Exuma is a district of The Bahamas, consisting of over 365 islands, also called cays. The largest of the cays is Great Exuma, and this is the most popular “home base” for exploring the region. This is one of my favorite Caribbean destinations, so here’s everything you need to know to travel to Exuma, The Bahamas.

The Best Things To Do In The Bahamas

The Exuma islands are known as the “Adventure Isles” because they’re famous for their water sports, especially snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, windsurfing, and boating. So if you want an active Bahamas trip where you’re not staying at your resort all day every day, then Exuma is for you.

Here’s how to travel to Exuma, The Bahamas!

Getting Here and Around

The main airport in this region is Exuma International Airport (GGT) on Great Exuma. This is a tiny airport – there are two gates that share a waiting room and no food or drink options inside. There’s an airport “lounge” (which is really just a local restaurant) where you can kill some time before your flight across the street.

If you’re staying on one of the other Exuma islands, you’ll probably take an inter-island flight to Staniel Cay, where you’ll take a boat to other islands.

Your transportation options on Great Exuma are hiring a taxi or renting a car. Taxi rides can be very expensive, so if you want to leave your resort more than a couple of times during your trip, renting a car might save you money. When considering renting a car, be aware that you’ll be driving on the left side of the road.

If you’re staying on another Exuma island, you won’t need a rental car.

What To Do

Swim with the famous pigs

Snorkel in Thunderball Grotto

Visit Bitter Guana Cay (Iguana Island)

Walk on a sandbar that’s only above water a couple of hours a day

Swim with nurse sharks

*I recommend doing these five activities as part of a full-day boat tour.

Take a day trip to Stocking Island and hang out at Chat ‘N Chill’s restaurant and beach

Try conch

Visit the Tropic of Cancer Beach

Kayak

Eat at local restaurants

Have some beach days

Where To Stay

Great Exuma is where most people stay when they visit Exuma because it has the most accessible and affordable accommodations. But there are resorts (and even private islands!) you can stay on throughout the cays.

Grand Isle Resort And Residences (pictured above) is my favorite hotel on Great Exuma. This all-villa resort has one of the best beaches on the island, two restaurants, a tiki bar, a main pool, an adults-only pool, golf carts, and complimentary water sports.

I’ve rounded up the best hotels in Exuma for every budget and preference, and there are also some incredible vacation homes to choose from.

When To Go

Exuma’s high season (like the rest of The Bahamas) is from December to April because of the incredible weather in the mid-70s (24°C) and mid-80s (29°C). All tours, businesses, and restaurants will be open with regular hours of operation. But accommodation prices can be double what they are the rest of the year, and tourist numbers are at their highest. So you need to make all of your reservations in advance.

The Shoulder months are May and June. The weather will still be mostly dry, crowds will be less, and businesses and tours will still be open.

The Low Season is from July to November during the rainy season. Hurricanes and tropical storms can occur, and rain is common. Many shops, restaurants, and tour operators close or reduce their hours during these months, but you can get some great deals on hotels and resorts that would be out of your price range in the peak months.

Where To Eat

Tropic Breeze Beach Bar & Grill

Santanna’s Bar and Grill

Lighthouse Cafe and Ice Cream Parlour

Big D’s Conch Spot

Chat ‘N’ Chill

Haulover Bay Bar & Grill Restuarant

Blu on the Water Restaurant & Bar

Shoreline Restaurant and Bar

Know Before You Go

Bars and restaurants run on “island time,” meaning that service will likely be slower than you’re used to. You may have to get the server’s attention rather than waiting for them to approach. This is a cultural difference, not a sign of poor service.

Many restaurants are closed on Tuesdays, and most restaurants don’t update their Google business profile. So you’ll want to call restaurants for their opening hours and reservations instead of relying on the internet.

Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted at hotels and car rental agencies, but most shops and restaurants don’t take credit cards. And most of the shops and restaurants that do take credit cards charge a 2.5-5% processing fee, which can add up quickly. So I recommend paying for meals and souvenirs with cash.

Electrical outlets in The Bahamas are Types A and B. So if you’re from the U.S., you won’t need an outlet adaptor. But British, European, and other travelers will need an adaptor.

Tipping:

Hotels – around $2 per bag for porters and $10 per day for cleaning staff ($20 a day if there’s turn-down service)

Restaurants – 15% or the total bill, but it’s often added automatically, so check before you pay

Taxis – 15% of the fare

Gas Attendants – $5

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This guide to travel to Exuma, The Bahamas is not a sponsored post, and the thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own. Some of the links in this guide to travel to Exuma, The Bahamas are affiliate links, and, at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission from this guide to travel to Exuma, The Bahamas.