Your Dream Week in the Exumas: A Bahamas Sailing Vacation from Nassau
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Sandbars, Swimming Pigs & That Electric-Blue Water
Few places in the world look like the Exumas. A chain of 365 islands and cays stretching south of Nassau, the Exumas are a sailor’s fantasy of sandbars, turquoise water, and barefoot island life. Here, you’ll swim with pigs, snorkel caves made famous by James Bond, paddle through mangrove creeks, and anchor off beaches so white they look unreal.
The Bahamas are English-speaking, laid-back, and endlessly photogenic. But what makes the Exumas truly special is how boat-accessible they are. Many of the best spots can’t be reached by road or ferry — which means on a sailing trip, you’re not just visiting the islands, you’re unlocking the secret Bahamas that most travelers never see.
How to Get to the Exumas
Flying in is easy: you’ll land at Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) in Nassau, just a few hours from major U.S. hubs like Miami, Atlanta, or New York. From the airport, it’s a quick taxi ride to your marina — most charters start from Palm Cay Marina on New Providence.
From there, it’s only a day’s sail to the northern Exumas. You’ll spend the week island-hopping south, then looping back to Nassau at the end — a natural circuit that shows off the best of this paradise.
Highlights of the Exumas
Every stop in the Exumas feels like a postcard come to life, but some deserve a spot on every sailing itinerary:
• Highbourne Cay – A perfect first stop, with reefs for snorkeling and a beach to stretch your legs after setting sail from Nassau.
• Allen’s Cay – Famous for its colony of rock iguanas who greet you right on the beach.
• Warderick Wells – Heart of the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park, a pristine marine reserve with hiking trails and some of the clearest snorkeling you’ll ever see.
• Staniel Cay – Home of the famous swimming pigs at Big Major Cay, plus the world-renowned Thunderball Grotto cave, made famous in James Bond films.
• Compass Cay – A small marina where you can wade among friendly nurse sharks.
• Shroud Cay – Mangrove channels perfect for paddleboarding or kayaking.
• Sandbars & Beaches – Everywhere you look: empty stretches of powdery sand, shallow turquoise flats, and lagoons you’ll have all to yourself.
• Island Bars & Food – From the iconic Staniel Cay Yacht Club to local conch fritter shacks, the Exumas mix rustic charm with warm hospitality.
Suggested 7-Day Exumas Itinerary (Round Trip from Nassau)
This route balances relaxed sails with must-see highlights, keeping most passages under 25 nautical miles per day.
Day 1: Nassau > Highbourne Cay (35 nm)
Leave Nassau behind and sail into the Exumas. Anchor at Highbourne Cay, snorkel the reefs, and toast your first night with the sunset.
Day 2: Highbourne Cay > Allen’s Cay > Warderick Wells (20 nm)
Stop at Allen’s Cay to meet the iguanas, then continue south to Warderick Wells. Pick up a mooring ball in the marine park and spend the evening swimming in impossibly clear water.
Day 3: Warderick Wells > Staniel Cay (20 nm)
A highlight day. Visit the swimming pigs at Big Major Cay, then snorkel Thunderball Grotto — a cave filled with shafts of sunlight and clouds of fish. Dinner at Staniel Cay Yacht Club is a must.
Day 4: Staniel Cay > Compass Cay > Cambridge Cay (15 nm)
Head to Compass Cay for a shark encounter you’ll never forget. Then continue to Cambridge Cay, another stunning anchorage inside the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park.
Day 5: Cambridge Cay > Shroud Cay (20 nm)
Sail north into the mangrove paradise of Shroud Cay. Paddleboard or dinghy through the creeks, which open out into one of the most dazzling beaches in the Bahamas.
Day 6: Shroud Cay > Norman’s Cay (15 nm)
Anchor off Norman’s Cay, once the infamous base of drug lord Carlos Lehder. Snorkel a sunken plane wreck just offshore and enjoy one last evening under the stars.
Day 7: Norman’s Cay > Nassau (40 nm)
A longer sail back, but the views of the turquoise banks are unforgettable. Arrive back at Palm Cay Marina and celebrate an epic week of Exuma adventure.
Best Time to Visit the Exumas
The Bahamas are warm year-round, but the best sailing season is December through May, when the trade winds are steady and skies are clear.
• High Season (Dec–Apr): Dry weather, cooler temps, and popular with travelers. Prices peak, but the sailing is flawless.
• Shoulder Season (May–Jun, Nov): Quieter, good value, and still excellent weather.
• Hurricane Season (Jul–Oct): Hotter, more humid, with a storm risk. If you go, travel insurance is essential — but the anchorages will be blissfully empty.
Why a Sailing Vacation is Ideal in the Exumas
The truth is simple: most of the Exumas can’t be properly experienced by land. You could stay in a Nassau hotel and book day tours, but you’d spend more time traveling than exploring — often alongside dozens of other tourists.
On a sailing vacation, your yacht is your hotel, restaurant, and adventure base all in one. You don’t need to pack or repack, chase ferry schedules, or pay extra for private tours. Instead, you can anchor off a sandbar, dive into empty lagoons, and enjoy private snorkeling experiences where the only company is the fish.
It’s freedom. It’s privacy. And it’s the Bahamas the way they were meant to be experienced.
Recommended Sailing Experience Level
The Exumas are generally beginner-friendly: the waters are calm, the sailing is line-of-sight, and distances are manageable. The only caveat is that the shallows require careful navigation, so catamarans are often the best choice for comfort and draft.
For those new to sailing, a skippered charter makes it effortless — just sit back, relax, and let the captain handle the details. For experienced sailors, the Exumas are pure fun: reliable winds, safe anchorages, and endless opportunities to explore.
The Bahamas, Done Right
From iguana-filled beaches to nurse sharks, from sandbars to swimming pigs, the Exumas deliver a Caribbean sailing trip like no other. It’s a week of warm water, soft breezes, endless blue horizons, and moments you’ll replay for years.
Ready to Sail the Exumas?
Let’s plan your Bahamas sailing vacation. Whether you want a catamaran for the family, a skippered yacht for friends, or a romantic escape for two — we’ll make it happen. Reach out to Sail.Wind.Sea and start planning your Exumas adventure today.