Exuma, Bahamas
Swimming with pigs, posing with nurse sharks, and swinging on hammocks above bright turquoise water. Welcome to Great Exuma, Bahamas!
Where to Stay
- Grand Isle Resort: Grand Isle is a beautiful condominium style boutique hotel. The rooms are spacious, clean, and have incredible views of the ocean. Palapa Grille is the currently the only restaurant on the property, but it was delicious! Not to mention it was conveniently located at the pool with a perfect view of the ocean. We ate at Palapa Grille several nights during our trip and never got tired of it! However, if you do want to cook at home, there are fully equipped kitchens in the units.
- Sandals Emerald Bay Resort: Sandals Resort is another fantastic hotel option to consider in Exuma. Like the Grand Isle, Sandals is also located in Emerald Bay and is surrounding by stunning ocean views. However, this resort has a wider variety of dining options to choose from. It is also important to note that Sandals is an adults-only retreat.
Activities
- Exuma Water Sports: One of the highlights of our trip was taking a half day snorkel trip with Exuma Water Sports. This small snorkel boat took us to some of the most well-known attractions in Great Exuma, including a visit to the Swimming Pigs as well as Iguana Island. Captain Justin and the rest of the crew were extremely accommodating, funny, and knowledgable about all of the places we visited.
- Kitesurf at Cocoplum: Interested in kiting? Be sure to book your kite sessions and rentals through Gary at Exuma Kitesurfing! Gary is a thorough and safety driven instructor who has your best interest in mind. He takes you kiting at the beautiful Cocoplum Beach. The wind at Cocoplum is onshore and steady. The water is also very shallow towards the sandbar, making it incredibly easy to step off your board and walk if needed. It’s the perfect place for beginner kiters. For more information on lessons, visit: https://exumakitesurfing.com/index.php.
- Swim with Nurse Sharks: Take a boat trip to Compass Cay and jump in shark infested water… Nurse sharks to be exact! For $10 a person, you get a chance to swim with these amazing creatures. The staff throws fish in the water to get their attention. Get your cameras ready!
- Paddle Boarding: Looking for a calmer adventure? Try a paddle board tour through the mangroves and along Cocoplum Beach. The crystal clear, still water is perfect for seeing turtles and sting rays along the way! We booked our paddle board tour through Exuma Kitesurfing with Gary. For more information, visit: https://exumakitesurfing.com/.
Beaches:
- Sandals Beach: Enjoy relaxation on hammocks and swing sets above the ocean on Sandals Beach. Sandals Beach is accessible from both the Sandals Resort as well as Grand Isle.
- Cocoplum Beach: For more Instagram worthy beach spots, be sure to head over to Cocoplum Beach. Here, you will find another set of incredible swings over the crystal clear water. The sandbar extends out along the beach and the white sand is amazingly beautiful!
- Chat N Chill: Chat N Chill is an infamous bar here on Great Exuma. It is a fun place to spend the day, grab a drink, and play on the beach! It’s a short $10 ferry ride from downtown. Be sure to check it out on Sundays for their famous pig roast! The whole island is practically there!
All in all…
Exuma is a beautiful island with crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches. It is so easy to kick back and relax with a drink in your hand. At the same time, there are so many opportunities to get in touch with your adventurous side on this island. My favorite experiences from the trip were my unique encounters with the amazing animals on this island! I cant wait to come back one day!