Exuma is a district of the Bahamas, consisting of over 360 islands (or cays). The largest of the cays, and the only one with any significant population, is Great Exuma, which is 37 mi (60 km) in length.

Islands

Many of the islands in the Exumas are privately owned. Only inhabited islands open to the public (or at least paying guests) are listed here.

  • Great Exuma
  • Fowl Cay
  • Iguana Cay
  • Musha Cay — super-exclusive resort that hosts only one group of up to 20 guests at a time
  • Staniel Cay

Cities

Culture and History

Travel to Exuma - Visa Requirements

The Exuma island chain is 130 mi (209 km) long. The northernmost islands are under an hour away from Nassau by speedboat and many tour operators offer day trips. George Town on Great Exuma has the only airport in the islands, which receives flights from Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and Nassau. Visiting any of the other islands more or less requires your own boat.

Tours and Getting around Exuma

Great Exuma can be seen via car. The other islands are accessible only by tour charter or boat.

Car and boat rental is available in George Town, Great Exuma.

Exuma tourist attractions and sightseeing

  • Saddleback Cay. A private island owned by Island World Adventures [1], which runs one-day trips from Nassau daily ($190/pp). The island has seven beaches, including the gorgeous Half Moon Beach, shallow reefs in the vicinity and a spot where giant nurse sharks gather daily to be fed.
  • Thunderball Grotto, where the James Bond film Thunderball was filmed.

Itineraries

Exuma city tours

Boating

Snorkeling

Diving

Fishing

Exuma Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

  • Chat and Chill, The Point, Stocking Island, Exuma(A water taxi is available from Great Exuma), ☎ 242.336.2700, [2]. Wonderful local restaurant famous for its Garlic Coleslaw is an excellent place to have a beer and relax or have a nice beach side dinner. 
  • Splash! Bar & Grill, Palm Bay Beach Club(Great Exuma, Bahamas), ☎ 242.336.2787. See you at Splash!  

Exuma nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs

  • Thunderball Club on Staniel Cay
  • Splash! Beach Bar & Grill, Palm Bay Beach Club(Great Exuma, Bahamas), ☎ 242.336.2787. Stop in for some of our famous Conch Chowder or our signature Splash drink!  

Exuma cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels and lodging

  • Staniel Cay Yacht Club, ☎ (242) 355-2024(info@stanielcay.com, fax: (242) 355-2044), [3]. $145-$255.  
  • Fowl Cay - Private Island Resort, ☎ 305-284-1300 ext 4800(yepstein@fowlcay.com), [4]. $7,945-$14,588/week.  
  • Celestine, (info@georgetownexumas.com), [5]. Celestine, located on Great Exuma, Bahamas, is centrally located minutes from the airport, 7 miles from George Town, the Capital of the Exuma, and 5 miles from the Four Seasons Resort and Greg Norman Championship Golf Course. The 3 Bed 3.5 Bath villa was fully renovated in 2000 and features top amenities.$7,000/week.  
  • Palm Bay Beach Club(info@palmbaybeachclub.com), Great Exuma, Bahamas(Just 7 miles from Georgetown Airport), ☎ 242.336.2787, [6]. checkin: 3pm; checkout: 12 Noon. Palm Bay Beach Club offers a sandy beach, two swimming pools, jacuzzis, a full range of water sports, Splash - our beach bar and grill, and shuttle service to George Town. The resort has over 70 well appointed beachside cottages and hillside villas. There is a choice of studio, one bedroom, two bedroom and three bedroom villas all with either a full or partial kitchen. Our beachfront resort overlooks Elizabeth Harbour and Stocking Island. Located on Great Exuma island, the largest island of the 350 Exuma island chain, Palm Bay Beach Club hotel and resort is just seven miles from Exuma International Airport, one mile from the capital, George Town, and a short drive to the new Four Seasons Greg Norman Signature Golf Course. Bahamian flavour, casual environment and friendly staff, the Palm Bay Beach Club truly captures the tropical charm and ambiance that's uniquely yours to enjoy. Visit their website at http://www.palmbaybeachclub.com 
  • Oceania Heights, ☎ 866-264-3886, [7]. Bahamas real estate and luxury villas with extraordinary hilltop ocean views, in the heart of the Exumas. An exclusive gated community with tax free revenue and an exquisite island beauty. 

Stay safe

The crossing from Nassau to the northern end of the Exumas is only 40 miles, but it's across open water and can get choppy if it's windy. Bring along a warm, ideally waterproof coat, and try to get a seat near the middle of the boat to minimize both bumpiness and sea spray.

There are nurse sharks in the waters around the islands. They don't usually bother humans, but it's best to ask for local advice on where to swim — shallow water is usually fine.

Get out

Destinations in Exuma:

This page was last edited by Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. Based on work by Jani Patokallio, Tom Holland and michael.s.adams@gmail.com, Wikitravel user(s) Jonboy and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. - Content on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0 license

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