Exumas, Bahamas Travel Guide: Beaches, Pigs, and Hidden Gems

Discovering the Exumas

• 🏝️ The Exumas are a chain of over 300 islands in the Bahamas, with Great Exuma and Little Exuma being the main inhabited areas.
• ✨ Described as a hidden gem, the Exumas offer unspoiled, uncrowded beaches and a chance to get away from it all.
• ✈️ Travel to the Exumas typically involves flying into Georgetown, Exuma.

Recommended 7-Day Itinerary

• 🏨 Day 1: Arrive in Georgetown, check into accommodation like Paradise Bay Hotel, and relax on the beach.
• 🚤 Day 2: Embark on a full-day boat tour to visit Thunderball Grotto for snorkeling, swim with nurse sharks at Compass Cay Marina (optional), and swim with pigs at Pig Island. The tour also includes lunch and visits to sandbars featured in Pirates of the Caribbean.
• 🛍️ Day 3: Explore Georgetown, visit the straw market for local crafts, and take a ferry to Stocking Island to enjoy Chat 'n' Chill beach bar, known for conch salad and stingrays.
• 🚗 Day 4: Rent a car to explore Little Exuma's beaches like Tropic of Cancer Beach, Forbes Hill Beach, and Pretty Molly Beach. Consider an eco-tour at Mariah Harbor K National Park to see marine life.
• 🐢 Day 5: Take an ATV tour exploring Great Exuma's northwest, visiting Cocoa Plum Beach and Exuma Point. In the afternoon, visit Hooper's Bay Beach for swimming and snorkeling with sea turtles.
• ⛵ Day 6: Rent a boat to explore Elizabeth Harbor, visiting an underwater cave, Starfish Beach, and a coral reef.
• 🏖️ Day 7: Revisit Exuma Point Beach at low tide for a final experience before departing.

Unique Exumas Experiences

• 🐷 The swimming pigs are a unique and popular attraction, with the pigs being wild but accustomed to visitors.
• 🦈 Swimming with nurse sharks is an optional but thrilling experience, with the sharks being relatively small and not aggressive.
• 🌊 Chat 'n' Chill on Stocking Island is a renowned beach bar famous for fresh conch salad and interactions with stingrays.
• 🐢 Hooper's Bay Beach is a prime spot for encountering wild sea turtles in their natural habitat.
• 🗺️ Exploring Elizabeth Harbor by boat offers access to hidden spots like underwater caves and vibrant coral reefs.

Travel Tips and Local Culture

• 🚗 Renting a car is recommended for exploring Great and Little Exuma, especially for longer stays, but be mindful of driving during the daylight hours due to road conditions.
• 🚫 The Exumas have a strict policy against chain restaurants and large corporations, emphasizing local businesses and a unique island culture.
• ☀️ Pack plenty of sunscreen and consider a sun shirt to protect against the strong Caribbean sun.
• ⏳ Be prepared for a relaxed pace of life, with locals often operating on