Sample Itineraries

Things to do / see in the different islands:

 

Nassau: Atlantis Marina has an incredible waterpark and casino, if you purchase dockage at the marina you get free access to the waterpark and other hotel facilities.

 

Rose Island: Good snorkeling on the north side of the island, very scenic anchorages and a beach bar that's open during the day.

 

Ship Channel Cay: Plane wrecks to snorkel, a popular beach bar where sharks and fish swim up to the beach and you can snorkel with them. If you pay you can see swimming pigs on the island as well. They have a big cook out at lunch time and they serve a fresh, Bahamian style seafood meal. This island is private and they usually only cater to guests on guided powerboat day trips from Nassau, but if you ask nicely their fun and friendly staff let you join in and sometimes stay after hours.  This is one of my favorite, least known spots in the Exumas. 

 

Allans Cay: The anchorage here can have a lot of surge on days with more wind, but on some days it truly is one of the most beautiful anchorages in the Bahamas. There is great swimming and snorkeling on this island along with a couple short walking trails. Here you will find the endanger Rock Iguana (Pink Iguana). They are pretty friendly and love to pose for a picture. There are also good opportunities for catching lobster nearby.

 

Highbourne Cay: This island is also private, however it doesn't take much to get access to it. It's home to a very nice, beautiful marina and if you stay at the marina you get access to the island and all its amenities, including a very good 5 star restaurant. They have bikes at the marina that you can use for free and bike around the entire island. It's also close to Allans Cay which allows you to head over there on the dinghy if you so desire.

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Normans Cay: This island has a very rich history. It was owned by the famous drug lord Carlos Lehder between the late 70s and early 80's. It served as a transfer point for trafficking drugs from South America to the United States until it was finally brought down. Today the island has a beach restaurant (Macduffs) and an up and coming marina. Less than a half mile away from the island lies the wreck of one of Carlos Lehders drug planes and it serves as a popular attraction and snorkel spot for cruisers.

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Shroud Cay: Shroud Cay marks the Northern Boundary of the Exuma Land and Sea Park. It has a CANT MISS magnificent dinghy ride through crystal clear mangrove rivers that are swarming with turtles and other marine life. 

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Hawksbill Cay: Hawksbill Cay has some of the most beautiful beaches in all of the exumas along with some good snorkel spots.

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Waderick Wells: Probably the most popular spot in the Exuma Land and Sea Park. It has an iconic mooring field to moor the yacht right next to the Exuma Park Headquarters. The views are truly amazing! Waderick Wells has it all, great beaches, snorkeling, hiking, history, you name it. It will be one of the highlights of your trip.

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Little Bells Cay: The area surrounding Little Bells Cay is really hard to describe. It seems everywhere you look it's like the most beautiful place you've ever seen. It has the best snorkeling in all of the Exumas, plane wrecks, beaches, anchorages, caves, and more. Its a great place to anchor and use the dinghy to go around to all the cool little spots.

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Compass Cay: You may have seen pictures of this place and its marina on the internet. The marina is famous for letting visitors get in the water and swim with their nurse sharks. The combination of the crystal clear marina water and the nurse sharks makes for some spectacular photo opportunities. Not far from Compass Cay is what some think are the best caves in the Exumas. There are two of them right next to each other that you can snorkel into at low tide. The coral and fish are abundant next to the caves.

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Little Pipe Cay: This will likely be the most beautiful spot you'll see during your trip. Just a few miles north of Staniel Cay this area contains carved out sand channels of crystal clear water with beautiful coral near the rocks and huge sandbars you can run endlessly on. This will be one of the highlights of your trip.

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Big Majors Cay: The iconic swimming pig beach! Not only is this beach infested with swimming pigs, it's also one of the most well protected anchorages for prevailing winds near Staniel Cay. It has another small beach called "cruisers beach" that passing sailors have slowly built up over the years with huts, chairs, decorations and more. It's a good place to take the dinghy with some drinks and snacks.

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Staniel Cay: Staniel Cay seems to be the unofficial hub of the central Exumas. It has a mouth watering restaurant and one of the funnest marina bars in the Bahamas. It has numerous other restaurants, grocery stores, and is centrally located close to all the fun activities like the Thunderball Grotto, Pig Beach, Little Pipe Cay, and even the Exuma Land and Sea Park. The island has a very friendly vibe to it! It really is a paradise.

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Blackpoint: Blackpoint is actually the largestest settlement in the Exuma Cays and during season it's one of the most popular anchorages. It has some good snorkeling and lobstering opportunities and is right next to Great Guana Cay where there is a beautiful beach infested with the endangered Pink Rock Iguanas. Blackpoint has some good restaurants and a laundry mat with an incredible view!

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Little Farmers Cay: A very underrated island. Little Farmers Cay is filled with charm and culture. The locals are very friendly and welcome passing sailboats. In the lagoon you can get up close and personal with sea turtles that are attracted to the sound of conch being cleaned. There are a few good beach bars and restaurants to spend a romantic evening ashore. Nearby is a hiking trail to a large cave with overgrown stalactites that makes for a good afternoon activity.

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Lee Stocking Island: Here you'll find a long, beautiful island with many different beaches to choose from that was once the home of a now abandoned marine research station. You can take a short hike up to the summit for some 360 degree views and walk through the old research station. Theres some good spots for snorkeling and lobstering nearby as well as some Rock Iguanas and small little mangrove creeks to explore on the dinghy.

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Square Rock Cay: This quiet little anchorage has the views of Square Rock Cay, a mushroom shaped island that has been carved out underneath be erosion. This makes for good snorkeling and photography opportunities. There is also a dramatic blow hole nearby and a beach for opening up and drinking some fresh coconuts.

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Emerald Bay (Marina): If your craving being tied up to a dock and being in the presence of a more formal resort then this would be a good spot. It's an upscale marina with very nice facilities and it's close to all the attractions in Great Exuma Island.

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Georgetown / Elizabeth Harbour: The main hub of the Exumas. This area has it all, amazing beach bars, great snorkeling and diving, good restaurants, entertainment, hiking, watersports, beach sports, it is thee social hotspot for cruisers in this part of the world. During the season hundreds of sailboats can be seen in Elizabeth Harbour. It's a great starting point for heading North into the Exuma Cays or South towards the Jumentos or Long Island where other adventures await.

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