Exuma Cays adventures are something that many tourists to the Bahamas are looking to embark on. They know that the Exuma Cays are famous for all sorts of attractions, as well as for beautiful beaches, crystal-clear water, and laid-back vibes.
Luckily, Exuma excursions from Nassau make it easier than ever to get to the region, ensuring that you’re no longer stuck wondering how to get to Exuma Bahamas. As many of these excursions are day trips, it also keeps you from having to find local accommodations while still giving you plenty of time to enjoy the many things to do in Exuma Bahamas.
In this guide, we’re going to take a look at seven attractions you’ll get to enjoy in the Exuma Cays when you travel with Bahamas Air Tours. By the time you finish reading, you’ll have the knowledge you need to start planning your dream Bahamas vacation.
Keep reading to learn more!
Exuma Cays Adventures: 7 Sites to See
1. Staniel Cay
When you fly out on a day trip to Exuma from Nassau or Miami, the first island you’ll touch down on is Staniel Cay. However, while it may serve a logistical purpose, Staniel Cay is far from just a tropical runway.
The island features a quaint town that houses everything from restaurants and a bakery to a museum and library. It’s a great island to arrive at since right away, it makes it clear that you’re no longer in the hectic and bustling location from which you came.
From the moment you land at Staniel Cay, you’ll know you’re in paradise!
When you travel with Bahamas Air Tours, you’ll have time to eat lunch and have a drink at the local yacht club. You’ll also get to visit some of the island’s stunning beaches, as well as explore the town.
2. The Exuma Pigs on Pig Island
Regardless of what sort of traveler you are, there’s a good chance that the Swimming Pigs on Pig Island will be your favorite of the many Exuma Cays adventures in the region. But what makes them so amazing?
Unlike the pigs you’ve seen on farms, the Exuma Pigs live on an uninhabited island. While they share their tropical home with a few other animals like goats and cats, there aren’t any humans that reside on the island along with them.
However, residents from nearby islands have traveled to the island for years to feed the pigs. That’s conditioned them into the friendly and sociable animals that they are today. Now, when Exuma boat tours arrive on their island, they eagerly jump into the water and swim out to greet them.
The highlight of Exuma Cays adventures is Pig Island.
If you’re ever wondering what to do in Exumas, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Pig Island to see the Swimming Pigs!
3. Iguanas on Bitter Guana Cay
In addition to the Exuma Pigs, you’ll also get to see another special animal while participating in Exuma Cays adventures: iguanas!
Seeing the beautiful iguanas on Bitter Guana Cay is another one of the top things to do Exuma Bahamas.
The northern Bahamian rock iguana has, unfortunately, seen its population decline in recent years due to habitat loss and other factors. However, there are certain parts of the country where they’re protected, like the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, and where their population has remained stable. One such island where you’re guaranteed to see them is Bitter Guana Cay.
When you arrive at Bitter Guana Cay, you’ll see the beautiful, colorful lizards slither out from the undergrowth and waddle out onto the beach. Seeing them makes the experience another highlight of Exuma excursions from Nassau – especially given the animal’s conservation status.
4. The Exuma Plane Wreck
Another place you’ll get to explore via Exuma boat tours once you land on Staniel Cay is the Exuma plane wreck. This is a plane that crashed down into the warm, turquoise waters in the 1970s.
What makes the site’s history interesting is the fact that it wasn’t a passenger plane that crashed – it was once used for drug smuggling. The plane was en route from Colombia and was filled to the brim with marijuana. Unfortunately for the smugglers, it never made it to its final destination.
Today, nearly 50 years after the crash, nature has transformed the plane into a home for all sorts of creatures. Combine that with the shallow water around the vessel (water that’s no more than 10 feet deep), and the site becomes another great swimming and snorkeling spot that you can enjoy on Exuma Cays adventures.
The Exuma plane wreck is one of the best places to go snorkeling.
5. Sandbars at Pipe Creek
Once you figure out how to get to Exuma Bahamas (by plane!), you’ll quickly realize that flying gives you more time to see certain sites that you otherwise wouldn’t get to see. One such place is the sandbars at Pipe Creek. Without a doubt, the best word to describe these is “paradise.”
The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park not only protects local wildlife but is also stunning.
At low tide, the water recedes enough for you to walk around in the middle of the vast turquoise expanse around you. As you sink your toes into the warm, soft sand and gaze out at the endless tropical surroundings around you, you’ll thank yourself for signing up for Exuma Cays adventures.
While you’ll probably be taking pictures throughout most of the journey, Pipe Creek is one place, in particular, where you’ll want to have your camera ready. Just don’t be surprised to find it difficult to capture the true beauty of the sandbars and your surroundings!
6. Thunderball Grotto
Are you a James Bond fan? Even if you’re not, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of the famous film from the 60s, Thunderball. Film crews filmed parts of the movie in the Bahamas, including at this next destination, which gave the site its name.
Thunderball Grotto is a collection of underwater caves that are full of marine life. From coral to different species of tropical fish, the site offers some of the best snorkeling and swimming in the region. It’s also a great place to live out your international super-spy fantasies, making it another one of the top sites to see on Exuma Cays adventures!
Thunderball Grotto is a collection of underwater caves perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
7. Nurse Sharks at Compass Cay
Compass Cay is another nearby island that you’ll get to visit when traveling on Exuma Cays adventures with Bahamas Air Tours. The island is the place to get up close and personal with an animal that has an undeserved bad reputation: sharks.
The Compass Cay Marina is the place to go to swim with nurse sharks.
In the waters around the local marina, nurse sharks congregate en masse. Their presence has put Compass Cay on the map and has even made it a featured site in different documentaries and films.
Today, Compass Cay is a great place to see the beautiful animals up close and also appreciate the fact that they aren’t the mindless killing machines Hollywood often makes them out to be. While you can certainly view them from the docks, you can even hop into the water to swim and float alongside them if you want.
What to Do in Exumas: The Sky’s the Limit!
Most tourists dream about embarking on Exuma Cays adventures, but few realize just how many things to do Exuma Bahamas there really are. Luckily, as mentioned, getting to Exuma is now easier than ever.
When you travel with Bahamas Air Tours, you’ll travel by plane to see the Exuma Pigs, sharks, sandbars, underwater caves, and so much more. Plus, as air travel equates to a shorter journey, you end up with much more time to enjoy the local attractions.
Sign up for Bahamas day trips by plane today!
Discover the Bahamas Out Islands
With beautifully illustrated maps and informative destination guides.
Download the Guidebook
