Hotels in Exuma Islands

Exuma Islands: 365 Cays Across the Central Bahamas

The Exuma Islands stretch roughly 290 km through the central Bahamas, comprising one main island (Great Exuma) and approximately 365 smaller cays. George Town, the administrative capital on Great Exuma, sits about 480 km southeast of Nassau. The chain is known for the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park — a 453 km² protected reserve established in 1958, one of the first marine parks in the Caribbean. The swimming pigs of Big Major Cay have drawn international attention since the early 2000s, and Thunderball Grotto near Staniel Cay served as a filming location for the 1965 James Bond film.

Where to Stay in Exuma

Accommodation clusters around George Town and Stocking Island to the east. Emerald Bay on Great Exuma's northeast shore holds larger resort-style properties. Smaller guesthouses and rental villas line Queen's Highway, the main road running the island's length. Most visitors arrive via Exuma International Airport (GGT), which handles direct flights from Nassau, Miami, and Atlanta.

Practical Tips

• Getting around: Rent a car in George Town — public transit is limited outside the main town.
• Best timing: December through April brings dry weather and calmer seas for snorkeling the cays.
• Water taxis: Book ahead for inter-cay transfers to Staniel Cay or Fowl Cay.
• Currency: The Bahamian dollar trades 1:1 with the US dollar; both are accepted.