Hard Bargain

Hard Bargain is the main settlement and commercial center of Moore's Island, an 11 km (7 mile) long cay in the Abaco district of the Bahamas. Positioned approximately 45 km (28 miles) west of Sandy Point on mainland Abaco in the shallow Bight of Abaco, the island has a population of roughly 950 residents. Hard Bargain contains the district's government dock, mailboat landing, local council office, and primary general store, while the island's second settlement, The Bight, sits 5 km (3 miles) to the north.

Travelers visit Moore's Island primarily for fly fishing across its surrounding saltwater flats. The island also holds a notable athletic reputation: local coaching on its unpaved track produced world-class sprinters, including Tokyo 2020 Olympic 400m gold medalist Steven Gardiner. Beyond sports fishing and track history, visitors come to explore inland blue holes, dive offshore coral reefs, and experience quiet island living away from resort crowds.

The island experiences a subtropical marine climate. Summer (June to October) is hot and humid, with daily high temperatures between 28°C and 33°C (82°F–91°F) and frequent rainfall, coinciding with Atlantic hurricane season. Winter (November to April) brings dry weather, daytime temperatures from 21°C to 26°C (70°F–79°F), and steady trade winds.

By Plane

Moore's Island Airport (ICAO: MYAO) is located 3 km (1.9 miles) north of Hard Bargain. The airfield consists of an 805-meter (2,640-foot) gravel runway equipped with solar lighting. No scheduled commercial airlines serve MYAO. Visitors must arrange private air charter flights operating from Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau (IATA: NAS; 140 km / 87 miles south; 35-minute flight time) or Marsh Harbour Airport (IATA: MHH; 56 km / 35 miles northeast; 15-minute flight time). One-way private charters cost between BSD $600 and $1,500 ($600 to $1,500 USD) per aircraft.

By Bus

No bus service.

By Train

No train service.

By Car / Road

No bridges or car ferries connect Moore's Island to mainland Abaco or other Bahamian islands. Within the island, a single unpaved and asphalt road links Hard Bargain to The Bight (5 km / 3.1 miles, approximately 10 minutes by car). Vehicles drive on the left side of the road.

By Boat

Government mailboats, including M/V Champion II, depart Potter's Cay Dock in Nassau once weekly bound for Hard Bargain Dock. The sea voyage takes 8 to 12 hours depending on weather and cargo stops, costing BSD $45 to $60 ($45 to $60 USD) one-way per passenger. Private boat charters from Sandy Point on mainland Abaco (45 km / 28 miles east) cross the Bight of Abaco in 1 to 1.5 hours, costing BSD $750 to $1,500 ($750 to $1,500 USD) for the vessel.

Hard Bargain is compact enough to explore on foot. Traveling between Hard Bargain and The Bight or accessing the airstrip requires a golf cart or a pickup truck taxi arranged through local residents. Golf cart rentals cost BSD $40 to $60 ($40 to $60 USD) per day and must be reserved in advance through your lodging host. No ride-hailing applications operate on the island. All transport providers require cash payment in Bahamian Dollars (BSD) or US Dollars (USD).

• Hard Bargain Government Dock: Free entry. The central waterfront area of the settlement where weekly mailboats unload freight and local fishermen land their daily catches.

• Moore's Island Sports Track: Free entry. The unpaved sprinting track in Hard Bargain where track coach Anthony Williams trained Bahamian Olympic gold medalist Steven Gardiner.

• Inland Blue Holes and Caves: Free entry. Natural limestone sinkholes and cave formations located in the interior brushland; reached via unpaved footpaths with a local guide.

• The Bight Settlement: Free entry. Located 5 km north of Hard Bargain, featuring wooden family homes, a shallow bay, and a traditional fishing dock.

• East Coast Beaches: Free entry. Undeveloped stretches of white sand facing the open waters of the Bight of Abaco along the island's eastern shore.

• Saltwater Fly Fishing for Bonefish: Guided fishing trips across the shallow flats of the Bight of Abaco. Local guides supply skiffs and tackle advice. Full-day guided charters cost BSD $500 to $800 ($500 to $800 USD).

• Reef Snorkeling and Diving: Swimming along shallow offshore barrier reefs. Visitors must bring their own snorkel gear or arrange equipment through a charter boat, as there are no rental dive shops on the island.

• Kayaking Mangrove Channels: Paddling through protected coastal inlets and shallow mangrove creeks using kayaks available at local fishing camps.

• Island Walking and Bird Watching: Walking the 5 km main island road to spot native shorebirds, herons, egrets, and migratory species.

Dining choices are limited to small local establishments and home kitchens, as no commercial restaurant chains exist.

• Parakeet Paradise Hookah Lounge & Grill (Hard Bargain Waterfront) – Grill near the dock serving fried snapper, cracked conch, pork chops, and fries. Cuisine: Bahamian Grill & Seafood. Price Tier: Budget–Mid-range (BSD $10–$25 / $10–$25 USD).
• Midway Inn Restaurant & Bar (The Bight) – Local eatery offering Bahamian meals including peas 'n' rice, steamed fish, and conch fritters. Cuisine: Bahamian. Price Tier: Budget–Mid-range (BSD $12–$28 / $12–$28 USD).
• Local Home Kitchens (Hard Bargain) – Meal service prepared by island residents upon advance request for visiting boaters and anglers. Cuisine: Bahamian Home Cooking. Price Tier: Budget (BSD $10–$20 / $10–$20 USD).

Local settlement bars in Hard Bargain and The Bight serve Bahamian beers such as Kalik and Sands (BSD $4–$6 / $4–$6 USD), rum drinks, and sodas. Tap water across the island comes from rainwater cisterns or groundwater wells and is unsafe for unboiled consumption; purchase bottled drinking water from the general store.

Lodging on Moore's Island is scarce and requires advance reservation.

• Moore's Island Bonefish Camp (Hard Bargain) – Dedicated fishing lodge catering to anglers, offering guest rooms, daily meals, and guided fishing trips. Mid-range (BSD $250–$450 / $250–$450 USD per person per night, including meals).
• Local Guesthouses & Private Rooms (Hard Bargain and The Bight) – Simple self-catering rooms and guest suites operated by local families. Budget (BSD $80–$150 / $80–$150 USD per night).
• Upscale: No luxury hotels or resorts operate on Moore's Island. Travelers seeking luxury accommodations stay aboard private yachts anchored offshore or at resorts on main Abaco (such as Marsh Harbour or Schooner Bay) and visit Moore's Island by charter boat.

Hard Bargain has a single general store selling basic groceries, canned foods, snacks, bottled water, and household basics. There are no credit card machines, banks, or ATMs on Moore's Island. All transactions require cash. The Bahamian Dollar (BSD) is pegged 1:1 with the US Dollar (USD), and US currency is accepted across all businesses.

• Sandy Point, Abaco: 45 km (28 miles) east by boat. A quiet mainland Abaco fishing village known for bonefishing lodges and fresh seafood restaurants.
• Marsh Harbour, Abaco: 56 km (35 miles) northeast by charter flight or boat. The primary commercial center of the Abaco Islands, featuring Marsh Harbour Airport (MHH), full-service marinas, grocery stores, and hotels.
• Castaway Cay (Gorda Cay): 25 km (15 miles) east by boat. A private cay in the Abaco chain visible when traveling between Moore's Island and Sandy Point.
• Nassau, New Providence: 140 km (87 miles) south by mailboat or charter flight. Capital city of the Bahamas, offering Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS), resorts, dining, and historic landmarks.