Great Exuma

One long island, one road, one harbour town. Fly into GGT, rent a car, and choose your end of the island before you choose a room.

Curated

Quick read

At a glance

Gateway: GGT
Last hop: Direct or connecting flight to GGT, including via Nassau (NAS)
Car: Yes
Drives on: LEFT
Service hub: George Town

Drive: LEFTRoundabouts too
Cash: CARRYB$1 = US$1; both accepted. ATMs cluster in George Town
Access: AIR · ROAD · BOATStocking Island is boat-only

Fly into: GGTExuma International, Moss Town
Car: YESOne long road; book ahead
Power: 120VUS plugs
Water: ROBottled or reverse-osmosis

Tourism board Bahamas travel tips · Central Bank checked 3 Oct 2026

Photo: Elizabeth Harbour regatta, the Exumas.

01 · Orientation

One road, one harbour, three launch points.

123456

The ExumasInset, smaller scale

Barraterre
Exuma International (GGT)
George Town
Stocking IslandAcross the harbour from George Town
The Ferry · bridge to Little ExumaA small bridge joins Great and Little Exuma
Little Exuma
Staniel CayOn the inset: The Exumas

Fly into: GGTExuma International Airport · Scope: Great Exuma · Bahamas Ministry of Tourism
Capital: George TownScope: The Exumas · Bahamas Ministry of Tourism
Bridge to: Little ExumaA small road bridge joins Great and Little Exuma · Scope: Great and Little Exuma · Bahamas Ministry of Tourism
The chain: 365 islandsThe Exumas, Great Exuma included · Scope: The whole Exumas chain · Bahamas Ministry of Tourism

Great Exuma, with Barraterre (by bridge)
Little Exuma
Other cays

Great Exuma, north up. Scale bars are for the main map. Simplified outlines for orientation, not for navigation. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0).

Where boat days leave from

Brown’s MarineJust south of George Town
Ferry BridgeAt the Little Exuma end
BarraterreIn the north
Government Dock, George TownWater taxis to Stocking Island

Official operator source Pins A–C use the map locations published by Exuma Water Sports and Hydro Watersports 242 checked 14 Oct 2026

Great Exuma is a long, narrow island strung along one road, the Queen’s Highway, with George Town and its harbour near the middle. Where you base yourself shapes the trip more than which room you book: the harbour boats leave from one end of town, the kayaks from the far south, and Exuma Water Sports’ swimming-pig boats from the northern tip.

Most people fly into GGT near Moss Town, pick up a rental car and drive. Across Elizabeth Harbour from George Town, Stocking Island has no roads at all; you cross by water taxi. To the south, a bridge at The Ferry carries the road onto Little Exuma. To the north, past Emerald Bay, the road runs through Steventon and Stuart Manor and over two bridges to Barraterre, about 50 minutes from George Town.

The three places boat days start: Brown’s Marine just south of George Town, Ferry Bridge at the Little Exuma end, and Barraterre in the north. Check which one your booking means before you set the alarm.

Boat days by departure point Choose where to stay

Official operator source Exuma Water Sports: directions · Chat ’N’ Chill: getting here checked 3 Oct 2026

Great Exuma · north to south

↑ Staniel Cay & Big Major CayMid-chain, north of here. By small plane or a long boat day, not by road.

BarraterreNorth tip of the island. Exuma Water Sports’ swimming-pig boats leave from here.
White Bay Cay boatsBig Major Cay boats
Stuart Manor · SteventonThe road crosses two bridges onto Barraterre.
Roker’s Point · Emerald BayGrand Isle Resort, and the Marina at Emerald Bay about 800 m away. Beaches Exuma, the former Sandals Emerald Bay, is under construction and not open (Nassau Guardian, 20 Aug 2026).
GGT · Moss TownExuma International. Resorts quote about 20 minutes to Emerald Bay or to February Point.
Hooper’s Bay · Palm BayBetween the airport and town.
George Town · February PointThe harbour town: groceries, the Government Dock, and RO water listed for boaters.
Water taxis
→ Stocking IslandAcross Elizabeth Harbour by water taxi from the Government Dock or the Exuma Yacht Club, about five minutes. No roads, no cars.
Brown’s MarineAbout 10 minutes south of George Town. Harbour charters and Moriah Harbour boat days.
Issa WybeHydro chartersExuma Water Sports
Moriah Harbour Cay National ParkMangroves, sandbars and the lazy river. A Bahamas National Trust park.
The Ferry · Ferry BridgeClear kayaks and HydroBikes launch here. The bridge carries the road onto Little Exuma.
T.T Water SportsHydro HydroBikes
Little Exuma · Williams TownAcross the bridge. Tropic of Cancer Beach.

HubAirportBoat departuresBy water

Schematic, not to scale. Order of places from operator driving directions and resort pages, checked 3 Oct 2026.

02 · Get there

GGT, then a car.

Exuma International (GGT) sits near Moss Town, just northwest of George Town. International flights and the domestic hop from Nassau use the same field.

Airport

GGT · Exuma International, Moss Town

Flights

Direct or connecting flight to GGT, including via Nassau (NAS). Routes and carriers change with the season, so we don’t list them here; check with your airline before you book.

Tourism board The Exumas: domestic and international flights daily checked 3 Oct 2026

Official operator source Nassau–Exuma domestic route page checked 3 Oct 2026

On landing

Rent a car or use a taxi.

Tourism board travel tips checked 3 Oct 2026

To George Town

Taxi or rental car from GGT at Moss Town.

Tourism board travel tips: taxis and car rental checked 3 Oct 2026

To your bed

About 20 minutes to Emerald Bay or to February Point, by the resorts’ own estimates.

Business source Grand Isle · February Point checked 3 Oct 2026

Before you board

Book the rental carPick-up at the airport is the easy version. Cars run short at busy times.
Carry some cashBahamian and US dollars both work. ATMs are concentrated in George Town.
Keep your booking details to handScreenshot the confirmation, the departure dock and the operator’s number before you set off.
Know your departure pointBrown’s Marine, Ferry Bridge or Barraterre. They are up to an hour apart.
Pack bug repellentNo-see-ums come out at dusk.

Full packing checklist

03 · Where to stay

Pick your end of the island first.

A long island with one hub. Choose the area that matches how you want to spend your days, then search for a room there.

Harbour town

George Town & February Point

The island’s service hub on Elizabeth Harbour. Groceries, the Government Dock and the Stocking Island water taxis are all here.

Best for: First trips, boaters, Stocking Island days
Car?: Useful for beaches and the airport
Access: About 20 min from GGT
Nearby: Exuma Markets · Government Dock · Brown’s Marine
Stay types: Harbour inns and hotels; February Point villas

Aerial view of Hooper’s Bay on Great Exuma: houses in green scrub on the hillside above a curving turquoise bay — Hooper’s Bay

Central

Hooper’s Bay · Palm Bay

The stretch between the airport and George Town. Close to both, without being in town.

Best for: Short stays, easy airport runs
Car?: Yes
Access: Between GGT and George Town
Nearby: George Town · GGT
Stay types: Villas, small resorts, vacation rentals

North

Emerald Bay

Resort country north of the airport, with a large marina. Further from town, closer to the northern cays.

Best for: Resort stays, yachts, a quieter base
Car?: Yes
Access: About 20 min from GGT
Nearby: Marina at Emerald Bay · Roker’s Point · road to Barraterre
Stay types: Resort villas at Grand Isle Resort & Residences

Not open · Beaches Exuma is under construction, targeting completion by the end of 2027

South

South Great Exuma

Quieter past George Town. Brown’s Marine, the Moriah Harbour park and Ferry Bridge are all down here.

Best for: Kayak and boat days, quiet
Car?: Yes
Access: South of George Town on the Queen’s Highway
Nearby: Brown’s Marine · Moriah Harbour · Ferry Bridge
Stay types: Cottages and vacation rentals

Across the bridge

Little Exuma

Over the bridge at The Ferry. Long beaches and very little traffic.

Best for: Remote beach time
Car?: Yes
Access: By road over the bridge at The Ferry
Nearby: Williams Town · Tropic of Cancer Beach · Ferry Bridge launches
Stay types: Cottages and vacation rentals

Boat only

Stocking Island

No roads and no cars. Beach clubs, trails and anchorages across the harbour from George Town.

Best for: Day trips, cruisers at anchor
Car?: No roads
Access: Water taxi from the Government Dock or the Exuma Yacht Club
Nearby: George Town · Elizabeth Harbour
Stay types: Overnight options not yet checked

Vacation rentals: Airbnb and Vrbo inventory changes every week, so we don’t list it. Search by the settlement name above (George Town, Hooper’s Bay, Emerald Bay, Williams Town) rather than “Exuma”, so you land on the end of the island you meant.

Named places: we only name a stay when a source supports it, and nobody pays to be named. February Point and Grand Isle Resort & Residences are described from their own sites. No prices: they change too fast to print.

News report Nassau Guardian: Beaches Exuma construction “progressing well”, 20 Aug 2026 · Beaches news release checked 5 Oct 2026 · the development has been targeting completion by the end of 2027: a construction target, not an opening date

04 · Things to do

Boat days start from different parts of the island.

The same operator can leave from two different docks. Each card shows where that trip actually departs. Listed in no particular order; nobody paid to be here.

Departs from

Brown’s Marine

Brown’s Marine is one of the main departure points south of George Town. These are the operators used or sourced so far.

Open in Maps

Issa Wybe

Departs: Browns Marine & Boat Storage, just outside George Town. Meet at the marina gates; car park opposite.
Trip: Half-day and full-day harbour boat trips · Captain Chris
Half day: About 4 hours
Full day: About 8 hours

Small-boat days on a 26-ft Twin Vee: sandbar, Lazy River, stingrays and reef snorkelling on the half day; the full day adds Sandy Cay, rock iguanas, a blue hole and a lunch or beach-bar stop.

Cash only (BSD or USD). No toilet on board. Does not visit the swimming pigs.

Used by OGC

Official source Issa Wybe: book & FAQ

Website

Checked 3 Oct 2026 · no phone or WhatsApp listed on its site

Hydro Watersports 242

Departs: Brown’s Marine, south of George Town · Map ↗
Trip: Twin Vee harbour charter
Length: 5, 6 or 7 hours
Group: Private, up to 8

A private boat day on a 26-ft Twin Vee catamaran around Elizabeth Harbour and Moriah Harbour: sandbars, hidden beaches, snorkelling, the lazy river and beach bars, with a Seabob sea-scooter session included.

Used by OGC

Official source Hydro Watersports 242: contact · location · FAQs

Checked 3 Oct 2026

Exuma Water Sports

Departs: Brown’s Marine, about 10 minutes south of George Town. Blue two-storey building on the ocean side; park across the road and check in at the gas dock. · Map ↗
Trip: Seven Beaches & Moriah Harbour tour
Length: About 4 hours

A half-day run south of George Town through cays and coves, a sandbar and the “lazy river” in Moriah Harbour Cay National Park.

Used by OGC

Official source Exuma Water Sports: locations · tour page

Website

Checked 3 Oct 2026

More operators leave from here. We list only the ones we’ve sourced or used ourselves.

Departs from

Ferry Bridge

The bridge between Great Exuma and Little Exuma at The Ferry, on the edge of Moriah Harbour Cay National Park. Kayak and HydroBike trips run on the tide.

Ferry Bridge guide

Hydro Watersports 242

Departs: Little Exuma / Ferry Bridge · Map ↗
Trip: Lazy River & mangrove HydroBike tour
Length: About 2 hours
Timing: Start time follows the tide

A guided HydroBike (pedal-powered water bike) tour through the red mangroves of Moriah Harbour Cay National Park, stopping at the beach with the “lazy river”.

Kids: the operator says most children 8 and up can ride themselves, advises 10 and up for tours because of the distance, and requires adult supervision (FAQs, checked 4 Oct 2026).

Used by OGC

Official source Hydro Watersports 242: contact · location · FAQs

Checked 3 Oct 2026

T.T Water Sports

Departs: The Ferry Bridge, just before Little Exuma (The Ferry, Hartswell)
Trip: Clear-kayak eco tours in Moriah Harbour
Park tour: About 3 hours, tide-dependent
Also: Sandbar, night kayak and photo tours

Clear kayaks and paddleboards through the mangroves, sandbars and the Lazy River of Moriah Harbour Cay National Park. A mobile outfit: it launches at the water rather than from a shop.

Ages: most tours from 3 and up; The Silent Voyage from 10 (eco tours, checked 4 Oct 2026).

Used by OGC

Official source T.T Water Sports: home · eco tours · reservations

Website

Checked 3 Oct 2026 · no map pin published

More operators leave from here. We list only the ones we’ve sourced or used ourselves.

Departs from

Barraterre

The northern tip of Great Exuma, about 50 minutes’ drive from George Town over two bridges. Exuma Water Sports’ swimming-pig boats start here.

Open in Maps

Exuma Water Sports

Departs: Barraterre: the operator’s bright purple building on the sea side. About 50 minutes’ drive from George Town, by the operator’s estimate. · Map ↗
Trip: Half-day swimming pigs: White Bay Cay
Length: About 4 hours

The shorter pig trip from Great Exuma: the swimming pigs at White Bay Cay, plus iguanas, stingrays and a snorkel stop.

For families, per the operator: children from age 3, a bathroom on board the 42-ft boat and plenty of shade (tour page, checked 4 Oct 2026).

Used by OGC

Official source Exuma Water Sports: locations · tour page

Website

Checked 3 Oct 2026

Pigs swimming in clear water off Big Major Cay

Photo: Swimming pigs, Big Major Cay (2019) · U3189981 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped to fit

Exuma Water Sports

Departs: Barraterre (operator’s pig-tour base) · Map ↗
Trip: Full-day Staniel Cay run: Big Major Cay
Length: About 8 hours

The long day north to the famous Pig Beach at Big Major Cay, then Compass Cay’s nurse sharks, Leaf Cay’s rock iguanas, Thunderball Grotto, a sandbar and lunch at Staniel Cay Yacht Club.

The operator lists its pig tours at Barraterre; this tour’s own page lists hotel pickup areas but no dock. Confirm where you board when you book. Children under 5 go on private charters only, and the operator asks for comfortable swimmers and confident snorkellers. Landing fees at the sharks and at Big Major Cay are included (tour page, checked 4 Oct 2026).

Used by OGC

Official source Exuma Water Sports: tour page · locations

Website

Checked 3 Oct 2026

More operators leave from here. We list only the ones we’ve sourced or used ourselves.

Departs from

Government Dock, George Town

Water taxis across Elizabeth Harbour to Stocking Island. Chat ’N’ Chill names A1 Water Taxi, Martin’s Ferry Service and Elvis’s water taxi as the most regular; Coconut Club lists Elvis’ from the Exuma Yacht Club instead, so confirm where you board. Agree the return time before you leave.

Crossing to Stocking Island

Business source Chat ’N’ Chill: how to get here checked 2 Oct 2026 · Coconut Club: get here checked 14 Oct 2026 times change; we don’t print a last-boat time

More operators leave from here. We list only the ones we’ve sourced or used ourselves.

Prices left out on purpose: they change. Contact details come from each operator’s own website, checked 3 Oct 2026.

05 · Swimming pigs

Two different pig trips. Don’t mix them up.

From Great Exuma you can reach swimming pigs at two separate places. They are not the same beach, and neither one is Staniel Cay itself.

Shorter · half day

White Bay Cay

From: Barraterre, northern Great Exuma
Length: About 4 hours (Exuma Water Sports)
Also: Iguanas, stingrays, snorkelling
Good if: You want pigs without giving up the whole day

See the Barraterre departures

Not the same place

The famous one · full day

Big Major Cay

Where: “Pig Beach”, the cay next to Staniel Cay, mid-chain
Length: About 8 hours from Great Exuma (Exuma Water Sports)
Also: Compass Cay, Leaf Cay, Thunderball Grotto, Staniel Cay
Good if: You want the original, and a long day on the water

Big Major Cay guide

Staniel Cay is not Pig Beach. Staniel is the inhabited cay with the yacht club and airstrip; the pigs are on Big Major Cay next door. And not every boat day includes pigs: Issa Wybe, for one, says it doesn’t visit them.

Official operator source Exuma Water Sports: half-day tour · full-day tour · Issa Wybe FAQ checked 3 Oct 2026

06 · Essentials

I need…

Answers that are checked. Where we haven’t checked something yet, we say so instead of guessing.

Water

…drinking water

Drink bottled or reverse-osmosis (RO) water. Exuma Markets lists reverse-osmosis drinking water for boaters. Confirm current availability and pricing with the store.

Find in Maps

Official operator source Exuma Markets (AML Foods) checked 2 Oct 2026

Groceries

…to stock the kitchen

Exuma Markets in George Town is a full-service grocery with weekly deliveries of eggs, milk, fruit and vegetables, and personal shopping for boats and villas.

Find in Maps

Official operator source Exuma Markets (AML Foods) checked 2 Oct 2026

Cash

…money

Bahamian and US dollars are interchangeable. Banking is concentrated in George Town; RBC operates on the island and Scotiabank closed its Exuma branch. ATMs have had outages, so carry cash for boat days and the far ends of the island.

News report Tribune, 20 Aug 2026 · Tribune, 12 Aug 2026 checked 3 Oct 2026

Getting around

…a ride

Rent a car or use a taxi. For Stocking Island, take a water taxi from the Government Dock or the Exuma Yacht Club, depending on the operator.

Tourism board Bahamas travel tips checked 4 Oct 2026

Medical

…a clinic

The Ministry of Health lists George Town Community Clinic’s hours as 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays, and lists community clinics at Steventon and Forbes Hill with the same hours. The list is dated January 2025, so call ahead. The Royal Bahamas Police Force lists 919 and 911 as emergency numbers; we haven’t confirmed ambulance coverage on the island.

George Town clinic Steventon clinic Forbes Hill clinic

Government source Ministry of Health: Family Islands health clinics (Jan 2025) · Royal Bahamas Police Force: emergency numbers checked 4 Oct 2026

Marine

…boat services

Brown’s Marine, about 10 minutes south of George Town, has a gas dock; several day-trip operators leave from there. A secondary cruising reference also lists storage, a travel-lift and repairs, which we haven’t confirmed with the yard. In the north, the Marina at Emerald Bay lists fuel on site (marina association, checked 4 Oct 2026). Exuma Markets has a dinghy dock in town. Moriah Harbour Cay National Park is no-take and no-wake in its shallows.

Official operator source Exuma Water Sports: directions to Brown’s Marine · Exuma Markets checked 3 Oct 2026

Park authority BNT park rules checked 3 Oct 2026

Secondary reference Noonsite: Brown’s Marine checked 3 Oct 2026

Not yet checked: pharmacies, fuel stations on land, hardware, phone and data plans. We’ll add them when they’re sourced.

07 · Stay longer

Thinking about a month, or more?

How the island works once you’re past a week. Travel comes first on this site; this is the deeper layer.

Power: 120 V, 60 Hz, US plugs.
Water: Drink bottled or reverse-osmosis water.
Supplies: George Town is the provisioning stop. Exuma Markets takes provisioning orders.
Internet: Not yet checked.
Healthcare: Government community clinics in George Town, Steventon and Forbes Hill; listed hours and numbers under Essentials.

Land rules

Non-Bahamians can register qualifying owner-occupied purchases, but undeveloped land that would bring the buyer to two or more contiguous acres falls into the permit regime. Purchases outside the qualifying owner-occupied categories may also require a permit. Confirm the current process with the Bahamas Investments Board or Bahamian counsel before relying on it.

Government source International Persons Landholding Act, Ch. 140, s. 2–3 checked 2 Oct 2026 relatively stable

Not legal advice. No property listings on this site.

08 · Nearby

Where to go next.