Are you a fan of beautiful beaches with sand so soft it feels like powder? How about palm-fringed coastlines that border water so blue that astronauts can see it from space? If you are, you might want to consider signing up for a cruise to Exuma.
While all of the Bahamas are postcard-perfect, the Exumas are a chain of 365 islands to the south of Nassau that might just take home the prize. Because of that, it’s in your best interests to figure out how to get there – even if you only plan on being in the Bahamas for a day.
In this guide, we’re going to explain how to get from Nassau to Exuma, as well as how the traditional cruise to Exuma might not be the best option. By the time you finish reading, you’ll have the knowledge you need to make your dream vacation a reality.
Read on to get started!
Cruise to Exuma: What to Expect on a Day Trip
How to Get From Nassau to Exuma
Unlike some parts of the country, the Exumas are rather remote. There’s no international airport on the island, nor can the waters surrounding the region accommodate the gigantic cruise ships that flock into the harbors of Nassau and Freeport. Because of that, you’re going to have to be creative when it comes to getting to Exuma.
Most visitors to the capital sign up for Exuma tours from Nassau. These make it easy to see some of the top sites in the region during the day, then return back to the comfort of their Nassau hotel that same evening.
If you’re considering day trips from Nassau to Exuma, you can choose one of two modes of transportation.
A private-class Bahamas Air Tours plane promises comfort, style, and a personal experience.
Exuma Tours From Nassau by Boat
By far the more popular option, the boat from Nassau to Exuma is what most people think of when they think ‘cruise to Exuma.’
However, given the distance that the boats need to cover (around 80 miles), a powerboat is one of the only types that are feasible for day trips. And unfortunately, the ride isn’t as dreamy or romantic as many travelers hope for.
For one thing, the boats have to travel over rough, open waters to reach the calm paradise that is Exuma. Many people find the sensation of the boats smacking against the waves to be a bit jarring – particularly those who are susceptible to seasickness.
But perhaps the most frustrating aspect of the experience is that the Nassau to Exuma day trip journey is long when you travel by boat. You can expect the journey on the water to take around four hours roundtrip, occupying a big chunk of the time that you could otherwise spend exploring the beautiful country.
Getting to Exuma by Plane
If traveling by boat doesn’t sound like it’ll provide the cruise to Exuma experience you were looking for, you’re in luck. As mentioned, there are two major ways to get to the island, the second of which is air travel.
Choosing to cruise to Exuma by plane lets you enjoy unbeatable views.
When you sign up for a day trip by plane with Bahamas Air Tours, you won’t have to worry about any of the problems that plague the powerboat tours. For one thing, you get to skip the crowds, ensuring that the experience is a personal one. You can even book a private tour to ensure a completely personalized experience if you’re so inclined.
But aside from getting to avoid some of the people, traveling by plane also saves time. You’ll end up in the Exumas in around 30 minutes. ensuring that you have all the time you need to explore the region. However, given how beautiful the journey is, you might actually find yourself wishing it were a bit longer!
Compare Day Trips by Plane vs Powerboat
- 3Ns Tour by Plane
- $850per person
- 30 minute Flight in Comfort
- Stunning Aerial Views
- Visits 7 Exuma Attractions
- Guaranteed Small Group Size
- Weather Cancellation Rare
- Inclusive Pricing: Transfers & Lunch
- Private Upgrades Available
- 5-Star Reviews
- Tour by Powerboat
- $550per person
- 3 hour Boat Ride one way
- No Aerial Views
- Visits 4 Exuma Attractions
- Large Groups
- Frequent Cancellations
- Surcharges & Fees
- No Private Upgrades
- Poor Reviews
Nassau to Exuma Day Trip: Top Sites
Signing up for Bahamas Nassau to Exuma day trips by plane allows you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the experience. You won’t have to worry about local transportation once you arrive, nor will you have to worry about which sites are worth visiting. Bahamas Air Tours does the heavy lifting for you, taking you to and from the top sites in the region.
Here are some of the top attractions you’ll get to see when you cruise to Exuma by plane:
Exuma Pigs at Pig Beach
Once you figure out how to get to Exuma (by plane!), you’ll get to see one of the most recognizable attractions in the Bahamas and the world: the Exuma pigs at Big Major Cay (also known as Pig Island). The pigs are so famous they’ve inspired knock-off pig beaches. However, the originals are in the Exumas, and they’re without a doubt a highlight of the trip.
The friendly Exuma pigs will be eager to greet you once you arrive at Pig Island.
If you’re unfamiliar with their history, the pigs inhabit an abandoned island by themselves. While no one is 100% certain how they arrived at their island, they remain happy, friendly, and sociable to this day. At Pig Island, you can hang out with them on the beach and even swim in the water alongside them.
Staniel Cay
Staniel Cay is the first island you’ll step foot on in the Exumas since it houses a local airport. Once there, you’ll then hop on a small boat and zip your way around to the nearby attractions. However, just because you’re using it as a base of operations doesn’t mean that Staniel Cay doesn’t have its own array of great sites.
The beauty of Staniel Cay greets you the moment you touch down on the island.
Like all the islands in the Exumas (and the Bahamas, in general), Staniel Cay is gorgeous. Everywhere you look you’ll see palm trees, white sand, and bright-blue water.
Besides being full of natural beauty, Staniel Cay also features a charming town. You’ll eat lunch at the local yacht club when you travel with Bahamas Air Tours.
Plane Wreck
In the waters nearby Staniel Cay, you’ll find a plane wreck submerged beneath the blue depths. The plane is a drug smuggling vessel from the 70s, having crashed on the way from Colombia. Having been in the water for so long, the wreck is now full of underwater life.
On your Staniel Cay day tour, you’ll get the chance to snorkel around the wreck, swimming around it while looking for exciting things to see.
An underwater plane wreck is one of the many highlights of a Nassau to Exuma day trip.
Nurse Sharks at Compass Cay
Sharks have a bad reputation, most of which is underserved. Traveling to Compass Cay on a cruise to Exuma is the perfect way to see that they aren’t the scary, bloodthirsty monsters that movies so often portray them as.
At the Compass Cay Marina, you’ll find a school of nurse sharks swimming around the water. You can stay dry on the docks if you want, but if you’re feeling up to it, you can even hop in the water with them. Make sure to have a friend with a nice camera ready, as it’s the perfect photo op!
If you’ve never swam with sharks before, Exuma tours from Nassau are your chance to do so.
Iguanas at Bitter Guana Cay
As if sharks and gregarious pigs weren’t enough, choosing to cruise to Exuma by plane also gives you the chance to stop at Bitter Guana Cay, home to a special and endangered animal: the northern Bahamian rock iguana. Bitter Guana Cay is one of the only places in the country where you’re guaranteed to see them.
When you skip the boat from Nassau to Exuma, you get more time to explore — including islands like Bitter Guana Cay.
Besides seeing the lizards, you’ll also get to appreciate the lush beauty of their tropical island home!
How to Get to Exuma: Know the Secret
Given the number of amazing sites in the region, it’s no surprise that many travelers to the Bahamas are looking to sign up for a cruise to Exuma. From the Exuma pigs to sand bars and nurse sharks, there’s so much to see that a Nassau to Staniel Cay day tour will feel like a dream. However, just remember that there’s an easier way to get to the region than by boat.
When you fly out on a day trip by plane with Bahamas Air Tours, you get to avoid the crowds, save time, and travel in comfort and style. All of that means a more enjoyable journey, and a more enjoyable journey means a more memorable trip.
Sign up for one of our tours today to make your dream Bahamas vacation a reality!
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