Philippines Island Hopping Itinerary 🌴🏍️🇵🇭
1 Night - Port Barton
2 Nights - @islaexperience 
2 Nights - El Nido 
2 Nights - Coron 
3 Nights - Siquijor
Have you been dreaming of the Philippines? 💭
Friendly reminder 🧡 (To myself included) to sto Friendly reminder 🧡 (To myself included) to stop the comparison. 
🧡 It can be so easy to do, especially on this app to compare our lives with other successes… but often we’re only seeing the end product, or highlight roll and not the years and months of work behind the scenes it took to get there. 
🧡So keep doing what your doing, keep chipping away and you’ll get there in the end.
💁🏽‍♀️This one’s for my late 20’s e 💁🏽‍♀️This one’s for my late 20’s early 30’s ladies having their early mid-life crisis facing all the decisions we have to make ⬇️
🔵 To quit or not to quit our jobs 
🔵 Wanting to change careers
🔵 Climbing the corporate ladder or going freelance 
🔵 Buying or not buying a house 
🔵 Having or not having kids 
🔵 And of course bucket list that’s wayyyyyyy to long 
Reel Idea  @the_unqualified_mum
🧡This week I confirmed to do something in the n 🧡This week I confirmed to do something in the new year that’s totally out of my Comfort zone, In a country I’ve never been to and a continent I’ve barely explored. 
🧡Whilst I’m filled with the fear, doubt and all the what ifs I’m also filled with excitement and doing something different and the opportunities that will come with that. 
🧡There’s also so much I need to do in between to make this possible so I’m also taking a huge bet on myself to which again is scary and exciting all at the same time. 
So this is your sign to do the thing ✨
🐘Sri Lankan Safari’s🐘🇱🇰 🍃Sri Lan 🐘Sri Lankan Safari’s🐘🇱🇰
🍃Sri Lanka has a number of national parks where you can go on a safari experience🍃
Some of these include
🐊Yala National Park (This is the most popular NP in Sri Lanka for Safari) 
🐊Udawalawe National Park
🐊Minneriya National Park
🐊Wilpattu National Park
🐊Wasgamuwa National Park
🐊Gal Oya National Park
🐊Kumana National Park
🐊Bundala National Park
🐆🧸On the Safari you can expect to see elephants, peacocks, water buffalos, crocodiles and if you are really lucky; leopards and sloth bears!🦚🐘
🚗🍃I have been to both Yala National Park (back in 2016) and Udawalawe (this year). I’d say I much preferred the Udawalawe Safari.
🐆WHY DID I PREFER UDAWALAWE?🐘
🐾It felt more natural 🍃
🟢In Yala the drivers would walkie-talkie each other then there would be a rush of all these jeeps trying to crowd around an animal. My experience in Udawalawe wasn’t like that at all. The only time the drivers would communicate is if they passed each other on a track. 
🧘🏽‍♀️It was a lot quieter in Udawalawe 🤫
🟢This might have been to do with the time of day (we set off at 6 am) but most of it felt like we had the whole park to ourselves. At one point we were at a huge lake with water buffaloes, two elephants and crocodiles and we were the only jeep there. It was Magical. 
TIPS/RECOMMENDATIONS 💁🏽‍♀️
🦎I would really recommend booking a Stay at Lizard Safari Point in Udawalawe. The rooms are just £15 a night and we booked the tour directly through them and it was the best experience. 
🦎The tour cost about £35-£40 which included 4 hours of safari and entrance to the park. 
🌅Wherever you choose to do your safari make sure you go early morning! 
☔️Also, avoid booking on days when it’s going to rain as apparently the animals will hide!
🚂The most beautiful train ride the in the world 🚂The most beautiful train ride the in the world 🚂🍃
🇱🇰🚂Tips for the Ella-Kandy/Kandy-Ella train ride in Sri Lanka 
🎟️First Class Ticket = 3000lkr (£7.90)
🎟️2nd Class Ticket = 900lkr (£2.40)
🚂You can buy your tickets from the station the night before but the pre book shuts at a certain time, however you don’t need to worry you can easily buy or tickets on the day just make sure to come at least 30 mins before departure 
🚂I would highly recommend booking 2nd class over 1st 
🚂In 1st the doors should open but all the windows will be shut 
🚂In 2nd the windows will be open and the doors will be shut HOWEVER all you need to do is politely ask the ticket collector and they should open these up for you. (We had such a nice guy on our train who was opening up all the doors for us). 
🚂2nd is WAYYY more fun you can hang your head out the window, everyone is super friendly and you end up getting chatting with all the other passengers on the train. I don’t think we sat down once on this train because of all the socialising
10-Day Nicaragua Itinerary 🌴🌊🇳🇮 1 nig 10-Day Nicaragua Itinerary 🌴🌊🇳🇮
1 night - Leon 🌋
2 nights -San Juan Del Sur or Popoyo 🏄🏽‍♀️
2 nights - Ometepe 🌋
2 nights - Laguna de Apoyo/ Granada 🛶
3 nights - Little Corn Island 🌴🌽
📆For those of us who are limited to 25 days of holiday a year - 10 days in Nicaragua is TOTALLY doable. You’ll be on a tight schedule and will need to spend more on transport/taxis to get to places on time …. but it’s all worth it. ✈️
⏰If you have more time, I would say stretch to 14 days and up some of the stays to 3 nights. This will give you a chance to relax in each location. 💤
Would you visit Nicaragua for 10 days?
Seychelles from the sky 🇸🇨📸🚁🌴 📍 Seychelles from the sky 🇸🇨📸🚁🌴
📍Locations
Anse Source D’Argent 
Anse Cocos
Anse Major
Deffo still need to practise being a drone pilot but one step at a time right? 😂
🐢Curieuse Island is a small island located in t 🐢Curieuse Island is a small island located in the Seychelles it’s one of the only places in the country where you will see wild tortoises roam freely. 
🐢The whole island of Curieuse is a protected marine park where more than 200 🐢🐢🐢 live out their lives in a protected paradise. 
🐢There age of tortoises on the island range from 0-90years old 
🐢You can visit Curieuse Island  on an all boat trip from the nearby Praslin Island (we booked ours through @getyourguide) 
Would you like to see these gentle giants?
Anyone else excited for Autumn/Winter but also tot Anyone else excited for Autumn/Winter but also totally lying to themselves 😂🍁🍂❄️☃️🧣
Friendly reminder that you don’t have to do what Friendly reminder that you don’t have to do what society expects of you. Live your life by your own rules 🧡
From where I’d rather be with my @dockandbay be From where I’d rather be with my  @dockandbay beach towel🌴🇸🇨🐚
If you’re going if you love swimming or are going backpacking/on holiday soon then you NEED this @dockandbay towel! 
🍃It’s extremely compact
🍃it’s quick drying
🍃it’s sand resistant 
🍃it’s sustainable 
@dockandbay have also just dropped a brand new product so go and check it out 😉
🔖For 15% discount use code CCEV51UN at checkout to get
#dbcabanaclub#gifted
Seychelles 7-day Itinerary ⬇️🐢🌴🥥🌺 Seychelles 7-day Itinerary ⬇️🐢🌴🥥🌺
Days 1-2 - Mahe Island 
🌴Beau Vallon Beach 
🌴Anse Major Hike 
Days 2-4 - Praslin Island 
🌴Anse Lazio beach day 
🌴Valle de Mai trail
🌴Curieuse Island day trip to see Aldabra Tortoises 
Days 4-7 - La Digue Island
🌴Anse Source D’Argent 
🌴Anse Cocos Hike
🌴Anse Severe
When you start throwing peace signs ironically and When you start throwing peace signs ironically and it accidentally becomes part of your aesthetics✌🏽
I blame my friends 😅
Anyone else like this? 😅
🏄🏽‍♀️Sri Lanka’s Surf Towns are call 🏄🏽‍♀️Sri Lanka’s Surf Towns are calling… are you going to answer? 🏄🏽‍♀️
🌊Whilst I didn’t get to surf in Sri Lanka due to a broken toe, I absolutely love watching surfers as a pastime. I think it’s such a cool and impressive sport.🌊
🏄🏼Here are the best places to surf (or surf watch👀)
South Coast (November to April) 
🏄🏽‍♀️Hiriketiya 
🏄🏽‍♀️Matara
🏄🏽‍♀️Ahangama 
🏄🏽‍♀️Midigama
🏄🏽‍♀️Thalpe
🏄🏽‍♀️Mirissa 
🏄🏽‍♀️Hikkadawa
🏄🏽‍♀️Unwatuna 
There are also some smaller beach towns in between the above 
East Coast (May-October) 
🏄🏽‍♀️Arugam Bay 
🏄🏽‍♀️Pottuvil Point 
🏄🏽‍♀️Panama 
Do you fancy trying the surf in Sri Lanka?
What’s your toxic travel trait? ⬇️ What’s your toxic travel trait? ⬇️
Not sure this applies to everyone because I someho Not sure this applies to everyone because I somehow don’t think I’m anyone’s airport crush when this is the airport aesthetic 😂😂
Some more random facts about me ⬆️☺️ Tell Some more random facts about me ⬆️☺️
Tell me a random fact about yourself 💬💕⬇️
(PS I honestly don’t know why I turn around and look shocked at the rainbow in this video. 🌈The rainbow is literally the reason I asked for a picture 😂😂. One too many seltzers I think)
🌴 Welcome to @laplaya.hiriketiya If you’re l 🌴 Welcome to @laplaya.hiriketiya
If you’re looking to spend a boujee day in Sri Lanka make sure you head to @laplaya.hiriketiya. For a cold glass of wine 🍷and some delish pizza 🍕
This was my favourite place in Hiriketiya and the music is just 👌🏽😍
🌴🍃Welcome to Anse Cocos Beach on La Digue in 🌴🍃Welcome to Anse Cocos Beach on La Digue in the Seychelles🍃🌴
😍Pretty much Every Beach on La Digue is incredible but because this one takes a little more work to get to 🥾🌋 you’ll only find handful of other tourists here (in my experience at least) 
🚴🏽‍♀️ How to get there 🚴🏽‍♀️
🍃Head to the entrance of Grand Anse Beach. Most people cycle here and you will see straight in front of you a place to park your bikes 
🍃Head down the small path and follow the trail
🍃You will hike up and over one hill and come to another beach. Don’t get too excited this is Petit Anse beach not cocos so still a bit more to go.
🍃Continue up and over the second hill (this is a little bit longer than the first) 
🍃You have arrived at Anse Cocos
🍃This will take you about 30 minutes in total 
🍹Head straight to the beach shack and grab a mango daiquiri
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Christina in the Clouds

Adventure around a 9-5

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Beach Holidays, Caribbean · January 2, 2023

12 Incredible Things To Do On Great Exuma Island

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Great Exuma Island is one of the most stunning places in the Caribbean, if not the world. With miles of bright white sand, glistening turquoise waters and lush green palm trees, I don’t think anyone can deny that this little Bahamian island is the true definition of heaven on earth. 

Great Exuma island has been described as one of the best destinations for beachgoers, and as a self-confessed beach bum, I can confirm this to be 100% true. With over 17 beaches to choose from and 365 adjacent Exuma Islands to explore there will certainly be lots of things to do on Great Exuma to cater to every beach lover’s need.

In this guide, you’ll find the ultimate list of the best things to do on Great Exuma – this dreamy island paradise. I’ve got you covered whether you want to spend your days lazing on the sand, eating scrumptious foods, or going on an island-hopping adventure.

Tropic Of Cancer Beach, Great Exuma Island

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you decide to make a verified purchase through the links in this post I will earn a small commission. This will be at no extra cost to you. Thank you 🙂

Contents show
1 The Best Things To Do On Great Exuma Island
1.1 Go on the famous Swimming pigs tour
1.2 Swim with Nurse Sharks at Compass Cay
1.3 Visit Pablo Escobar’s Sunken Plane
1.4 Jolly Hall Beach
1.5 Try Some Bahamian delicacies at Shirley’s Fish Fry
1.6 Hoopers Bay
1.7 Take a trip to Chat’N’Chill
1.8 Tropic of Cancer Beach
1.9 Go for a dive in Anglefish Blue Hole
1.10 Have a bite to eat at Santana’s Bar and Grill
1.11 George Town
1.12 Tar Bay
1.13 Additional Info
1.13.1 Getting There
1.13.2 Getting Around
1.13.3 Where to stay
2 Happy Exploring

The Best Things To Do On Great Exuma Island

Go on the famous Swimming pigs tour

Chances are if you’ve ever seen pictures  of happy pigs swimming in bright blue waters, you’re looking at an image of the famous Great Exuma Island Pigs. 

No one really knows how they got to the islands but rumour has it that they were left here by sailors who had planned to cook them. Fortunately for the piggies, the sailors left for an adventure and never made it back, meaning that they were saved from the dinner plate and subsequently became one of The Bahamas biggest celebrities. 

Visiting the swimming pigs is the most highly rated activity on Great Exuma Island. You can book a half day swimming pigs and rock iguanas tour with Exuma Water Sports for $190, which includes the following: 

  • Visit to the famous swimming pigs of White Bay Cay
  • Wild Stingrays
  • Bahamian Rock Iguanas of Allen Cay
  • Swimming in Blow hole
  • Reef snorkelling 
  • Deserted island hopping and scenic beaches

Don’t miss out on this trip, it was one of my favourite things to do on Great Exuma.

Swimming Pigs Tour , Things to do on Great Exuma Island
Swimming Pigs, Things to do on Great Exuma Island

Swim with Nurse Sharks at Compass Cay

Whilst the suggestion to go swimming with sharks might sound extremely mad, this is actually another one of the most popular activities to do near Great Exuma Island. The sharks are well fed and are used to visitors, so you can expect an extremely pleasant experience swimming amongst these beautiful marine creatures. You can get to Compass Cay by booking on the full day swimming pigs tour with Exuma Water Sports for $375

Visit Pablo Escobar’s Sunken Plane

Pablo Escobar’s sunken plane can be found off the coast of Norman’s Cay. Norman’s Cay was one of the centres of Escobar’s drug-smuggling ring in the 70’s and 80’s. Before heading on to the USA, planes full of “cargo” from Colombia would land at Norman’s Cay to refuel. The plane crash occurred in 1980 when the plane landed well short of the runway. Thankfully no one was injured and passengers even managed to save some of their “cargo” and swim it back to shore.  You can visit the plane by booking on the full day swimming pigs tour with Staniel Cay Adventures  starting at $279

Please note if you wish to see the swimming pigs, swim with Nurse Sharks AND visit Pablo Escobar’s plane on the one excursion, you should book your trip with Staniel Cay Adventures  (this trip also includes a stop off at the famous Thunderball Grotto from the James Bond film).

Exuma Cays, Great Exuma Island
Exuma Cays, Great Exuma Island

Jolly Hall Beach

Jolly Hall is a small but impressive beach located just over 2km from the capital of Georgetown. This was the first beach I visited on my trip to Great Exuma Island and I couldn’t believe my eyes when I realised I had the place all to myself! 

So if you are after a slice of paradise that you don’t have to share with anyone else, then I would highly recommend a trip to Jolly Hall. 

There are no beach bars directly on the beach, but if you do find yourself feeling hungry or thirsty (or in need of the loo) then you can visit Hideaways at Palm Bay which is only a 5-7 minute walk away.

Jolly Hall Beach, Great Exuma Island

Try Some Bahamian delicacies at Shirley’s Fish Fry

Just a stone’s throw from Jolly Hall, you will find Shirley’s fish fry, one of the most popular restaurants on Great Exuma Island. Not just for tourists, but locals too. The interiors are basic but the food cooked with fresh and local ingredients very much makes up for that. Make sure to try the local Bahamian delicacy that is Conch.

Hoopers Bay

One of the best things do to on Great Exuma is to visit to Hoopers Bay. A trip here will see you living out your ultimate Finding Nemo dreams. Here you will be able to meet the friendliest sea turtles in the world, who are not afraid to come up and say hello at the shore line. The turtles are out in their abundance so your chances of encountering these beautiful creatures are extremely high. Of course, I shouldn’t forget to mention that the beach itself is absolutely stunning (like most of the beaches on Great Exuma) and is ranked the 5th best beach on the island.

Please DO NOT feed or touch the turtles.

Hoopers Bay, Great Exuma Island
Hoopers Bay, Great Exuma Island

Take a trip to Chat’N’Chill

Spend your Sunday dancing, eating and drinking at Chat’N’Chill on Great Stocking Island. Whilst Chat’N’chill is open 7 days a week, Sunday is the day for their famous Pig Roast and BBQ. Tourists and locals alike head here to snap up a huge plate of food for just $22. Not only is the food great, the music and cocktails are an added bonus too. The atmosphere here is incredible, and it’s hard to leave Chat’N’Chill without a smile on your face. Chat’N’Chill was one of my favourite days and up there with one of my favourite things to do on Great Exuma.

To get to Great Stocking Island you can catch the 5-minute water taxi from Government Dock in Georgetown. A return journey will set you back roughly $10-15.The water taxis are regular and reliable.

Please note, you will need to pay for the water taxi in cash, but can use the card once you are on the island

Chat and Chill, Exuma
Chat and Chill, Exuma

Tropic of Cancer Beach

Named after the latitude that passes directly through it, Tropic of Cancer beach will truly give you that “Wow, I can’t believe I am in The Bahamas” feeling.  Tropic of Cancer beach is actually on Little Exuma Island, but is easily accessible by car from Great Exuma.

Tropic of Cancer is the longest beach on the Islands and in my opinion the most beautiful. On entrance to the beach you will find a cute beach bar serving up a small BBQ menu and delicious cocktails (make sure to try the Pina Colada). If there is only one beach you visit on Great Exuma Island, let Tropic of Cancer be it. This is one of the best things to do on Great Exuma.

Tropic of Cancer Beach Great Exuma Island
Tropic of Cancer Beach Great Exuma Island

Go for a dive in Anglefish Blue Hole

Located just off the coast of Stocking Island, the impressive Anglefish blue hole. Deans’s blue hole is a stunning underwater cave that is 92 feet deep, making it the perfect scuba diving spot. You can book a diving trip with Dive Exuma, which are located in Georgetown by Government Dock.

Have a bite to eat at Santana’s Bar and Grill

Just a short 5-minute drive from Tropic of Cancer Beach you will find Santana’s beach bar. The food here is mouth-wateringly good (I recommend the jerk chicken) and the scenery from the bar is unparalleled. It is the perfect place to come for a meal with a view. And, if you’re lucky you might even be able to spot some fishy friends in the sea whilst you’re enjoying your food (we got to see a shark!).

Santana's bar and grill, Great Exuma Island

George Town 

The Capital of Great Exuma Island is small, but it’s worth walking around. If, like me, you love quaint and colourful buildings, you’ll enjoy your time here. It’s also where you will find one of the only ATM’s on the island.

Tar Bay

When I asked a local what his favourite beach on the island was, Tar Bay was the answer. When I asked why, he mentioned how peaceful it was. Much Like Tropic of Cancer, Tar Bay is a very long stretch of bright white sand and clear blue sea. Tar Bay, however, isn’t as popular as beaches like Hoopers Bay and Tropic of Cancer, so there is a good chance you’ll be able to stretch this beach all to yourself (saying that, you’ll probably find that most of the Exuma beaches you visit feel empty in comparison to the more popular Bahamian islands).

Jolly Hall Beach, Great Exuma Island
Jolly Hall Beach, Great Exuma Island

Additional Info

Getting There

You will be able to fly directly to Great Exuma Island from Miami, Charlotte, Ft Lauderdale, Atlanta and Toronto. If you are flying in from alternative destinations, you will have to fly into the main airport Nassau on New Providence Island and catch a connecting flight to Great Exuma from there.

Getting Around

Transportation on the island is quite limited. There are no public buses and only a few taxi services (which can be quite expensive). Your best bet would be to rent a car on the island. The most reputable company is Exuma Car Rentals and can be found just outside the airport. Car rental prices start from $75 per day (excluding insurance).

Note: The Bahamas drive on the left hand side of the road (like the UK), however the cars are imported from America (steering wheel on the left of the car), so make sure you take extra care when looking out of your rear view mirrors.

Not able to rent a car? Here are the list of taxi services you can use on the island: 

  • Ballsound’s Taxi Service 1-242-524-0832
  • Out Junior Taxi Service 1-242-336-2509
  • Luther Rolle Taxi Service 1-242-345-5003
  • Leslie Dames Taxi Service 1-242-357-0015 (I can personally vouch for Leslie as a reliable driver)

Remember, If you are staying at a resort, you will be able to organise transportation at your reception desk.

Exuma Cays, Great Exuma Island

Where to stay

Generally speaking, accommodation on the island is not cheap (lets face it, Great Exuma Island is not cheap full stop). However, if you are wanting to keep costs down you may be able to find some very basic accommodation starting from £100 in the capital of Georgetown. On the whole, you will find that the majority accommodation prices will start from upwards of £200 per night.

You can explore the full list of Hotels and Airbnbs available on Great Exuma island below: 

  • Hotels 
  • AirBnbs 
Booking.com

Happy Exploring

I hope you have a wonderful time exploring all that Great Exuma Island has to offer. If you have any more questions about anything discussed in this blog post, please feel free to reach out!

Looking for more Caribbean Holiday Inspo? Check out my guides to Antigua & Barbuda

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I'm Christina a part-time traveller who is exploring the world around my 9-5. From canyons to coasts, I love all kinds of adventures. I've created this space to provide you with all the travel inspiration and my top tips for seeing more of this beautiful world.

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Philippines Island Hopping Itinerary 🌴🏍️🇵🇭
1 Night - Port Barton
2 Nights - @islaexperience 
2 Nights - El Nido 
2 Nights - Coron 
3 Nights - Siquijor
Have you been dreaming of the Philippines? 💭
Friendly reminder 🧡 (To myself included) to sto Friendly reminder 🧡 (To myself included) to stop the comparison. 
🧡 It can be so easy to do, especially on this app to compare our lives with other successes… but often we’re only seeing the end product, or highlight roll and not the years and months of work behind the scenes it took to get there. 
🧡So keep doing what your doing, keep chipping away and you’ll get there in the end.
💁🏽‍♀️This one’s for my late 20’s e 💁🏽‍♀️This one’s for my late 20’s early 30’s ladies having their early mid-life crisis facing all the decisions we have to make ⬇️
🔵 To quit or not to quit our jobs 
🔵 Wanting to change careers
🔵 Climbing the corporate ladder or going freelance 
🔵 Buying or not buying a house 
🔵 Having or not having kids 
🔵 And of course bucket list that’s wayyyyyyy to long 
Reel Idea  @the_unqualified_mum
🧡This week I confirmed to do something in the n 🧡This week I confirmed to do something in the new year that’s totally out of my Comfort zone, In a country I’ve never been to and a continent I’ve barely explored. 
🧡Whilst I’m filled with the fear, doubt and all the what ifs I’m also filled with excitement and doing something different and the opportunities that will come with that. 
🧡There’s also so much I need to do in between to make this possible so I’m also taking a huge bet on myself to which again is scary and exciting all at the same time. 
So this is your sign to do the thing ✨
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