About Exumas

The chain of 365 cays spread over more than 100 miles in the Bahamas, known collectively as The Exumas, looks an awful lot like a paradise: Sugary beaches, sapphire waters, long sunny days and boundless potential for adventure. Any lover of the ocean and beaches should add a visit to The Exumas to their to-do list.

As many believe, Exumas Islands are the most beautiful part of the Bahamas Islands.

Probably that’s why many celebrities like David Copperfield, Johnny Depp, Nicolas Cage, John Travolta, Eddie Murphy, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Chuck Norris, Sir Richard Branson, Tyler Perry, Eddie Irvine and some others own islands in The Exumas.

No worries! There are still hundreds of islands that you may explore…

Location

The Exuma Islands are located 35 miles south-east of Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, and are a group of 150 islands and cays which extend in a 100 mile arc to the south.

George Town, the capital of the Exumas, is located 130 miles south-east of Nassau. It is also located on the island of Great Exuma which is the most developed part of the islands chain.

Regular flights arrive from Nassau and Islands (The Bahamas), Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Atlanta (USA) and Toronto (Canada).

There are several airstrips through the islands with the main one being located at Moss Town on the island of Great Exuma.

Sports

The Exumas’ crystal-clear waters are perfect for kayaking, kiting, windsurfing, paddle boading, snorkeling, wave runners adventures, sailing as well as an assortment of other water sports.

Exumas are a must-visit for lovers of water sports!

Famous and beautiful Greg Norman’s Golf Course attracts many golfers from all over the world.

Deep sea fishing is great, but many people love reef or bone fishing in Exumas.

Beaches

Travelers in search of a secluded slice of beach paradise can bounce among small, uninhabited isles in the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park.

End the day with a plate of fresh-caught seafood and a cocktail or beer by the beach – perhaps you will opt for one that’s the same shade as the ocean’s gorgeous palette of blues and greens.

Dining

There are variety of bars and restaurants in the Exumas and Cays, from really local and funny to more stylish ones.

See our Dining Guide for more information.

When to go to Exumas

With temperate weather and sunshine year-round, you can make your Exumas travel plans practically any time.

Many travelers prefer to visit the Exumas in the winter when temperatures are balmy and dry.

November through May are the best months to enjoy The Paradise! Upps, The Exumas…with an average temperature 75-85 F (24-30 C) during day time with just slightly less or the same during the night.

June through October marks the Exumas’ rainy season. This being said cloudy or rainy days are very rare in The Exumas. Most of the “rainy” or “cloudy” days means one-two hours rain and a few hours of clouds, then sun again… All same – Paradise!

Sea temperature vary from 75-80 F (24-26 C) in the winter-spring to 80-85 (26-30 C) in the summer-autumn months.

Things not to miss in the Exumas

  • Boat or wave runner tours upto Exumas Cays with its famous swimming pigs, lemon and nurse sharks, lizards, sting rays and much more.
  • Scuba diving with Dive Exuma, one of the Bahamas’ highest-rated dive operations.
  • Renting a boat or kayak to cruise the cays at your leisure.
  • Taking a guided tour of Moriah Cay and Elizabeth Harbour and the nearby beaches and reefs with fish spots and turtles nursery as well as Stoking Island fun.
  • Grabbing a drink at a beachside bar on the two largest islands in the chain: Great Exuma and Little Exuma.
  • Enjoying a bite at the Chat & Chill Sunday pig roast in George Town, on Great Exuma.

The “Jewels” Of The Exumas To Explore

Explore the cays by boat

The 365 spectacular islands and cays of the Exumas are best appreciated from the water, but even if you can’t cruise the expansive island chain on your own boat, you can still easily charter a boat. Start in Barraterre and head northwest, stopping at any heavenly sandbar or uninhabited cay you like, but making sure to shore up at a few of the highlights: drop anchor near big majors cay and take a dip with the infamous swimming pigs; dock at Staniel Cay Yacht Club for some cracked conch at the grill; snorkel through the hollowed-out sea cave at Thunderball grotto – site of the famous 007 film, “Thunderball”; then chill out with a cold beer at Compass Cay.

Tropic of cancer beach

Just south of Rolle town on Great Exuma, the one-lane, end-of-the-road bridge known as “the ferry” will guide you to quiet little Exuma, home to what is arguably the Exumas’ loveliest beach accessible by car. There aren’t many amenities nearby and you aren’t likely to find any beachside vendors hawking drinks or souvenirs here, but if seclusion is your thing, plan to spread out a beach towel and stay a while. When you’re ready for a snack, break out your picnic lunch or cruise up the road to Santana’s Grill in Williams town for a cocktail and some of the best conch fritters around and lobster in caramel sauce.

Stocking island

Hop a quick ferry from Government Dock in Georgetown over to Stocking Island, a sandy five-mile stretch of land just a mile across Elizabeth Harbour from mainland Great Exuma. The island’s Water Taxi bring you from George Town on the island, the spirited Chat’N’Chill beach bar and grill serves up specials like barbecue ribs, conch salad with very hot local sauce, conch burgers and their knock-your-socks-off specialty cocktail, the Goombay Smash. Owner Kenneth Bowe – known among the locals as KB – serves up an amazing pig roast on Sundays if your schedule allows for it. Whatever day of the week, the area also boasts fantastic snorkeling and diving spots for the water-sports lover. The whole of stocking island is accessible only by boat. featured drink: The Goombay Smash…

www.chatnchill.com

Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park

Eco- and water-sports-lovers can’t miss this 176-square-mile nature preserve that encompasses more than 20 miles of cays between conch cut and wax cay cut. Drop anchor at the park’s headquarters on Warderick wells and pick up a map, information guides and a couple souvenirs; then head out on a nature hike or throw on your fins for a snorkel around the protected waters offshore. Managed by the Bahamas national trust, the region has been a no-take zone since 1985, so coral and marine life in the park is among the most spectacular in all of the Bahamas. Divers can explore reefs made of Stromatolites, the oldest living creatures on the planet – estimated to be 2,000 years old.

www.bnt.bs/parks_exuma.php

George town Fish Fry

Serious foodies and casual diners alike can find an authentic Bahamian meal at Fish Fry, the tangle of tiny pavilions and shacks located along the shore a few miles outside of George Town. There are no official “hours of operation,” but most of the vendors are open nightly for dinner, with business winding down along with the crowds of locals by around 11 pm. Grab a bite of fresh fish, cracked conch or even pizza, then kick back with a beer or join the locals for a game of dominoes at one of the outdoor picnic tables. Whatever your pleasure, you’re likely to find more than just a tasty meal at the Fish Fry. Prices vary by vendor; most are cash-only.

There are plenty of other unspoiled, virgin and secluded spots in The Exumas.Take your time and explore…enjoy…endless adventure…