Getting to Exuma so that you can visit the famous Bahamas Swimming Pigs is now the number 1 top rated thing to do in the Bahamas. And with Bahamas Air Tours it’s possible to get to Exuma by plane on a unique Nassau to Exuma Day Trip.
Fly direct to Pig Beach on a one of a kind Day Excursion Adventure from Nassau or Florida. Go visit the iconic Swimming Pigs Island! Getting to Exuma couldn’t be any easier now with a packaged day trip.
But it’s not just the Bahamas Swimming Pigs which are the top attraction to be explored in the Exumas; there are the Sharks, Iguanas, Thunderball Grotto, Sand Bar, Sunken Plane Wreck and hundreds of idyllic pristine white sandy beaches and plentiful snorkelling spots. With daily flights and excursions to the Exuma Cays, getting to Exuma is even more accessible, from both Nassau and Miami.
How to get to Exuma Bahamas
Getting to Exuma is really only possible by air. But it really depends on where you intend to travel from and to where in Exuma you need to get to. Because Exuma is an archipelago of 365 islands; the largest of which, Great Exuma, which is home to the Exuma’s largest town, Georgetown. Great Exuma is home to the region’s only international airport – Georgetown Exuma International Airport (Code: GGT). This airport accepts international arrivals mostly from the US – scheduled airline such as Delta and American both fly here. So whilst access to Great Exuma is relatively affordable and straight forward, the place however that everyone wants to visit is Staniel Cay – the home of the official Swimming Pigs.

Getting to Exuma is easiest by Plane
To get to Staniel Cay to visit the Swimming Pigs requires either a private charter flight or organised Day excursion. Both of these are services offered by Bahamas Air Tours:
- Private Air Charter Flights to Exuma Swimming Pigs
- Bahamas Day Trips to Exuma
There are many things to do in Great Exuma however, like visiting the Emerald Bay or Little Exuma. But it’s the Exuma Cays where all the top attractions are and this requires getting to Exuma by plane.
How far is Exuma from Nassau?
The distance from Nassau to Exuma is 220km or 135miles.
But it depends on where specifically getting to Exumas you wish to travel to – will it be an island in the Exuma Cays or Georgetown the capital and largest town of Great Exuma?
- Nassau to Normans Cay (Northern most Exuma Cays) = 80km or 50miles
- Nassau to Pig Beach (Big Major Cay, Exuma Cays) = 140km or 86miles
- Nassau to Georgetown (Great Exuma) = 240km or 150miles
- Nassau to Little Exuma = 260km or 160miles
Exuma Excursions from Nassau
Getting to Exuma is really best done on the Exuma Excursions from Nassau. Whilst accommodation options are far and few between it therefore makes much better sense to actually just stay and spend your vacation in Nassau New Providence.

Swimming with Sharks on a Bahamas Day Trip to Exuma
An Exuma Excursion or Day Trip makes getting to Exuma so much easier! You’ll typically fly from Nassau to the Exuma Islands, such as on the Bahamas Air Tours Nassau to Exuma Day Trip. Once down in the Exumas guests can then enjoy visiting all the main attractions around Staniel Cay and Exuma Cays!
- Swimming with Pigs at the Exuma Pig Beach (Big Major Cay)
- Swim with Sharks Experience at Compass Cay Marina.
- Serene Sand Bar at Pipe Creek
- Snorkel into the James Bond Thunderball Grotto
- Visit the Underwater Plane Wreck
- Roam with Bahamian Rock Iguanas at the Iguana Island (Bitter Guana Cay)
- Dine at the historic Staniel Cay Yacht Club
The top benefit of getting to Exuma by Plane on a Bahamas Day Trip, over getting a boat or ferry, are the simply stunning views of the Exuma Cays islands from above. This archipelago of 365 islands looks absolutely beautiful from above. Without a doubt getting to Exuma by plane must be top of your things to do in the Bahamas!

Bahamian Rock Iguanas at Bitter Guana Cay island
The famous Swimming Pigs at Exuma Pig Beach
The most famous attraction in the Exumas, and why getting to Exuma from Nassau is one of the best things to do on your Bahamas Vacation, is visiting the Swimming Pigs at Pig Beach. Officially known as Big Major Cay Island, Pig Island is an uninhabited island located next to the much busier Staniel Cay. Staniel Cay island is considered the main hub for visiting the Exuma Cays. It has the main airstrip (Staniel Cay Airport) and this allows for getting to Exuma by plane so much more accessible.

It can sometimes be possible to charter a Sea Plane to Pig Beach
There are very interesting stories about how the swimming pigs happened to be getting to Exuma! You can read more in our travel guide to Pig Beach Big Major Cay.
Getting to Exuma to Experience the Compass Cay Sharks
Many visitors describe their time with the Compass Cay Sharks as being their highlight of their Bahamas Vacation. The Pet Nurse Sharks that live at Compass Cay Marina are a really exciting attraction to visit. If getting to Exuma isn’t for the faint of heart, this swimming with sharks experience will give you some amazing photos and memories to take home with you. Its indescribable how fun visiting the Bahamas Sharks really is and how quickly your emotions switch from fear to absolute wonder!

Visiting the Compass Cay Marina in Exuma to go Swimming with Sharks
Fly to Exuma by Plane with Bahamas Air Tours
Bahamas Air Tours are the premier operator of Bahamas Day Trips and Bahamas Charter flights. They make getting to Exuma from Nassau or Miami a fun and exhilarating experience. Step on board one of their aircraft for the ultimate Bahamas day trip at Staniel Cay Exuma adventure!
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