The water people picture when they picture the Bahamas, and what it actually takes to get there.
The Exumas are a chain of roughly three hundred and sixty cays running south east from just below Nassau for about a hundred and thirty miles. Most of them are uninhabited. The chain separates deep ocean on one side from a vast shallow bank on the other, and that geography is the whole reason the water looks the way it does. Shallow white sand under bright sun produces the colour that photographs badly and looks unreal in person.
For charter guests the important point is that the Exumas are not a single destination. They are a long string of anchorages, cuts, sandbars and small settlements. Where you get to depends entirely on how much time you have.
The northern Exumas begin around thirty five to forty miles from Nassau. Staniel Cay, where most people are actually heading, is closer to seventy five miles. On a fast yacht in good conditions that is a run of two to three hours each way, and in poor conditions considerably longer.
That means a day charter to the middle Exumas is mostly travel. It can be done, and we do run it, but anyone expecting a relaxed day should plan on a three day charter or longer.
Working from north to south, these are the stops that come up most often on our charters.
The northern end of the chain and the first realistic stop from Nassau. Norman's Cay is best known for the drug running aircraft that went down in the shallows in the early nineteen eighties. It sits in clear water and is one of the more unusual snorkeling stops in the Bahamas.
The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park is a protected area covering a long stretch of the chain. No fishing and no taking anything, which is exactly why the reefs there are in better condition than most. Mooring is managed by the park.
This is where most of the recognisable stops sit close together, which is why a charter that reaches this far tends to stay a while rather than pushing further south.
The practical hub of the middle Exumas, with a small settlement, a fuel dock and an airstrip. Thunderball Grotto is here, and it is genuinely worth timing your day around. Full detail on our Staniel Cay page.
The swimming pigs. A short run from Staniel Cay and usually combined with it. Our swimming pigs page covers what the stop is really like, including the parts people are not told in advance.
Nurse sharks in the shallows by the marina dock. They are harmless and used to people, and it is one of the stops guests talk about afterwards more than they expect to.
Between the named stops are sandbars that surface as the tide falls, and cuts where the deep water meets the bank. The sandbars are the quiet highlight for a lot of guests, and they are entirely dependent on tide timing.
This is the question worth getting right before booking anything.
Reaches the northern Exumas comfortably. Reaches Staniel Cay only on a fast vessel, and the day will be dominated by travel.
Enough to reach the middle Exumas, spend real time at Staniel Cay and Big Major Cay, and return without rushing. This is the shortest trip we recommend for anyone whose main goal is the Exumas.
Enough to work down the chain properly, spend nights at anchor in places with no one else around, and go further south. See the one week charter page for what that allows.
Some guests fly one leg instead of sailing it. The seaplane page explains when that makes sense.
Distances, timing and what is realistic on different lengths of charter.
The northern Exumas begin around thirty five to forty miles out, which is roughly an hour and a half on a quick vessel. Staniel Cay in the middle of the chain is closer to seventy five miles, or about two and a half hours in settled conditions.
You can reach the northern cays comfortably. Reaching Staniel Cay and returning the same day is possible on a fast yacht but the day will be dominated by travel. Most guests are happier with a three day charter.
Roughly three hundred and sixty cays, most of them uninhabited, running south east for about a hundred and thirty miles. It is a chain rather than a single destination, which is why the length of your charter decides how much you see.
Shallow white sand under strong sun over a very large area. The chain separates deep ocean on one side from a vast shallow bank on the other, and that geography is the whole reason it looks the way it does.
A protected area covering a long stretch of the chain where fishing and collecting are not permitted. The reefs inside it are in noticeably better condition than the more heavily visited sites, which is why we route through it where time allows.
Yes. It is in the northern Exumas and sits in shallow clear water, which makes it one of the more unusual snorkeling stops in the chain. It is reachable on a long day charter and comfortable on a multi day trip.
Snorkeling is the normal way guests see it, since it lies in shallow water. We arrange yacht charters rather than dive operations, so if you want to dive rather than snorkel, tell us early and we will advise.
No, and that is the point of them. They surface as the tide falls and disappear again as it rises. Your captain will plan the day around the tide rather than the clock if a sandbar is on your list.
Big Major Cay is in the middle Exumas, a short run from Staniel Cay. Our swimming pigs page explains the distances and what the stop is actually like.
Very little, and that is part of the appeal. Staniel Cay has a yacht club with a restaurant and a couple of small grocery stores. Most meals on a charter are prepared on board.
Patchy through the middle of the chain and absent in places. Most guests find that welcome, but if someone needs to be reachable, tell us and we will factor it into the route.
Three days reaches the middle of the chain and gives you real time there. A week lets you work down the chain properly and reach places where you will not see another boat.
Yes, and on a short trip it often makes sense. Our seaplane page explains when it is worth doing and when it is an unnecessary expense.
If the Exumas are the reason you are coming, the length of the charter matters more than the yacht. Tell us what you want to see and we will tell you honestly how many days it needs.
We would rather talk you into the right trip than sell you a day that disappoints.
Multi day Exumas charters need the most notice, particularly in winter.