Great Exuma
Great Exuma Vacations
The Exumas make up a sparsely populated long, thin, sandy chain of islands. These islands have not seen as much development as the Bahamas’ other islands, making for a relatively inexpensive visit. Accommodations in the Great Exuma are mostly smaller villas and inns, but large-scale all-encompassing resorts also exist.
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Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma - Adults Only
Georgetown
Unfolding like a grand estate, Sandals Emerald Bay is a 500-acre resort set along a 1-mile stretch of white-sand beach on Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas. This resort offers a selection of 183 magnificently appointed, luxurious accommodations with styles that range from beachfront villas to... Read more
Grand Isle Resort & Spa
Emerald Bay
Grand Isle Resort & Spa is in an ideal location for a Bahamas Out Islands vacation and is ideally suited for family vacations, romantic getaways, or for simply enjoying the beach. Located in Emerald Bay on the east coast of Great Exuma Island in the Bahamas, Grand Isle Resort & Spa is a... Read more
Shades of jade, amethyst, and turquoise blend seamlessly with crystal clear waters near perfectly soft, sandy beaches, making the Exumas the ideal spot to spend listlessly basking in glorious sunshine. The Exumas are among the most sparsely populated of the Out Islands, making them the perfect retreat for a secluded Bahamas vacation. Snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities draw aficionados from around the world to explore the vast underwater preserve, as well as the island's other exotic coral reefs, drop-offs, caves, and limestone structures. The locals on the Exumas are among the most friendly of all the people in the Bahamas, and often warmly welcome visitors to their Caribbean paradise. The waters surrounding the Exumas are legendary for their desolate islands, coves, and bays, the ideal places to soak up the sun, and leave all worries, behind.
Package includes:- Choice of accommodations
- Hotel taxes and service charges
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should go?
Beach Lovers
The Abacos, Bimini, Eleuthera, and The Exumas–often referred to as the Out Islands–are essentially a network of amazingly soft, perfectly placed beaches. White and pink sand as far as the eye can see makes up thousands of secluded sand oases, the perfect spots to enjoy the sublime Caribbean sun either all to yourself, or with others.
Scuba Divers/Snorkelers
The undersea world pops with activity as colorful fish, astonishing coral formations, mysterious ocean depths, and a kaleidoscope of marine life come alive. Explore everything from sunken wrecks, downed airplanes, unique underwater ecosystems, and even an underwater locomotive, lost during the Civil War. Some say the lost continent of Atlantis is located there.
Sport Fishermen
The Out Islands are swarming with tuna, dolphinfish, amberjack, marlin, swordfish, barracuda, shark, and other varieties of ocean fish. Ernest Hemingway made these islands famous with his pursuit of the big catch, as well as penning several of his works in the Bahamas, most notably, Bimini.
What's the climate like?
| Winter | Spring | Summer | Autumn | |
| Average High | 77° F | 81° F | 88° F | 85° F |
| Average Low | 62° F | 66° F | 75° F | 71° F |
| Average Rainfall | 5.2" | 2.8" | 8.0" | 5.3" |
Water temperatures in the Bahamas seldom dip below 72 degrees.
How do I get around town?
Transfers
Roundtrip transfers between the airport and your hotel are not included with air and hotel packages to the Out Islands. To get between the airport and your hotel, a taxi or ferry is recommended, depending on the location of your hotel.
Taxi
Taxis are available at most cities in The Abacos, Bimini, Eleuthera, and The Exumas, but many are not metered, so be sure to settle on a price before leaving. Some areas are scattered among several smaller islands, making travel by water taxi appropriate. Where necessary, water taxis run regularly from each portion of the island to the next, making travel easy.
Walking
Foot traffic is common on much of the Out Islands, as many are small enough to explore by simply walking from place to place. In Bimini, it's possible to walk right off the airplane to the hotel area, only a short distance away.
Mopeds/Scooters, Golf Carts, and Bicycles
Mopeds/Scooters and bicycles are popular modes of transportation on the Out Islands, as are golf carts. Most cities have establishments to rent these locally.
Rental Car
There are a few independent car rental companies with locations there. Rental cars typically cost about $70 - $90 per day. One thing to note when driving in the Bahamas is drivers drive on the left side of the road.
What kinds of dining and nightlife are available?
The Abacos, Bimini, Eleuthera, and The Exumas are a bedrock of local cuisine, serving up the sea's finest fare; including conch, land crabs, shrimp, crawfish, and rock lobster, which has usually been pulled up from the waters near the restaurant that morning. For those looking for more traditional American cuisine, the quintessential burger and fries, grilled chicken, and sirloin steaks are also regularly dished up. Here is a sampling of places to dine on each island.
Abacos
- Curly Tails Restaurant and Bar
This eatery attracts nearby yacht navigators as well as visiting pro athletes from time to time. Chefs prepare conch in every conceivable way as well as other seafood delights. - The Job Room
This Bahamian delight has perfected the friendly atmosphere of the islands. Stop by this fun restaurant for genuine conversation, and genuine local food.
Bimini
- Casa Lyon
Oceanview restaurant serves up artistic, yet simple island food in an open-air veranda, or an air-conditioned dining room with oversized windows. - The Tackle Box
A popular boater and angler hangout, this restaurant is located in the Bimini Big Game Resort and features sweeping views of the marina, filled with world-class fishing boats.
Eleuthera
- Sammy's Place
Like most restaurants on Eleuthera, Sammy's is a local hangout, serving up fresh seafood dishes as well as American fare like juicy burgers. - DolceVita Restaurant
DolceVita offers fine dining and a delightful wine list. The outdoor porch dining area offers an excellent view of the Exuma Sound sunset while enjoying cocktails.
The Exumas
- Big D's Conch Spot
This roadside bar has been serving up the best conch salads and cracked conch on the island for more than 30 years to locals and travelers alike. A breathtaking beach provides the perfect place to lie back and enjoy the island life. - Coconut Cove
Straying from the typical sea-plentiful island cuisine served up at other restaurants, this glassed-in dining spot specializes in hot Italian and Mediterranean dishes with a Bahamian flare.
Where should I go shopping?
Much of the shopping in the Out Islands revolves around the quaint open-air markets where travelers bargain for homemade goods like straw and cloth items like handbags, baskets, dolls, and other keepsakes. You won't find high-end retailers on the Out Islands, only smatterings of outlets selling arts and crafts, along with handmade clothing items.
When are the local events?
Junkanoo
January. This Mardi Gras-style festival begins 2 or 3 hours before dawn on New Year's Day. Throngs of cavorting, costumed figures prance through Nassau, Freeport/Lucaya, and the Out Islands. Jubilant men, women, and children wear elaborate headdresses and festive apparel as they celebrate their African heritage with music and dance.
The Mid-Winter Wahoo
February. The Bimini Big Game Resort & Marina draws Hemingway look-alikes and other anglers to this winter event that is heavily attended by Floridians.
George Town Cruising Regatta
March. A popular sailing regatta, attracting more than 500 visiting yachts annually for a week of fun and festivities. Visiting yachtsmen test the speed of their vessels in the beautiful waters of George Town, Exuma - in 3 main boating events.
Pineapple Fest
June. Every year in the beginning of June, the residents of the island of Eleuthera dedicate the first week or so in June to the celebration of the pineapple. This sweet, succulent fruit is a symbol of hospitality to all Bahamians, particularly those on Eleuthera, where the fruit is grown.
Fishing Tournaments
Various. World-class fishing tournaments are held throughout the Bahamas, year round, as the islands are often referred to as the sport fishing capital of the world. Anglers flock to the Out Islands to battle gigantic billfish in the waters once frequented by Ernest Hemingway.
What are my sports and recreation options?
Fishing
The Out Islands' tropical waters are known for their abundance of fish, from blue marlin to barracuda, and kingfish to tuna; these game fish are plentiful and attract many anglers up for a fishing challenge.
Scuba Diving
Fantastic coral reefs and undersea gardens bring many snorkelers and scuba divers to the Out Islands. There are several attractions for underwater enthusiasts in the Out Islands, notably the Adirondack wreck, located in shallow 10-25 foot waters, and the Abacos Train Wreck, consisting of 2 locomotives lying on their sides.
Travel tidbits
Abacos Train Wreck
This unusual dive site lies in 15-20 feet of water and consists of 2 locomotives lying on their sides. During the U.S. Civil War, they were part of a Union train captured by Confederate troops and then sold to Cuba. The barge transporting the train ran aground on a reef during a storm in 1865.
The Glass Window Bridge
The Glass Window Bridge is one of Eleuthera's more popular attractions. Referred to by locals as the "narrowest place on Earth," the bridge is located just north of Gregory Town. The man-made bridge took the place of a naturally formed bridge of rock that was destroyed by a hurricane. From the bridge, you can see an extraordinary contrast between the dark blue Atlantic Ocean and the calm turquoise waters of the Caribbean.
Hollywood On the Out Islands
Part of the James Bond movie Thunderball was filmed on location in Staniel Cay, at the appropriately named Thunderball Grotto, a beautiful marine cave. It is also one of the best places for snorkeling in the Exumas. Other films filmed shot on location here include the James Bond flick, Never Say Never Again, and the Tom Hanks mermaid tale Splash.
Good to Know
| Airport Name: 3-letter Code: |
Exuma International Airport GGT |
| Best Weather: | December - May |
| Best Values: | May - November |
| Currency: | Bahamian Dollar, but U.S. currency is accepted everywhere; bring small bills if you are going to barter at the markets. |
| Language: | English, with an Irish/British/Scottish, and/or African lilt |
| Time Zone: | Eastern Time Zone, 1 hour ahead of the Central Time Zone |
| Proof of Citizenship: | Government legislation requires all people traveling via air to and from the United States and Canada to have a valid passport. For details on passports, visas, and health requirements, see Entry Requirements. |
| Tipping: | All food, whether self serve or served at the table will have an automatic 15 percent gratuity added to the bill. There are rare exceptions to this, so check your bill carefully before paying. However, visitors are free to tip above this percentage at their own discretion. |
| Dress: | Casual, lightweight clothing is accepted and suggested for most events, however, swimwear is only appropriate at the beach. If going out at night, men should wear long pants and a collared shirt; women should wear long pants or dresses. |
For questions about Destination Weddings, call 1-866-238-5378
Destination weddings in Great Exuma
When you choose a destination wedding in Great Exuma from us, we'll confirm the wedding date and ceremony at the resort and put you in contact with the on-site wedding coordinator to make sure your big day is all that you've dreamed of. Check out the requirements and regulations for getting married in Great Exuma .
Great Exuma Destination Wedding Vacations Include:
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| *Complimentary amenities vary by resort. **All SkyMiles program rules apply. To review the rules, please visit delta.com/memberguide. Bonus miles do not count towards Medallion status or Million Miler status. Please allow 6-8 weeks after qualification for miles to be posted to your account. | |
We'll also give you promotional offers to share with your guests—this helps them save on their trip to attend your wedding, and you'll receive money back.
Destination Wedding Hotels and Resorts
Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma - Adults Only
Georgetown
Unfolding like a grand estate, Sandals Emerald Bay is a 500-acre resort set along a 1-mile stretch of white-sand beach on Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas. This resort offers a selection of 183 magnificently appointed, luxurious accommodations with styles that range from beachfront villas to... Read more
Government regulation and required documentation to get married in Great Exuma, Bahamas (legal civil ceremony):
- A wedding in the Bahamas requires the couple to be on the island for at least 2 business days prior (not including day of arrival, arrival, weekends or Holidays) to submitting an application for license. Couple must have proof of status, which is single, divorced, or widowed. In addition, they will need to hand carry AND fax the original or court- certified documents (indicated below) to Unique Vacations.
- All original or court-certified documents must be hand carried, in addition to faxing the documents to the number below.
- Original birth certificate.
- Original passport.
- Names on passport and birth certificate must match. This name will also be used as the maiden name on the wedding application.
- Divorce decree (if applicable), original or certified copy which is kept on file in the Bahamas (please ensure that the divorce decrees have a raised seal).
- Death certificate (if applicable), original or certified copy with a raise seal.
- Original immigration forms issued during the flight.
- Original "single" declaration.Written parental consent (notarized document if bride or groom is under 18 years of age).
- All documents must be translated into English and presented in person at the Registrar General's Office. This means that you do not need to send documents in advance of travel, you must hand carry them.
- Additional documentation is required if you have been previously married or your current name does not match your birth certificate. Complete details will be provided to you upon completion of your reservation.
Please note that Government required documentation is subject to change. All information should be verified directly with the Wedding Planner at the hotel prior to travel.
For questions about Honeymoons, call 1-866-238-5378
Honeymoons in Great Exuma
Indulge on your Great Exuma honeymoon and receive fabulous complimentary amenities available at your resort, such as room upgrades, a bottle of sparkling wine in your room upon arrival, upgraded documents, and more.*
Upon check-in at your resort, you'll need to provide a copy of your marriage certificate.
Great Exuma Honeymoon Vacations Include:
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| *Complimentary amenities vary by resort. **All SkyMiles program rules apply. To review the rules, please visit delta.com/memberguide. Bonus miles do not count towards Medallion status or Million Miler status. Please allow 6-8 weeks after qualification for miles to be posted to your account. | ||
Honeymoon Hotels and Resorts
Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma - Adults Only
Georgetown
Unfolding like a grand estate, Sandals Emerald Bay is a 500-acre resort set along a 1-mile stretch of white-sand beach on Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas. This resort offers a selection of 183 magnificently appointed, luxurious accommodations with styles that range from beachfront villas to... Read more
The following options are available when you book your vacation package to Great Exuma:
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