Great Exuma BahamasCruise Port Guide
Getting Around from the Port
Most cruise passengers visit the Exumas via ship-offered day excursions or independent tour operators departing from Nassau or from Staniel Cay airstrip. George Town itself is not a standard cruise port — visitors typically arrive by private yacht, catamaran charter, or small aircraft. Day trips from Nassau to the Exumas are operated by Flying Cloud Catamaran and numerous other operators, typically running $170–300 per person for full-day tours that include multiple stops. From Nassau, the typical boat journey to the Exuma cays takes 2–3 hours each way by high-speed catamaran. Some cruises offer the Exumas as a tender or alternative transport stop during Bahamas itineraries. Flying from Nassau to Staniel Cay on a small aircraft takes approximately 20–30 minutes and is another option for those willing to pay for the flexibility.
Attractions and Activities
Swimming pigs at Big Major Cay ($130–200 as part of a full-day tour from Nassau or George Town) is the unmissable headline experience — arrive early as afternoon visits can find the pigs sluggish from feeding. Nurse shark swim at Compass Cay marina ($150–200 in full-day combination tours) puts visitors in the water with docile bottom-feeding nurse sharks in the marina's shallow water — the sharks are accustomed to human contact and are entirely harmless in this encounter format. Thunderball Grotto snorkeling (included in most tour packages) should be attempted at low slack tide when currents are minimal and visibility is at its best — sunrise visits catch the best internal light through the ceiling apertures. The Hermès sandbar — an ephemeral white sandbar emerging at low tide from the middle of Exuma Sound — is a surreal location for swimming and photographs. Allen's Cay iguana feeding, where large rock iguanas emerge from the scrub to feed on offered fruit, is another popular stop on full-day tours.
Dining & Shopping
George Town's food options are limited but authentic — the Fish Fry along the harbor front is the social and culinary center of Exuma life, with several open-air restaurants serving cracked conch, fried snapper, peas and rice, and fresh tropical fruit. Chat 'N' Chill beach bar on Volleyball Beach (accessible by water taxi from George Town) is the Exumas' most famous gathering spot, beloved by cruisers and yachties alike for its conch salad made to order, its frozen drinks, and its utter lack of pretension. Staniel Cay Yacht Club, near Thunderball Grotto, serves decent bar food and strong rum cocktails in a genuine nautical atmosphere. Shopping in George Town is extremely limited — a few small shops selling straw goods, Bahamian hot sauce, and T-shirts near the government dock.
Weather
Great Exuma has a warm tropical climate with the cruise season running October through April, when temperatures range from 72°F to 82°F (22°C to 28°C) with low humidity and clear waters. The Exumas are renowned for their vivid turquoise seas and are most stunning during the dry winter months. Pack lightweight swimwear, sunscreen, and a light layer for cooler winter evenings.
Safety
The Exumas are very safe by any standard. The primary safety considerations are marine-related: ocean currents can be strong around the cays, particularly at Thunderball Grotto at high tide, so always snorkel with a guide and wear a life vest if in any doubt. Nurse sharks are genuinely docile and bites have essentially never been recorded in the Compass Cay encounter context, but respect their space and follow guide instructions. Boat tours should be operated by licensed Bahamian tour companies — the Nassau tour operator market is well-regulated and established companies are reliably professional. Weather in the Exumas can change quickly; check forecasts and have a backup plan in case rough seas cancel planned excursions.
Currency and Language
The Bahamian Dollar (BSD) is pegged 1:1 to the US Dollar, accepted universally. US dollars are usable everywhere. ATMs are available in George Town. Most tour operators accept credit cards for advance booking; cash tips are appreciated. A full-day Exuma tour from Nassau runs $170–300 per person depending on operator and inclusions.