Hope Town is a small 18th century picturesque village built around a protected harbour on the island of Elbow Cay (just 175 miles east of Palm Beach, Florida). Often described as a pastel-coloured New England fishing village, Hope Town has become the Bahamian destination of choice for the discerning traveler.

The island is approximately 6 miles long and 1/4 mile wide. To the East of the island, a magnificent barrier reef protects the oceanfront beaches, making them perfect for swimming, snorkeling, diving, and fishing. West of the island, the Sea of Abaco allows easy travel between islands via ferry, sailboat or motorboat. Visitors to Hope Town are usually comfortable in or on the water. Throughout the centuries, the economy of Hope Town has been based upon fishing, salvaging of shipwrecks, boat building, small farming and lumbering, and finally, after WWII, tourism. In 1988 telephones were installed in village homes, and the fax machine followed shortly thereafter. There are several lovely inns on Elbow Cay as well as private homes for rent by the week.

To get around the island itself, most people either walk, rent a bicycle, or rent an island cart (which is not allowed to be driven in the historic village area). Hope Town has 3 very good grocery stores with fresh baked bread, local fishermen who sell fresh fish daily, interesting shops with artwork, jewelry, and clothing; modern marinas filled with large yachts, an historical museum, a medical clinic, a drugstore, several fine restaurants, daily and weekly boat rentals, and most importantly a genuinely kind and friendly population. So, if you are willing to undertake the adventure of traveling to Hope Town, you will be rewarded with year-round ideal temperatures and trade winds on a charming, quiet, and picturesque island surrounded by turquoise waters that are filled with fish and dolphin.

Step back in time with us... simplify your life... Take a picnic to a deserted island and swim all day. Go fishing with or without a guide and eat what you catch for dinner. Walk up the stairs to the 19th century lighthouse for a panoramic view. Rent a bike for the day and pedal to an inn outside of town for lunch. Walk for miles on deserted sandy beaches. Invite old and new friends to your home for cocktails or dinner. Watch the sunset from your boat while anchored in the Sea of Abaco. Take an early morning walk through the village and beyond. Go out for dinner in the evening and dance under the stars.

Two of the loveliest private homes for rent are "Sunrise Tellin" and "Bay Street Tellin". Please visit these pages for more information, or call (203) 227-6898, fax (203) 227-8895 in the USA or e-mail sueandvan@aol.com. Website design and hosting by Web Showcase