With world-class beaches, swimming pigs, and water so clear it resembles an infinity pool, the Exumas are a can’t-miss part of the Bahamas. However, they’re also more remote, leading many travelers to wonder about the cheapest way to get to Exuma.
Most travelers reach the Exumas through a Nassau to Exuma day trip. And, while you might assume that such a journey would be expensive, that’s not always the case. In fact, there’s a convenient and affordable way to reach the stunning islands: air travel.
By signing up for Exuma excursions from Nassau with Bahamas Air Tours, you can be at the islands in around a half-hour. No more wasting time and money on Exuma boat tours from the capital. Fly over the turquoise waters on a private class plane, then land with plenty of time to see some of the top sites in the region.

Once you land in the Exumas, Exuma boat tours can take you from island to island.
Why Air Travel Is the Cheapest Way to Get to Exuma
Read on to learn why a cruise to Exuma by plane is actually the best way to reach the islands.
More Bang for Your Buck
Exuma boat tours from Nassau might seem like an easy and affordable way to get to the islands. After all, the Bahamas is an island nation, so boating over from one island to another makes sense, right?
Unfortunately, the islands in the Bahamas aren’t always close to one another. If you’re thinking about doing a Nassau to Exuma day trip, you’re looking at a journey of around 75 miles. How long is ferry from Nassau to Exuma? Depending on what sort of boat gets you there, that can require a trip that’s longer than two hours!
On top of that, Exuma excursions from Nassau are also subject to the whims of the waters surrounding the islands. If it’s especially windy one day, your cruise to Exuma might not be able to leave at all.
In contrast, traveling by plane from Exuma to Nassau is no more than a 30-minute journey. That gives you hours worth of additional time to soak up all that they have to offer while on your day trip. It also makes traveling by plane the cheapest way to get to Exuma in the long run!
More Time, More Activities, More Value
As mentioned, more time in the Exumas means more time to partake in activities around the region. And, when you sign up for Staniel Cay day trips with Bahamas Air Tours, you’ll have no shortage of activities to enjoy.
The Exuma Pigs
The swimming pigs at Pig Island are one of the most famous sites in the Bahamas and the world. Visitors from diverse countries flock to the Exumas to see them swimming and frolicking around in the water.

Air travel is the cheapest way to get to Exuma, and it also lets you see the swimming pigs!
While there are several legends surrounding the origins of the pigs, the most probable explanation holds that in the 1990s, farmers from nearby Staniel Cay grew tired of how the pigs smelled. To give their noses some relief, they brought them to nearby Big Major Cay. As the farmers would travel by boat to feed them, the pigs began to associate the arrival of boats with food. That’s conditioned them into friendly and sociable creatures that love to swim out to visitors!
Travelers of all sorts will love seeing the friendly, snorting pigs up close — both in and out of the water.
Nurse Sharks at Compass Cay
While the swimming pigs might be famous, many travelers don’t realize that the cheapest way to get to Exuma (by plane) also allows them to see another fantastic animal: nurse sharks.
The owner of the Compass Cay Marina “befriended” a school of nurse sharks, and over the years, they’ve multiplied in the waters around the marina. While there’s no easy way to count how many sharks there are, travelers can often see dozens, some of which are around ten feet in length.
Knowing how to get from Nassau to Exuma is essential since not all travelers get the chance to see (and even swim!) with these amazing creatures. However, when you travel by air, you do.
Iguanas at Bitter Guana Cay
If sharks and pigs aren’t enough, Bahamas day trips by plane also take you to Bitter Guana Cay. There, travelers get to see the endangered Bahamian rock iguana up close. Wildlife experts estimate that only around 1,300 of these beautiful animals remain in the wild. Seeing them in their natural habitat is therefore an experience that you won’t soon forget!
Besides getting to see a rare animal, Bitter Guana Cay is also one of the most beautiful places in the Exumas. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to stay there longer to soak up the beauty of the tropical oasis!
Thunderball Grotto
The fact that travelers who fly to the Exumas get to visit Thunderball Grotto is another reason why traveling by plane is the cheapest way to get to Exuma.
Made famous for its appearance in the 1965 James Bond Movie Thunderball, Thunderball Grotto is an other-worldly underwater cave system where visitors can snorkel, swim, dive, and wade. It’s full of exotic marine life, including colorful fish and bright coral reefs.
Pristine Sand Bars
There are many sand bars in the Exumas worth visiting, and you’ll get a chance to see many of them out the window on your Exuma to Nassau flight. However, the one that’s really worth exploring is at Pipe Creek.
Sink your toes into the sand and admire the turquoise, crystal-clear water surrounding you. You can also thank yourself for not wondering, “how long is ferry from Nassau to Exuma?” and instead, traveling by air!
Snorkeling Above a Plane Wreck
Pablo Escobar, one of the most famous drug lords in the world, had a smuggling plane go down just off the coast of Staniel Cay. Unlike other plane wrecks that are often in deeper water, the underwater smuggling plane in the Exumas is in water that’s only around ten feet deep.
That makes it the perfect place to snorkel around, providing you with a unique way to experience a historical landmark.
And Much More!
People who travel via the cheapest way to get to Exuma have the chance to see many other fantastic things on their day trips. Start planning your Exuma trip today to see for yourself!

From pigs to yacht clubs, there’s so much to see on a Nassau to Exuma day trip!
The Cheapest Way to Get to Exuma? Air Travel
Many visitors to the Bahamas think that boats are the most practical and affordable way to traverse the island nation. However, what you might save in the initial cost you lose in time and comfort. Because of that, the cheapest way to get to Exuma is by plane.
If you’re wondering how to get from Nassau to Exuma, skip the crowds for the ferries and instead hop on a private class plane tour with Bahamas Air Tours. Doing so provides you with more time to make the most of the stunning islands and gives you a more comfortable and personal experience.
Get ready for the trip of a lifetime!
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