Exuma tips

Heading to Exuma, Bahamas? Here are some tips based on what I learned during a recent week-long family vacation.

What and Where is Exuma?

Exuma is a long, skinny island in the Bahamas. It’s southeast of Miami and northeast of Cuba. It’s laid back and relatively undeveloped, with endless white sand beaches facing brilliant Caribbean blue waters.

How To Get to Exuma

Exuma has a small (like… really tiny) international airport, with direct flights from places like Charlotte and Miami. That’s to say you may get lucky and be able to fly there directly, but you’ll probably need to connect somewhere.

Either way, it’s a relatively easy trip and you can be on the beach by early afternoon if traveling from the U.S. east coast.

The airport is so small that getting in and out of it is a simple affair. There are a couple of rental car places across the street (you literally walk out of the airport and go across the street).

Where to Stay on Exuma

We rented a house on the beach. It was amazing. Probably do that. 

I’d suggest picking a place near George Town. It’s more or less centrally located along the one main road that runs the length of the island. It’s about 45 minutes to drive to either end from there. 

George Town is the biggest “development” on the island and has the highest concentration of shops, etc. It’s all relative, though—it’s a really small village; your hometown is almost certainly bigger.

What To Do on Exuma

• Go to the beach, obviously. They’re all amazing, you can’t go wrong. 
• Book a boat tour of the chain of islands that extend off the northwest tip of Exuma. This is not to be missed. We booked with Exuma Water Tours, which left from Four C’s Adventures. 
• Rent a boat yourself and explore the bay between Exuma and Stocking Island. Check out Man o’ War Cay (at low tide) and sand dollar scavenging near the southeast end of Stocking Island (the boat rental people will show you on a map). Minns was awesome. 
• Go kayaking or paddle boarding.
• Check out the Fish Fry on Friday night. I’d suggest trying one of the shacks surrounding Shirley’s for some fun local flavor.

We rented a Jeep Wrangler to get around and I wouldn’t do anything else. Driving is super convenient, parking is mostly plentiful, and it’s fun dodging the potholes. Seriously, get a Jeep though. The roads will eat up anything less rugged. I would not get a sedan unless you love changing tires and paying extra rental fees.

Exuma Final Thoughts

Exuma is not for you if you want constant action, fine dining, or shopping. The snorkeling is only OK.

Exuma is a laid back tropical paradise with the prettiest beaches I’ve seen since Thailand and some of the friendliest and most welcoming people you’ll meet. Go to chill, read, swim, boat, sunbathe, search for sand dollars, eat fresh conch, see swimming pigs, and make some great photos.