Not Just Sun and Surf: Top 10 Things to Do in Exuma, Bahamas
The landscape is impressive! The waves lap at your feet and its waves invite you to wrap yourself in their crystalline warmth. The beaches can be addictive, but there are plenty of other things to do in Exuma, Bahamas. There are safety pins and safety pins for all tastes. The beaches are just the beginning.
1. Go deep below the surface
Exuma boasts some of the most famous underwater caves and blue holes. Thunderball Grotto is a popular and interesting spot for scuba divers and snorkelers; the underwater cave was featured in two James Bond movies. The Exuma caves are famous for their diversity, varying in length, depth, and beauty. Explore the lush vegetation and unusual inhabitants of the briny depths and be sure to bring those underwater cameras!
2. Hook a bone!
Bonefishing is a fascinating Bahamian sport and is a popular pastime in Exuma, Bahamas. The southwestern shores of the Exumas are the ideal place to engage in this exciting tide-dependent sport because bonefish stick to the shallow, sandy waters in search of food. Bonefish are slippery, silvery creatures that can reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour to elude predators. They are mostly caught up in the spirit of the sport as they are not known to be particularly appetizing. The average number of bonefish sighted on Exuma per day is 40 to 400, while the average number of fish caught daily is 3 to 45. The typical weight of a bonefish is 4 to 6 pounds, but they can weigh up to 19. pounds!
3. Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park
There are numerous things to do in Exuma, Bahamas, so before you set out on your trip, do some research. You will find that Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park, a marine wildlife reserve located on Great Exuma, is well worth exploring. Opened in 1959, it was the first of its kind. It stretches over 176 square miles. The diving is spectacular due to the crystal clear waters that provide excellent visibility on any day. The remoteness of the park offers you a personal paradise where large groups of reef fish can be observed in their natural environment. This land and sea park is home to the lutia, a rabbit-like rodent thought to be extinct until 1966.
4. Swim with the dolphins
Swimming with the dolphins literally takes your breath away, and is definitely considered one of the most memorable things to do in Exuma, Bahamas. It is an activity that can involve the whole family touching, interacting and even hand-feeding these wonderful creatures in their natural habitat.
5. Become a Bahamian history buff
Soak up local history by visiting the Bowe Family Plantation, a former cotton plantation that tells the colonial history of the Bahamas. The main structure is now in ruins, but visitors can clearly make out the layout of the house, including the location of the kitchen and slave quarters. For the not-so-faint-hearted, there are spooky things to do in Exuma, Bahamas, like a visit to the Rolle Town Tombs, a burial ground where a foreman and his wife who lived during the days of slavery are laid to rest. If that’s not spooky enough, head to The Hermitage, another cemetery located eight miles from Georgetown, where tombs date back to the 19th century and are most interesting when visited with an expert guide.
6. Parading
If you want to experience Bahamian culture to the fullest, participating in the annual Exuma Junkanoo Summer Festival is essential. Not only can you sample local food and drinks and take part in traditional games and competitions, but you can also learn a lot about the island, as great emphasis is placed on Bahamian heritage, culture and entertainment during this celebration.
7. Did someone say navigate?
One of the best things to do in Exuma, Bahamas is sailing. Every April, Exuma hosts its annual National Family Island Regatta, where the world’s best sailors flock to compete for the coveted title of ‘Best in the Bahamas’. The competition is based on sailing skills and excellence in the sport. Beginning in the 1950s, the regatta has been held in the waters between George Town and Elizabeth Harbour. It is always a lively and boisterous event that concludes with a junkanoo parade in Regatta Park with the Nassau Police Band entertaining the crowd.
8. Biting the Bahamas
Definitely serving as a place in the top 10 things to do in Exuma, Bahamas is the fine dining experience. With menus packed with sumptuous seafood, flavorful spices and exotic cold beverages, sampling the local food is a must. Start with a nice bowl of souse, a soup made from onions, lime juice, bell peppers, celery, and meat, and then move on to a main course of conch meat. The conch is a marine mollusk that produces a peach-colored meat that can be eaten fresh, raw, and seasoned with lemon juice and spices. Afterward, kick back with a bottle of Kalik, Exuma’s local beer, or a tasty glass of Sky Juice, a rich blend of coconut milk, coconut rum, and gin. Shaken not stirred!
9. A view from above
Imagine drifting through the gentle Bahamian breeze looking at a veritable kaleidoscope of brilliant blues and greens. That is the reality of paragliding in the Exumas. It offers you a view you never dreamed possible. Seeing the splendor of the islands from 400 feet in the air is an unforgettable experience that well deserves a place on your list of things to do in Exuma, Bahamas.
10. Life is a beach!
Last but not least, are the magnificent beaches! Located on Little Exuma is Tropic of Cancer Beach, the longest beach on the island, stretching a mile and a half and boasting fine sand and turquoise water. This beach owes its name to its geographical location: the Tropic of Cancer crosses it. Equally attractive are the affectionately nicknamed Hamburger Beach and Volleyball Beach on Stocking Island. Just a 10-minute drive from the Georgetown docks, visitors to the area can enjoy a hearty meal at Chill ‘n’ Chat or the P&P Hamburger Stand. These beaches are hotspots for avid surfers and seashell collectors, as their shorelines are rich in rare and exotic seashells. Finding the perfect patch of sand is one of the easiest things to do in Exuma, Bahamas, aside from finding total relaxation, of course.