Exuma Cays – Dream Journey to the Bahamas

Our newest getaway takes you to the Exuma Cays within the Bahamas. 

I all the time considered the Bahamas as being touristy and crowded till we went to The Exuma Cays.

The Exumas Cays land and sea nature reserve spans 176-miles via 365 islands and cays. You may discover countless white-sand seashores, sapphire blue waters, and a few very distinctive animal encounters.

The Exuma Cays – Dream Journey to the Bahamas

In the event you’re pondering of crowds of individuals, foolish theme inns and hoards of cruise ships when picturing the Bahamas, suppose once more. Within the Exumas, you will discover some of the romantic locations on earth.

The Exumas from Above

We knew we have been in for one thing particular after we appeared out the window of our small commuter airplane to witness essentially the most lovely view of islands I’ve ever seen in actual life.

I’ve seen related scenes from the airplane like within the Maldives and Fiji however I had no concept that the Bahamas rivaled these unique locations.

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We could not wait to the touch down and get into that crystal clear sapphire blue water that was calling our title.

Dreaming of the Exumas

Exuma Cays Thunderball Grotto

Dwelling to the likes of Tyler Perry, Johhny Depp, and Oprah Winfrey, The Exuma Bahamas’ turquoise waters and snow-white sands is a spot of paradise.

It is no surprise movies like Pirates of the Caribbean, Into the Blue. and James Bond have all filmed right here.

They’re like a picture-perfect film setting.

The Exuma Cays are identified for his or her gin blue waters named after the turquoise hue of the tasty spirit gin. However locals have taken it even an additional referring to the upmarket mix of Bombay-Sapphire Gin. Sure, it’s that blue!

Staniel Cay Exumas

Many individuals solely know of Nice Exuma Bahamas, however one other glorious Exuma Island to decide on is Staniel Cay. It’s nearer to lots of the high Exuma Cays sights than Nice Exuma.

View more about Exuma with this video (Source youtube) :

About 100 individuals reside on Staniel Cay and the one lodging apart from condo leases is Embrace Resort and The Yacht Membership that has been round because the 1960s.

Staniel Cay Yacht Membership

Even if you’re staying on one other Exuma Island a go to to the Staniel Cay Yacht Membership is a should.

That is the place everybody gathers within the Exumas.

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The Yacht Membership of Staniel Cay has been in operation because the 1960s attracting celebrities and the wealthy & highly effective who anchor their mega-yachts offshore.

It has that good island vibe that takes you away from all of it and instantly plops you into the laid again Caribbean life-style.

James Bond and Staniel Cay

James Bond’s Thunderball solid and crew spent many an evening having fun with Kalik (Bahamas native beer) and cracked conch at its bar in 1964.

Sean Connery even blessed the yacht membership along with his presence together with many different celebrities through the years. There are images of the well-known James Bond Movie inside plus the opposite film begin which have stopped in for some enjoyable within the solar.

The Greatest to do within the Exumas

The entire main sights of the Exumas are only a boat trip away from Staniel Cay and you may e book excursions to in all places on the island.

1. Thunderball Grotto

Having fun with Thunderball Grotto

Our favourite tour in the entire Exumas was visiting Thunderball Grotto. It’s house to the well-known underwater scenes of James Bond’s Thunderball.

If you have not learn our article on Thunderball Grotto, head over there now, it is value going to the Exuma Cays for this alone!

At low tide, you possibly can swim via caves and enter a good looking cavern in the midst of an unassuming island.

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As soon as you’re inside it’s breathtakingly lovely each above the water and beneath!

The rocks and corals are lit up because the solar shines via and the brilliant colours of the fish sparkle within the beams of daylight.

Swim via at Thunderball Grotto

Whenever you look again in the direction of the opening of the Grotto, it is like a large fishbowl earlier than your eyes.

It is even formed like a fishbowl and the colours are so vivid as a result of solar streaming via the holes within the ceiling, it actually takes your breath away.

2. Pig Seashore at Massive Main Cay

Well-known Swimming Pigs of the Bahamas

Probably the most well-known stops within the Exumas is to swim with the pigs of Massive Seashore at Main Cay.

Leftover from colonial days, this group of pigs now run wild within the woods off the seaside and are available out each day for a dip within the sea.

After I heard we have been swimming with pigs, the blond in me actually shone via. I had visions of little aqua pygmy pigs swimming underwater with webbed ft.

However to my nice shock and horror, the pigs of the Exumas are precise pigs that you just discover on a farm.

Individuals deliver cabbage to feed them and you may get within the water to swim with them. However do not get too shut, they’re going to nip you in the event that they suppose you’ve got meals.

A number of years in the past, they have been remoted and left to fend for themselves, however when boaters began coming to the islands, the pigs acquired very excited and swam out to fulfill them.

Once we have been there, it was a brand new phenomenon, however as we speak, copycat excursions have sprung up and folks have introduced in pigs to completely different islands and seashores.

To verify you’re going to the genuine pig island, e book via Staniel Cay

3. Swim with Nurse Sharks

The favored spot for swimming with sharks within the Bahamas is within the Exumas at Compass Cay.

We swam with sharks many instances and swimming with nurse sharks are a beautiful expertise.

I will always remember swimming with nurse sharks for the primary time in Belize. These creatures are mild and clever and it’s a must-do exercise whenever you go to the Exumas Cays.

4. Sharks Consuming on the Docks of Staniel Cay

Sharks are a preferred attraction within the Bahamas as a result of they’re simply so darn pleasant right here.

They’re fed by the dock each evening because the fishermen clear their fish so in the case of needing meals, they have it lined.

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In the event you aren’t snug getting within the water with sharks, head on all the way down to the docks at sundown and watch them are available in because the fishermen clear their catch!

5. Snorkeling and Diving in The Exumas

The Exumas are identified to be an unimaginable vacation spot for diving and snorkeling.

It’s the most unimaginable shade of aquamarine I’ve ever seen and it was crystal clear. The water can be as heat as butter.

The Bahamians are happy with their clear blue waters and with good motive.

There’s PADI licensed diving on Nice Exuma and Staniel Cay at Staniel Cay Adventures .

When scuba diving within the Exumas Bahamas, you will discover all the same old websites like sea caves, undisturbed coral reefs, wall dives, and even a 400-foot deep blue gap.

BARRACUDAS

I do not usually add Barracuda encounters to a best-of checklist, however our Barracuda expertise was so memorable, I needed to write about it.

It has been some time since we have noticed barracudas up shut and we have been handled to 2 of beauties throughout our journey.

They have been massive, shiny and oh so curious. They caught round fairly some time on the finish of our tour, so all of us stayed within the water for an extended look.

Once we made our manner over to the Grotto by boat later within the journey, I might have sworn that the identical two adopted us.

I feel they appreciated us, they actually appreciated us.

Exuma Resorts

The Exumas Embrace Resort

Embrace Resort on Staniel Cay is an upmarket resort of eight villas together with a spa, health middle with swimming pool, and eating room.

The resort presents all-inclusive choices or your alternative of half board.

Golf carts are offered to visitors to discover the island. Staniel Cay doesn’t have any motorized autos making it an much more engaging vacation spot within the Exuma Cays.

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Ther aren’t any different inns on Staniel Cay, however there are a number of Air BnBs. You may hire a complete villa on a secluded seaside on Staniel Cay.

After sightseeing for the day, take house your contemporary catch and have your personal barbecue as you chat n chill whereas watching the sundown.

Emerald Bay – Nice Exuma Island

Nice Exuma Island is the biggest island within the Exuma Cays however that does not imply it is over touristy or crowded. Nice Exuma continues to be a quiet getaway and you may go to the entire to do within the Exumas that we point out on this submit.

There are direct flights to George City from Miami and the easiest way to get round this island is by automotive rental.

A favourite resort for on Nice Exuma Island is Sandals at Emerald Bay.

Sandals Emerald Bay is an all-inclusive luxurious resort and spa on a mile-long secluded seaside. There are three swimming pools with music and occasion choices or quiet retreats. Many love to decide on Sandals for his or her romantic getaways and particular events.

Sandals presents excursions to all of the Exuma Cays places we visited.

6. Crusing Journeys Across the Exumas

A yearly regatta takes place at Staniel Cay

There’s a lot to do within the Exuma Cays and you may hire a ship to discover by yourself or rent a ship for a day or two.

Or you possibly can rent a ship via Nikki on her three-day island hopping tour.

There are such a lot of seashores to discover, that is actually the way in which to see the Exumas.

We noticed fairly a bit in our three days, however with 365 islands, we barely scratched the floor.

7. Exumas Regatta

We simply so occurred to be within the Exumas for his or her annual regatta. Don’t be concerned although, in the event you aren’t there for it, I am positive you will discover one other one someplace.

There’s festivals, regattas and fishing derbies happening on a regular basis within the Exumas.

The Bahamians know the right way to have an excellent time. So if you’re out on a ship, likelihood is there’s a pageant, derby or regatta going down.

8. Remoted Seashores of the Cays

Fully abandoned seashores

The Exuma Cays have pristine secluded seashores.

On Staniel Cay alone, we drove round on our golf carts we discovered a number of spots to swim with no person at throughout.

In the event you go island hopping, it is the right approach to discover your personal personal seaside away from the crowds of Nassau.

Tropic of Most cancers Seashore is taken into account the prettiest on the Exuma Islands situated on Little Exuma Island.Stocking Island Seashore on Stocking Island is one other steered cease that’s good for snorkelling and has among the finest white sand within the Bahamas.

It doesn’t matter what seaside you go to, you will be swept distant from all of it.

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I will always remember standing calm heat water pondering of nothing as we effortlessly shifted from that North American frenzied perspective to “Island Time whereas within the Exumas.”

9. Water Sports activities

Get up Paddleboard the Pristine Waters

From paddleboarding to kayaking, snorkeling to diving, The Exumas has all of it in the case of water sports activities.

See more with video from Jessica youtuber :

[ Source : Youtube ]

So what are you ready for? Neglect the same old Florida holidays and skip the cruise, spend time chillaxin’ within the Exuma Cays.

Author : theplanetD blog

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