The Exumas are an archipelago of 365 cays and islands, beginning 35 miles southeast of Nassau. This pristine area is a perfect destination for your Exuma Islands yacht charter.
The islands are divided into three major areas—Great Exuma, Little Exuma, and The Exuma Cays. Each area is unique, and there is no doubt that Exuma, Bahamas, is an ideal destination for a yacht charter.
The largest of the cays is Great Exuma, 37 miles long, and joined to another island, Little Exuma, by a small bridge.
The capital and largest town in the district is George Town. Near the town, but on Little Exuma, the Tropic of Cancer runs across Pelican Beach (also known as Tropic of Cancer Beach). The island chain is 130 miles long and 72 square miles in area, and great Exuma Island has an area of 61 square miles, while Little Exuma has an area of 11 square miles.
Allan Cay
Allan Cay is located in the Northern Exuma Islands, about thirty-seven miles southeast of Nassau, Bahamas. This long, thin cay has very few trees. Iguanas on Allan Cay Weather | Exumas In Allan Cay, the summers are hot, humid, and partly cloudy. The winters are comfortable, humid, dry, and mostly clear. Tropical breezes blow year-round. The temperature typically varies from 70°F to 88°F and is rarely below 65°F or above 90°F. Allan Cay | Things to see and do The cay is uninhabited, and Allan's Cay Iguanas is the main attraction. This is one of the few places where you can still find these gentle but fearsome-looking creatures. The iguanas are protected by law and are friendly and welcoming to visitors who bring them vegetables and fruits. Be cautious when interacting with the iguanas, not only because they are endangered and protected by law but also because they are still...
Big Major Cay (also known as Major Cay) is an uninhabited island in Exuma, Bahamas. The island is home to Pig Beach, a beach populated by a colony of feral pigs, and it has become a tourist attraction in modern times. Big Major Cay No one knows how the pigs, also known as "the swimming pigs," arrived on the island, although three theories exist. First, some say they were left on purpose by sailors who planned to return for a pig roast. When they never returned, the pigs made themselves at home. Second, it is rumored that the pigs swam ashore after surviving a shipwreck. And last, the pigs may have been bred in preparation for feeding the locals during the Gulf War when food supply chains were threatened. However, the pigs arrive, and they are worth visiting. Weather Like the rest of the Bahamas, Big Major Cay is warm...
Cruising south in the Exuma Blues from the northern Exuma islands and Cay, you arrive at Compass Cay, one of the top attractions in the central Exuma islands. Here you can swim with the sharks, rent a villa, and dock at the marina for the day or night. Compass Cay, Exumas Mr. Tucker Rolle welcomes everyone with a smile. There is a casual, relaxed atmosphere, and the focal point is the area around the sharks. Weather During the winter, the weather in central Exumas is warmer than in Nassau. Summers have hot days and comfortable nights. The water is warm year-round. Compass Cay has perfect weather, with an average high of 77-86 degrees Fahrenheit. February is the coolest month, while July and August are the hottest. The most rain falls in October. Compass Cay | Places to See and Things to Do Thunderball Grotto. An incredible underwater cave that was...
There's more to the Exumas than swimming pigs and the famous Thunderball Grotto. See the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park and experience the true beauty of the Exumas. Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park Land and Sea Park: Natural Beauty Abounds The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park is a 22 by 8 mile stretch of protected area in the Bahamas. The area extends from Shroud Cay in the north to Bell Cay in the south. The park showcases wildlife and biodiversity, with abundant natural beauty. The dense vegetation of mangroves and scrub, as well as a variety of tropical species, envelop the area. The park is part of the Bahamian National Trust which started in 1958. Everything is protected. Visitors may not remove any animal or fauna; the only ones who may fish are the birds! At the southern end, there are beautiful rock formations. The Bahamas is...
The largest of the Exuma Cays is Great Exuma, 37 miles long and joined to Little Exuma by a small bridge. The capital and largest town in the district is George Town. Great Exuma is one of the Bahama Islands still untouched by major tourism. Great Exuma Beach Weather In George Town, the summers are hot, humid, and mostly cloudy; the winters are warm, dry, and mostly clear. It is windy year-round. Over the year, the temperature typically varies from 70°F to 88°F and is rarely below 65°F or above 90°F. Great Exuma: Things to see and do Swim with pigs. Big Major Cay is home to these "domesticated" animals. Whenever a boat arrives, they swim out to be fed. Although the pigs are friendly, be aware that they are still wild! Visit Moriah Harbour Cay, National Park. Covering 13,440 acres, the park is a vital part of the ecosystem...
Highbourne Cay, Bahamas, is a privately-owned island in the Exuma Cays 35 miles southeast of New Providence. It is approximately three miles long and shaped like the letter H. The highest point is over 100 feet above sea level, one of the highest elevations in the Exumas. Centuries ago, this cay was a haven for pirates, and now most boaters have it on their itinerary. The Exumas in the Bahamas Weather The weather in Highbourne Cay is generally warm to hot. The sun shines most days, but there's often a breeze to cool the temperature. December through March can get chilly at night, while the rest of the year enjoys warm and mild weather. Highbourne Cay | Things to see and do Go to the beach. Highbourne Cay has eight beaches that are all mostly deserted. So on any given day, you may have the entire beach to yourself. Snorkel....
Little Exuma is only twelve square miles. It is here that scenes from two of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies were filmed. This is a lovely stop on a Bahamas yacht charter itinerary. Exumas Little Exuma | Weather The weather in Little Exuma is very similar to that of Great Exuma. The summers are hot and humid, and the winters are very comfortable, mostly clear, and windy year-round. The temperature typically varies from 70°F to 88°F and is rarely below 65°F or above 90°F. Although the island isn't in hurricane alley, it does get tropical storms. Little Exuma | Things to see and do Eat at Santana's Grill Pit, an open-air beach shack restaurant. Local favorites include cracked lobster, cracked conch, shrimp, grilled grouper, peas and rice, and macaroni and cheese. Visit the salt lake near Williams Town. Here, salt was once harvested and shipped abroad. Hike old footpaths...
Norman Cay is a small island in the Exumas, the Bahamas, about a hundred acres in size. Despite its small size, it is an island with a spirit and story. It has been home to pirates, drug lords such as Carlos Lehder, filmmakers, explorers, writers, fishermen, and marine biologists throughout history. As popular as Norman Cay has become over time, it is almost untouched by man today. Norman Cay is an ideal location to start your Exuma Yacht Charter. The airport can handle small jets and other smaller aircraft. The cruising time from Nassau is reduced by at least three to four hours. Norman Cay Norman Cay is south of Highborne Cay as you sail the Exuma Cays from the north. There are good places for scuba diving in the Cay between Highborne Cay and the island. You can enjoy the beautiful marine world if your yacht has scuba diving...
Shroud Cay is the northernmost cay in the Exuma Land and Sea Park, an uninhabited cay owned by Exuma Park. This archipelago of cays and rocks surrounds a shallow tidal mangrove salt marsh that creates a unique nursery for conch, lobster, sea turtles, birds, and a myriad of fish. The landscape of Shroud Cay changes from year to year due to winds and waves. Many Bahamas Yacht Charters in the Exumas visit Shroud Cay. Bay in the Exumas Weather The weather is excellent on Shroud Cay year-round, and it is warm to hot in the summer and mild in the winter. Expect occasional passing rain showers. Shroud Cay | Things to see and do Explore Camp Driftwood Beach and hike to the highest point of the cay for fantastic views. The camp was built in the 1960s by Ernest Scholtes. Kayak. Shroud Cay has channels of mangroves that you can...
Staniel Cay is surrounded by crystal blue water and white sand beaches making it one of the most popular cays in the Exumas. It is about 75 miles south of Nassau and 250 miles southeast of Florida. Less than 120 people live on the island in a small village on the western shore. The village has residential housing, restaurants, bars, a church, a police station, a post office, a library, small retail stores, and marine supply shops. Some Exuma Yacht Charters start from or end in Staniel Cay. Private charter and scheduled flights are available from the airport or via seaplane to and from Nassau. Generally, this allows for more time onboard in the cays. Staniel Cay Yacht Cub. Exumas, Bahamas Two cays separated by a mangrove creek make up Staniel Cay. At the north end, there is a salt pond. Staniel Cay is protected by the Bahamas National Trust,...
Stocking Island is a small, long, narrow island off the port of George Town, Great Exuma Island, Bahamas. The Island has a population of only 10. One mile from Government Dock, George Town, across the harbor. This long narrow Island protects George Town from ocean waves, creating a natural harbor. One high hill, known locally as the Beacon, is capped with an old, unused gas beacon. Stocking Island Weather The summers are hot, humid, and mostly cloudy. The winters are comfortable, dry, and mostly clear. It is windy year-round. Over the year, the temperature typically varies from 70°F to 88°F and is rarely below 65°F or above 90°F. Stocking Island: Things to see and do Snorkel or dive into the Island's blue holes, coral gardens, and undersea caves. The Island is home to some of the oldest known macro-fossils on earth, stromatolites. Visit Chat and Chill, a popular bar/restaurant accessible...
Warderick Wells Cay is home to the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, and it stretches from Wax Cay Cut in the north to Conch Cut in the south. Note that all living and dead wildlife is protected. For this reason, visitors may not take anything from the park, including rocks and sand. Warderick Wells Cay Be sure to bring all supplies when visiting the park, as there are no available supplies, including water. There is a small gift shop at the park headquarters, and the proceeds go to support the park. There are no bathrooms, showers, or other shoreside facilities. Warderick Wells Cay | Weather The weather is very similar to the other cays in the Bahamas. The summers are hot and mostly cloudy; the winters warm and mostly clear; and it is windy year round. The temperature typically varies from 70°F to 88°F and is rarely below 66°F...
In George Town, the summers are hot, humid, and mostly cloudy; the winters are warm, dry, and straightforward. It is windy year-round. During the year, the temperature typically varies from 70°F to 88°F and is rarely below 65°F or above 90°F.
Exuma Islands Yacht Charter | Places to see
Moria Harbour Cay, National Park. The park covers 13,440 acres and is a vital part of the ecosystem between Great and Little Exuma. It includes dunes, beaches, mangroves, and seagrass beds.
Mile-long Sandbar just south of Big Farmer's Cay. This is a mile-long stretch of dazzling white sands that emerges from the blue-green water at low tide.
Bitter Guana Cay, also known as Iguana Island, and make friends with some of the island's inhabitants, the Bahamian Rock Iguanas. You can even hand-feed these animals.
Hermitage Estate in Williams Town, on Little Exuma. The Hermitage Estate is a 970-acre cotton plantation on which the Cotton House stands, the oldest building in the Exuma's.
Exuma Islands Yacht Charter | Things to do
Swim with the pigs. Big Major's Cay is home to these "domesticated" animals. Whenever a boat arrives, they swim out to be fed. Although the pigs are friendly, be aware that they are still wild!
Experience local cuisine at Chat' N' Chill, a bar and grill that offers native dishes. Or, dine at Sandals Emerald Bay, which offers Asian, French, and Italian cuisine.
Kayak. While navigating the calm, shallow water, you may spot dolphins, sea turtles, sting rays, and sharks.
Scuba dive. Dive Exuma offers organized dive trips to blue holes, reefs, and wrecks. They are located on the Government Dock in Georgetown, Great Exuma.
Find a farmers' market. Local fruits and vegetables, freshly caught fish, and homemade bakery items are found at small shops and produce stands throughout the islands. In Georgetown, visit Fergie's Kitchen Products at the Farmer's Market. Fergie makes mango, guava, cherry, and sea grape jams from local fruit and sells them from her store.
Listen to local music. Head to Eddie's Edgewater Grill in George Town on Mondays to hear a Rake n' Scrape band.
Have a picnic on a white sand beach.
Staniel cay swimming pig.
Gastronomy
Food in the Exuma Islands is similar to traditional Bahamian dishes. The Exumas are known for fresh seafood such as conch, grouper, jack, lobster, tuna, and wahoo. If you've never tried conch (pronounced "konk"), try it fried or in chowder.
Marinas | Exuma Islands Yacht Charter
Staniel Cay Marina. Accommodates drafts up to 12 feet and yachts up to 210 feet. The newly renovated marina offers fuel, electricity (single and three phases), fresh water, ice, and bait. Eighteen secure slips accommodate center consoles to mega yachts.
The Marina at Emerald Bay. Has 133 slips from 40 feet to 240 feet, sewage pump-outs at each slip, 30/50/100 amp 120/240 (3ph), water, high capacity fuel tanks with high volume pumps, floating docks, 24-hour security, immigration, and customs on-site.
Concierge services, buoy marked channel, free laundry - 4 Large capacity washers and dryers are available. Ice, a fitness center, a liquor store, a convenience store, six shower rooms with toiletries (2 are accessible), cable TV, free Wi-Fi, and a playground.
Compass Cay Marina. Accessible from the Exuma Banks and the Exuma Sound through channels marked with buoys and range markers. Thirty, fifty, and 100-amp electric, Reverse osmosis water, laundry, and shower facilities are available.
In addition, the marina store has ice, beer, soda, bottled water, limited sundry and food items, clothing, and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Fuel is available about five miles away at Staniel Cay.
Enjoy cruising this beautiful area on an Exuma Islands Yacht Charter.
Yacht Types
In general, two types of yachts are perfect for cruising the shallow waters of the Bahamas:
Motor Yachts – If you are looking for comfort and adventure, motor yachts are an excellent choice. You can add more stops to your itinerary on a motor yacht because it quickly travels from place to place without being dependent on the wind. In addition, they're typically the most luxurious boats.
M/Y AQUA LIFE
Catamarans – Sailing and power catamarans are ideal for adventurers looking for a comfortable, stable, and relaxed sailing experience.
Sailing Catamaran Blue Gryphon
Power Catamarans are also a yacht charter option in the Exumas.
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