By now you might have read all the news about the mess with the canceled Fyre Festival which left many high paying fest goers stranded, we were wondering where exactly is this island and what is it like as a destination, festival aside.

The Exumas are an archipelago of 365 cays and islands, beginning just 35 miles southeast of Nassau in the Bahamas, The Exumas have sapphire-blue water everywhere and are an exotic collection of dream destinations, footprint-free beaches and ultra exclusive resorts and islands makes this tropical paradise an absolute gem  fit for celebrities.

Nature outnumbers people, coastlines remain flawless and private homes play host to some of the world’s most famous stars.

 

What Makes The Exumas Unique?

The Exumas are an archipelago of 365 cays and islands, beginning just 35 miles southeast of Nassau.

Once called Yumey and Suma (names of Amer-Indian origin), the islands have gone through many changes over the years. Today, they’re divided into three major areas—Great Exuma, Little Exuma and The Exuma Cays. Each offers its own unique Bahamian experience.

Great Exuma and Little Exuma are known for their laid-back surroundings, while The Exuma Cays act as a playground for the rich and famous, boasting numerous private homes, luxury resorts and beachside condos. The Exumas are also rich in history, as they were settled by British Loyalists with their slaves following the American Revolution.

Stromatolites are rare in today’s ocean but living stromatolites have been found along the margins of the Exuma Sound, including Lee Stocking Island, Stocking Island, Highbourne Cay, Little Darby Island and in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park.
Stromatolites are the oldest known macro-fossils, dating back over three billion years. They form an unusual and special type of reef structure in shallow water. Unlike most present-day reefs, which are composed of coral, stromatolites are formed by microorganisms. Scientists believe that the photosynthetic activity of cyanobacteria are the most important group of stromatolite-forming micro-organisms generating oxygen in our atmosphere.

 

Located just south of Big Farmer’s Cay, this stretch of pure white sand emerges from blue-green water at low tide. It is widely known as the “Mile-long Sandbar” and is perfect for shelling, sunbathing and picnicking. You will have it all to yourself on most days!

 

Swimming pigs, it is impossible for them to fly, but in The Exumas, they can swim! Just north of Staniel Cay on an island of their own called Big Major’s Cay, live a drove of pigs.  Initially, residents relocated these animals to Big Major’s Cay in anticipation of a major down-turn in the economy during the Gulf War.  When unsuspecting visitors stopped by to snorkel or swim at Big Major’s Cay, they were greeted by a welcoming drove of pigs.  As they fed these harmless, sociable creatures, it became a habit for them to come out of the coppice at the sound of a motor with the anticipation of getting some food.

Located just west of Staniel Cay, this fantastic underwater cave system is great for snorkeling, diving and wading. It is teeming with exotic marine life and a kaleidoscope of brilliantly colored coral reefs and fish, like yellow-tail snappers, Angel fish, Sergeant Majors and the like. The grotto’s mystique is heightened by the small, almost hidden entrance. It is advised to enter at ebb tide (low or slack tide) and snorkeling equipment is optional. At high tide, however, diving equipment is necessary.


The grotto got its name from the 1965 James Bond spy film “Thunderball,” which was shot there. It was also the site of another James Bond film, “Never Say Never Again” in 1983, also based on the Thunderball novel.

 

Created in 1958, this 176 square mile stretch of the Exuma Cays was the first land and sea park in the world and is famous for its breathtaking marine environment. It is also the first no-take reserve (all fishing is prohibited) in the wider Caribbean.
Scuba diving and snorkeling are popular at this ecological preserve and wildlife refuge encompassing 176 square miles of pristine waters, land and beaches. Encounter nature first-hand by catching a glimpse of endangered Bahamian iguanas.