As one of the most beautiful islands in the country, it’s not surprising that many visitors to the Bahamas end up wondering how to get to Staniel Cay from Nassau or Florida. They’ve heard rumors that Staniel Cay and the surrounding islands offer bright-blue crystal-clear water, beautiful beaches, unique local attractions, and the laid-back lifestyle that makes the Caribbean famous.
Staniel Cay and the region around it do indeed offer all of that and more, so we recommend figuring out how to get to Exuma so you can enjoy everything. And if you’re unsure how to do that, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’re going to explain how to get to Exuma and ultimately showcase how simple it is to sign up for day trips from Nassau to Exuma.
Read on to get your dream Nassau to Exuma day trip started!
How to Get to Staniel Cay From Nassau
Learn how to get to Staniel Cay here!
Where is Staniel Cay?
Staniel Cay is one of 365 islands in the Exumas, a region found to the south of Nassau. Given the number of islands in the region, the exact distance from the capital varies. If you’re looking to reach the northernmost island in the Exumas, Normans Cay, you’ll have to cross over 50 miles (80 kilometers). If you’re looking at a boat ride or flights specifically to Big Major Cay, home of the Exuma pigs, you’ll need to travel around 86 miles (140 kilometers) from Nassau.
Staniel Cay is in very close proximity to Big Major Cay (Pig Beach), less than one mile, but you will need a boat to travel between the island.
Part of the reason why knowing how to get to Staniel Cay from Nassau can be difficult is because of the region’s remoteness. You won’t find a sprawling international airport that accommodates flights from across the world, nor will you see cruise ships traversing the shallow island waters. However, the remoteness of the Exumas is one of the biggest perks. Once you’re there, you’ll see much fewer tourists than you would at other places in the country, like Nassau or Freeport.
The Boat: Not the Best Choice to get to Staniel Cay
Most of the travelers that do manage to make getting to Exuma a reality do so by taking a powerboat tour. This leaves from Nassau, taking people on a three-plus-hour journey (one way) from the capital to the Exumas.
While the boat does get you to the region in one piece, travelers expecting a romantic cruise often find reality a bit jarring. The boat crosses over rough and open waters, making it bumpy and uncomfortable at times.
On top of that, the boat also forces you to travel with lots of other people. You’re little more than a number on the boat, and there’s no room for personalization of the tours. The boats simply carry too many people for that to be feasible.
Nassau to Staniel Cay Flights: Best Way to Reach the Exumas
Unbeatable views from the plane: one of the many reasons why air travel is the best way to reach Exuma!
The good thing about Nassau to Staniel Cay flights is that you get to sidestep many of the problems mentioned above. For one thing, you don’t have to worry about wasting half your day traveling (plus extra time for check-in). When you sign up for day trips from Nassau to Exuma that travel by plane, you can rest assured that you’ll touch down in the Exumas in around a half-hour.
You also don’t have to worry about sharing the space around you with throngs of other people. A Nassau to Exuma day trip by plane with Bahamas Air Tours has you traveling on a private-class plane, where you only share the aircraft with just several other people. If you want, you can even book a private trip, ensuring that there’s no one on board but you and your companions.
Finally, using air travel to answer the question of ‘how to get to Staniel Cay from Nassau’ also ensures a more comfortable experience. Besides getting to travel on a private-class plane instead of a crowded ship, you also don’t have to worry about churning through rough sea waters. All you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the otherworldly views outside your window.
Staniel Cay Flights From Miami
While many travelers wondering how to get to Staniel Cay are looking to get there from Nassau, it’s also possible to reach the island from Miami.
In addition to offering service from Nassau to Staniel Cay, Bahamas Air Tours also gives US-based travelers the chance to travel to the Exumas from Miami. Given the distance between the two locations, a ferry trip isn’t feasible. Traveling by plane, however, is.
Air travel makes getting to Exuma easy.
Staniel Cay flights from Miami take less than two hours, and that includes a stop at the island of Andros, where you pass through customs. Once you arrive, you have the entire morning and early afternoon to explore the islands, just like you would if you traveled from Nassau. Whether you’re traveling to Florida or Nassau, Bahamas Air Tours can get you to where you need to go in the Bahamas!
What to See Once You Arrive
Once you know how to get to Staniel Cay from Nassau (air travel!), you can start getting excited about what to see once you get there. And there’s plenty to get excited about!
Here are three sites you’ll have time to explore when you sign up for day trips from Nassau to Exuma.
1. Staniel Cay
Staniel Cay is your gateway to the Exumas. It’s one of the only islands in the region that features a regional airport, connecting it to places like Nassau. Given its infrastructure, Staniel Cay is the first place you’ll see on your tour.
But despite its small size, Staniel Cay is much more than a tropical airport. It’s a stunning island in its own right, complete with a charming town that features restaurants and shops. It also has the iconic Staniel Cay Yacht Club that you’ll stop at for lunch on your day trip.
The Staniel Cay Yacht Club is one of the highlights on the island.
2. Big Major Cay (Pig Beach)
Besides beautiful beaches and crystal-clear water, Big Major Cay (Pig Beach) is one of the Exuma attractions that put the region on the map. Also known as Pig Island, Big Major Cay is home to the Exuma pigs. These famous creatures inhabit an island all by themselves. There aren’t any people that live there with them.
That said, farmers from nearby islands have traveled by boat to Big Major Cay to feed the pigs for years. That’s made them friendly and happy to greet visitors.
When you pull up to the island today, you’ll see pigs of all shapes and sizes swimming in the water and hanging out on the beach. Getting to swim and hang out with them makes figuring out how to get to Staniel Cay from Nassau worthwhile.
While there aren’t any flights to Big Major Cay, you can fly to Staniel Cay and then travel to Pig Island by boat.
3. Thunderball Grotto
Located in the area surrounding Staniel Cay, Thunderball Grotto is an underwater cave system that’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. It houses all types of marine life, including tropical fish, lobsters, and coral.
But in addition to its natural beauty, Thunderball Grotto has a colorful past. It was one of the filming locations for the James Bond film Thunderball. Also known as the James Bond Cave.
When you travel with Bahamas Air Tours, you’ll have plenty of time to swim and snorkel around Thunderball Grotto, allowing you to soak in all of its beauty.
Getting to Exuma Made Easy
Knowing how to get to Staniel Cay from Nassau can seem tricky, especially given the availability of less-than-desirable options, like the ferry. Luckily, air travel makes getting to Exuma easy.
Bahamas day trips by plane can take you from Nassau or Florida to Staniel Cay and the surrounding islands. It’s the perfect opportunity to see beautiful beaches, aquatic wildlife, swimming pigs, and so much more.
Sign up for a tour today!
Discover the Bahamas Out Islands
With beautifully illustrated maps and informative destination guides.
Download the Guidebook
