As the capital of The Bahamas, Nassau has a lot to offer travelers. That said, if you’re hoping to see the original Swimming Pigs and some of the country’s other top attractions, you’ll need to sign up for an Exumas day trip from Nassau.
Flights from Nassau to Exuma take just around 30 minutes, giving you plenty of time to sightsee before returning to the capital later that afternoon. But what can you look forward to seeing when you travel to Exuma from Nassau?
Keep reading to learn about seven tour attractions in Exuma you won’t want to miss out on.
Exumas Day Trip From Nassau: 7 Exuma Attractions
After enjoying a scenic journey, you’ll land at Staniel Cay.
1. Staniel Cay
While many travelers signing up for an Exumas day trip from Nassau hope to fly directly to the Swimming Pigs, Pig Island is uninhabited and, therefore, doesn’t have an airport. Because of that, you first fly to the nearby island of Staniel Cay.
Known as the Gateway to Exuma, Staniel Cay is around 80 miles (128 kilometers) southeast of Nassau. As mentioned, an Exuma from Nassau flight covers that distance in just about 30 minutes.
After landing at Staniel Cay, you’ll switch over to a boat and begin exploring the surrounding attractions.
Although Staniel Cay is your entry and exit point to the region, it’s a beautiful island in its own right. After sightseeing around Exuma, you’ll eat lunch at Staniel Cay and spend some time on the island before concluding your Nassau to Exuma day trip.
2. The Swimming Pigs of Big Major Cay
The original Swimming Pigs are in Exuma.
One of the top attractions in The Bahamas, the Swimming Pigs of Big Major Cay are one of the most popular destinations on an Exumas day trip from Nassau.
If you’re unfamiliar with the island’s story, the Exuma Pigs live on an otherwise uninhabited tropical island. As nearby islanders have traveled to Big Major Cay to feed the pigs for years, they’ve grown accustomed to human interaction. Today, they are famous for their gregariousness.
As your boat approaches Big Major Cay, you’ll see the pigs hop in the water and paddle out to greet you. You can toss them guide-approved food at that point, and afterward, you’ll have time to spend exploring their island home.
Notably, no one can say with certainty how the Swimming Pigs arrived at their island. From shipwreck to a planned pork meal that never came to fruition, various theories seek to explain their origins. Regardless of what the truth may be, Big Major Cay, along with the idea of pigs residing on a beach, has gained global recognition.
Big Major Cay is so famous, that its inspired imitation Pig Islands throughout the country. Nevertheless, the original island is in Exuma, which makes seeing it a highlight of traveling from Nassau to the Exumas.
3. Nurse Sharks at Compass Cay
Traveling to Compass Cay lets you go swimming with sharks.
Compass Cay is another top-rated destination you visit on an Exumas day trip from Nassau. Located near Big Major Cay, Compass Cay is one of the best places to go swimming with sharks.
The owner of the Compass Cay Marina is a shark fanatic who, over the years, has managed to befriend a school of nurse sharks. They’ve stuck around the waters of the marina ever since, and like the Exuma Pigs, have become accustomed to human interaction.
Nurse sharks are one of the most docile species, so the swim with sharks experience at Compass Cay is safe. Nevertheless, the sharks can grow to massive sizes, so seeing them swim around you makes for an exhilarating encounter.
4. An Underwater Plane Wreck
The underwater plane wreck near Staniel Cay is an interesting snorkeling destination.
You’ll see several snorkeling destinations on an Exumas day trip from Nassau, one of which is an underwater plane wreck. Located near Staniel Cay, this vessel crashed into the warm turquoise water decades ago. In the years since then, it’s become a home to coral, tropical fish, and other marine life.
If you’re interested in seeing the plane up close, you’ll appreciate the shallow waters around the wreck, as they make it easy to dive down and swim near it.
Besides the underwater plane wreck near Staniel Cay, you can also find one near Norman’s Cay. This wreck is larger, which makes it a popular stop for tours in Exuma.
5. Underwater Caves at Thunderball Grotto
Another great snorkeling location you’ll visit on an Exumas day trip from Nassau is Thunderball Grotto. Named after the James Bond film Thunderball, the site was a filming location for the classic super-spy flick.
Besides showcasing Hollywood history, Thunderball Grotto is another great destination for interacting with the rich marine life of The Bahamas. As you swim through the underwater caves, you can expect to see coral and several types of tropical fish. If you’re lucky, you may also see other animals, like sea turtles.
Snorkelers can only access Thunderball Grotto at low tide, which often bars some of the larger tours in Exuma from visiting it. This creates an experience with fewer people, allowing you to easily appreciate the beauty of your surroundings.
6. Iguanas at Bitter Guana Cay
Bitter Guana Cay is a home to a group of colorful iguanas,
Another animal you’ll get to see on a Nassau to Exuma day trip is the northern Bahamian rock iguana. Brightly colored and native to the region, these beautiful animals have, unfortunately, seen their numbers decline in recent years due to habitat loss. Bitter Guana Cay, nicknamed Iguana Island, remains a guaranteed place to see them.
When your boat pulls up to Bitter Guana Cay, you’ll most likely see several lizards slither out of the vegetative undergrowth. While you shouldn’t offer them food or try to touch them, observing them on their island home is a highlight of flights from Nassau to Exuma.
Besides appreciating the iguanas, you’ll also fall in love with Bitter Guana Cay. One of the prettiest islands (and one that often has no other people on it), Bitter Guana Cay embodies the natural beauty of Exuma.
7. Sandbars at Pipe Creek
The Pipe Creek sandbars are one of the most beautiful attractions on the tour.
Another location that resembles everything you’d expect from a destination in The Bahamas is the sandbars at Pipe Creek.
Appearing at low tide, these slices of soft white sand contrast vividly with the azure water around them. If you visit at the correct time, the sandbars are traversable, allowing you to wander around and soak up the views all around you.
Near the sandbars of Pipe Creek is a sea turtle sanctuary, so as you make your way around the area, there’s a good chance to see a turtle swimming through the water. Likewise, you can also see sand dollars and other forms of marine life around the sandbars.
The natural beauty on display at Pipe Creek makes the site a favorite of travelers on an Exumas day trip from Nassau.
Nassau to Exuma Day Trip: Don’t Miss Out
An Exumas day trip from Nassau offers an experience unlike any other. From meeting the Swimming Pigs to swimming alongside nurse sharks and through underwater caves, visiting Exuma is the easiest way to take your Bahamas vacation to the next level.
Bahamas Air Tours offers flights from Nassau to Exuma, as well as air charter service around the region. Whether you’re looking for a standard day trip or a bespoke private tour, we can help you fully experience the beauty of The Bahamas.
Book a Nassau to Exuma Day Trip today!
Staniel Cay Tour Map to the 7 Exuma Attractions
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