The Exuma Cays are the crown of the Bahamas. This extraordinarily beautiful string of 365 islands display some of the world’s best and most beautiful tropical landscapes. Every new island that you come across has something unique, and staggeringly beautiful about it. What this means is that each island offers a new experience, making the Exuma Cays the ideal place to visit during a vacation.
In fact, these islands are so renowned for their beauty that several top celebrities have bought islands of their own here. With the likes of Johnny Depp and Richard Branson making this their go-to vacation destination speaks volumes for the beauty of the place. All of this beauty becomes immediately apparent as you fly above the magnificent landscape. Shimmering waters surrounding a series of paradisaic islands makes for a truly unforgettable sight, particularly when seen from above.
Stunning views of the Exuma Cays on a Bahamas Day Tour
If you’re already wondering how to get to Exuma Bahamas, or what to do in Exumas, then you need look no further than Bahamas Air Tours. If you set out from Florida on a Bahamas Air Tours package you will find yourself in the Exuma Cays in no time. Not only will you enjoy spectacular sights on the initial trip, but you can look forward to these views on the way to each new destination. The reason for this is that you will be island hopping by plane, allowing you to view each island in all its glory from above before landing and exploring it on foot.
Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park
Though there’s no doubt that Exuma Cays holds several records for sheer beauty, it holds another title that is far more important. The Exuma Cays is home to a 176 square mile Land and Sea Park. This park was created in 1958, making it the world’s first Land and Sea Park. Not only will your visit be filled to the brim with sightings of some truly marvellous creatures, both above and below the waves, but you will also be contributing to the preservation of the land, and the animals that call it home.
Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park is a tropical oasis
The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park was also the first ‘no-take reserve’ in the Caribbean. This means that no fishing or harvesting can be done within the bounds of the reserve, ensuring total preservation. A number of other parks in the Caribbean, and the world, have since followed suit. It really is important to support reserves such as this one, and a tour will not only do just that, but will also be an experience that you and your group will simply never forget.
The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park is home to a number of fascinating creatures. One of the most popular of these is the endangered Bahamian Rock Iguana. This large prehistoric lizards can be found sunning themselves on beaches or curled up beneath rocks and undergrowth. Without any natural predators, the iguanas tend not to be afraid of human presence, allowing you to get fairly close for a couple excellent pictures.
With countless birds coming and going from the park, birdwatchers will find themselves with more than enough entertainment. Though the rarity of these birds vary, everyone should really have their eyes cast downward. The reason for this is that you may catch a glimpse of the elusive and extremely rare Hutia. This rodent-like mammal can only be found on a few islands in the Bahamas, and nowhere else on earth, making their protection of paramount importance to the park. If you’re wondering what to do in Exumas, then be sure to include spotting one of these creatures on your list.
Kayaking; Top things to do in Exuma
Speaking of rarity, the rarest of all the creatures in this park are the stromatolites. This blue-green algae is some of the world’s oldest living organisms, at over 2000 years old. What’s more is the fossil forms of stromatolites have been dated back to 3.5 billion years ago. With this in mind, viewing this gently swaying algae beneath the water makes for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
There is so much to see beneath the Bahamian ocean. The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park offers some of the very best and most pristine coral reefs. The thriving schools of fish and lobsters found here speak of a truly healthy ecosystem. Colorful coral spreads out as far as the eye can see and you will feel as if you have been transported to an entirely new world.
Sand Bars in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park
Exuma Cays Adventures
If you’re looking for more Exuma Cays adventures outside of the Land and Sea Park, then you’re in luck. There are so many sensational experiences awaiting you in the Exuma Cays. Whether you’d love to discover unique and fascinating creatures, explore the oceans, or simply lie back with a cocktail on a quiet beach and soak in the Bahamian sun, there is nowhere better to do it than in the Exuma Cays.
If the Land and Sea Park piqued your interest in the creatures of the Bahamas, then your very next stop should be Big Major Cay.
Exuma Pigs at Big Major Cay
Though it may not be home to any rare, or indigenous creatures, the animals that call this island home certainly are unique. A visit to Big Major Cay will give you a chance to meet the famous Exuma Swimming Pigs. These ordinary farm pigs will paddle themselves out to meet you as your boat pulls into the bay. Feeding them is not only allowed, but encouraged, so be sure to bring along something for them to eat. If you feel like a swim, you’ll even be able to jump in beside them, taking your entire Bahamas trip to a whole new level.
Swimming Pigs are the top attraction in the Exuma Cays
Compass Cay is another great stop for animal lovers, or people looking for new and unique experiences. This is because you’ll be able to get in the water with a number of sharks here. The nurse sharks of Compass Cay are harmless for the most part, though caution should always be exercised. You will have the chance to swim with, stroke and even hold these incredible creatures during your visit. If there’s one thing that says unforgettable vacation, its swimming with sharks.
Staniel Cay
If the Exuma Cays are the crown of the Bahamas, then Staniel Cay is the jewel in that crown. While you may not find any unique animals here, you will certainly find a number of exciting Exuma Cays adventures on offer. Staniel Cay will drop you right into the world of James Bond, with lavish accommodation, speedboats and submerged caves. Thunderball Grotto is a famous nearby attraction that makes for a truly exceptional adventure. Named after the 1965 Bond film Thunderball, this grotto has drawn in interest from all around the world. It was even in a number of the scenes of Thunderball, which subsequently led to its naming. Staniel Cay truly will make you feel as if you’re in one of these movies. In fact, there is even the sunken wreck of a drug smugglers plane not far offshore. Staniel Cay is a treasure trove of exciting new experiences, and a visit here is highly recommended.
The Exuma Cays is one of those destinations that has a great deal more than what meets the eye. This is even more of a meaningful statement when you consider how truly extraordinary it looks. It’s not just the picturesque tropical landscapes, the mesmerising beaches or the glittering ocean. The Exuma Cays is an experience, full of fantastic creatures, exciting adventures and beautiful sunsets. A trip to the Bahamas is simply not complete without visiting the Exuma Cays.
Flying over the Exuma Cays on a Bahamas Air Tour
How to Get To Exuma Bahamas
Bahamas Air Tours offers a range of packages that can take you to any number of the islands that you want to visit. This includes numerous islands in the Exuma Cays. The beauty of this area cannot be overstated, and that is something that Bahamas Air Tours recognizes. If you’re based in Florida you can book with Bahamas Air Tours and be flown directly to some of the world’s most beautiful and unique sights.
Bahamas Day Trips to the Exuma Cays
If the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park appeals to you, then you can book a day trip from Florida and explore the park at your leisure. This trip is entirely worthwhile and an excellent way to spend a day. The beauty of booking with Bahamas Air Tours is that you can choose a day trip if you’re pressed for time, but if you want to explore more of the Bahamas, then there are a number of other packages to choose from. If you’re looking to spend a weekend, or even longer in the Bahamas, you can take your pick of where you want to go and what you’d like to do.
It’s almost impossible to pick a place in the Bahamas that won’t guarantee an excellent vacation, particularly if that vacation is with Bahamas Air Tours. Soaring above the magnificent archipelago as you look down on the islands below is the perfect way to begin your vacation, and your tour is sure to just keep getting better.
Select images courtesy of the Bahamas Ministry Of Tourism.
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