5 Things You Need to Know Before Traveling to Exuma
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*Updated 6/20/2023
Exuma is becoming more and more popular each year and once you visit, you’ll understand why. The islands of Exuma have everything you need to escape the real world and experience true relaxation. The first time I visited was in July of 2021, which happened to be my first solo trip as well, and I immediately fell in love with the island and the people that live there, so much so that I went a second time in June of 2023 and brought my parents along. My experience in Exuma both times was truly amazing! After my first time in Exuma, there were definitely a few things that I wish I had known beforehand and I’ve learned a few other helpful tips for visiting Exuma islands from my most recent trip with my parents. In hopes to help and prepare you before stepping into paradise, I’ve created this list of five things to know before going to the Exumas so that you’re well prepared for what to expect while on this gorgeous island with the most beautiful blue waters! And if you're looking for more Exuma travel tips, be sure to check out my ultimate Exuma travel guide including an Exuma itinerary!
1.) Car Rentals in Exuma & Getting Around the Island
If you were hoping to get around the Exumas by golf cart or by walking, I’m sad to inform you that this Caribbean island is not built for that. Great Exuma is 37 miles long and is connected by a small, one-lane bridge to Little Exuma - so the best way to get around in Exuma is by car. Renting a car is fairly simple and there are a handful of car rental locations near the airport and scattered around the island. I did not rent a car my first time in Exuma, but we rented a car my second time there and the process was so simple and surprisingly quite affordable.. We rented a car from Exuma Auto Rentals for days two through five and picked up our car at the rental car lot located in Steventon on Great Exuma Island. Exuma Auto Rentals daily rates start at $60 per day and they picked us up from our hotel and drove us to the rental car lot, which was only about 10 minutes away, but they also offer airport pickups and when you return your car you have the option to either have the rental car picked up from your hotel or at the airport for ultimate convenience! Renting a car in Exuma is great because you have the freedom to explore both Great Exuma and Little Exuma on your own schedule, but there are a couple of things to point out if you’re thinking about renting a car while in Exuma.
The first, and biggest point to be aware of is that they drive on the left side of the road in Exuma, so you’ll need to be comfortable driving that way. There may be some rental cars where the steering wheel is on the left side of the vehicle, but most have the driver in the right side of the vehicle and you have to remember to keep left on the road if this isn’t the norm for you! There are also some round-a-bouts on the island and you need to enter them going to the left instead of the right.
The second thing to know about driving in Exuma is that the roads are not the best. All of the roads are two lanes with no shoulder and do not have street lights so I wouldn’t recommend driving at night. There are some newly paved sections along the main road, Queen’s Highway, but keep your eyes peeled for potholes, as there are tons of them on the islands. If you plan on exploring the stunning beaches, which you definitely should, you’ll want to drive slowly and with caution when you turn off of Queen’s Highway. Most of the roads leading to the beaches are dirt roads with huge potholes.
If you choose to not rent your own car, there are tons of car services that can take you all around the island, but if you plan to explore a lot, this will be the more expensive option. I used Dee’s Tour & Services during my first visit to Exuma and my experience with Dee was beyond amazing. Since this was my first solo trip, I was a little hesitant to fully explore on my own but Dee always made sure to take care of me and always kept an eye out for my safety. And you can still explore even if you don’t rent a car! During my first trip I booked an ATV Tour within walking distance of my hotel, spent a day on Stocking Island and took the water taxi from George Town, and went on an all day boat tour - so I only needed to book a car service for my trips from and to Exuma International Airport & to George Town. My hotel was located in Roker’s Point on Great Exuma and transfers to and from the airport were about $30 each way.
2.) Island Time is Really a Thing
This one caught me off guard but after experiencing it a couple of times after I arrived on the island, I quickly got used to it. From the moment you step off the plane back to boarding the plane to go home, be prepared for things to go a bit slower than you’re used to. As an American, we tend to rush through things to get to the next activity and through my travels I’ve noticed that almost every other country doesn’t live that way. Most at least take their time when having a meal, but in the Bahamas this applies to everything! There’s no rush - at all. Everyone is extremely friendly, laidback, and not in a hurry, so don’t expect people to be on time or for a waiter to take your order within 10 minutes. Yes, it can be annoying at first but I really have tried to adapt it into my personal life now. It makes you appreciate the moments so much more. Also, don’t expect to have a quick meal, ever! No matter what time of day, don’t anticipate your meal lasting less than an hour and a half from the time you sit down. I learned this the hard way. I ate at the hotel my first day so initially I thought they just had slow service but I skipped breakfast the second day planning on eating an early lunch at Chat n’ Chill. However, that didn’t happen. I arrived at Chat n’ Chill right before noon (they don’t start serving food until noon) so I set up my towel & got in the water. Shortly after they began to take food orders, I got in the very long food line and after waiting in line for 30 minutes, my food came out about 45 minutes later. I was so hungry I thought I would faint but I sure did learn my lesson. I never skipped a meal after that!
3.) Exuma Dining & Grocery Shopping
As you would expect, there’s tons of seafood in the Exumas but they’re best known for the conch and you have to try it at least once! I was told Big D’s Conch Spot is one of the best places to have conch on the island and at Chat n’ Chill, you can get a fresh conch salad made right in front of you or a conch burger which is what I opted for and it was delicious! Conch has a similar texture as calamari but slightly more chewy. I’m a big texture person so the burger was a great option for me, but people raved about the fresh conch salad at Chat n’ Chill while I was there. Another tip for eating in the Exumas is to eat local! There are two big resorts on the island and I’m sure their food is good but get out and explore the places where the locals eat, you’ll thank me later. Cocoplum Bistro is another great spot to eat with water views. It’s located at the Paradise Bay Bahamas resort, which is where I stayed, and is open to the public and hotel guests. The food here is fresh and the staff are really nice and can give you great tips on things to do as they’re all locals. The Lighthouse Café and Ice Cream Parlour is located down the street from Paradise Bay on Great Exuma and offers authentic, fresh, casual eats like cracked chicken and coconut crusted shrimp, and of course, a variety of ice cream flavors that are perfect on a hot day! Another favorite is Tropic Breeze located on the water on Little Exuma. Once you park, the aroma will lead you up the stairs and have your mouth watering until your food arrives! We ordered the Lobster Poppers and the Jerk Pork and both were amazing and maybe our favorite meal of the trip. Another tip when choosing a restaurant in Exuma is to not judge by the outer facade. The local government doesn’t allow major chain restaurants to develop on the island, which I really appreciate, so most restaurants are inside small establishments - but the food is always good!
During my second time in Exuma, we wanted to pick up some snacks to bring on the boat one day and visited a few grocery stores and convenience stores. If you’re renting a house in Exuma then you’ll want to find the nearest store to pick up any food or household items. We went to Prime Market one day which is a great option if you need ingredients to cook a meal in your rental house on Great Exuma. If you’re staying on Great Exuma, northwest of George Town, I highly recommend checking out S n L Variety Store in Rolleville. They’re a small store with a big heart and have a wide selection of everything from medicine & household items to basic ingredients and snacks, most at affordable prices. What I really love about S n L is that they work with the local community and with the children to make sure prices stay affordable.
4.) Currency and Tipping on Exuma Island
Everywhere on the island accepts US dollars and most places prefer, if not only accept, cash. You can pay with a debit or credit card at hotels and for some excursions or activities, like the ATV tour I went on and for boat rentals, but most places are cash only so be sure to always have some on hand. On the topic of having money on hand, I highly suggest getting cash out of the bank prior to your trip.There are few ATMs or banks on the island so I was very glad I took money out beforehand as I usually take cash out at the airport after landing. Tipping is expected to some degree, just as it is in the U.S., but most restaurants include a 10% service charge on your bill, but it’s always a good idea to check your bill to know for sure when you pay. Unlike restaurants, excursions, tours, and car services do not automatically include a tip and no matter what part of the world I’m in, I usually tip between 15%-20% for excursions and tours, especially if they went above and beyond. I had amazing service everywhere I went in Exuma and after the pandemic, I knew everyone could use the support so if you have great service, please show your support and tip accordingly.
Forbes Hill Beach in Little Exuma
5.) Boat Rentals in Exuma, Bahamas
Because the Exuma cays are an island region made up of over 350 individual islands, the best way to get around Exuma Bahamas is by boat. There are a couple of different options here: you can rent a boat and drive it yourself, charter one with a captain, or you can book a full-day or half-day tour. If you know how to operate a boat and you’re with a group then renting your own boat might be the best option for you. During my first trip to Exuma I opted for a full-day tour with Four C’s Adventures, which I’ll get into more detail later, and we rented a boat for a day during my most recent trip to Exuma. We rented a boat through Minns Water Sports located in George Town and the process was extremely easy. Minns offers rentals for 17’ Boston Whalers and 19’-29’ Power Cats with options for daily rentals to more than a seven day rental. We rented a 19’ Power Cat for one day and it ended up costing about $400 after you factored in insurance and gas. Booking a boat on Minns website is easy. They have a form on their website that you’ll need to print, complete, and send back to them in order to make a reservation. If you’re only booking a one day rental, you’ll have the boat from 8:30am to 5pm and you have to stay within the boundaries of Elizabeth Harbor. Within Elizabeth Harbor there are tons of things and places to see, but this is the main drawback of renting a boat on your own. With an all-day tour, like the one I took with Four C’s Adventures, you’re able to see more popular sites that are further away from Great Exuma like the famous swimming pigs, Thunderball Grotto where one of the James Bond movies was filmed, Iguana Island, Compass Cay where you can swim with nurse sharks, and Staniel Cay. The full-day tour I took costs about $300 per person, excluding lunch and a tip. Since the islands that make up the Exumas are so large, there are definitely islands and beaches I didn’t get to see during both of my trips to the Bahamas, but I was able to see the majority of the places I wanted to see. One of the most popular places on Stocking Island, which is located across Elizabeth Harbor from George Town, is Chat ‘n Chill. You can visit Stocking Island if you choose to rent a boat, but you can also take the water taxi to Chat ‘n Chill from George Town for $10 roundtrip. I rode with Elvis’ Water Taxi during my first trip which leaves hourly and only takes about 10 minutes each way.
Traveling to the Exumas in the Bahamas is an absolute must for any traveler seeking an undisturbed tropical paradise. From its breathtaking landscapes to its vibrant marine life, the Exumas offer a unique experience that will leave you in awe and this destination is one of my favorite places I’ve been to. When traveling to Exuma, remember to plan ahead, pack accordingly, and bring cash with you. So, get ready to immerse yourself in the beauty and tranquility of this slice of heaven and embark on the journey of a lifetime!
Happy travels!
- Tess
Tess Arnold
Hi! I’m Tess, founder of TravelingTessie.com, and not only do I love to travel, but I love immersing myself in new places and finding off the beaten path experiences wherever I go! I’ve lived in 4 different states & traveled to 13 countries and counting. I believe that tourism is meant to benefit both visitors and locals alike—and I want to bring that idea back into the travel industry by highlighting companies run by locals such as tours, hotels, restaurants, and more. On Traveling Tessie you can find hidden gems in top destinations around the world, travel tips, detailed city guides, and tons of inspiration for your next trip! If you love travel as much as I do, then please join me on this journey! I hope you enjoy my content as much as I enjoy providing it for you!
