Instagram post 17983449061890786 Instagram post 17983449061890786
🌴This place was no where to be seen on my Googl 🌴This place was no where to be seen on my Google searches. I just happened to stumble across it on my walk and it was my favourite spot of all. 🧡😍

🥾So this is your sign to just start walking and exploring 

📍Reeds Bay @thunder.bay.beach.bar 

Where was you’re favourite place that you just found by chance?
9  things to NEED to do on your Barbados holiday🌴🇧🇧:

🐟 Oistins Fish Fry on a Friday Night
⚡️ Go for a drink and swim @thunder.bay.beach.bar 
🌅Watch the Sunrise
🐢Swim with Turtles
⛵️Boat cruise with @silvermoonbarbados 
🌮Sunset Dinner @seashed_barbados 
🐎Watch the racehorses at Pebbles Beach 
🌊 Walk along the Hastings Boardwalk 
🌅Watch the sunset 

Anything I’m missing from the list?
Where is your “OMG” travel destination? Where is your “OMG” travel destination?
POV: you’ve taken 100,000 pics and videos on you POV: you’ve taken 100,000 pics and videos on your 1 week holiday 😅📸

Anyone else do the same! 

(📹Reel Credit @saradavies_)
🌅🌅🌅 🌅🌅🌅
Anyone else dreaming of a Euro summer? 💭💭💭
SWIMMING PIGS 🐖🐷🐽 🌴The Bahamas, more SWIMMING PIGS 🐖🐷🐽

🌴The Bahamas, more specifically the Exumas are famous for their resident swimming pigs. 

🏴‍☠️No one really knows why they have been out here but there are a couple of stories floating around.

🥓One of them being that they were left here by sailors who had planned to come back and cook them (poor piggy’s) but never made of back. 

🐟We even got to see stingsrays too (never did I think I would need a stingray and pig side by side with each other 😅)

⛵️There are a few boat companies that will take you to see these pigs and I went with @exumawatersports. I booked the half day tour which was $175 (you can book on a full day and also swim with reef sharks and see Pablo Escobars crashed plane). ✈️

Would you want to see the swimming pigs 

For more piggy cuteness follow @theswimmingpigs 🐽🐷🐖
What’s you definition of happiness ✈️⛵️🌍
✈️🧳How to pack using handluggage only! 

💰If you hate paying the RIDICULOUS prices for checked baggage like me, then here’s how to pack with hand luggage only. 

And yes I’m talking about week long (or more) holidays 😀 

👗Pack a mix and match wardrobe- you get brand new outfits whilst using the same clothes 

👠Pack 1 statement shoe plus a pair of casual ones 

✈️Wear your bulkiest items on the plane- eg jumpers and jackets (think joey from friends). Try to wear your bulkiest shoes on the plane too.

🧼Decant toiletries  into 100ml bottles and buy the rest of what you need at the airport. In fact, do an online order and get it delivered to the airport boots and you can pick it up after security

📦Use packing cubes to compress down your clothes and create more space in your hand luggage 

🫧And remember, you can wash your clothes abroad!! 

Have I missed anything?
I can’t wait to get back to Central America and I can’t wait to get back to Central America and be surrounded my volcanoes and lakes 😄🌋

Where do you feel the most free? 🦋

📍@Atitlansunsetlodge, Guatemala 🇬🇹
I mean the UK is fun but how much better is everyw I mean the UK is fun but how much better is everywhere else 😅😅😅

Where would you move to if you had the chance? 🌎🏡
𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐍 𝐎𝐍 𝐀 𝐓𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐁𝐔𝐃𝐆𝐄𝐓. 

💰Here are my top tips on how to travel often but keep the costs down. 

💙Be more flexible with you destinations and go to places that have the cheapest flights. ⬇️

My top tip for finding these is head to @skyscanner add in the dates you want to go and type in “EVERYWHERE” in to the destination box. @skyscanner will bring up the cheapest flights in ascending order. 

💙Use deal finding apps like @jacksflightclub @travelzoo_uk @secretescapes @holidaypirates @voyageprive_uk to find deals on flights, hotels and holidays. 

💙Avoid paying for checked luggage where possible. Try the clothes rolling technique, you’ll be surprised at how much you can fit in your hand luggage by doing this. 

💙Don’t splash out on fancy hotels if you don’t plan on being in the hotel much. This for example could be on a city break, chances are you will spend most of the day exploring and use your hotel litterally to sleep and shower. 

💙 If you are solo travelling, stay in a hostel. Meet people that you can do activities with , which can also help share/spread and cut costs.

💙 Get on to Google and find out the best free things to do at your destination.

💙Try to cook some meals where you can. I know part of travel is trying out new foods but if you are doing it often cooking one or two meals is a great way of cutting costs. Alternatively book accommodation that offers free breakfast as part of their package. 

💙 Walk as much as you can to cut down on transport costs.

💙Alternatively if walking isn’t an option and you’re in a city, buy their local travel transport card (eg Oyster card for London). I’ve found that a lot of European cities have super cheap train/tram/bus costs and are even cheaper with one of these cards. 

💙Rent a car. Renting a car can be sometimes miles cheaper than going on a package tour or excursion. Sometimes this isn’t the case but do your research first to see what’s your best option
Places to travel to in your 30’s when you’re n Places to travel to in your 30’s when you’re not as broke as your 20’s (AKA more expensive places) ✈️🍃3️⃣0️⃣

Do you have any recommendations? 🌅🐬
TRAVEL OFTEN AROUND YOUR 9-5⬇️ 🟠 Obvious c TRAVEL OFTEN AROUND YOUR 9-5⬇️

🟠 Obvious choice but make use of the weekends. Fly out on Friday night and home Sunday evening. Really good to squeeze in a mini city break. 

🟠 For longer holidays use the same method as above. Fly out on a Friday night and home the following Sunday. You can get almost 9 days away and only have to take 5 days off work.

🟠 Make use of your bank holidays. Tag on an extra day off around a bank holiday. For example around the Easter break. 

🟠If you are flying on weekdays fly out late evening and fly home early morning so you don’t have to take those flying days off work.

🟠 Work from your holiday. Commit to working one or two mornings whilst you are away. This can help in saving up a few half days when you get to the end of the year. However this is probably not worth it on shorter trips

🟠 If you are able to travel with work. Make a holiday out of that by tagging on a few days holiday after the work trip is over.

Do you have any other tips?
Instagram post 18167693284267175 Instagram post 18167693284267175
Travel ✈️🍃🌍❤️ Travel ✈️🍃🌍❤️
Instagram post 17999465992602774 Instagram post 17999465992602774
In need of sunshine and hot temperatures 🌡️☀️

Where’s your paradise? ⛵️🌴🐚
TRAVEL OFTEN AROUND YOUR 9-5⬇️ 🟠 Obvious c TRAVEL OFTEN AROUND YOUR 9-5⬇️

🟠 Obvious choice but make use of the weekends. Fly out on Friday night and home Sunday evening. Really good to squeeze in a mini city break. 

🟠 For longer holidays use the same method as above. Fly out on a Friday night and home the following Sunday. You can get almost 9 days away and only have to take 5 days off work.

🟠 Make use of your bank holidays. Tag on an extra day off around a bank holiday. For example around the Easter break. 

🟠If you are flying on weekdays fly out late evening and fly home early morning so you don’t have to take those flying days off work.

🟠 Work from your holiday. Commit to working one or two mornings whilst you are away. This can help in saving up a few half days when you get to the end of the year. However this is probably not worth it on shorter trips

🟠 If you are able to travel with work. Make a holiday out of that by tagging on a few days holiday after the work trip is over.

Do you have any other tips?
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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 ÂŁ100 in the capital of Georgetown. On the whole, you will find that the majority accommodation prices will start from upwards of ÂŁ200 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 the world in less time.

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Instagram post 17983449061890786 Instagram post 17983449061890786
🌴This place was no where to be seen on my Googl 🌴This place was no where to be seen on my Google searches. I just happened to stumble across it on my walk and it was my favourite spot of all. 🧡😍

🥾So this is your sign to just start walking and exploring 

📍Reeds Bay @thunder.bay.beach.bar 

Where was you’re favourite place that you just found by chance?
9  things to NEED to do on your Barbados holiday🌴🇧🇧:

🐟 Oistins Fish Fry on a Friday Night
⚡️ Go for a drink and swim @thunder.bay.beach.bar 
🌅Watch the Sunrise
🐢Swim with Turtles
⛵️Boat cruise with @silvermoonbarbados 
🌮Sunset Dinner @seashed_barbados 
🐎Watch the racehorses at Pebbles Beach 
🌊 Walk along the Hastings Boardwalk 
🌅Watch the sunset 

Anything I’m missing from the list?
Where is your “OMG” travel destination? Where is your “OMG” travel destination?
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