The exuma Cays
Paddle and Swim Among the Exuma Cays
Most travelers see the Bahamas through the lens of a cruise ship or destination resort and think they have seen the Bahamas. Throw off the rose colored glasses and visit the Exuma Cays with us. Paddle pristine tropical waters and feel the warmth of the out-island inhabitants.
In the Exumas you’ll find a diverse paddling environment. The beaches on the east side are exposed to easterlies that blow across the deep water of Exuma Sound. The west side faces the Tongue of the Ocean in the distance and the Exuma Bank nearby. Sandy beaches are common. The cuts between the cays are infamous for their fierce tidal currents.
The history of the exuma Cays
The Exuma Cays are popular with sailors and yachtsman. Anchorages are plentiful, though. It’s not difficult to get away from the crowds. The local economy is based on tourism with some fishing.
The Exuma Cays National Land and Sea Park was established in 1959, the first marine conservation park of it’s kind in the world. It is the main attraction to the Exumas.
Although there is unique wildlife in the park, it is famous for it’s stunning reefs and marine life. It is a no take reserve for research and wildlife viewing.
- The Exuma Cays are a 209 km (130 mile) long chain of over 365 islands in central Bahamas.
- It was settled in the late 18th century by American loyalist. Most of the islands are uninhabited.
- Most of the nearly 7000 residents live in George Town on Great Exuma.
- The other population centers in the Exumas are Black Point Settlement and Staniel Cay.
- Beyond the towns, some of the islands are developed privately.
The Exuma Cays Itinerary
Each tour is customized according to the weather and the skills of the group. If the group has individuals with significantly different skills and ambitions, we will do our best to accommodate. Sometimes that means splitting the groups accordingly.
Day 1. The tour begins and ends in Staniel Cay. Assuming everyone in the group arrives early on the day of departure, we will move Mirage to another anchorage in the morning and have enough time for a paddle in the afternoon. Otherwise, we will stay anchored out at Staniel Cay until the next morning. We will still paddle near the harbour with anyone able to arrive early enough to do so.
Day 2. We will move Mirage early in the morning and eat breakfast while underway. Where we go depends on the weather. It takes between 4 and 5 hours to reach the furthest anchorage from Staniel Cay. One option is to travel to Shroud Cay at the far north end of the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park. Shroud Cay is uninhabited and provides a good route to the outside beaches.
Day 3. Between Shroud Cay and Hawksbill Cay, there is enough to explore without moving. We may still move a short distance to take in a new view.
Day 4. We move to an anchorage near Warderick Wells Cay. The headquarters and visitors center for the Land & Sea Park are located on Warderick Wells Cays. There a couple of nice hikes from the interpretive center. And just as everywhere else we explore, there are coral gardens to snorkel on.
Day 5. Our route continues to take us south as we work our way back towards Staniel Cay. Our anchorage will likely be in the southern portion of the Land & Sea Park. We will have an opportunity to visit a sea cave on Bell Cay and snorkel on coral reefs as well as visit some of the many beaches around Halls Pond Cay.
Day 6. We will anchor near Staniel Cay on the evening of day 6. That still leaves time to explore the estuaries on Compass Cay and Pipe Cay. If anyone cares to see the famous swimming pigs of the Exumas, they live on Big Majors Spot near Staniel Cay.
Day 7. To accommodate guests leaving early, we anchor near enough to the airport for the morning flight back to Nassau. There are many good places to paddle near Staniel Cay for those able to stay until the afternoon flight. There is snorkeling in the sea cave that was the site for the James Bond movie Thunderball as well as other well known movies. A tour of the small town on Staniel Cay shows the character and warmth of the Out Islands inhabitants typical throughout the Bahamas.