Ultimate Exuma Travel Guide (Great Exuma + The Exuma Cays)
The Exumas are the kind of destination that feels too surreal to be real—electric-turquoise water, untouched sandbars, celebrity private islands, and remote cays where swimming pigs, gentle nurse sharks, and curious iguanas wait to greet visitors. Whether you're a luxury traveler, a honeymoon couple, a family looking for soft adventure, or a photographer chasing the most jaw-dropping scenery in The Bahamas, the Exumas are unforgettable.
This ultimate guide breaks down everything you need to know about Great Exuma, Little Exuma, and the world-famous Exuma Cays, creating a one-stop planning resource for your entire trip.
Geography: Understanding Great Exuma & The Exuma Cays
Exuma is made up of 365 islands and cays—one for every day of the year. They fall into three primary regions:
1. Great Exuma
The main island where most hotels, restaurants, and the airport are located. Georgetown serves as the commercial hub.
2. Little Exuma
Connected by a bridge, quieter and more rural, with some of the best beaches.
3. The Exuma Cays
Dozens of small islands stretching north toward Nassau, home to:
Most travelers stay on Great Exuma and visit the cays via boat tours.
How to Get to Exuma
By Air
The main airport is Exuma International Airport (GGT) in Great Exuma, with direct flights from:
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Miami
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Fort Lauderdale
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Atlanta
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Charlotte
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Toronto (seasonal)
Flights from Nassau take about 35 minutes.
By Boat
Private yachts frequently travel the cays, and some travelers arrive via:
If staying in Great Exuma, a full-day boat tour is the easiest way to reach the cays.
Where to Stay in Exuma
Exuma offers a mix of resorts, boutique hotels, and high-end villas.
1. Resorts
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Sandals Emerald Bay – Luxury all-inclusive with a private beach and an award-winning golf course.
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Grand Isle Resort – Spacious villas, ideal for couples and families.
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Kahari Resort – Eco-luxury on Stocking Island with elevated dining and ocean views.
2. Boutique Hotels
3. Luxury Villas
Villa rentals are extremely popular in Exuma due to privacy and oceanfront locations. Areas with the best villa options include:
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Tar Bay
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Hooper’s Bay
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February Point
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Emerald Bay Corridor
These are ideal for extended stays, groups, or celebrity-level privacy.
How to Get Around Exuma
Transportation is simple, but distances are longer than many expect.
Rental Cars
Highly recommended for exploring Great Exuma and Little Exuma at your own pace. Roads are easy to navigate.
Taxis
Reliable but limited in number. Best used for airport transfers and dinners.
Water Taxis
Used mainly to reach Stocking Island, home to Chat ’N’ Chill and stunning beaches.
Boat Rentals
Perfect for confident boaters who want to navigate the cays independently, though experience is recommended due to shallow waters and sandbars.
Best Things to Do in Exuma
1. Pig Beach (Big Major Cay)
The most famous attraction in the entire Bahamas. Visitors can feed, swim, and take photos with the pigs while cruising the Exuma Cays.
2. Staniel Cay & Thunderball Grotto
This underwater cave system—featured in James Bond—offers some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean.
3. Compass Cay Sharks
Swim with friendly nurse sharks in shallow, clear water. Safe, photogenic, and iconic.
4. Allen’s Cay Iguanas
A protected species found only in the Exumas. They are gentle, curious, and great for photos.
5. Stocking Island
Just a short water taxi from Georgetown:
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Calm lagoon
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Chat ’N’ Chill beach bar
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Stingray encounters
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Hiking trails
Perfect for a relaxing beach day.
6. Exuma Sandbars
The sandbars between cays—especially near Pipe Creek—are some of the most beautiful scenes in the entire Bahamas. Best visited at low tide.
7. Beaches on Great Exuma & Little Exuma
Don’t miss:
Each offers clear, shallow water and golden-white sand.
Best Islands to Visit in the Exuma Cays
1. Staniel Cay
The gateway to the cays, with a marina, restaurants, boutique hotels, and direct access to Pig Beach and Thunderball Grotto.
2. Big Major Cay
Home of Pig Beach.
3. Compass Cay
Famous for nurse sharks and natural pools.
4. Bitter Guana Cay
Home to Rock Iguanas.
5. Little Farmers Cay
A charming settlement with traditional Bahamian character.
6. Shroud Cay
Part of the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park—beautiful mangrove rivers and pristine lagoons.
Top Tours in Exuma
Full-Day Exuma Cays Adventure
Most popular tour covering:
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Pig Beach
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Shark diving
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Thunderball Grotto
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Iguanas
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Sandbars
A must for first-time visitors.
Half-Day Turtle Tours
Depart from Great Exuma to Hooper’s Bay to swim with sea turtles, followed by snorkeling.
Private Boat Charters
For travelers wanting to customize their itinerary. Outstanding for photography and secluded islands.
Stocking Island Day Trip
Inexpensive and easy from Georgetown.
Dining in Exuma
The Exumas are known for fresh seafood, laid-back beach bars, and upscale island cuisine.
Popular Local Restaurants
Upscale Options
Signature Dishes
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Cracked conch
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Grilled lobster
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Peas n’ rice
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Conch salad
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Guava duff
Best Time to Visit Exuma
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Peak Season: December–April (dry, cool, perfect weather)
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Best Water Clarity: February–June
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Warmest Water: July–September
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Budget-friendly: September–November
Tips for First-Time Visitors
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Book boat tours early—they sell out months ahead.
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Rent a car for maximum freedom.
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Bring a dry bag, reef-safe sunscreen, and water shoes.
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Expect limited nightlife; Exuma is peaceful and nature-driven.
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Drones are allowed but must follow guidelines—Exuma is a drone paradise.
Final Thoughts
The Exumas deliver a level of natural beauty and island freedom that is rare even in the Caribbean. With its luminous water, untouched cays, iconic Pig Beach, world-class boating, and a friendly local culture, Exuma feels like a dream brought to life. Whether you plan to explore the entire chain by boat or unwind on Great Exuma’s beaches, this guide gives you everything you need to plan your perfect trip.