A Nassau to Staniel Cay day trip is one of the best ways to experience a different side of the Bahamas.
Most travelers to the country stick around the capital, Nassau, and while it has some beautiful sites, the Bahamas is an archipelago with 700 different islands to visit. While all of these are beautiful, the 365 islands in the Exumas may just be the prettiest. With bright blue, crystal clear water, powdery white beaches, and laid-back vibes, the region is a can’t-miss stop on any Bahamas vacation.
In this article, we’re going to help you get a sense of what you can expect on a Nassau to Staniel Cay day trip.
Read on to start planning your dream vacation!
You won’t want to leave Staniel Cay when it’s time to head back to Nassau.
What to Expect on a Nassau to Staniel Cay Day Trip
Travel by Plane, Not the Ferry
One of the reasons why not everyone visits Staniel Cay is because they don’t know how to get to Exuma. That’s because the region is a bit remote – it’s around 80 miles to the south of Nassau. Cruise ships can’t traverse those waters, and the district lacks a large airport, making it appear inaccessible.
However, there are several ways to get to the Exumas, most of which revolve around you taking a Nassau to Exuma day trip. These are perfect since they allow you to stay in Nassau but spend the day soaking up the sights of the Exumas.
When you’re looking to embark on a Nassau to Exuma day trip, you’ll see a lot of advertisements for a ferry. While a Bahamian cruise might sound romantic, you’re best off avoiding traveling on Exuma tours from Nassau that travel by boat. The ferry is crowded, uncomfortable, and a huge waste of time.
The best way to answer the question of ‘how to get from Nassau to Exuma’ is actually by plane. Nassau to Staniel Cay flights leave daily and can have you at the island in 30 minutes. But besides saving you hours’ worth of time, you also get to fly in a private-class plane, meaning that the experience is exponentially more comfortable!
Flying by plane is the best way to experience Nassau to Staniel Cay day trips.
Enjoy the Ride
Regardless of where you’re staying in Nassau, Bahamas Air Tours can help pick you up and take you to the airport where Nassau to Staniel Cay flights leave. You’ll spend a bit of time checking in, then will be on your plane to the Exumas by 8 am.
While many travelers are eager to land, the journey through the air on a Nassau to Staniel Cay day trip is one you won’t want to miss. While short, the views outside the plane are stunning, to say the least.
The beauty of the Exumas from the window of your private class plane.
Make sure to have your phone or a camera ready, as you’ll probably be snapping a lot of pictures through the plane window next to you!
Arrive at Staniel Cay
Before you know it, you’ll be landing at the small Staniel Cay airport hours before the boatfuls of tourists are anywhere close. From there, you’ll meet your tour guide and will start the next part of your Nassau to Staniel Cay day trip: the boat tour!
From Staniel Cay, you’ll travel around to some of the top sites in the region. The tour takes around four hours, which is plenty of time to explore the area (and have the time of your life while doing so).
After it concludes, you’ll have time to eat at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club before boarding your plane and heading back home. When you finally arrive back in Nassau, you’ll probably be tired, happy, and thrilled that you learned how to get from Nassau to Exuma by plane.
Explore the Region
Exuma tours from Nassau that travel by boat take visitors to a few of the most popular sites in the region. However, as air travel is faster, you have time for even more fantastic attractions!
Here are some sights that you can look forward to seeing as you boat around the area.
Pigs, Sharks, and Iguanas
Whether you’re a world traveler or someone who’s just been to a few other places, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of the Exuma pigs. These snorting, friendly animals reside in the Exumas on Big Major Cay, and on a Nassau to Staniel Cay day trip, you’ll get to see them!
Like most travelers, the Exuma pigs also enjoy swimming and sunbathing.
But while the pigs are amazing, they’re not the only animals you get to see.
On your trip, you’ll also stop at Compass Cay. There, in the waters by the local marina, you’ll spot schools of nurse sharks swimming around. While you can watch them from the docks, you can also jump in the water and swim alongside them!
Finally, Exuma boat tours through the area also take you to Bitter Guana Cay to see the famous (and endangered) Bahamian rock iguana. These massive lizards are a sight to behold, as is their stunning island residence!
Explore Sandbars
The Bahamas has many beautiful beaches, but it also has a lot of incredible sandbars. These show up at low tide and provide you with a unique and unforgettable perspective of the island surroundings around you.
As you stand on the soft sand and wade through the warm turquoise water, you’ll thank yourself for taking the time to figure out how to get to Exuma.
Again, bring your camera, as you’re going to want to take a lot of pictures!
Visit an Underwater Plane Wreck
From the home of the indigenous Taino people to a British colony and haven for loyalists fleeing the American Revolution, the Bahamas has a long history that stretches back hundreds of years.
More recently, the country was an important point for drug smugglers in the 1970s flying from Colombia. One of the smuggling planes went down, however, and it remains in the waters around Staniel Cay to this day.
Snorkeling around the underwater plane wreck: one of the many highlights of an Exuma excursion.
Over the years, the plane has become a home for coral, fish, and other marine life. That makes it another highlight on a Nassau to Staniel Cay day trip!
Snorkel Around the James Bond Thunderball Grotto
Thunderball Grotto is a famous underwater cave that was featured in Thunderball, a James Bond film. Besides making you feel like an international super spy, the site is also a great place to swim and snorkel.
When you travel with Bahamas Air Tours, you stop at Thunderball Grotto on your day trip. We’ll make sure that you have vests, snorkeling equipment, and any other equipment you need to take full advantage of the experience!
Lunch Before Heading Home
After exploring the region, you’ll head back to Staniel Cay in the afternoon for a late lunch at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club. Besides eating and enjoying a drink (or two) from the bar, you can also appreciate the luxury super yachts cruising by.
Enjoy a delicious lunch at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club on your Bahamas vacation.
After that, you’ll make your way to the Staniel Cay airport, board your flight, and head back to Nassau! You should arrive back to the capital at around 6:15 pm.
The Best of a Nassau to Staniel Cay Day Trip
While all Bahamas vacations are incredible and memorable, if you want to take your experience up a notch, sign up for a Nassau to Staniel Cay day trip. Doing so gives you the opportunity to see the Exumas, a postcard-perfect chain of islands and the home of the Exuma pigs.
By flying by plane with Bahamas Air Tours, you’ll ensure that your day trip is one you’ll never forget.
Sign up for a Nassau to Staniel Cay day tour today!
Discover the Bahamas Out Islands
With beautifully illustrated maps and informative destination guides.
Download the Guidebook
