12/11/2025  Jomerglo

How to Get Around Abaco: Ferries, Golf Carts, Rentals & Water Taxis

The Abaco Islands are stunning, diverse, and spread across dozens of cays—each offering beaches, marinas, settlements, and attractions worth exploring. But because these islands are separated by water, first-time visitors often feel unsure about how to get around. Unlike destinations with a single central town, Abaco requires mixing several modes of transportation: ferries, golf carts, rental cars, water taxis, and sometimes even small boat rentals.

The good news? Once you understand how transportation works in the Abacos, island-hopping becomes one of the best parts of the experience. This guide breaks down every option, how to use it, where it’s available, and what travelers should expect.

1. Ferries: The Backbone of Abaco Transportation

Ferries are the primary way to travel between the mainland of Great Abaco and the offshore cays. They are reliable, efficient, and used by locals and tourists alike.

Main Ferry Operators

Several operators serve different routes from Marsh Harbour and Treasure Cay:

  • Albury’s Ferry Service – The most well-known provider, serving:

    • Hope Town (Elbow Cay)

    • Man-O-War Cay

    • Great Guana Cay

  • Green Turtle Cay Ferries (GTC Ferry) – Serving:

    • Green Turtle Cay from the Treasure Cay landing

What to Expect

  • Comfortable seating

  • Short travel times (10–30 minutes)

  • Daily schedules with multiple departures

  • Options for round-trip or one-way tickets

Why Ferries Are Great for Visitors

  • Safe and reliable

  • Affordable

  • Beautiful rides with scenic views

  • Perfect for day trips or island-hopping

Ferries are the easiest and most essential form of transportation for accessing the cays where cars cannot travel.

2. Golf Carts: The Main Transportation on Most Cays

Once you arrive on islands like Elbow Cay, Green Turtle Cay, Great Guana Cay, and Man-O-War Cay, the most convenient way to get around is by golf cart.

Where Golf Carts Are Common

  • Hope Town (Elbow Cay)

  • Green Turtle Cay

  • Great Guana Cay

  • Man-O-War Cay

Some settlements, like Hope Town’s historic village, restrict cars entirely—making golf carts essential.

Why Golf Carts Are Popular

  • Easy to drive

  • Fun for families

  • Perfect for narrow island roads

  • Ideal for exploring beaches, marinas, and restaurants

How to Rent a Golf Cart

Golf carts are available by the hour, day, or week from local rental agencies. Most deliver carts directly to your ferry dock or vacation rental.

Tips for Using Golf Carts

  • Reserve during peak season

  • Drive slowly—roads are narrow

  • Don’t overload carts (important for safety)

  • Charge carts overnight if renting electric models

Golf carts offer the freedom to explore the cays at your own pace.

3. Car Rentals: Best for Exploring Great Abaco Island

While cars are not permitted on the offshore cays, they are very useful on the main island of Great Abaco and Little Abaco.

Ideal for Visiting:

  • Marsh Harbour

  • Treasure Cay

  • Cherokee Sound

  • Casuarina Point

  • Crossing Rocks

  • Little Harbour

  • The Blue Holes

  • North Abaco (Fox Town, Coopers Town)

When You Should Rent a Car

  • You want to see remote beaches

  • You plan to fish the flats at Cherokee Sound

  • You're staying outside Marsh Harbour

  • You want flexibility and independence

Car Rental Tips

  • Book early during holiday seasons

  • Confirm insurance requirements

  • Expect left-hand driving on right-hand vehicles

  • Roads are paved, but some side roads are rough

A rental car opens up access to southern Abaco’s beautiful marshes, beaches, and fishing areas.

4. Water Taxis: On-Demand, Flexible & Convenient

Water taxis are essentially private boats offering transportation on demand. They are especially helpful when:

  • Ferry schedules don’t align with your plans

  • You want to move between cays quickly

  • You’re traveling with a group

  • You need to reach a remote dock or resort

Common Water Taxi Routes

  • Marsh Harbour → Hope Town

  • Marsh Harbour → Lubbers Quarters

  • Treasure Cay → Green Turtle Cay

  • Hope Town → Tilloo Cay

  • Great Guana Cay → Surrounding beaches

Water Taxi Benefits

  • Flexible timing

  • Direct drop-offs

  • Scenic, private rides

  • Perfect for early-morning or late-evening travel

Water taxis cost more than scheduled ferries, but the convenience is often worth it.

5. Boat Rentals: The Ultimate Freedom in Abaco

For confident boaters, renting a boat opens up the entire Sea of Abaco for exploration.

Typical Rental Boats

  • 17–26 ft center console boats

  • Deck boats

  • Rigid inflatable boats (RIBs)

Why Rent a Boat?

  • Visit multiple cays in a day

  • Access secluded beaches

  • Snorkel at reefs like Mermaid Reef or Sandy Cay

  • Stop at waterfront restaurants accessible only by water

  • Enjoy unmatched freedom and adventure

Common Departure Points

  • Marsh Harbour

  • Hope Town

  • Man-O-War Cay

  • Green Turtle Cay

  • Treasure Cay

Important Notes

  • Know your navigation routes

  • Avoid coral heads and shallow flats

  • Check the weather before departure

  • Follow all local boating regulations

Renting a boat is often the highlight of an Abaco vacation for families and groups.

6. Walking & Biking: Ideal for Small Settlements

Many Abaco settlements are compact and charming, perfect for exploring on foot or by bicycle.

Great for:

  • Hope Town village

  • New Plymouth (Green Turtle Cay)

  • Man-O-War Cay settlement

  • Guana Cay beachfront paths

Walking allows you to enjoy the pastel architecture, marinas, shops, and beaches at a slow, relaxing pace.

Bikes are also available for rent on many cays and are great for kids and fitness-minded travellers.

7. Taxi Services: Helpful for Land-Based Travel

On Great Abaco, taxis are available at:

  • Marsh Harbour Airport

  • Marsh Harbour marinas

  • Treasure Cay Airport

  • Resorts and hotels

They are ideal for quick transfers between lodging, marinas, and restaurants.

How Transportation Works by Location

Marsh Harbour

  • Cars

  • Taxis

  • Ferries

  • Water taxis

  • Boat rentals

Hope Town (Elbow Cay)

  • Golf carts

  • Bicycles

  • Walking

  • Ferries

  • Water taxis

  • Boat rentals

Green Turtle Cay

  • Golf carts

  • Bicycles

  • Ferries (from Treasure Cay)

  • Boat rentals

Great Guana Cay

  • Golf carts

  • Walking

  • Ferries

  • Boat rentals

Treasure Cay

  • Cars

  • Golf carts (limited)

  • Ferries to Green Turtle Cay

Tips for First-Time Visitors

  • Check ferry schedules before booking flights.

  • Book golf carts early during holidays.

  • Understand that each cay has its own transportation rules.

  • Bring cash—some transport providers don’t take cards.

  • Always confirm pickup locations for ferries and taxis.

  • Plan your days around the weather—wind affects boating.

Final Thoughts

Getting around Abaco may seem complex at first, but it quickly becomes one of the most enjoyable aspects of the trip. Whether cruising between cays on a ferry, exploring by golf cart, renting a boat for island-hopping, or using water taxis for flexible transport, the Abacos offer an adventurous, scenic, and uniquely Bahamian way of moving from place to place. Once you understand how each mode of transportation works, the islands open up with endless opportunities to explore.

How to Get Around Abaco: Ferries, Golf Carts, Rentals & Water Taxis

The Abaco Islands are stunning, diverse, and spread across dozens of cays—each offering beaches, marinas, settlements, and attractions worth exploring. But because these islands are separated by water, first-time visitors often feel unsure about how to get around. Unlike destinations with a single central town, Abaco requires mixing several modes of transportation: ferries, golf carts, rental cars, water taxis, and sometimes even small boat rentals.

The good news? Once you understand how transportation works in the Abacos, island-hopping becomes one of the best parts of the experience. This guide breaks down every option, how to use it, where it’s available, and what travellers should expect.

1. Ferries: The Backbone of Abaco Transportation

Ferries are the primary way to travel between the mainland of Great Abaco and the offshore cays. They are reliable, efficient, and used by locals and tourists alike.

Main Ferry Operators

Several operators serve different routes from Marsh Harbour and Treasure Cay:

  • Albury’s Ferry Service – The most well-known provider, serving:

    • Hope Town (Elbow Cay)

    • Man-O-War Cay

    • Great Guana Cay

  • Green Turtle Cay Ferries (GTC Ferry) – Serving:

    • Green Turtle Cay from the Treasure Cay landing

What to Expect

  • Comfortable seating

  • Short travel times (10–30 minutes)

  • Daily schedules with multiple departures

  • Options for round-trip or one-way tickets

Why Ferries Are Great for Visitors

  • Safe and reliable

  • Affordable

  • Beautiful rides with scenic views

  • Perfect for day trips or island-hopping

Ferries are the easiest and most essential form of transportation for accessing the cays where cars cannot travel.

2. Golf Carts: The Main Transportation on Most Cays

Once you arrive on islands like Elbow Cay, Green Turtle Cay, Great Guana Cay, and Man-O-War Cay, the most convenient way to get around is by golf cart.

Where Golf Carts Are Common

  • Hope Town (Elbow Cay)

  • Green Turtle Cay

  • Great Guana Cay

  • Man-O-War Cay

Some settlements, like Hope Town’s historic village, restrict cars entirely—making golf carts essential.

Why Golf Carts Are Popular

  • Easy to drive

  • Fun for families

  • Perfect for narrow island roads

  • Ideal for exploring beaches, marinas, and restaurants

How to Rent a Golf Cart

Golf carts are available by the hour, day, or week from local rental agencies. Most deliver carts directly to your ferry dock or vacation rental.

Tips for Using Golf Carts

  • Reserve during peak season

  • Drive slowly—roads are narrow

  • Don’t overload carts (important for safety)

  • Charge carts overnight if renting electric models

Golf carts offer the freedom to explore the cays at your own pace.

3. Car Rentals: Best for Exploring Great Abaco Island

While cars are not permitted on the offshore cays, they are very useful on the main island of Great Abaco and Little Abaco.

Ideal for Visiting:

  • Marsh Harbour

  • Treasure Cay

  • Cherokee Sound

  • Casuarina Point

  • Crossing Rocks

  • Little Harbour

  • The Blue Holes

  • North Abaco (Fox Town, Coopers Town)

When You Should Rent a Car

  • You want to see remote beaches

  • You plan to fish the flats at Cherokee Sound

  • You're staying outside Marsh Harbour

  • You want flexibility and independence

Car Rental Tips

  • Book early during holiday seasons

  • Confirm insurance requirements

  • Expect left-hand driving on right-hand vehicles

  • Roads are paved, but some side roads are rough

A rental car opens up access to southern Abaco’s beautiful marshes, beaches, and fishing areas.

4. Water Taxis: On-Demand, Flexible & Convenient

Water taxis are essentially private boats offering transportation on demand. They are especially helpful when:

  • Ferry schedules don’t align with your plans

  • You want to move between cays quickly

  • You’re travelling with a group

  • You need to reach a remote dock or resort

Common Water Taxi Routes

  • Marsh Harbour → Hope Town

  • Marsh Harbour → Lubbers Quarters

  • Treasure Cay → Green Turtle Cay

  • Hope Town → Tilloo Cay

  • Great Guana Cay → Surrounding beaches

Water Taxi Benefits

  • Flexible timing

  • Direct drop-offs

  • Scenic, private rides

  • Perfect for early-morning or late-evening travel

Water taxis cost more than scheduled ferries, but the convenience is often worth it.

5. Boat Rentals: The Ultimate Freedom in Abaco

For confident boaters, renting a boat opens up the entire Sea of Abaco for exploration.

Typical Rental Boats

  • 17–26 ft center console boats

  • Deck boats

  • Rigid inflatable boats (RIBs)

Why Rent a Boat?

  • Visit multiple cays in a day

  • Access secluded beaches

  • Snorkel at reefs like Mermaid Reef or Sandy Cay

  • Stop at waterfront restaurants accessible only by water

  • Enjoy unmatched freedom and adventure

Common Departure Points

  • Marsh Harbour

  • Hope Town

  • Man-O-War Cay

  • Green Turtle Cay

  • Treasure Cay

Important Notes

  • Know your navigation routes

  • Avoid coral heads and shallow flats

  • Check the weather before departure

  • Follow all local boating regulations

Renting a boat is often the highlight of an Abaco vacation for families and groups.

6. Walking & Biking: Ideal for Small Settlements

Many Abaco settlements are compact and charming—perfect for exploring on foot or by bicycle.

Great for:

  • Hope Town village

  • New Plymouth (Green Turtle Cay)

  • Man-O-War Cay settlement

  • Guana Cay beachfront paths

Walking allows you to enjoy the pastel architecture, marinas, shops, and beaches at a slow, relaxing pace.

Bikes are also available for rent on many cays and are great for kids and fitness-minded travellers.

7. Taxi Services: Helpful for Land-Based Travel

On Great Abaco, taxis are available at:

  • Marsh Harbour Airport

  • Marsh Harbour marinas

  • Treasure Cay Airport

  • Resorts and hotels

They are ideal for quick transfers between lodging, marinas, and restaurants.

How Transportation Works by Location

Marsh Harbour

  • Cars

  • Taxis

  • Ferries

  • Water taxis

  • Boat rentals

Hope Town (Elbow Cay)

  • Golf carts

  • Bicycles

  • Walking

  • Ferries

  • Water taxis

  • Boat rentals

Green Turtle Cay

  • Golf carts

  • Bicycles

  • Ferries (from Treasure Cay)

  • Boat rentals

Great Guana Cay

  • Golf carts

  • Walking

  • Ferries

  • Boat rentals

Treasure Cay

  • Cars

  • Golf carts (limited)

  • Ferries to Green Turtle Cay

Tips for First-Time Visitors

  • Check ferry schedules before booking flights.

  • Book golf carts early during holidays.

  • Understand that each cay has its own transportation rules.

  • Bring cash—some transport providers don’t take cards.

  • Always confirm pickup locations for ferries and taxis.

  • Plan your days around the weather—wind affects boating.

Final Thoughts

Getting around Abaco may seem complex at first, but it quickly becomes one of the most enjoyable aspects of the trip. Whether cruising between cays on a ferry, exploring by golf cart, renting a boat for island-hopping, or using water taxis for flexible transport, the Abacos offer an adventurous, scenic, and uniquely Bahamian way of moving from place to place. Once you understand how each mode of transportation works, the islands open up with endless opportunities to explore.