Explore the best things to do in Exuma
- Peter Whitehead
Discovering Exuma’s natural wonders
On these islands, you’ll find breathtaking views in every direction but there are some spots that you can’t miss if you are a nature lover.
1. Exuma’s pristine beaches
Exuma is known for its stunning beaches with turquoise waters and sandy shores. There’s an incredible variety of things to do in Exuma. From swimming with pigs, stingrays, and turtles to exploring Moriah Harbour Park, you’ll never get tired of the Bahamian beauty.
Among the multiple incredible beaches in Exuma, there are a few that you must go to if you are visiting this island.
Forbes Hill Beach:
Just a few minutes from the bridge that goes to Little Exuma this beach is perfect for families with small children because it’s protected from the wind and large waves, making it a calm and serene location. What makes this spot special? A small cove and picturesque rocks where the whole family can snorkel.
Tropic of Cancer Beach
Named after the Tropic of Cancer line that runs through it, this beach boasts crystal-clear water and powdery sands. When visiting, make sure to bring snacks because this incredible place has no facilities, so you will experience Bahamian nature to its fullest.
Cocoplum Beach:
This spot will probably be the little ones’ favorite because you can find tons of sand dollars in the large sandbars. Also, you can do sand dollar hunting because this is the best spot in Exuma to find them, but remember to respect wildlife and leave the live ones under the water at all times (You will recognize them by checking their color, they are a little bit darker). Even if you are not traveling with kids you can have an amazing/unforgettable experience at Cocoplumb Beach. The steady wind streams and shallow waters make it perfect for kitesurfing and windsurfing, especially for beginners.
2. Most unique Exuma experience! Swimming with pigs
Swimming with these incredible creatures is a one-in-a-lifetime experience and they‘re definitely the stars of the Exuma. You probably saw a million pictures of them on every social media platform, we can assure you they’re even cuter in person! They’re used to interacting with people so they’ll probably approach you.
To get there, you’ll need to go by boat, so you’ll enjoy the breathtaking views on the way. Definitely one of the best things to do in Exuma.
3. Snorkeling in Exuma’s crystal clear waters
Only an inch of the amazing wildlife of Exuma is above sea level! Life and nature thrive in the numerous coral reefs. So if you love snorkeling this is the place for you!
There are a lot of incredible snorkeling spots in Exuma but we’ve selected our top 5 for you:
Three Sisters: This spot has incredible views that are something to see on its own. Here you will also find three shallow reefs filled with smaller schools of fish.
Liz Lee Shoals: This is one of the shallower reefs in Exuma, making it a good choice if you are not an expert swimmer. Here you can find beautiful brain corals among soft corals.
Loaded Barrel Reef: an incredible amount of fish dress this reef with the most amazing variety of colors that roam around the sea beds of staghorn corals.
Jolly Hall: This is definitely the most accessible reef of them all. Only one a short walk away from the Hideaways you can find this astonishing reef filled with many schools of grunts and yellowtail snapper.
Harbour Buoy Portside: home to an overly active coral reef, with plenty of different fish. On the Starboard side, you will find an old ship’s mast, which marks the northern end of the reef. Here, you will also find plenty of large brain corals among soft corals as well.
What would you most probably see while snorkeling in Exuma?
Brain Coral
Towering Stag Coral
Purple Sea Fans
Colorful Parrot Fish
Red Starfish
Exploring Exuma’s cultural delights
Besides the astonishing views and incredible crystal clear waters, there’s also a thriving cultural environment with plenty of things to do in Exuma.
Authentic Bahamian cuisine:
Traveling and tasting the local food allows you to experience the culture of the places that you are visiting. Most traditional dishes are impregnated with the place’s history, culture, and ways of living. Bahamian cuisine offers one of the most unique flavors you can taste. Due to close proximity and historical migration, Bahamian cuisine shares many side dishes with those of the American South, most notably grits, which are commonly eaten with eggs, corned beef, tuna, or sausage at breakfast. Typically, Bahamian dishes are seasoned with a variety of spices, giving them a rich and flavorful taste, and contain sweet local fruit and, obviously, seafood.
Exuma’s cultural scene:
Apart from the incredible views and beaches, Exuma has other options for those who are more interested in a cultural approach to their vacations. If that’s your case, here’s a recommendation for you:
Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park:
This is the first marine reserve in The Bahamas funded in 1958. There, you can explore the underwater magnificence of coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrasses, stroll along pristine beaches, traverse several hiking trails, and observe tons of wildlife including birds, fish, turtles, and iguanas. With more than 112,640 acres of land and sea, the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park offers an incredible variety of wildlife and ecosystems to explore and learn from.
Historic sites and landmarks in Exuma:
The historical scene in Exuma can be easily missed without the right guidance. These beautiful views hide a lot of history in their caves and crags. One of the most interesting stories is about Pompey. He was the leader of a rebellion against slavery in The Bahamas. On the same beach as Exuma Point Bar and Grille in Rolleville, there’s a cave where the revolving slaves hid. You can also visit the ruins of old cotton plantations, and colonial tombs.
4. Thrilling Adventures in Exuma
Exuma offers paradise to nature lovers but also adventurous hearts. Each island boasts its own unique charm and beauty, making Exuma the ideal destination for exhilarating boat tours and island hopping. To help you make the most of your visit, we’ve selected some of our favorite islands that promise unforgettable experiences and breathtaking landscapes.
5. Exhilarating boat tours
Exuma is the perfect place for island hopping since it has 365 islands to explore. Every stop is a taste of paradise that allows you to experience the diverse beauty and unique charm of this tropical heaven. Since there are a lot of options we’ve selected our favorite islands to do this activity.
Little Farmer’s Cay:
Little Farmer’s Cay is known for its rich wildlife including exotic birds, sea turtles, dolphins, sharks, and tropical fish. Also, it’s an amazing spot for diving or snorkeling since it has world-class caves and coral reefs
Compass Cay:
Located in the Exuma district, Compass Cay is the perfect spot to swim with nurse sharks. Furthermore, this island has an incredible naturally-protected harbor that has been outfitted with a beach lodge and a marina.
Bitter Guana Cay:
The Bitter Guana Cay is truly a gem for wildlife lovers because it’s one of the few places in the Exumas where you can find endangered iguanas and tropical birds nesting in the cliffs to the south.
6. Kayaking and paddleboarding in Exuma
In Exuma there are endless ways you can enjoy the incredible beaches and lagoons, if just sunbathing is not enough for you, here are a few recommendations on the best places to do kayaking or paddleboarding
Kayak in Moriah Harbour Cay National Park:
Moriah Harbour Cay National Park has around 22,833 acres of pristine beaches, sand dunes, blue holes, coral reefs, mangrove creeks, coppice forests, and seagrass meadows. The incredible variety of landscapes is what makes it the top place to kayak in Exuma.
Don’t feel like traveling by kayak? You can do it in the comfort of your house in these amazing rental homes.
Paddleboard in Haulover Bay:
Paddleboarding is always a good idea in The Bahamas, but there are a few places that give you just a bit more extra and one of those places is Haulover Bay. Besides the incredible crystal clear waters, this place is filled with history. On your little paddle excursion, you will find remains of shipwrecks and old settlements.
7. Jet skiing for adrenaline junkies
Relaxing on vacations is not everyone’s cup of tea, if you are one of those people who are fueled on adrenaline you should try jet skiing and parasailing in this peace of paradise. You’ll be able to get to hidden places, secluded coves, and hidden beaches which are typically not accessible to tourists.
Also, exploring the sea on a jetski will give you that unique sense of freedom because there’s nothing like the thrill of accelerating on Bahamian crystal clear waters.
8. Relaxation and Recreation
Unwinding at our Vacation Rentals
Doing multiple tours or activities if you are traveling with a big group can be tricky and difficult to manage. Still, you can always enjoy all the activities and ways of relaxing that a top luxury house can offer like relaxing and watching the sunrise or sailing from your private dock.
Golfing
After some days exploring the island and doing multiple activities you may just want to enjoy a quiet day at the golf club. The Bahamas is home to a variety of golf tournaments that go all year round.
What makes golfing in The Bahamas special? Being able to enjoy the field with the incredible views of the ocean and the picture-perfect weather is probably one of the main reasons but one that makes it truly special is the flora and fauna that gives the perfect backdrop for an incredible afternoon.
Besides all the activities and things to do on Exuma, the most important is enjoying your trip and the company of your loved ones. Whether you prefer more adrenaline-packed activities or just relaxing on the beach, we hope you have the vacation of your dreams.
