A stunning tropical wonderland, Compass Cay Bahamas is an idyllic island. It offers not only magnificent landscapes but also the antidote for adrenaline addicts – the chance to plunge into shark-infested waters.
This island is essential for every traveler embarking on their Bahamas vacation. Where else can you feel the excitement of swimming with a bunch of sharks in such a picturesque destination?
Aside from the swimming with sharks Bahamas experience, you will be glad to find out that Compass Cay Bahamas is packed with 13 pristine beaches. Plus, several bungalows and villas. Perfect for those who want to enjoy this island more intimately.
Scroll down to find out more information on this spectacular island. We will uncover some of the most important tips when visiting the island. Also, give you the best deal you can get to reach Compass Cay Bahamas. It is even easier more than ever, to go visit the Compass Cay Marina and discover the amazing Swimming with Sharks experience in the Exuma Bahamas.
With daily tours and flights from Nassau or Florida with Bahamas Air Tours you can enjoy a day with these exciting Sharks surrounded by the beauty of Compass Cay.
A Little About Compass Cay Bahamas
Compass Cay Bahamas is a part of the Exuma Cays where 350 cays, islands, and islets sit secluded from the rest of the Bahamas. Exuma Cays is often the perfect alternative for the more adventurous travelers who want to escape the bustling capital of Nassau and explore the wild side of the Bahamas.
As a part of the Exuma Cays, Compass Cay definitely lives up to Exuma’s reputation with its unusual attractions and gorgeous surroundings. Other noteworthy destinations in the Exumas include Big Major Cay, Bitter Guana Cay, and many more (read until the bottom part to find out more about these incredible destinations).
How to get to Compass Cay Exuma
The easiest way to enjoy the pristine nature of Compass Cay Exuma is by starting your trip from Staniel Cay, a small island with the busiest airstrip in Exuma.
Staniel Cay is perched 75 miles south of Nassau, the capital city of the Bahamas. The easiest way to travel from Nassau to Staniel Cay is by arranging a flight with Bahamas Air Tours. Alternatively, if you would like to travel directly from Florida to Staniel Cay, flights can also be arranged with Bahamas Air Tours.
A trip from Staniel Cay to Compass Cay Exuma is relatively easy to arrange, fishing boats and water taxis are available most of the time at Staniel Cay Yacht Club. The trip from Staniel Cay Yacht Club to Compass Cay Exuma only takes around 10 minutes.
History of the Compass Cay Marina
It was not until one or two decades ago that sharks started ruling the sea of Compass Cay.
The sharks of Compass Cay are endemic Bahamas wildlife known as Ginglymostoma Cirratum or Nurse sharks in everyday language. These sharks commonly roam the sea of Exuma but Compass Cay is not one of their resting spots.
This changed when the owner of Compass Cay Marina found these docile creatures and decided to bring them back to his island as pets. As years go by, the Compass Cay sharks are now the permanent residents of Compass Cay and its population keeps growing throughout the year. This unprecedented occasion in Exuma ends up attracting tourists from all over the world today.
The nurse sharks Bahamas excursion is fun for the whole family.
What to do at Compass Cay Bahamas
1. Go swimming with sharks Bahamas style!
The highlight of the trip to Compass Cay is unquestionably the swimming with sharks experience. With dozens of nurse sharks Bahamas surrounding you in the azure water, you will get special Bahamas bragging rights with those smashing IG pictures.
The sharks in Compass Cay are friendly creatures that do not attack humans unless provoked. It’s a thrilling experience that is relatively harmless.
About the Compass Cay sharks
Although nurse sharks and the great white sharks belong to the same family, these two species have the biggest differences in temperament, behavior, and shape.
Nurse sharks are often teased as Bahamian catfish due to their shape. These mammals are known as bottom-feeders. They mostly rest on the bottom of the shallow water to suck sediment and critters from the sand. While fishing for food, nurse sharks squeal in a high-pitched noise. It resembles the word “Hurse”. This is one probably why the locals address them as nurse sharks.
An adult nurse shark can weigh between 200 to 330 pounds at its peak and grow to be almost ten feet in length. The life expectancy of nurse sharks ranges from 20 – 25 years.
How to act with the nurse sharks Bahamas
Every traveler who will plunge into the shark-infested water at Compass Cay Exuma must go through a safety briefing by locals to avoid unwanted incidents.
As a general rule of thumb, do not touch or feed any sharks when you are swimming in the water. These creatures may misunderstand your curiosity or kindness as aggression and bite back.
Remember, although they mainly eat from micro-size food, these creatures have hundreds of razor-sharp teeth and powerful jaws.
2. Kick back at idyllic Compass Cay Bahamas beaches
Although Compass Cay is famous for its sharks’ sanctuary, this island actually boasts many untouched beaches for travelers who want to enjoy the sun, sea, and sand away from the crowds.
There are thirteen of them in total and a beach-hopping adventure here is a must if you have extra time in Compass Cay. Some beaches even have sandbanks that you can visit during low tide, a unique experience for beach lovers.
3. Go swimming with Pigs at Pig Island (Big Major Cay)
After swimming with the sharks at Compass Cay Bahamas, why not continue the journey to Pig Island and unwind with your new swimming partner – the Exuma pigs.
Big Major Cay is located only 8 minutes away from Compass Cay Bahamas and less than 5 minutes from Staniel Cay, the hub of Exuma. This is one of the sought-after destinations in the Bahamas thanks to the adorable floating pigs.
Aside from Big Major Cay, other destinations you can explore during your Exuma day trips include:
- Witness endangered Iguanas at Bitter Guana Cay
- Snorkel near the underwater plane wreck
- Plunge into Thunderball Grotto
- Unwind at Staniel Cay Yacht Club
- Relax at Pipe Creek and many more..
- Uncover picturesque sand bars at Pipe Creek
Book a Compass Cay Exuma Excursion!
With many exciting destinations to visit in Exuma, it will be a waste just to visit Compass Cay during your Exuma excursion. The best way to enjoy Compass Cay Bahamas is by arranging a day tour with Bahamas Air Tours.
You can opt to travel directly from Miami to the Bahamas or escape from Nassau to Exuma with a day trip. With Bahamas Air Tours, you will enjoy a full-day excursion by plane that allows you to explore multiple destinations in a day thanks to its time-saving charter flight.
All flights will deliver you to Staniel Cay airport before sending you to Exuma’s hidden gems with a speed boat. Transportation and itinerary to every destination have been meticulously designed so all you need to do is just sit back and enjoy the beauty of the Bahamas.
The boat ride will take you to Compass Cay so you can swim with the sharks. But along the way, it will stop at multiple interesting destinations mentioned above such as Pig Beach, Norman Cay’s underwater plane wreck, Bitter Guana Cay, and many more. All of the must-visit islands in Exuma will be seen when you are traveling with Bahamas Air Tours.
Contact us to find out more about your Compass Cay Exuma excursion.
Fly from Nassau to go Swimming with Nurse Sharks with Bahamas Air Tours Nassau to Exuma Day Trip or Miami to Bahamas Day Tour.
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