Where to stay in Exuma — pick the right hotel, book in 3 clicks
Exuma is a chain of 365 pristine, turquoise-rimmed cays in the southern Bahamas — home to the world-famous swimming pigs at Pig Beach, glass-clear water, sandbars that surface at low tide, deep blue holes, and the James Bond cave of Thunderball Grotto. The hub is George Town on Great Exuma, set on Elizabeth Harbour, with everything from the all-inclusive Sandals resort to quiet beachfront villas. This guide covers the real neighborhoods, sights, food, and how to get around so you can book with confidence.
Why stay in Exuma
The original swimming pigs
Pig Beach on Big Major Cay is the icon of Exuma — wild pigs paddle out to greet boats in crystal water, drawing visitors from all over the world.
The clearest water in the Bahamas
Endless turquoise gradients, white sand you can see through metres of water, and sandbars that emerge at low tide for a surreal walk.
Blue holes and underwater caves
Snorkel Thunderball Grotto from the 007 films, explore mysterious blue holes and reefs, and swim with nurse sharks at Compass Cay.
Quiet, slow, uncrowded
Unlike Nassau, Exuma is a true Out Island — long empty beaches and an unhurried pace made for real relaxation.
Pick an area first — where to stay in Exuma
Location is the single most important thing about a hotel — choose the right area first, then pick the hotel
George TownGreat Exuma's hub on Elizabeth Harbour — restaurants, bars, shops, the dock for Stocking Island, and the closest base to GGT airport.
Coming soonEmerald BayUpscale resort area to the north — Sandals Emerald Bay, a marina, the Greg Norman golf course, and quiet white-sand beach.
Coming soonLittle ExumaThe smaller southern island across the bridge — home to the stunning Tropic of Cancer Beach, peaceful and unspoiled.
Coming soonStocking IslandAcross the harbour from George Town, a 10-minute boat ride — the legendary Chat 'n' Chill beach bar, empty beaches and starfish.
Coming soonRanked reviews — find your ideal stay in Exuma
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then explore food and sights
We're rolling out Exuma stay reviews — meanwhile search Exuma hotels across all 3 sites now
Local dishes to try in Exuma
- 1🐚
Conch Salad
Fresh raw conch diced with lime, onion, pepper and tomato — the Bahamian national dish, best at the Fish Fry or Chat 'n' Chill.
📍 Signature - 2🍤
Conch Fritters
Battered, deep-fried conch with dipping sauce — a beloved snack; Tropic Breeze on Little Exuma is known for the best around.
📍 Fried bite - 3🦞
Cracked Conch & Lobster
Pounded fried conch and flame-grilled lobster — Santanna's on Little Exuma is famous for lobster cooked over open flame.
📍 Mains - 4🐟
Grouper Fingers & fresh fish
Fried grouper and pan-seared snapper caught that morning, served with peas 'n' rice at beachside grills.
📍 Seafood - 5🍚
Peas 'n' Rice & Mac & Cheese
Pigeon peas cooked with rice and baked Bahamian mac and cheese — the standard sides with every local plate.
📍 Sides - 6🎶
Fish Fry & Rake 'n' Scrape
A cluster of wooden shacks north of George Town — seafood plus a live rake 'n' scrape band on Monday nights.
📍 Local
- 1🐷
Pig Beach (Big Major Cay)
The original swimming-pigs beach — wild pigs swim out to boats in clear water. Reached easily from Staniel Cay; photos right beside the pigs.
📍 Icon - 2🎬
Thunderball Grotto
A rock cave near Staniel Cay from the James Bond film — swim in at low tide to find swirling tropical fish inside.
📍 Sea cave - 3🏖️
Tropic of Cancer Beach
Exuma's longest stretch of powdery white sand on Little Exuma near Williams Town, sitting right on the Tropic of Cancer line.
📍 Best beach - 4🍹
Chat 'n' Chill (Stocking Island)
The legendary beach bar on Stocking Island — fresh conch salad and starfish in the shallows, a short boat ride from George Town.
📍 Beach bar - 5🦈
Compass Cay nurse sharks
At Compass Cay Marina you can safely wade in with a pod of friendly nurse sharks — a highlight of any boat tour.
📍 Adventure - 6🦎
Allen's Cay iguanas
An island of endemic Bahamian rock iguanas that wander up the beach toward visitors — a classic Exuma Cays tour stop.
📍 Wildlife - 7🌀
Exuma sandbars
Sand banks that surface mid-sea at low tide in turquoise water — walk out as if standing in the middle of the ocean.
📍 Photo spot - 8🤿
Blue holes
Deep-blue sinkholes set in shallow flats, full of fish and coral — included on most day-trip boat tours.
📍 Snorkel/dive
Things to do in Exuma
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Exuma — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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3 Exuma hotels our team picked for you
Selected from real reviews — one per budget tier, each with a score and instant 3-site price comparison
★ 9.3Luxury
★ 8.7Value
★ 8.6Upper-midโรงแรมแนะนำทั้งหมดในExuma
ครบทุกระดับงบ — คัดจากคะแนนรีวิวจริง พร้อมเทียบราคา 3 เว็บ
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🚆 Getting around Exuma
Exuma International Airport (GGT)
Near Moss Town, about 15 km north of George Town, with flights from Nassau, Miami and major US cities. Take a taxi into town.
Rental car — the easiest way
No big international chains; use local outfits like Exuma Transport from around $60/day. Driving is on the left, one main road runs the length of the island.
Taxis (no buses or apps)
There's no public transit or rideshare. Pre-book a taxi or have your hotel call one, and agree the fare before you ride.
Boat to Stocking Island
Water taxis from the Government Dock / Exuma Yacht Club run about $15 per person round trip, or $20 from Augusta Bay — a 10-minute crossing.
Money — US dollars accepted
The Bahamian Dollar is pegged 1:1 to the USD, and US cash is accepted everywhere. Carry cash for small shops and boat tours; ATMs are in George Town.
Where to go next near Exuma
NassauThe beachfront capital of The Bahamas — Atlantis, Cable Beach, colonial forts and a famous fish fry on a turquoise Caribbean island.
See this city's guide →
FreeportWhere to stay in Freeport on Grand Bahama Island — which neighborhood fits you, what to see, what to eat, and how to get around, straight from people who have been.
See this city's guide →Frequently asked — where to stay in Exuma
How do I see the swimming pigs in Exuma?+
The pigs live at Pig Beach (Big Major Cay) in the northern Exuma Cays, reached most easily from Staniel Cay or on a day-trip boat tour from George Town. Tours usually bundle Thunderball Grotto, nurse sharks and a sandbar in one trip.
Where should I stay in Exuma?+
For restaurants, bars and the harbour dock, base in George Town; for a full-service luxury resort choose Emerald Bay (Sandals); for quiet and the best beaches pick Little Exuma or a beachfront villa.
When is the best time to visit Exuma?+
The best window is December to April — dry, sunny and clear (peak season, so book early and expect higher prices). May to November is cheaper but is the wet season with hurricane risk mid-year.
Ready to book your Exuma stay?
Start with the 3 hotels our team picked, or search all 3 sites — always compare before booking