We walked up the hill from the dinghy dock to the base of the 89 foot red and white striped Elbow Reef lighthouse...also known as the 'Hope Town Lighthouse'. This Lighthouse is the last hand-wound, kerosene-burning lighthouse left in the world and the entire lighthouse operates without electricity. This historical landmark and its traditional hand-powered technology is maintained by donations to the the 'Elbow Reef Lighthouse Society', a non-profit historical society.

While climbing the circular wood and iron steps, we paused at each of the arched windows to look out at the view. We had chosen the perfect day and the colours of the Atlantic Ocean and Sea of Abaco were incredible shades of blue. We had a really good view of the numerous reefs and shoals too! We reached the area where the kerosene is stored and saw the system for lighting the mantle. Then we were at the level just below the Fresnel lens and could see the facets of the lens and the gears that rotate it every 15 seconds. At this level there is a very small, low 'door' and we crouched down to squeeze through it and out onto the 'main gallery' or balcony. The view was fabulous and worth climbing 101 steps to the top...a great experience at the lighthouse!