Tucked into the crystal-clear waters of the Sea of Abaco, Man-O-War Cay (MOW) is one of the Bahamas' best-kept secrets — a small, peaceful island where time slows down, neighbors know each other by name, and the ocean is never more than a short stroll away.
The island is roughly 2½ miles long and, in places, barely 100 meters wide — meaning you're always close to both the protected harbour on the west side and the Atlantic beach on the east. Life here moves at an unhurried pace, and we hope you let it carry you along.
Man-O-War takes its name from the magnificent frigate bird — known locally as the man-o-war bird — that soars overhead in these waters. The island's human story begins in 1798, when British Loyalists planted roots here. In 1820, a young sailor named Benjamin Albury was shipwrecked on the reef offshore and rescued by the Archer family; he married Eleanor Archer, and their descendants have shaped the island ever since.
Today, roughly 70% of Man-O-War's few hundred residents are Albury descendants. The island has earned a worldwide reputation as the boat-building capital of the Bahamas, where generations of craftsmen have built schooners, dinghies, and fiberglass vessels of extraordinary quality.
The community is close-knit, deeply faithful, and proudly easygoing. Sundays are quiet. Visitors are warmly welcomed — just bring an easygoing spirit and respect for the local way of life.
First things first — double-check those passports! It never hurts to make sure everything is valid well before your travel date. And don't forget to bring cash: there are no ATMs on Man-O-War, and several places only take cash.
Fly into Marsh Harbour, Abaco (MHH). If you're on Bahamasair from Palm Beach, note their baggage policy (and always confirm with your airline — policies change):
- Carry-on: 20 lb limit free; overweight carry-on charged $35.
- Personal item: one medium-sized bag, free.
- Checked luggage: 50 lb limit, $35 first bag.
When you land
- Have your passport handy and a pen on the plane — you'll get an immigration card to fill out before landing. House #: Colibrí Cottage · Street: Poinciana Lane · Island: Man-O-War Cay.
- You might want to use the restroom before anything else — bathrooms aren't always handy along the way.
- Immigration will ask how long and why you're staying. Easy answer: "Vacation," staying at "Colibrí Cottage on Man-O-War."
- Pick up your luggage, then customs. If you have nothing unusual to declare, just say "Personal items."
- Outside, grab a taxi to the ferry dock (~10 min, around $20 a person). Need a stop along the way? Tell your driver before you leave — add $5–$10.
A few insider tips before you go
Mention these phrases and you'll sound like a local — and get a fair fare:
- "I need to catch the (4:30) ferry to Man-O-War at The Crossing." Using the right dock name matters!
- "Can we make a quick stop at Maxwell's first?" (Don't just say "the grocery store.") Best selection & better prices than on the cay.
- "And a quick stop at Dockside too, please." This is the store for beer, wine & spirits.
One last thing: it's BAhamian, not BOhemian — and Cay is pronounced "Key." 🙂
G&L / Albury Ferry Service at The Crossing. When you arrive at the ferry, someone will ask where you're headed and will most likely take your luggage — this is completely normal and safe, simply part of their process to help boarding go smoothly.
The ferry runs from Marsh Harbour (MH) to MOW. Tokens can be purchased at the dock — buy a round trip and receive two tokens (one to board, one to save for your return), or grab single one-way tokens for flexibility. The crossing takes 20–30 minutes and treats you to gorgeous views of the cays along the way.
| Mon–Fri · MH→MOW | Mon–Fri · MOW→MH | Saturdays | Sun & Holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6:30 AM | 5:30 AM | MH→MOW 6:30 · 10:30 · 1:00 · 4:30 | MH→MOW 6:30 (hol) · 7:30 (sun) · 10:30 · 1:00 · 4:30 |
| 10:30 AM | 8:00 AM | MOW→MH 8:00 · 11:00 · 1:30 · 5:00 | MOW→MH 8:00 · 11:00 (hol) · 1:30 · 5:00 |
| 1:00 PM | 11:00 AM | (Sat last MOW→MH 5:30) | Times vary — confirm locally |
| 3:30 PM | 1:30 PM | ||
| 4:30 PM | 5:00 PM | ||
| 5:30 PM |
Contact G&L Transportation: The Crossing (242) 816-2628 · gandlferry.com
How to get to Colibrí: walking or by golf cart
The walk is roughly under half a mile and very easy to navigate. From the G&L / Albury Ferry Dock:
- Left onto Sea Road.
- Right onto Lover's Lane, at the very end of Sea Road — you'll spot Albury's Sail Shop.
- Cross Queen's Highway, MOW's main road.
- Pass the first property on the corner — Colibrí is next, patiently waiting for you! Look for the light-blue cottage with two large trees out front.
Golf carts are the island's most popular way to get around, and there are almost no cars on MOW. The island is small enough to explore entirely on foot, but hot days can make it tiring — so we recommend a golf cart to make your stay more enjoyable. The harbour road and the footpath to the ocean beach are both short and beautiful.
Two rental options will meet you right at the ferry dock — just call ahead, especially in busy season (carts go fast!):
Carts R Us · (242) 801-1576 | MOW Marina Cart Rental · (242) 554-9500
Sun, sea & sand
Community, culture & coastal finds
Albury's Sail Shop — more than 70 years ago, "Uncle" Norman Albury stitched sails for the sea. Today his legacy lives on through three generations of Albury women who handcraft stunning canvas bags, hats, and accessories. "Aunt" Annie Albury — the heart of the shop for over 60 years — still sews on her grandmother's old machine, and her smile lights up the room. (A little secret: Aunt Annie is our son-in-law Aaron's great-aunt, and our granddaughter Eden has inherited her sweet smile.)
Albury Brothers Boats — the island's most iconic landmark. The Albury family has been building boats for generations; please look up its fascinating story.
Man-O-War Heritage Museum — a charming, free museum and a love letter to the island's boat-building history. Don't miss the upstairs, and treat yourself to something sweet at the lovely Coffee Shop while you're there!
More shops to visit: Joe's Studio Gift Shop · The Marina Gift Shop · Albury's Designs Woodworking · Grandpy Shell Shop. (If you're bringing conch shells home as a souvenir, pack them in checked baggage only.)
Day trips from Man-O-War
Hope Town (Elbow Cay) — famous for its iconic candy-striped lighthouse, charming pastel cottages, and nearby Tahiti Beach. A must-visit!
Guana Cay — known for five miles of white-sand beach and the lively beach bar Nippers; perfect for a fun day out with great food, snorkeling, and stunning Atlantic views.
For exploring nearby cays and sandbars, boat rentals are available from WaterWays Boat Rentals and Man-O-War Marina. If you have time, visit Treasure Cay — wow, the water there is the best!
MOW Eats is a WhatsApp community group where locals sell homemade food, baked goods, ice cream, fresh eggs, coffee, and other goodies — very convenient, especially on days when everything's closed. Scan the QR code to browse daily offerings and message sellers directly. (You can leave the group anytime.)
- Man-O-War Marina Restaurant — a great sit-down spot.
- Outsider's Takeaway — to-go meals only.
- The Coffee Shop — open mornings.
- Russell's Grocery — occasional homemade foods.
- The Shop — the main grocery store.
Please note: prices on the islands tend to run higher than in the US.
Disconnect to reconnect
Man-O-War has public beach access points — please use the designated paths and roads. The street where Colibrí sits has a narrow path (about 3 feet wide) that leads to the beach. Stay on this path and resist cutting through the lots on either side; those are your neighbors' private property. Stay on the path and it's absolutely okay — almost like a little secret path to paradise.
Power outages are a natural part of island life, so don't be surprised if the lights go out for a bit. Colibrí doesn't yet have a generator, so when the power goes, everything takes a little vacation — AC, Wi-Fi, lights, and water. In summer, things can get… tropical. Think of it as a complimentary sauna session! 😄 When in doubt, head to the water — the beach is always just steps away.
Honestly? We think that's the island's gentle way of reminding you why you're here. Put the phones down, turn to each other, and let the breeze, the stars, the sound of the sea, and the stillness do the rest.
We are so grateful you're about to experience Colibrí. You didn't just happen to find her — you were brought here, and we believe that's no coincidence.
Three hurricanes changed our plans, and the winds quite literally brought us to Man-O-War. When you visit Albury Brothers Boats, look out toward the harbour — you just might spot a small catamaran named FAITH. She was our home for three years, and this was the first island she brought us to. Some things are just meant to be.
Colibrí has been loved for nearly 60 years — first by a couple whose French wife named her, because in French colibri means hummingbird. We simply changed the spelling to Spanish, because, well… she needed a little bit of us too. May your time here fill your heart as much as this little cottage has filled ours.
Find us online @colibricottagebahamas on Instagram & Facebook.