Kit
What goes wrong past the end of the road, why it happens, and the fix. Read this once before you pack.
The last hop
What failsYour bag doesn’t fit, or doesn’t make the flight. Small island planes and boats have tight cargo space and weight limits. Hard cases and overweight bags get left behind.
The fixPack soft, and keep the things the trip can’t run without (passport, medication, cash, a charger) on your body.
Sun
What failsYou burn on the boat, not the beach. Water reflects glare and the breeze hides the heat. Sunscreen washes off.
The fixCover up first (UPF layer, hat with a strap), then mineral sunscreen. Polarized UV400 glasses, on a retainer.
Bugs
What failsThe beach is perfect until dusk. In the Exumas, no-see-ums are most troublesome around calm dawn and dusk conditions.
The fixEPA-registered picaridin or DEET, put on before sunset. Treat home remedies as anecdote.
Water
What failsYou run out, or don’t trust what’s in the tap. On many cays drinking water is reverse-osmosis or bottled. Shops can be a boat ride away.
The fixA refillable bottle and know your refill point: in George Town, Exuma Markets lists RO drinking water among its services for boaters. A filter bottle is a freshwater backup only.
Boat day
What failsEverything gets wet. Water taxis and dinghy landings mean spray and wet feet. Hard gear is awkward on small boats.
The fixOne packable shell, one soft cooler, one waterproof pouch. Water shoes for the landing.
Power
What failsYour phone dies before the ride home. Long boat and beach days have no outlets, and the phone is your map, camera and contact list.
The fixA charged power bank and the guide saved before you lose signal.
Cash
What failsThe card machine is down, or there isn’t one. ATMs on Great Exuma have had outages, and banking is concentrated in George Town.
The fixCarry enough cash for the days away from town and for operators that take cash only.
Government source CDC: insect protection · NEI: UV and your eyes checked 3 Oct 2026
Official operator source Exuma Markets: boater services · Issa Wybe: cash only checked 3 Oct 2026
News report Tribune: Exuma ATMs, Aug 2026 checked 3 Oct 2026
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