Not Just Sun and Surf: Top 10 Things to Do in Exuma, Bahamas

The landscape is impressive! The swell licks your feet and its waves invite you to wrap yourself in its crystalline warmth. The beaches can be addicting, 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. Dig below the surface

Exuma has some of the most famous underwater caves and blue holes. Thunderball Grotto is a popular and interesting place for divers and snorkelers; the underwater cave was featured in two James Bond films. Exuma’s caves are famous for their diversity, varying in length, depth, and beauty. Explore the lush vegetation and unusual inhabitants of the brackish depths, and be sure to bring those underwater cameras!

2. Hook a bone!

Bonefishing is a fascinating sport from the Bahamas and is a popular pastime in Exuma, Bahamas. The southwestern shores of the Exumas are the ideal place to partake in this exciting, tidal-dependent sport as bonefish stay in the sandy shallows 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 stuck in the spirit of the sport, as they are not known to be particularly appetizing. The average number of bonefish sighted in Exuma per day is 40 to 400, while the average number of fish caught daily is 3 to 45. The usual weight of a bonefish is 4 to 6 pounds, but they can be as large as 19. pounds!

3. Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park

There are numerous things to do in Exuma, Bahamas, so do some research before you head out. You will find that Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park, a marine wildlife reserve located on Great Exuma, is worth exploring. Opened in 1959, it was the first of its kind. It stretches over 176 square miles. 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 you can observe large groups of reef fish in their natural environment. This land and marine park is home to the lutia, a rabbit-like rodent that was 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 story of the Bahamas. The main structure lies in ruins today, 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 Graves, a cemetery where a foreman and his wife who lived during the days of slavery rest. If that’s not spooky enough, head to The Hermitage, another cemetery eight miles from Georgetown, where the graves 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, taking part in the annual Exuma Junkanoo Summer Festival is essential. Not only can you sample local food and drinks and participate 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 surf?

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’s 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 into the Bahamas

Definitely serving as a spot in the top 10 things to do in Exuma, Bahamas is the fine dining experience. With menus brimming with sumptuous seafood, savory spices and exotic cold drinks, trying the local food is a must. Start with a hearty 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, relax 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 floating through the gentle Bahamian breeze looking into 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 serves as a spot on your Exuma, Bahamas to-do list.

10. Life is a beach!

Last but not least are the magnificent beaches! Located in Little Exuma is Tropic of Cancer Beach, the longest beach on the island, stretching for 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 shell collectors, as their shorelines are rich with rare and exotic seashells. Finding the perfect corner of sand is one of the easiest things to do in Exuma, Bahamas, aside from finding total relaxation of course.