The Exumas Islands are truly a treat to see, and have a lot of unique qualities about them. The Exumas are collection of 365 cays and islands located and spread out south of Nassau and Paradise Island. These islands are an archipelago of islands surrounded by some of the brightest blue and clearest waters in the world to see.
The Exumas were once called Yumey and Suma, both names originating from the Amer-Indian, and have been a popular stomping ground for the rich and famous to drop anchor from their yachts. Most of the rich and famous own houses on the Cays of the Exumas, and the resorts and locals are on the two main islands. The history of the Exumas is an interesting story too. The settlers of the Exumas came to the islands as British Loyalists and brought their slaves with them in 1783 to flee the Revolutionary War, and brought the cotton economy to the Exumas.
The Exumas have been separated into 3 areas called Great Exuma, Little Exuma and the Exuma Cays. The Great Exuma and Little Exuma are the islands that will have the resorts and and white sandy beaches to lounge on. The Exumas are protected habitats, and have incredible wildlife to see, both in and out of the water. Scuba diving, sailing, and snorkeling are all very popular activities to do in the Exumas.
The Exumas is world famous for having the “swimming pigs”. Featured in magazines like National Geographic, the swimming pigs are domesticated pigs, that go and swim in the ocean when the here a boat arrive, hoping to get fed. You can see them swim on Major’s Spot Cay in the Exumas. Another great natural phenomenon to see that occurs in the Exumas waters is something called Stomatolites. These amazing underwater structures were formed thousands of years ago, and are the oldest macro-fossils on the planet. To observe the Stomatolites, these formations thrive in the Exumas Cays’ waters.
The Exumas are home to some of the most pristine beaches and national parks in the world, with some jaw-dropping views of natural beauty. The Moria Harbour Cay National Park is a must see when visiting the Bahamas, and is an important part of the ecosystem of the Exumas islands. The areas protected include beaches, mangroves, seagrass beds, and sand dunes, and they are vital habitat for birds to nest and a nursery for the marine wildlife to procreate.
Although many of the beaches in the Exumas remain unnamed, there is one popular beach that has been voted most beautiful in the Bahamas: The Tropic of Cancer Beach. The Tropic of Cancer Beach is located on Little Exuma, and is the longest beach in the Exumas. Also known as Pelican Beach, was named the Tropic of Cancer Beach due to its location’s coordinates, geographically.
Today, it is easier than ever to take a day trip from Nassau to the Great Exuma Island on a once in a lifetime tour with the Exumas Powerboat Adventure.