Tilloo Cut (Elbow Cay)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Tilloo Cut (Elbow Cay) is an exposed reef and point break known for consistent surf during the winter season. It’s a right-hand reef wave that can be powerful and peeling when the swell is on, with conditions described as good when north or northeast swells are running. While access is possible, it is primarily boat-based: the spot sits at the southern tip of Elbow Cay, and reaching it requires chartering a boat to cross the gap in the cay. The spot’s hazard profile is significant. Expect sharp rocks and reef structure, plus risks reported to include sharks, sea urchins, and coral. Beyond the bottom hazards, the tidal flow through the cut is described as extremely strong; this can quickly pull a swimmer or surfer out to sea if you’re not fully prepared for local current timing and behavior. Winter is repeatedly identified as the optimum time of year for surfing here, aligning with offshore wind directions from the west (with winter winds often helping groom the face). For surf quality, sources describe offshore winds from the west or southwest as beneficial, and also note that the spot can handle size—but becomes very heavy with dangerous currents as swell increases. The preferred tide is mid tide, and ride lengths are described as medium with fast sections over the coral reef. Overall, this is positioned as an advanced location where success depends on careful entry/exit planning, current awareness, and respecting the reef environment. Practicalities are limited at the spot itself: there are no lifeguards reported, and rescue is characterized as limited. It’s also largely undocumented in terms of detailed operational information, so plan for extra uncertainty around conditions once you arrive. In terms of overall demand, it is described as low-profile/remote, with fewer crowds expected because the access is difficult and dependent on boat capability.
- Consistent winter reef/point surf
- Right-hand peeling waves with fast sections over reef
- Strong tidal currents through the cut
- Clear water visibility typical of the out-islands
- Consistent winter surf at an exposed reef/point break
- Offshore west to west-southwest winds help groom faces during the best season
- Very clear water visibility typical of the out-islands
- Boat-only access across the Elbow Cay gap makes planning essential
- Strong tidal currents, rocky reef/urchins/coral create high consequence if you mis-time entry/exit
- Surf is exposed; conditions can become very heavy with dangerous currents on bigger swell
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, SW
- Offshore directions
- W
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade-wind driven conditions; best surfing season aligns with winter cold-front influence.
- Reliability
- moderate to 67% monthly blown percentage
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusting reported.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, November, December
- Shadow Zones
- possible turbulence behind the southern tip of Elbow Cay on North winds
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocky/reef composition.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Medium wave size reported; can become very heavy on larger swell.
- Launch
- Small — Predominantly boat-access; limited rocky shore entry.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Boat-first access and difficult, reef-proximate entry.
Through the year
Rarely crowded due to boat-only access
June to November (Hurricane Season)
By sport
What to expect for each.
Considered expert-only due to proximity to sharp reefs and intense current in the cut; many kiters prefer nearby flat water for practicality.
- Kite Sizes
- 8–12 m²
Potentially rideable in the swell, but strong current and shallow reef sections make it high-risk; foil friendly is limited.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Limited foil-friendliness reported.
- Min Depth
- varies
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed reef and point break with consistent surf in winter; a swell magnet for trade-wind-driven swell patterns. Best when a solid north or northeast swell is running.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- N, NE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide is preferred for the right-hand reef/point wave.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed reef and point setup.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the west or southwest help groom the wave face.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle significant size but becomes very heavy with dangerous currents.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality described as good.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Premier, powerful reef/point break when swell is solid.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Known for consistent peeling right-hand waves.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast sections over a coral reef.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Medium ride length reported.
- Ride Length Details
- Fast sections over a coral reef; right-hand reef wave.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Tilloo Cut (Elbow Cay) in the full forecast view.
Tilloo Cut (Elbow Cay) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 9–17 ktsGusts 26 kts
- Direction
- NE53°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2517 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.1–2.5 m9s period
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C
Over the next 7 days, Tilloo Cut (Elbow Cay) is forecast for daytime winds of 9–17 kts, peaking around 17 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 26 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 1.1–2.5 m with a period of about 9s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- rocks
- sharks
- sea urchins
- coral
- sharp coral
- strong tidal currents
- strong tidal surges
- coral heads
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported at the spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional rescue is limited; assume self-rescue/boat support is necessary.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facility is the Marsh Harbour Healthcare Centre; emergency numbers are 911 or 919.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Sources describe localism as none/mild rather than restrictive.
Rules of the spot
Standard surf etiquette applies; navigate with caution in the cut and avoid entering with larger vessels when conditions are bigger than expected.
- Primarily accessible by boat; boat-only access across the gap in the cay is required for Tilloo Cut.
- Avoid high waves when entering Tilloo Cut with larger vessels.
- The cut has very strong tidal currents that can pull a swimmer or surfer out to sea quickly; avoid going in without being fully familiar with local conditions.
- Expect very rocky/reef-proximate takeoff and landing—plan for controlled entries and exits.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Hope Town
- Nearest Town
- Hope Town
- Nearest Airport
- Leonard M. Thompson International Airport (MHH) in Marsh Harbour (with ferry transfer)
- Parking
- No vehicle parking; boat mooring or anchoring only
- Public Transport
- Limited to ferry services between Marsh Harbour and Hope Town; golf carts are primary on the island.
- Access
- Requires chartering a boat to cross the gap in the cay to reach the uninhabited southern part of Elbow Cay where Tilloo Cut is located.
- Cost Level
- Expensive
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Rental villas on Elbow Cay and Lubbers Quarters; numerous rentals around Elbow Cay and Hope Town.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurants located further north on Elbow Cay or on Lubbers Quarters.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals at the spot; shops available in Hope Town or Marsh Harbour.
- Gear Storage
- Limited dedicated storage; most riders store gear at accommodations.
- Gear Repair
- No specialized repair at the spot; minor repairs handled elsewhere/individually.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Iconic Hope Town and Elbow Cay attractions are concentrated around the lighthouse, local history, and nearby island nature areas; access is via the Elbow Cay community before reaching Tilloo Cut by boat.
Iconic red-and-white striped candy-cane lighthouse.
Museum dedicated to the history of the Loyalist settlers and maritime heritage of Hope Town.
Vibrant coral reef systems south of Elbow Cay within the Pelican Cays Land and Sea Park.
Popular waterfront dining known for local seafood and sunset views over the Sea of Abaco.
A shallow, sandy point perfect for families, swimming, and searching for sea glass at low tide.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Tilloo Cut (Elbow Cay)?
The best overall months at Tilloo Cut (Elbow Cay) are January, February, March, April, May. The best wind months are January, February, March, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Tilloo Cut (Elbow Cay)?
Tilloo Cut (Elbow Cay) works with W, SW winds. Offshore directions are W.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Tilloo Cut (Elbow Cay)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Tilloo Cut (Elbow Cay): Kitesurfing: 8–12 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Tilloo Cut (Elbow Cay) suitable for?
Tilloo Cut (Elbow Cay) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Expert · Wingfoiling: Expert · Surfing: Advanced.