There are all kinds of day trips from Nassau to Exuma which will leave you craving a longer stay. It is hard not to crave the relaxed island culture after a day in the warm sand of paradise. Perched under a palm tree on the beach with the leaves whistling in the wind and a view of vibrant turquoise for miles in front of you, you must try all you can to remember the moment because when you leave you will just want to have it again.
The Exuma Cays are a collection of islands, cays, and islets which make up over half of the 700-plus Bahamian islands. Due to its relative distance from the United States, the Exumas are seen as having a more exotic appeal than the islands near Florida. The Exumas are also known as the most beautiful part of the country.
Check out all a day trip to the Exuma Cays has to offer in the reading below.
9 Things to Expect on Day Trips from Nassau to Exuma
First, you should figure out how to get from Nassau to Exuma. As we will mention later, there are plenty of modes of transportation to these exotic islands and cays.
There is so much to be seen in so little time. Island hopping, lazy beach days, exotic wildlife, new underwater worlds; here are eight things to expect on day trips from Nassau to Exuma.
1. Extraordinary views from the sky
Taking Bahamas day trips by plane is one of the most extraordinary things to do in the Bahamas. Soar through the clouds in a private Bahamas air charter and gaze through the windows at what astronauts consider the most beautiful region on Earth from space.
You will get the same bird’s eye view of the eye-popping contrast of colors in the Exuma Cays. The lush green palm trees, the white sand beaches, and the turquoise-blue crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea.
It is one of the best places to be in the sky and a view most tourists riding the ferry will never get.
Miles and miles of blue Caribbean Sea on our day trips from Nassau to Exuma.
2. Swimming with pigs Nassau excursion
Pigs Beach Bahamas is one of the most popular day trips from Nassau to Exuma. Bahamas vacation visitors flock to see these pink Exuma pigs paddle about in the shimmering Caribbean and they can’t wait to swim with pigs Nassau-style.
Tours to Pig Beach Bahamas netted nearly 6.62 million visitors in 2018 and that number will only continue to grow as the dream-like island continues to be shared on Instagram and other social media channels.
There is no shortage of Pig Beach excursion from Nassau. There are ferries, speed boats, aircrafts, water taxis, and other tourist get-ups vying for your business. Each company claiming to provide its advantages and disadvantages. However, the best way to see Pig Island to get the most bang for your buck is to take one of the flights to Bahamas to see the famous swimming pigs in the Bahamas.
Big Major Cay (Pig Island) is only a short boat ride — about ten minutes — from the ever-popular transport hub of Staniel Cay. There is a landing strip which our private aircraft will land at and you will then be transported to the neighboring island to swim with pigs Nassau before any other tourists arrive.
It is the perfect Pig Beach excursion from Nassau and Florida; no matter where you are coming from.
Swimming pigs at Big Major Cay — one of our most popular Exuma excursions.
3. Swimming with sharks at Compass Cay
About eight miles north of Staniel Cay, Compass Cay is the furthest north Bahamas Air Tours takes you on your day trips from Nassau to Exuma. The cay is about halfway up the Exumas Cays chain and exactly 75 miles south of the capital, Nassau.
At Compass Cay Marina, you will have the unique opportunity to swim with countless reef and nurse sharks in their natural habitat. These sharks were originally kept as pets but have since become a sanctuary for these animals.
They can live to be 25-years-old and grow up to ten-feet-long and 200-330 pounds. At that point in their growth, they have reached full carnivorous potential, but don’t worry — these sharks are generally harmless unless they feel threatened.
They receive the name nurse shark from the suction sound they make while swimming similar to a nursing baby. Nurse sharks are bottom-dwelling beasts that feed off life at the seafloor.
The sharks may seem in abundance at Compass Cay Marina, but humans are actually putting their species at risk as they continue to invade more and more of their habitat.
There is plenty to do at Compass Cay so make sure you visit on your day trips from Nassau to Exuma!
Reef sharks bottom-dwelling at Compass Cay.
4. Wildlife spotting at Bitter Guana Cay
Bitter Guana Cay, also known as Iguana Island in the Bahamas, is right around the middle of the chain of pristine islands of the Exumas. It got its nickname because it is home to a very rare species of endangered Northern Bahamian Rock Iguanas.
The island is only about 85 miles south of Nassau which makes it a popular day trips from Nassau to Exuma destination. Spend your day traversing this exotic and flavorful island and look for these special creatures which are estimated to have evolved for the past three million years.
Northern Rock Iguanas can live up to 40 years, growing to head-to-tail lengths of nearly four feet. However, most iguanas you spot at Bitter Guana Cay will only be about two feet in length.
They are brown and pinkish in color.and are indigineous to the island.
You can enjoy hiking around the island as you spot these herbivorous animals. It is one of the best things to do on day trips from Nassau to Exuma Cays.
Northern Bahamian Rock Iguana spotting at Bitter Guana Cay.
5. Adventures at Thunderball Grotto
Thunderball Grotto is a hollow rock formation in between Staniel Cay and Big Major Cay, making it a high toured destination on any day trips from Nassau to Exuma Cays.
It is close enough to swim to when you are on your swimming pigs tour. You should be an advanced swimmer and bring a snorkel for the best experience. There are hidden entrances and natural skylights on the inside of the formation. It is one of the best Exuma excursions for adrenaline seekers.
6. Snorkeling underwater plane wrecks
Carlos Ledher used to own Norman’s Cay as a halfway point for smuggling drugs from Colombian cartels to the United States. However, on one fateful night in the 1980s, one of his planes went down just off the coast of the Exuma islands. This set off a search for the plane the next morning.
What was found was an abandoned plane full of marijuana ten feet underwater. Now, it is one of the most accessible and interesting underwater plane wrecks in the world. Bring a snorkel and explore the entire plane and get ready for some neat underwater photos.
7. Relaxing on Pig Beach Bahamas
There is more to swimming with pigs Bahamas than feeding the pigs. Find yourself a comfortable space in the warm white sand and enjoy this tropical turquoise water paradise. Relaxing on the beach is a subtle Exuma excursion but an experience you can’t get anywhere else like you can in the Bahamas on your day trips from Nassau to Exuma.
8. Socializing at Staniel Cay Yacht Club
Staniel Cay Yacht Club was established in 1956 as a premiere boutique hotel, cafe, bar, and marina. It is known as the “Gateway to the Exumas” because of its location perfect for those sailing through the Exumas.
Join the likes of Sean Connery among many other celebrities who have had a drink at the renowned yacht club bar. The entire 1965 “Thunderball” movie cast used to regularly show up at the bar during the filming of the James Bond 007 Hollywood film.
9. Fishing with an expert
Rent a fishing boat and hire a local fisherman as a guide for either a half-day trip or a full day on your Bahamas getaway. Your expert guide will know exactly where to anchor the boat so you have the best opportunities at bringing in an exotic catch.
The best part is bringing your catch home for dinner after your day trips from Nassau to Exuma.
How to get to Exuma
If taking Bahamas day trips by plane in how to get from Nassau to Exuma, you only need to show up at the appropriate airport in either Fort Lauderdale (Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport) or Nassau (Nassau International Airport) and you will be transported in luxurious fashion in less than one hour to one of the most beautiful destinations in the world.
The Exuma Cays are a family-oriented Bahamas vacation.
Book Your Nassau to Staniel Cay Day Tour
Flights to Bahamas leave every day whether coming from Florida or Nassau. Your day trip to Bahamas awaits and all the Staniel Cay day trips attractions will be at your fingertips.
Book a one day cruise to Bahamas on our Bahamas air charter to be afforded the opportunity to see more of the exotic Exumas than most visitors will ever see. Shoot us an email today!
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