Highlights of the Bahamas
When Visiting the Exumas Bahamas Sailing Area There Are A Few “Must Sees”.
Nassau
Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas where you have many options. Shop at the Nassau Straw Market for souvenirs and duty-free shops close to the cruise ship terminal. At the base of the bridge to the marinas, you can sample some real local food, including fresh conch salad and seafood. Local cocktails and favorite beers are also served everywhere.
Take a private Jeep tour driven by your pirate tour guide. Get a closer look at Bahamian culture as you explore New Providence Island on this half-day excursion. Join a small group and learn about the island’s history as you visit historical sights such as downtown Nassau, the Queen’s Staircase, and Fort Fincastle.
Compass cay
At Compass Cay you will be able to swim with the sharks. No need to be alarmed, these Nurse Sharks are tame and love attention. Every traveler who will plunge into the shark-infested waters must go through a safety briefing by locals to avoid unwanted incidents.
Spend some time exploring this beautiful island with crescent beaches to the east and a “bubbly pool” at high tide on the north. The marina has a small shack of a bar with a great atmosphere. Bring an old number plate from home and pin it to the wall.
Warderick Wells
Warderick Wells is the home of the Exumas Land and Sea Park. Being part of the protected marine reserve means that it is teaming up with marine life and offers incredible opportunities for snorkeling and exploring vibrant coral reefs.
Stop by the park office for a map and some friendly advice before you explore the many hiking trails. The island is home to various species of birds and plants for you to see. Your crew will take a mooring ball by the park office where you can enjoy the beautiful sand bars on a low tide. Enjoy the many white sandy beaches that this area has to offer.
Big Majors
The world-famous “Pig Beach” on Big Major Cay is undoubtedly one of the most unique excursions you will ever experience. Pigs of all sizes swim up to the boat and guests onboard get a chance to swim with them.
Your captain will anchor in the calm bay and then take you in by tender to see the pigs. The bay is also a great spot for paddle boarding and kayaking. There are many small cays and beaches to explore in the vicinity using the tender.
Staniel Cay
The yacht club has a fun bar and restaurant offering great dining. Here you can watch the local fishermen clean fish and feed scraps to the large stingrays and nurse sharks. Hire a golf cart and explore the rest of this beautiful island. Near to Staniel Cay Yacht club is Thunderball Cay.
Here you can snorkel into a large cave. The cave has holes through the rock overhead, where beams of sunlight shine through, making it a spectacular sight. This was also the location of a scene from the James Bond movie “Thunderball” filmed here in 1965.
Shroud Cay
Shroud Cay is home to a winding network of mangrove creeks and trails which you can explore in the tender or on a kayak.
Observe the diverse ecosystem and spot various bird species and turtles. It is part of the Exumas Land and Sea Park and so is known for its pristine beauty. Explore untouched secluded beaches to enjoy privacy and tranquility. The island offers opportunities for diving and snorkeling with vibrant coral reefs and an abundance of marine life.
Normans Cay
Norman’s Cay served as the headquarters for Colombian Carlos Lehder’s drug-smuggling operation from 1978 to around 1982 and is now a popular tourist destination.
One of the main attractions is a sunken drug smuggling plane, which has become and underwater wreck. This is now a snorkel spot and is home to a variety of marine life. The island also offers white sandy beaches and many more snorkeling spots with vibrant coral reefs.
