Plan a winter trip to The Exumas. Explore neighborhoods, restaurants, places to stay and practical local advice from AVARA's full editorial guide.
The Exumas — TL;DR
There are now about 20 pigs and piglets living the easy life on Big Major Cay, with daily visits from Bahamians and tourists, making the Exumas' swimming pigs one of the Bahamas' most famous attractions.
The Exumas at a glance
What are the best things to do in The Exumas? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a The Exumas trip feel like more than a checklist.
How many days do you need in The Exumas? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to The Exumas — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a…
When is the best time to visit The Exumas? March to July, for calm turquoise waters, minimal rain, and the best conditions for boating between the 365 cays.
Where should I stay in The Exumas for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport.
How do you get around The Exumas? Guests typically fly into Exuma International Airport (Georgetown) or arrive via private charter flight directly to a resort\
The Exumas overview
March to July, for calm turquoise waters, minimal rain, and the best conditions for boating between the 365 cays.
Guests typically fly into Exuma International Airport (Georgetown) or arrive via private charter flight directly to a resort's airstrip; once in the Exumas, boats are the primary way to move between the 365 cays, with most luxury resorts providing a private boat for each villa.
Bahamian Dollar (B$), pegged 1:1 to the US dollar
English.
EST (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
The Exumas continue to trade on two distinct luxury models: Fowl Cay's intimate six-villa, boat-per-villa private island experience centered on Hill House's panoramic sunset dining, and Musha Cay's whole-island buyout model spanning 11 islands and 40-plus beaches, both capitalizing on the enduring global fame of Big Major Cay's swimming pigs as the region's signature only-in-the-Exumas experience.
Where to eat, drink & do in The Exumas
The Exumas neighborhoods
Big Major Cay Home to the world-famous swimming pigs, a signature Exumas attraction.
Fowl Cay A six-villa private island resort with a boat per villa and the elevated Hill House restaurant.
Getting around in The Exumas? Guests typically fly into Exuma International Airport (Georgetown) or arrive via private charter flight directly to a resort's airstrip; once in the Exumas, boats are the primary way to move between the 365 cays, with most luxury resorts pr
When to go in The Exumas? March to July, for calm turquoise waters, minimal rain, and the best conditions for boating between the 365 cays.
What's changing now in The Exumas? The Exumas continue to trade on two distinct luxury models: Fowl Cay's intimate six-villa, boat-per-villa private island experience centered on Hill House's panoramic sunset dining, and Musha Cay's whole-island buyout model spanning 11 isla
Seek out Fowl Cay's own-boat exploration in The Exumas? Each villa's dedicated boat lets guests explore nearby lesser-visited cays independently, away from the more crowded pig-feeding spot.
Base yourself in Big Major Cay in The Exumas? Home to the world-famous swimming pigs, a signature Exumas attraction. Known for iconic swimming pigs beach.
Frequently asked questions about The Exumas
What are the best things to do in The Exumas? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a The Exumas trip feel like more than a checklist. Book any high-demand entries in advance, keep evenings loose for a proper dinner, and leave at least one afternoon completely unplanned for the small discoveries The Exumas tends to reward.
How many days do you need in The Exumas? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to The Exumas — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby day-trip or a slow morning. Extend to five or six days if you plan to combine the city with the surrounding region.
When is the best time to visit The Exumas? March to July, for calm turquoise waters, minimal rain, and the best conditions for boating between the 365 cays.
Where should I stay in The Exumas for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport. Avoid staying next to the main transit hubs unless convenience trumps atmosphere for your trip.
How do you get around The Exumas? Guests typically fly into Exuma International Airport (Georgetown) or arrive via private charter flight directly to a resort\