Why Exuma Bahamas Should Be Your Next Adventure Destination
There are tropical getaways—and then there’s Exuma Bahamas, where over 365 islands and cays scatter across a sea so clear, it looks like a dream. You’re not just visiting a destination here. You’re jumping into a living postcard where you can swim with pigs, snorkel in protected reefs, and unwind at world-class Exuma Bahamas resorts—all in one day.
Whether you're planning a luxury escape or chasing your next off-grid thrill, Exuma delivers something rare: raw, natural beauty with just enough polish.
What Makes Exuma Bahamas Stand Out
Exuma isn’t your typical tropical retreat—and that’s a good thing. Here's why travelers who know their stuff are skipping the crowds and heading straight for the Exuma Cays.
1. Swimming Pigs at Big Major Cay
Yes, the pigs really swim. No, it’s not a tourist trap. The Exuma swimming pigs of Big Major Cay have become a global sensation, and for good reason—they actually enjoy the water. Take a boat out to the cay and hop in the shallows as the pigs paddle over to greet you. It’s quirky, it’s real, and it’s a core memory in the making.
2. Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park
This protected marine reserve is the oldest of its kind in the world—and arguably one of the most beautiful. Snorkelers and divers love the Exuma Cays for its thriving coral reefs, dramatic drop-offs, and underwater caves. You’ll spot everything from nurse sharks to vibrant schools of tropical fish in these pristine, no-take zones.
3. Untouched Beaches & Hidden Sandbars
Think pink sand, zero crowds, and miles of serenity. One of the biggest perks of the Exuma islands is the sheer number of beaches with no one else on them. Rent a boat—or take a guided tour—and hop from cay to cay, discovering hidden sandbars that only appear at low tide.
Quick & Essential Facts About Exuma
Need the basics before you book your flights to Exuma Bahamas? Here’s what you need to know:
Location: Around 130 miles southeast of Nassau
Population: Roughly 7,300 residents, mostly on Great Exuma
Currency: Bahamian Dollar (BSD), interchangeable with USD
Language: English
Best Time to Visit: December to April—dry season, breezy, perfect water temps
Tip: If you want to lock in deals on Exuma Bahamas all inclusive resorts, book a few months in advance, especially during winter high season.
Adventure activities in Exuma
Swimming with the pigs
There’s no way around it—if you’re heading to Exuma, Bahamas, you’re probably already thinking about the pigs. And honestly, fair enough.
They live on Big Major Cay, one of the Exuma Cays, and they’ll swim right up to your boat like they own the place. (Which, technically, they do.)
Here’s how it goes:
You take a boat tour—many leave from Great Exuma or Staniel Cay.
You toss some veggie snacks overboard.
The pigs paddle over, pose for a few selfies, and steal the show.
They’re not wild exactly, but they’re not pets either. It’s weird. It’s great. You’ll talk about it for years.
Snorkeling in the Exuma Cays
Snorkeling in the Exuma Cays is the kind of thing that ruins snorkeling anywhere else. The water is insanely clear, the reefs are full of life, and you might swim through a grotto made famous by a James Bond movie. (Hello, Thunderball Grotto.)
Other great spots?
The coral heads off Stocking Island
The reef walls near Pipe Creek
Hidden beaches that tour guides won’t even name
Tours are worth it. They know where the visibility is best, they’ve got the gear, and they’ll usually toss in a few surprise stops along the way.
Jet skiing or boating through the cays
This is Exuma’s version of a road trip. Rent a jet ski or small boat and spend the day zig-zagging through the Exuma Cays. Most rental companies set you up with a cooler, a GPS, and a list of hidden spots.
Expect to stop at:
Sandbars that disappear at high tide
Islands with celebrity mansions
Reef zones where you can drop anchor and snorkel on your own
If you’re not confident behind the wheel, book a captain. You’ll see more and stress less.
Exploring blue holes
Exuma Island, Bahamas, has something a little unexpected—blue holes. These are deep underwater sinkholes surrounded by shallow flats.
The most accessible is Angelfish Blue Hole, near Stocking Island in the Exumas, Bahamas.. You can swim it, dive it, or just float above and wonder how nature pulls this stuff off.
Locals know a few hidden ones, too—especially on eco-tours.
Kayaking the mangroves
When the wind dies down, it’s time to grab a paddle. Exuma’s mangrove channels are calm, surreal, and full of wildlife. You’ll probably spot turtles, baby sharks, and stingrays gliding through the roots.
Kayak rentals are cheap and easy to find in George Town or at most Exuma, Bahamas, resorts. Guided tours are worth it if you want to learn what you’re looking at (or avoid getting lost).
Getting there
Flights to Exuma, Bahamas
Getting to Exuma Bahamas, is easier than you might think—especially if you’re flying from the U.S. Several major airlines offer direct service to Exuma International Airport (GGT), located just outside George Town on Great Exuma.
Nonstop flights to Exuma, Bahamas
From Miami and Fort Lauderdale:
American Airlines offers daily direct flights from Miami (MIA).
Bahamasair runs nonstop from Fort Lauderdale (FLL).
Flight time is usually under 1.5 hours.
From Atlanta:
Delta Air Lines offers seasonal nonstop flights from Atlanta (ATL) to GGT, especially during peak winter months and holidays.
From other U.S. cities:
If you're not flying from Florida or Atlanta, you'll typically connect through Nassau (NAS). From there, hop on a short Bahamasair or Western Air flight to Great Exuma—flight time is around 35 minutes.
Tip: If you’re traveling between December and April, book early—flights to Exuma, Bahamas tend to sell out fast, especially around holidays and spring break.
Local transportation on Great Exuma
Once you land on Exuma Island, Bahamas, you’ve got a few ways to get around. Most resorts don’t include transfers, so here’s what to expect.
1. Car rentals
Renting a car is the most flexible option, especially if you’re staying outside of George Town or planning to explore the island’s beaches and restaurants. You’ll find rental counters right at the airport. Just a heads-up: they drive on the left side in the Bahamas.
2. Taxis and shuttles
Taxis are available at the airport and in town, but they’re not metered—always ask the fare upfront. If you’re staying at one of the Exuma Bahamas resorts, call ahead; some include airport transfers or can help you pre-book a shuttle.
3. Golf carts and scooters
In George Town and some smaller communities, golf carts and scooters are popular for short trips. They’re easy to rent, fun to drive, and perfect for laid-back island days.
Exploring the Exuma Cays
If Great Exuma is the heart of the island chain, the Exuma Cays are its soul—365 pristine islets stretching northward like a dotted line through crystal-clear water. Whether you join a boat tour or charter your own yacht, exploring the Cays is a must-do.
Top island-hopping spots in the Exuma Cays
Here’s a short list of places that absolutely live up to the hype:
Big Major Cay (Pig Beach)
You’ve seen them all over Instagram—this is where the famous Exuma swimming pigs live. They paddle out to greet boats, especially if snacks are involved. No, they weren’t abandoned by pirates or celebrities. Yes, they are surprisingly fast swimmers.
Interested? Here’s your complete guide to swimming with pigs in the Bahamas.
2. Thunderball Grotto
Just off Staniel Cay, this underwater cave starred in James Bond: Thunderball. At low tide, you can swim through tunnels into a sunlit cavern filled with fish. It’s a surreal mix of natural beauty and cinematic history.
3. Staniel Cay
This small island has a local village, a yacht club with dockside drinks, and access to some of the best snorkeling around. If you’re looking for that sweet spot between upscale and authentic, Staniel Cay is it.
4. Compass Cay
Here’s where you can discover the wonders of snorkeling and swim with nurse sharks—docile, bottom-dwelling creatures that cruise through the marina like they’re late for a meeting. It’s safe, supervised, and absolutely worth it if you want a unique story to bring home.
5. Shroud Cay
Part of the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, Shroud Cay is all about mangrove creeks and paddleboarding. It’s undeveloped, wild, and one of the quietest corners of the Bahamas.
Exuma boat rentals
Let’s be real—island hopping in Exuma isn’t happening without a boat. Luckily, there are plenty of options depending on your budget and comfort level.
Private boat charters
If you want your own schedule, your own playlist, and your own crew, this is the move. Most private charters come with:
A licensed local captain
Snorkel gear
Food and drinks (sometimes even a full bar)
Stops tailored to your interests
Expect to pay more, but you’ll get more freedom—and better photo ops.
Daily rentals
If you’ve got boating experience and a license, you can rent your own center console or small powerboat. Rentals are usually for a half or full day, and most come with coolers, GPS, and an emergency contact line. Don’t skip the safety briefing—these waters are gorgeous but unpredictable.
Top tip: Make sure your rental includes permits to visit the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, especially if you're heading toward Shroud Cay.
Group tours
Don’t want the pressure of captaining your own boat? Join a group tour like this plane and boat tour instead. It’s more affordable, and local guides know all the best stops, currents, and hidden beaches. Many tours hit Pig Beach, Thunderball Grotto, and Staniel Cay in one go.
Recommended Exuma boat rental operators
Tour Daddy – Great for small-group snorkel trips and pig encounters
4C’s Adventures – Reliable, locally owned, and flexible itineraries
Exuma Boat Rentals– Affordable rentals with personalized services
All-inclusive resorts in Exuma, Bahamas, small family-run hotels, and eco-lodges on private islands—all of them use this boat network to help you explore. So no matter where you stay, expect to spend at least one day out on the water. That’s just how Exuma, Bahamas, works.
Look for the top ten best tour operators in the Bahamas? We’ve got you covered.
Other things you didn’t know you needed to do
Sure, the Exuma Cays are the headliners, but there’s way more to this stretch of paradise than boat days and bikini pics. When you're not island-hopping or snorkeling with nurse sharks, these under-the-radar experiences deserve a top spot on your itinerary.
1. Chat 'n' Chill on Stocking Island
This legendary beach bar isn’t just a lunch spot—it’s a rite of passage. Located a short ferry ride from George Town on Great Exuma, Chat ‘n’ Chill serves up fresh conch salad right on the beach (watch them crack it open and dice it on the spot). Stingrays casually glide through the shallows while guests sip on strong rum punch and throw frisbees barefoot. Sunday is the unofficial party day, but any day here feels like a vacation inside your vacation.
2. Tropic of Cancer Beach
Looking for that perfect stretch of untouched sand? Head to Tropic of Cancer Beach, the longest beach on Little Exuma and easily one of the most scenic in all of Exuma, Bahamas. Turquoise water, powdery white sand, and barely another soul in sight. No resorts. No umbrellas. Just a serene crescent of coastline that feels like it was made for postcards.
3. Moriah Harbour Cay National Park
Tucked between Great Exuma and Little Exuma, this 13,000-acre marine park is one of the most biologically diverse areas in the Bahamas. It’s home to tidal mangroves, sand flats, seabirds like ospreys and herons, and a variety of juvenile marine life. Whether you kayak through the creeks or snorkel in the shallows, this protected area offers a quieter, wilder side of Exuma Island, Bahamas that most tourists miss.
Why you should start planning your trip today
Here’s the deal: Exuma, Bahamas, isn’t just another beach destination. It’s one of the only places where pigs actually swim, where you can island-hop across the Exuma Cays in a single day, and where even the most high-end Exuma Bahamas resorts feel like home away from home. One minute you’re on a boat sipping a Kalik, the next you’re diving into clear blue waters.
And the best part? Flights to Exuma, Bahamas, are surprisingly convenient. Direct routes from cities like Miami and Atlanta land you in Great Exuma in under two hours. Even connections through Nassau are short and easy, meaning you can be beachside before you finish your podcast.
So, if you’re dreaming of white sand, wild adventures, and water so clear it looks fake, now’s the time.
Book the flight. Choose the cay. And if you want a deeper dive into these islands, expert-led tours in the Bahamas can show you a side of Exuma most travelers miss.