddling out to meet you as your boat pulls around to the beach. There is nothing quite as cute or unusual as watching these seemingly ordinary farm pigs floating around in such a heavenly tropical location.

Next on your wildlife checklist will be green turtles. In contrast to the adorable pigs, these magnificent turtles seem to glide effortlessly through the clear water. Snorkelling above and even alongside these majestic creatures is sure to be a memory that you and your group will cherish for the rest of your lives.

To add a little thrill to this wildlife tour of Abaco Bahamas, you will also have the chance to dive into the water beside Stingrays and Sharks at Manjack Cay. With friendly but wild stingrays and nurse sharks who are mostly harmless to humans to join in these lovely Bahamian waters, you are sure to have an exciting and memorable experience.

This tour also includes a number of Bahamian beaches, all of which display natural and pristine beauty in a way that simply cannot be described. Get lost in the stunning setting of the Bahamas on this 2 day tour of the Abacos islands and head back home with a little more of a tan, a little less worries and a much wider smile than when you arrived.

Book a tour with Bahamas Air Tours

Whether you choose to do a 2 day Bahamas Tour of the Abacos islands, or just have enough time for a Bahamas day trip from Florida, Bahamas Air Tours has the trip for you! Visiting the historical Hope Town Lighthouse will prove to be a highlight on any tour, and touring the various different animals that call the water home in the Abacos Islands will be an experience like no other.

Abaco Island Hopping Tour Map

Select images courtesy of the Bahamas Ministry Of Tourism.

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