Hope Town
$25
Round Trip
The candy-striped lighthouse can be climbed for views over the harbour and the cay.
Marsh Harbour to Hope Town, Man-O-War Cay & Guana Cay — round-trips from $25, no reservations needed
| Route from Marsh Harbour | Round-trip fare | Crossing time | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hope Town (Elbow Cay) | from $25 | ~20 min | Candy-striped Elbow Reef Lighthouse |
| Man-O-War Cay | from $25 | ~20 min | Boat-building heritage, golf-cart island |
| Great Guana Cay | $25 RT | ~30–45 min | Long ocean beach & Nippers Beach Bar |
9 Boats
3 Cays
Multiple
20-30 pax
How a two-man side business became a core Abaco ferry service
G&L Ferry is one of the main ways to reach the Abaco cays from Marsh Harbour. According to the operator, it was started in 2012 by Grant Albury and Lyle Sawyer, two local carpenters, and has grown into a fleet of several boats.
The operator reports a fleet of 9 ferries making several daily runs to the main cays. Its stated motto is "Hands on to better serve you". The captains and crews are local to these waters.
Three cays from Marsh Harbour
$25
Round Trip
The candy-striped lighthouse can be climbed for views over the harbour and the cay.
$25
Round Trip
Man-O-War Cay has a long boat-building tradition, and its bakery is known for coconut bread.
$25
Round Trip
Guana Cay is known for its long ocean beach and for Nippers Beach Bar, which is busiest on Sundays.
Multiple daily departures - no reservation needed!
Departure Point: The Crossing Dock, Marsh Harbour
Right where the road reaches the harbour as you come into town.
Questions about group rates or charter service? The operator can be reached as follows.
gltransportation2012@gmail.com
Reply times are set by the operator.
Main Dock: The Crossing, Marsh Harbour
Guana Office: Front Street
(242) 826-0003
Groups and charters
The operator takes group bookings and charters (church groups, sports teams, wedding parties); ask for current rates.
Everything you need for smooth sailing
Ferry service is "weather permitting" - sailings are cancelled when conditions are unsafe. Check the operator's Facebook page for real-time updates, especially during hurricane season (June-November). If the captains say it is too rough, the boat does not go.
Base yourself in Marsh Harbour for easy ferry access, or stay out on a cay. Live prices are listed below.
Marsh Harbour · steps from the ferry dock
The Abacos' main full-service resort, with a marina, two pools and beachfront rooms. The most convenient base for catching early G&L runs to the cays.
Check AvailabilityHope Town, Elbow Cay · ~20 min by ferry
A classic island inn a short stroll from the candy-striped lighthouse, with a hillside pool overlooking the harbour. Perfect if you want to stay out on Elbow Cay.
Check AvailabilityGreat Guana Cay · ~30–45 min by ferry
Colourful cottages right on Guana Cay's long ocean beach, a short walk from Nippers Beach Bar and its legendary Sunday party.
Check AvailabilityDisclosure: BahamasHopping earns a commission when you book through these links, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Quick answers for island hopping in the Abacos
Round-trip fares are $25 per adult from Marsh Harbour to Hope Town, Man-O-War Cay or Great Guana Cay, on an open return; one way is $15. Children 6-12 pay $10 one way / $15 round trip and under-5s travel free (2026). You buy tickets at the dock — no reservations needed. Bring cash, as the cays are largely cash-only.
From The Crossing dock in Marsh Harbour, right as you come into town. There's also a G&L office on Front Street in Great Guana Cay. Just show up before the scheduled departure and pay at the dock.
No. G&L runs scheduled daily departures roughly every 1–2 hours and you simply buy your ticket at the dock. Charters and group bookings (weddings, sports teams, church groups) can be arranged in advance by calling the office at (242) 816-2628.
Marsh Harbour on Great Abaco connects to Hope Town (Elbow Cay), Man-O-War Cay and Great Guana Cay, plus on-request service to Scotland Cay. None of these cays allow rental cars, so the ferry is how most visitors get around.
G&L Transportation (founded 2012 by Grant Albury and Lyle Sawyer) and the long-established Albury's Ferry Service announced a merger to combine their Abaco operations. Both brands run the same Marsh Harbour–cays routes; together they offer more frequent, coordinated departures. Schedules may still appear under either name, so confirm current times at the dock.
Not for the hop itself — it's domestic travel within the Bahamas. But every traveler (including US citizens and children) needs a valid passport to enter the Bahamas by air or sea in the first place. Carry photo ID on the cays.
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