10 Very Greatest Issues To Do In The Exumas + The place to Go & Journey Suggestions

When my girlfriend Jackie’s dad requested if we might wish to go to him within the Exuma Islands, we purchased our flights inside the hour. Who says no to the Bahamas?

Whereas I’d been to the Bahamas earlier than, I’d solely ever been to Nassau. Nassau is the largest metropolis within the Bahamas, and is probably the most touristy spot due the truth that it has the nation’s worldwide airport.

As we’d by no means been to the Exumas earlier than, it was a primary time expertise with completely new islands and seashores. My girlfriend’s dad was chock-full of journey ideas and recommendation on the good issues to do within the Exumas.

What to Know Earlier than You Go To Exumas, Bahamas

For anybody dwelling on the East Coast of North America, the Bahamas is a reasonably customary trip vacation spot. It has the tropical vibes of the Cook Islands however is just a couple of three-hour flight from New York City.

Nevertheless, it is perhaps slightly unfamiliar for these dwelling wherever else.

So, listed here are a few issues to know concerning the Bahamas from the outset.

Nassau vs. Exuma Islands

First, there’s an enormous distinction between the Exuma Islands and Nassau. Each are attractive, however present two completely totally different trip experiences.

Nassau has a few of the largest resorts within the nation. It’s in all probability most well-known for the Atlantis Resort, which has tons of incredible facilities corresponding to waterslides and an in-house on line casino.

We spent one night time at a motel in Nassau (I wouldn’t suggest–it was fairly gross), however had a lot enjoyable having fun with the Atlantis on line casino! You don’t need to be a visitor to go to the on line casino, and there are day passes when you’d prefer to benefit from the pool or spa.

There are a few all-inclusive resorts in Nassau as properly. The Sandals Bahamian is probably going your finest wager.

The Exuma Cays are extra distant and much much less touristy than Nassau. The accommodations are boutique and the primary draw is the pure great thing about the islands. Assume extra mountain climbing and kayaking than slot machines and swimming pools.

How To Get From Nassau To Exuma Cays

There’s not a direct flight from america to the Exumas. Getting there isn’t too laborious, however undoubtedly requires some journey sources and finesse.

Your finest wager is to fly into Nassau after which take a jumper flight to one among two Exuma Cays. The air subject is teensy tiny however the flight is tremendous quick.

We used Flamingo Air and flew into Staniel Cay to satisfy Jackie’s dad. The flight was one of the vital scenic and exquisite experiences and wasn’t dear.

WiFi/Web Service

In contrast to Nassau, there’s near no service across the Exuma Cays. Until you’re linked to the resort wifi of wherever you’re staying, you should have little to no cellphone entry.

Personally, that was one of many largest pluses of this journey. I’ve gotten so used to engaged on trip due to the work-from-home tradition that I haven’t had a work-free journey in nearly two years.

So, make use of your time! Use the Exumas as an excuse for a cellphone detox.

There Are SO Many Islands

That is in all probability the factor we have been most naive about. There are simply so many alternative islands that make up the Exumas! A few of these islands are good to remain at, whereas others are extra of a day journey vacation spot.

All the totally different spots have professionals and cons. The record beneath contains the perfect areas to hit, what to do when you’re there, and all of the Exuma journey ideas.

Exumas Journey Information: 9 Greatest Issues To Do & The place To Go!

All the Cays and Islands have various things to do. It may be slightly complicated, so this information breaks it down by location.

In fact, every of those islands are only a boat journey away from each other. Simply since you keep at Highbourne Cay doesn’t imply you possibly can’t have an incredible day journey to Main Cay or Stocking Island.

Listed here are the highest issues to do in every of the foremost islands of the Exumas.

1. Compass Cay & Pigs Seashore

Compass Cay was one of many coolest components of our journey. It’s a really distant part of the Exumas, however tons of tour teams come for one very particular cause.

The Compass Cay Marina is the right place to pet some nurse sharks. I used to be completely terrified at first (I truly refused), however was satisfied after watching Jackie feed one among them a hotdog proper out of her hand.

They’re just like the pet canine of the ocean, and couldn’t have been friendlier. The clear water is ideal for viewing when you don’t really feel like getting up shut and private.

I counsel lumping the sharks along with the opposite Compass Cay attraction– Pig Beach! Pig Seashore is on Main Cay, which is a brief boat journey away, and plenty of tour information boats embody each locations so that you get your cash’s value.

The well-known swimming pigs of the Bahamas are a prime Exuma locations bucket record merchandise. The pigs have been equal components lovely, rambunctious, and Instagram-worthy.

Simply watch out– the pigs are inclined to go to the lavatory the place they please and should not shy about approaching for meals.

2. Highbourne Cay

Okay, that is the place you will get bougie. The place Compass Cay lacks in eating places and alternatives to be further, Highbourne Cay makes up for it. This can be the perfect space of Exuma Bahamas to remain in.

We stayed on the Highbourne Cay Resort for half of our time within the Exumas and have by no means felt extra relaxed.

The perfect factor about Highbourne Cay was how calm it was. There have been different visitors, in fact, however the vibe of the island was pure leisure and privateness.

Among the finest components of this resort are the facilities. Bikes are included together with your reservation, so we have been in a position to bike throughout the island. There are a number of totally different seashores, and we have been in a position to go to all of them due to the bikes.

After suntanning on one of many completely non-public seashores, we went over to the outside health club. It’s positioned on prime of a hill and has an insane view overlooking the whole island. The outside bathe straight subsequent to the burden rack allowed for a straightforward transition again to the seashore.

At a bigger resort like those in Nassau, it’s close to unimaginable to get a spot on the tiki bar. Nevertheless, at Highbourne Cay Resort, we have been first in line on the tiki bar, which was proper on the seashore.

Different highlights included an lovely water swing set and a shock bus cease pal it’s a must to see for your self.

They’ve a number of swim platforms which are straightforward to get to, so we spent the remainder of our afternoon consuming piña coladas and daiquiris in the course of the ocean. Fairly perfect.

3. Staniel Cay

Staniel Cay appeared prefer it was probably the most populated and busy of all of the locations we visited. For that cause, it’s a protected wager as the perfect place to remain!

The Staniel Cay Yacht Membership was a silly quantity of enjoyable. The meals was scrumptious and the vibes have been immaculate.

I had the fish tacos and Jackie had the conch fritter sandwich, and we slipped blissfully right into a meals coma by the seashore. The Miami Vice tremendous cocktails in all probability didn’t assist.

Past the good meals, the Yacht Membership is dwelling to the most effective Exuma resorts. Facilities embody pool entry, fishing, and tons of water sports activities together with jet skis and flight boarding. I counsel you attempt each– exploring the Exumas on a jet ski was subsequent degree.

From the Yacht Membership, there are tons of various seashores to hit, every with its personal tiki bar. We hiked throughout the island for a lot of the day and located a pair utterly empty seashores.

When you’re able to get out of the Yacht Membership, I’d begin with the Thunderball Grotto. Particularly when you’re a James Bond movie fan.

The Thunderball Grotto is positioned proper off the coast of Staniel Cay, and was featured within the James Bond film Thunderball.

You’ll seemingly have to e-book a ship journey via a tour group just like the one linked in an effort to get out to the grotto and for all snorkeling gear! They will choose you up proper by the Yacht Membership port. We acquired fortunate– Jackie’s dad ferried us out and already had all of the gear with him.

We hopped proper off the facet of the boat and snorkeled underneath the rocks and into the grotto. We had probably the most unbelievable expertise exploring the open rock formation and all of the fish beneath us. They have been fairly snug with us of their house, and swam proper as much as us.

You’re undoubtedly going to wish to go to Thunderball at low tide– in any other case it’s a must to work lots tougher and maintain your breath lots longer to get underneath the rocks and in!

4. George City

Much like Staniel Cay, George City may be very populous (so far as the Exumas go).

The Grand Isle Resort is an insanely attractive resort and contains most of the facilities that may make it a bang on your buck. It’s very near the airport, and has one of the vital attractive swimming pools with a swim up bar.

Additionally– there’s a taxi service. No want for a automotive rental!

So far as issues to do in George City, I’d begin with Odyssey Picnic on the seashore. Whether or not your journey is romantic or with mates, this picnic is a should. The price contains the arrange and take down of a stunning lunch or dinner proper on the seashore.

Remember to try the Straw Market, too. It’s such an genuine buying expertise and can enable you to to follow your bartering!

5. Emerald Bay

Emerald Bay is ideal when you’re on the lookout for extra of a traditional resort keep within the Exuma Islands. You possibly can’t beat the crystal clear blue waters of the Exumas, but it surely’s completely legitimate to nonetheless need that Nassau really feel.

Positioned within the Nice Exuma, Emerald Bay is dwelling to the most important resort of the Exumas, The Sandals Emerald Bay.

There are a ton of actions included via the resort together with scuba diving, parasailing, and golf designed to snake via the distinctive form of the island.

The Exuma nightlife isn’t precisely popping off (like I stated, it’s distant), however there’s a cool bar and membership on the Sandals resort.

6. Aspect Quests

We spent loads of time ferrying round totally different places that weren’t positioned on any of the bigger Cays. I counsel trying right into a water taxi firm so you are able to do the identical.

Most of those are day journeys and when you make it to the Exumas, you completely can not miss them. It’s all concerning the outside time. That’s what makes this place so particular.

7. Rachel’s Bubble Tub

Rachel’s Bubble Tub was in all probability my favourite factor we did on this journey. It was straight out of a film scene. I’m considering particularly of The Little Mermaid.

After a brief seashore hike, you’ll discover a hip-deep pool of clear blue water positioned on a rock formation. All it’s a must to do to grasp the identify of Rachel’s Bubble Tub is get in.

The water is heat due to how shallow it’s, and looks like sitting inside a La Croix. Each thirty seconds, waves crash over the rocks and into the pool, making a bubble impact that feels extra like a jacuzzi than the ocean.

We spent over an hour laughing and guffawing whereas getting slapped round by the waves. Everybody round us had the very same response. It was contagious!

Attempt to get there earlier within the day, because it will get tremendous crowded within the afternoon. Oh, and convey water sneakers– this place is infamous for pesky sea urchins.

8. Kayaking in Shroud Cay

Whichever resort you resolve on will seemingly have entry to kayaks (or at the very least leases!), and whereas it’s enjoyable to only kayak across the resort, I can not emphasize sufficient how unbelievable it was to kayak the mangroves of Shroud Cay.

We acquired dropped off on the mouth of the mangroves by way of water taxi with nothing however a few granola bars and our sunscreen. It took us slightly over an hour and a half, however we have been in a position to paddle during the mangroves and again out to the ocean.

Shroud Cay is as distant because it will get, so we have been in a position to see the wildlife in a way more pure approach. We made mates with a few turtles and a manta ray. It was full on Discovering Nemo on the market.

One of many actually cool issues concerning the mangroves is that most of the motorized water autos are prohibited from coming into. This implies utterly calm waters and never lots of people. We just about had the whole place to ourselves.

9. Underwater Drug Smugglers Exuma Aircraft Wreck Snorkeling

I do know, it’s a mouthful. However the Underwater Drug Smugglers Exuma Plane Wreck Snorkeling is among the coolest issues to do within the Exumas, and the factor I’m saddest about not checking off my record!

On the day we have been purported to taxi out to this spot, it was far too wet and stormy to snorkel in. *sob* Right here’s hoping you get the possibility to see what it’s all about.

The story goes that on a standard night a few a long time in the past, an emergency name was radio’ed in from an unknown airplane. The airplane ended up crashing nearly instantly afterwards, and was discovered to be stuffed to the brim with nothing however weed.

Vacationers can go go to the airplane now by way of water taxi. The airplane is just about ten ft underwater, which is totally clear in any case. In the event you’re in for a little bit of spooky enjoyable, 100% add this to your record.

10. Dundas Cay

Dundas Cay was one other world. We took a water taxi from Compass Cay and snorkeled across the Cay earlier than swimming beneath the rock and coming into this insane grotto.

Once more, you’re going to wish to get to Dundas on the sooner facet to beat out any competing tour teams. The grotto isn’t very huge and I wouldn’t wish to be squished in there with a bunch of different folks.

The opposite key for us was to go at low tide to make the doorway to the grotto rather less scary. The decrease the tide, the much less it’s a must to maintain your breath to make it underneath the rocks and into the grotto.

As soon as inside, you’ll discover stalagmites and stalactites taller than you and water the strangest colours of brilliant blue and inexperienced. Gentle is available in from a gap on the prime, so when you’re in a position to get images, they’ll end up nice.

The place to Eat In Exumas

We cooked lots on our journey! My girlfriend’s dad is a reasonably achieved fisherman and wished to point out off what he caught.

On the nights we did exit to dinner, these have been our favourite spots.

1. Lorraine’s Café

We had the perfect time consuming and consuming at Lorraine’s Café. The vibe was tremendous genuine and the workers couldn’t have been sweeter. We acquired to talk with Lorraine herself, and it felt like extra of a yard BBQ than a restaurant in loads of methods.

We had blackened shrimp and a jerk hen sandwich with rice. Each have been scrumptious and washed down with the traditional Bahamian Kalik beer.

2. XUMA at Highbourne

This was the flowery dinner of our journey, and whoa was it superb. XUMA at Highbourne is linked to the Highborne Resort, however you don’t need to be a visitor to remain there.

We had probably the most insane seashore view throughout our dinner. The restaurant is so near the seashore it feels just like the waves are going to crash proper on you.

The meals couldn’t have been extra scrumptious and recent. Positively go for seafood, as most of it has been caught simply that morning. I had the ocean bass and wished I may have ordered it twice. The seafood risotto was completely superb, too.

3. Staniel Cay Yacht Membership

I may always remember concerning the Staniel Cay Yacht Membership! This place was significantly such a superb time.

If I may change something, I want we had carved out extra time to remain and drink right here. We had the Miami Vice cocktails, which have been principally sherbert ice cream with a touch of rum.

We needed to get again on the water taxi and couldn’t keep for greater than a few hours, however I’d counsel you carve out the entire afternoon to attempt extra drinks on the menu.

We went for lunch and acquired the conch fritters and fish tacos, however they serve dinner too.

What to Pack For A Journey To Exumas

Throughout your time within the Exumas, consider a few of these as NEEDS and never desires. It’ll make your journey a lot extra seamless!

Like I stated earlier, the Exumas are a bit extra rustic than different Caribbean holidays. Among the objects on this record can be important so that you don’t really feel stranded.

1. Sunscreen

In the event you’re as honest skinned and liable to burn as I’m, then maybe this one goes with out saying. There’s no such factor as shade on the Exuma Cays, and we discovered ourselves reapplying each thirty seconds.

Even my girlfriend, who has extra of an olive-toned complexion and doesn’t usually burn, was brilliant pink by the top of our kayaking day.

We used this Blue Lizard SPF 50 and have been very completely happy. It’s particularly for delicate pores and skin, and we didn’t have any flare-ups because of utilizing it.

2. Linen

The Bahamas should not simply sizzling, however are insanely humid. Denim is a no go right here. Ditch the jean shorts for some linen to remain dry and comfy.

I’m obsessive about these linen shorts from Everlane. They arrive in a few totally different colour choices and are a superb worth.

By way of shirts, I at all times look to Banana Republic for linen shirts due to the standard. The worth level is slightly larger, however I really like the reduce of this linen shirt– it falls precisely the place I would like it to.

3. Bathing Go well with

Once more, this will go with out saying, however I simply wished to drift it on the market! We spent extra time in bathing fits than in garments, so be certain that is prime of your packing record!

Recently I’ve been very into the Abercrombie swimsuit line. I really like the colour choices and the variability between traditional full items and enjoyable bikinis.

In the event you’re on the lookout for a more extensive breakdown of bathing go well with choices for this Exumas journey and past, we’ve got you covered.

4. Waterproof Backpack

This was so important to our journey. With all of the water taxiing you’ll be doing, you’re going to wish some place to maintain further garments, towels, snacks, and sunscreen dry in the course of the journey.

We have been utilizing this Sea to Summit bag the whole journey and it was the perfect cash I ever spent. You’ll need garments and towels after snorkeling, parasailing, and jet snowboarding. The dry bag is a should.

5. Waterproof Telephone Case

I’ve by no means used a water-resistant cellphone case earlier than this journey, however having one was superior! I used to be in a position to get so many photos whereas snorkeling and using the jet skis that I in any other case wouldn’t have been in a position to seize.

Additionally, this cellphone case has a wristband you possibly can connect to your arm or shorts simply in case you’re as paranoid as I’m.

6. Money

Suggestions are anticipated for water taxis and tiki bar drinks, and you may’t pay in sand {dollars}.

Be sure you convey loads of money to tip with! US {dollars} are superb, so there’s no have to alternate.

7. Water Sneakers

Lots of the actions on this information require a little bit of tramping to ports via rocky waters. Water sneakers are a good way to stop cuts and scrapes alongside the way in which.

I’m a agency Teva loyalist, as they’re non-slip however open toed so your ft gained’t get too sweaty. I rock a traditional however barely dorkier pair of Tevas that I’m obsessive about. My girlfriend wore this strappy fashion that she was in a position to put on to dinners out.

Crocs are at all times an possibility too! They’re simply barely much less sturdy.

8. Snacks

We introduced so many snacks with us and couldn’t have been happier that we did! As a result of these islands are distant, entry to granola bars, nuts, and chips is proscribed. Once you do discover them, they’re off the charts costly.

There was no challenge with bringing meals into the Bahamas.

We primarily introduced nuts and granola bars to snack on throughout our mountain climbing and kayaking adventures. We saved a bunch of cash that we then put in direction of daiquiris and souvenirs.

The Exuma Islands are a as soon as in a lifetime journey. We felt like we have been in a pirate film the whole time, and couldn’t recover from the sheer pure magnificence of those cays. Cost your cellphone since you’re going to wish to take loads of photos.

Whether or not you resolve to remain in a single location for the whole time or make use of the traditional Exuma transport water taxis, you should have an unforgettable journey.

Don’t overlook your water sneakers, and completely happy travels!