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Exuma Travel Guide 2025: Swimming Pigs, Sharks, Sandbars & Island-Hopping

Image by Lisa Larsen from Pixabay

How to Get to Exuma

Option 1: Fly Direct to Exuma (GGT)

Airport: George Town (GGT)
Direct flights from:

  • Miami
  • Fort Lauderdale
  • Charlotte
  • Atlanta
  • Toronto (seasonal)

Option 2: Day Trip From Nassau

Many visitors stay in Nassau and take:

  • speedboat day trips
  • small-plane day trips

Great for short vacations.


Where to Stay (Best Areas)

AreaVibeBest For
Great Exuma (George Town)Main island, beaches, restaurantsFirst-timers
Little ExumaQuiet, scenicCouples
Private Cays / ResortsHigh-end villas, private beachesLuxury escapes

Budget Tiers

  • $ Guesthouses + Airbnb
  • $$ Small beachfront hotels
  • $$$ Luxury villas + resort stays

Tip: Many travelers rent villas or Airbnb because hotels are limited.


Top Things to Do in Exuma

1) Pig Beach (Big Major Cay)

The #1 attraction.
Pigs swim out to greet boats.
They’re friendly but large → follow guide rules.

2) Nurse Sharks at Compass Cay

You can:

  • pet them
  • swim with them
  • take iconic photos
    These sharks are docile but respect the staff instructions.

3) Sandbars (Pipe Creek / Saddleback Cay)

This is the Exuma turquoise water you see on postcards.
Perfect for:

  • drone shots
  • walking in inches of water
  • floating days

4) Thunderball Grotto

The cave from the James Bond movie.
Snorkel through holes glowing with sunlight.

5) Iguanas at Allen’s Cay

Friendly rock iguanas running on the sand.
Great stop on island-hopping tours.

6) Tropic of Cancer Beach

The most beautiful beach on Great Exuma.
White powder sand + insane water color.

7) Chat ’N’ Chill (Stocking Island)

Beach bar + stingrays swimming around you.
Famous Sunday BBQ.


Island-Hopping Tours (Most Popular)

The usual full-day Exuma tour includes:

  1. Pig Beach
  2. Sharks at Compass Cay
  3. Sandbar
  4. Thunderball Grotto
  5. Iguanas
  6. Lunch stop
  7. Snorkeling at reef

Food & Drinks

Try:

  • Conch salad
  • Grouper fingers
  • Bahamian baked mac
  • Sky Juice
  • Rum punch

Local spots around George Town and Stocking Island are great for casual lunches.


Transportation

  • Rent a car is recommended (spreads-out island)
  • Taxis are expensive
  • Driving is on the left
  • Roads are simple to navigate

Sample Itineraries

3 Days (Short Trip)

Day 1: Tropic of Cancer Beach
Day 2: Swimming Pigs + Sharks + Sandbars tour
Day 3: Chat ’N’ Chill + Stocking Island

5 Days (Balanced)

Day 1: Tropic of Cancer
Day 2: Island-Hopping Tour
Day 3: Georgetown + Stocking Island
Day 4: Little Exuma beaches
Day 5: Snorkel + sunset dinner

7 Days (Full Week)

Add:

  • Drone beach days
  • Extra sandbar trip
  • Boat rental day
  • Private cays

Safety & Practical Tips

  • Very safe island
  • Sunscreen required (sun is strong)
  • Sandbars shift with tides
  • Sharks + pigs are friendly but follow guide advice
  • Drone flying is allowed in many locations → good for content

Internal Links


Spanish Summary — Resumen en Español

Exuma es famoso por sus cerdos nadadores, sus tiburones amistosos, y sus bancos de arena color turquesa.
Es un destino ideal para tours de día, playas tranquilas y agua clara.

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