The back story
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Island guide
The Exumas: 365 islands and the swimming pigs
Great and Little Exuma, and the Exuma Cays: Stocking Island, Compass Cay, Staniel Cay, Thunderball Grotto and Big Major Cay.
Island guide · 365 islands and the swimming pigs
The Exumas: Our Favourites
The Exumas in one page: George Town and Stocking Island, the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park, Compass Cay, Staniel Cay, Thunderball Grotto and the swimming pigs.
What's onThis week in The Bahamas
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What to see and do
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The world’s first land-and-sea park
Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park
Created in 1958, 176 square miles of protected cays, reefs and water, and the wider Caribbean’s first no-take reserve.
Park HQ, Warderick Wells, Exuma Cays, The BahamasExplore View on map
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The swimming pigs
Big Major Cay (“Pig Beach”)
The official home of the swimming pigs, reached only by boat, usually from Staniel Cay.
Big Major Cay, Exuma Cays, The BahamasExplore View on map
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The James Bond grotto
Thunderball Grotto
An underwater cave just west of Staniel Cay, named after the James Bond film that made it famous.
Staniel Cay, Exuma Cays, The BahamasExplore View on map
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Swim with nurse sharks
Compass Cay Marina’s nurse sharks
Compass Cay Marina, where visitors snorkel and swim with the resident nurse sharks.
Compass Cay, Exuma Cays, The BahamasExplore View on map
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On the line
Tropic of Cancer Beach
A crescent of white-powder sand on Little Exuma, also called Pelican Beach.
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Across the harbour from George Town
Stocking Island
White-sand beaches, blue holes and stromatolites, a short boat ride from George Town.
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Quiet sand near Steventon
Flamingo Bay
A quarter-mile of powdery sand and clear water between Steventon and Roker’s Point.
Where to eat
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Dinner over the Exuma blues
Sea Level at Staniel Cay Yacht Club
The yacht club’s waterfront restaurant, the hub of the central Exuma Cays.
Staniel Cay, Exuma Cays, The BahamasExplore View on map
Where to stay
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Villas on Great Exuma
Grand Isle Resort
A villa resort near George Town with a beach club, Sea Star Spa and a marina.
George Town, Great Exuma, The BahamasExplore View on map
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Eleven islands, one booking
Musha Cay — The Islands of Copperfield Bay
An archipelago of 11 islands across about 700 acres, with 40 private beaches, rented exclusively for up to 24 guests.
Exuma, The BahamasExplore View on map
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Your own boat, your own cays
Fowl Cay Resort
An all-inclusive private island where each villa comes with its own powerboat, fuel and water-sports gear.
Exuma Cays, The BahamasExplore View on map
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Four villas, run on wind and sun
Over Yonder Cay
A private island in the Exumas with four villas, infinity pools and private beaches, powered by renewable energy.
Exuma Cays, The BahamasExplore View on map
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Steps from the beach in George Town
Augusta Bay
A small hotel steps from the white sand of Exuma, with parking and a slow, Bahamian rhythm.
Queen’s Highway, George Town, Exuma, The BahamasExplore View on map
Bars and nightlife
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No shoes, Sunday pig roast
Chat ’N’ Chill
The famous no-shoes beach bar across the harbour from George Town, reached by water taxi.
Stocking Island, Exuma, The BahamasExplore View on map
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By the runway, on the beach
Ty’s Sunset Bar & Grill
A beachside bar and grill on Little Farmer’s Cay, in the middle of the Exuma chain.
Little Farmer’s Cay, Exuma, The BahamasExplore View on map
Health
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The spa at Grand Isle
Seastar Spa at Grand Isle
The spa at Grand Isle Resort & Residences, a villa resort near George Town.
George Town, Great Exuma, The BahamasExplore View on map
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Wellness on your yacht
Exuma Massage & Yoga
Massage and yoga brought to your rental home, hotel room or yacht on Great Exuma.
Exuma Harbour Estates, Great Exuma, The BahamasExplore View on map
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Private care on Exuma
Exuma Medical Centre (Doctors Hospital)
Doctors Hospital’s medical centre in George Town, with walk-in urgent care, primary care and imaging.
Queen’s Highway, George Town, Exuma, The BahamasExplore View on map
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The local clinic
George Town Community Clinic
The government community clinic in George Town, run by the Ministry of Health’s Department of Public Health.
George Town, Great Exuma, The BahamasExplore View on map
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The local clinic
Black Point Community Clinic
The government community clinic in Black Point, run by the Ministry of Health’s Department of Public Health.
Black Point, Great Guana Cay, Exuma Cays, The BahamasExplore View on map
Getting there and marinas
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The hub of the cays
Staniel Cay Yacht Club
Marina, moorings, bungalows and a restaurant on Staniel Cay.
Staniel Cay, Exuma Cays, The BahamasExplore View on map
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The first stop south
Highbourne Cay Marina
A sheltered marina for yachts up to 180 ft, the gateway to the cays from Nassau.
Highbourne Cay, Exuma Cays, The BahamasExplore View on map
Questions and answers
How do you see the swimming pigs?
Big Major Cay is reached only by boat, most easily from Staniel Cay. Look but don’t touch, and follow the signs on the beach.
Can you fish in the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park?
No. It is a no-take reserve, so fishing, conching and shelling are prohibited.
Can you feed the swimming pigs?
Only at the feeding trough, with “pig approved” food such as fruit and vegetables, never on the sand. Follow the signs on the beach.
Share your The Exumas tips
Been there? Share your experience and tips with other visitors.
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