10 Can’t-Miss Things To Do in Exuma, Bahamas

Best Things to Do in Exuma, Bahamas

1. Swim with the Famous Pigs

Swimming with the pigs is hands-down one of the most iconic things to do in Exuma. The famous swimming pigs live on Big Major Cay, more commonly known as Pig Beach. The island is completely uninhabited (except for the pigs and a few chickens), so you’ll most likely join a boat tour to get there.

As your tour boat approaches the island, the pigs waste no time swimming straight toward you in search of food. Your captain will hand out apples to toss into the water, and within minutes, pigs are paddling all around the boat. It’s really fun to watch! Once the boat slides up onto the sand, you can hop into the shallow water with them or walk up onto the beach as they roam freely. If you’re lucky, the piglets will be out too.

Exuma offers several great tours that visit Pig Beach, and most include other bucket list stops as well. Just be sure to confirm that your tour is going to the original Pig Beach in Exuma. In recent years, a few “tourist-created” pig beaches have popped up near Nassau, where pigs were intentionally placed to attract visitors. While those tours can still be fun, the Exuma experience feels far more natural and less crowded.

2. Float with Wild Nurse Sharks

The pigs in Exuma might get the most attention, but floating with wild nurse sharks ended up being one of our favorite experiences during our trip.. At Compass Cay, dozens of massive nurse sharks swim calmly through crystal-clear water, creating an unforgettable (and surprisingly peaceful) encounter. This stop is included on most Exuma boat tours.

Instead of pulling up to the shore like at Pig Beach, your boat docks at a small marina where you can step right into the shallow water and stand as the sharks glide all around you. The staff tosses chum into the water to keep the sharks nearby, which makes for endless photo opportunities.

Even though they look intimidating, nurse sharks are very docile, and many will swim just inches away from your legs. But if you’re not up for getting in the water, watching from the dock is still incredible (you can see the sharks perfectly through the water).

3. Feed Giant Rock Iguanas

If you’re already swimming with pigs and sharks, you might as well add feeding giant iguanas to the list, too. These enormous rock iguanas live on Leaf Cay, often called Iguana Island or Bitter Guana Cay, and this stop is also included on most Exuma boat tours.

The island is home to the only remaining Bahamian Rock Iguanas in the world! They’ve been evolving for over three million years and are now considered an endangered species, which makes seeing them up close even more special.

Your boat glides right up onto the shore, and you’ll hop out to find these prehistoric-looking creatures gathered near the water, waiting for food. Just like the pigs, they know the routine — but unlike the pigs, they definitely don’t swim. Your guide usually hands out crackers, and the iguanas will walk right up and eat straight from your hand. If you’re on a private boat, you can also take some time to explore one of the short trails on the island.

4. Relax on a Sand Bar

With velvety white sand stretching out as far as the eye can see and shallow turquoise water in every direction, the Pipe Cay Sandbar feels like something straight out of a dream. The sandbar sits within Pipe Creek, a network of calm, shallow waterways, and it’s another stop included on most Exuma boat tours.

The water here stays shallow all day, but during low tide, much of it disappears completely, leaving silky sand flats you can walk across. Boats gather around the sandbar as visitors wade through the crystal-clear water, snap photos, and relax in the middle of the ocean. Some people even snorkel nearby, hoping to spot sea turtles from a nearby sanctuary.

This ended up being one of the most peaceful stops of the day — there’s just something surreal about standing in the open ocean, surrounded by nothing but endless shades of blue.

5. Explore Pablo Escobar’s Sunken Plane

Just off the shores of Norman’s Cay, you’ll find the remains of a plane once used by the infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar. During the 1970s and 80s, this aircraft helped smuggle cocaine into the United States as part of an international drug ring. It’s believed Escobar even built a man-made runway on Norman’s Cay so his planes could land and refuel along the way.

The exact story behind how the plane ended up in the shallow ocean is still surrounded by myth and speculation, but most believe it crashed after missing the runway during a refueling stop. Today, the wreck sits in about 10 feet of crystal-clear water and has become an artificial reef filled with colorful fish and marine life — making it a perfect snorkeling spot.

This stop is included on many Exuma boat tours (but not all, so be sure to ask if it’s a must for you). It used to come up on Google Maps, but it was recently removed, so it would be difficult to find without a tour guide.

6. Snorkel the Famous Thunderball Grotto

Thunderball Grotto is an underwater cave system known for some of the best snorkeling in the Bahamas. It’s packed with colorful fish, coral, and glowing turquoise water, and it even appeared in a couple of James Bond films. This stop is included on most Exuma boat tours.

To enter the grotto, you’ll swim through a small opening in the rock. At high tide, this entrance is fully underwater, so you’ll need to briefly dive beneath the surface to get inside. We arrived during low tide, which gave us about a foot of space between the water and the top of the tunnel — but even then, it was still a bit tricky to keep our heads above water. If you’re not a strong swimmer and want to skip this one, don’t worry, you can stay on the boat.

Once inside, you’re rewarded with a mesmerizing cavern both above and below the surface. Beams of sunlight pour through holes in the ceiling, lighting up the water in unreal shades of blue. Beneath you, an entire underwater world comes to life with schools of fish and vibrant coral formations.

7. Pig Roast at Chat n’ Chill

Chat N’ Chill is a laid-back beach bar located on Stocking Island, which is a quick water taxi ride from George Town on Great Exuma. It’s the perfect spot to grab a drink, relax on the sand, play beach volleyball, and even feed the stingrays that hang out near the shore, hoping for leftover conch scraps from the restaurant.

Every Sunday, Chat n’ Chill hosts a big pig roast that turns into the biggest social event of the week for both locals and visitors. The roast usually starts around noon and runs until they sell out. For around $22 a plate, you’ll get a generous serving of Bahamian-style smoked pig with three sides.

It does get pretty crowded, and the food service can be slow, but that’s all part of the experience — you’re encouraged to truly “chill” and enjoy island time. If you don’t have your own boat, the water taxi from Great Exuma takes about five minutes and runs regularly throughout the day.

8. Swim at Tropic of Cancer Beach

Tropic of Cancer Beach (sometimes called Pelican Beach) is absolutely jaw-dropping. The beach stretches for over a mile in a perfect crescent shape, with tiny islands dotting the horizon and palm trees lining the shore like something out of a postcard. The water here is unbelievably blue, and swimming in it ended up being one of our favorite things to do in Exuma. To this day, it’s still the most stunning beach we’ve ever seen — and the best part is, it’s rarely crowded.

You’ll find this beach on the southern end of the island on Little Exuma, which connects to Great Exuma by a small one-way bridge. It’s easy to reach by car, but far enough from the main tourist areas that many visitors skip it. Trust us — it’s absolutely worth the extra few minutes of driving.

9. Souvenir Shop in Georgetown

You won’t find tons of shopping in Exuma, but it’s still worth spending a little time browsing the Straw Market in George Town. This small market is the best place to pick up locally made souvenirs to bring home.

You’ll find colorful straw hats, bags, and baskets, along with classic island souvenirs like t-shirts, magnets, and trinkets. It’s a fun stop to wander through and grab something unique from your trip. The Straw Market is typically open Monday through Saturday from around 7 am to 5 pm.

We were also surprised by the large selection of souvenirs at the airport, so if you don’t find anything you love in town, you’ll have one last chance to shop after going through security.

10. Catch the Low Tide at Cocoplum Beach

Cocoplum Beach is a hidden gem that many locals love. The beach sits tucked behind a thick stretch of trees, so if you don’t already know it’s there, you could easily drive right past without realizing it.

During low tide, the shallow water pulls back to reveal little sandbars stretching out into the ocean. You can walk nearly a mile out while the water stays around waist-deep, which makes it a really fun spot to explore.

The tree-lined area along the shore has picnic tables, a few parking spots, and restrooms, plus a small restaurant at one end of the beach. Since the shoreline gets pretty narrow during high tide, it’s best to set your belongings up near the trees.

When to Visit Exuma Bahamas

Most travelers visit The Bahamas between December and April, when the weather is warm, dry, and comfortable. This is peak season, which means the best conditions — but also higher prices and more visitors.

Hurricane season runs from June through November, which also tends to be the rainiest time of year. While hurricanes don’t happen every year, the risk is highest during these months, especially from August through October.

If you’re looking for fewer crowds and better prices without the peak-season rush, the very end of April and the last few weeks of November tend to be Exuma’s sweet spots. You still get great weather most of the time, just with a slightly higher chance of brief tropical showers. We visited in mid-November and didn’t experience any rain at all.

July and August are typically the hottest months, January is the coolest, and October is usually the wettest. Like most tropical destinations, rain showers often pass quickly, and Exuma’s flat landscape means storms rarely linger for long.

How to Get To Exuma Bahamas

A lot of travelers assume flying into Nassau is easier than getting to Exuma, but that’s actually not true. Flights regularly land at Exuma International Airport (GGT) on Great Exuma, making Exuma very easy to reach.

Most international travelers connect through Miami or Atlanta. The flight from Miami takes about an hour, while flights from Atlanta usually take around two hours. Some routes include a layover in Nassau, but if you can find a direct flight from the U.S., it’s usually better to skip the Nassau connection unless you plan to spend time there as part of your trip.

Some travelers also choose to arrive by private boat or yacht. If you’re going that route, there are several helpful Facebook groups where boaters share routes, tips, and travel conditions — it’s worth joining one before setting sail.

Where to Stay in Exuma Bahamas

Great Exuma is a small island with a low-key tourism scene, so you won’t find endless hotel options like you would in bigger Caribbean destinations. That said, there are still some great places to stay.

We based ourselves at Paradise Bay and absolutely loved it. It’s budget-friendly, right on the ocean, and in a great location just about 15 minutes from the airport, outside of George Town. Each villa offers either an ocean or garden view, plus air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and a TV. There’s also an on-site restaurant, which ended up being really good.

How to Get Around Exuma Bahamas

Exuma keeps things pretty low-key, and that includes transportation. You won’t find ride-sharing apps like Uber or big-name rental companies with brand-new luxury cars here. If you plan on exploring the island (and we highly recommend you do), renting a car is the easiest and most convenient way to get around.

We were surprised to see how limited the rental options were. We rented from Thompson’s Car Rental after getting a recommendation and had a great experience. Their office sits right at the airport, the prices were affordable, and the process was super easy.

That said, don’t expect anything fancy. We booked their cheapest car and ended up with a very well-loved 2008 Chevy Cruze that looked like it had seen better days. We definitely thought it might quit on us a few times — but it made it through the trip and gave us a memory we still laugh about.

If you’d rather not rent a car, you can take taxis to and from your hotel (especially if your accommodation doesn’t offer a shuttle). Many Exuma boat tours also include hotel pick-up and drop-off, which makes getting to the main attractions even easier.

Final Thoughts: Exuma, Bahamas

We absolutely loved our time in Exuma and still can’t believe how few people have discovered it. It truly feels like one of the last hidden gems in the Caribbean. What stood out most was how secluded and peaceful the island felt, while still offering some of the coolest experiences we’ve ever had.

Swimming with pigs and nurse sharks was unreal. Feeding giant iguanas felt straight out of a movie. Snorkeling Pablo Escobar’s sunken plane in crystal-clear water was something we’ll never forget. We also loved how easy it was to get there. Our nonstop flight from Miami was over in the blink of an eye and was surprisingly affordable.

If you’re dreaming of insanely blue water, uncrowded beaches, and bucket list adventures all in one place, Exuma is absolutely worth the trip. And honestly? We liked it way more than Nassau. If you’re going to experience the Bahamas, Exuma is the place to do it.

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