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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
Shop My Bahamas Essentials
What would you add to this guide to travel to Exuma, The Bahamas? Share with us in the comments!
Recommended Tours in The Bahamas
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Travel To Exuma, The Bahamas
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you travel between islands in The Bahamas?
Your inter-island travel options in The Bahamas are ferries operated by Bahamas Ferries or domestic flights operated by Bahamas Air. Ferry and flight schedules can be limited, especially during the off and shoulder seasons, so plan and book in advance.
Do I need a visa to travel to The Bahamas?
Citizens of the EU, Australia, U.S., Canada, and the U.K need a passport, a return or onward ticket, and a confirmed hotel or vacation home booking. If you’re coming from one of these five countries, then you do not need a visa.
If you’re a citizen of another country, you might need a visa or visa-on-arrival to enter The Bahamas. You’ll want to check your country’s visa guidelines and requirements.
Your passport will need to have an empty page for your entry stamp and be valid for at least six months past your entry date to The Bahamas.
Cruise ship passengers visiting The Bahamas for a day are exempted from obtaining visas.
Can DACA students travel to The Bahamas?
No. DACA students can only travel in the United States and U.S. territories – Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
How much does it cost to travel to The Bahamas?
Expected travel costs in The Bahamas, plus airfare:
Lower End: $350/day per person.
Midrange: $650/day per person.
Higher End: $1000/day per person.
What should I avoid in The Bahamas?
Things you should avoid in The Bahamas are:
1. Hurricane season.
2. Unmarked taxis.
3. Never leaving your resort.
4. Expecting punctuality – everything runs on “island time” here.
5. Haggling. You’ll need to pay the stated price.
What do I need to know before traveling to The Bahamas?
Bahamas Travel Guide – Know Before You Go:
1. The currency is the Bahamian dollar ($), which is pegged to the U.S. dollar. So 1 Bahamian dollar is always the same as 1 U.S. dollar.
2. U.S. dollars are accepted interchangeably with Bahamian dollars, so you won’t need a different currency if you’re from the U.S. But you may receive change in Bahamian dollars.
3. Exchange rates are subject to fluctuations, so be sure to check this as your trip approaches. On average, 1 Bahamian dollar equals about £.72 British Pounds, €,84, and 6.46 Chinese Yuan.
4. Tap or “still” water is safe to drink in The Bahamas, so you don’t need to buy bottled water.
5. 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.
6. 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 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.
7. ATMs are available at some resorts, banks, and shopping centers throughout the islands, but they’re often not conveniently located to hotels and vacation homes. So I recommend bringing enough cash with you (especially if you’re from the U.S. with no currency change) or withdrawing lump sums to avoid making lots of visits to an ATM.
8. 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.
9. Greetings are usually verbal rather than a handshake or peck on the cheek. It’s polite to greet everyone upon entering a taxi, shop, restaurant, or boat with a ‘good morning’ or ‘good afternoon.’
10. 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.
What is the best time of year to go to The Bahamas?
The Bahamas’ High Season 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 and cruise ship dockings 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 should 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.
Can you drink the water in The Bahamas?
Tap or “still” water is safe to drink in The Bahamas, so you don’t need to buy bottled water.
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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.
Barbara
This was a fantastic trip, Lucy! Thanks for all the awesome ideas, suggestions, and tips! I highly recommend Lucy on Locale for traveling to the Great Exuma!
Lucy On Locale
I’m always happy to help plan trips, especially to an incredible destination like Great Exuma!