What’s the Cheapest Way to Get to Exuma?

What’s the cheapest way to get to Exuma? That’s a question that many travelers to the Bahamas want to know.

While most people arrive in the country via the capital, Nassau, not everyone leaves there. That’s because they see more remote places like the Exumas as hard to get to and expensive. 

But that’s not the case, and figuring out how to get from Nassau to Exuma is something you’re going to want to do. With crystal-clear water, stunning beaches, and unique attractions like the Exuma pigs, the region is the highlight of any Bahamas vacation. 

And contrary to what you might think, getting there isn’t expensive or difficult. Flying by plane on one of our Swimming Pigs Tours can have you on the ground with a cold drink in your hands in around 30 minutes. That gives you plenty of time to see the top sites in the region and ensures that you get the most bang for your buck on a Nassau to Exuma day trip! 

The Cheapest Way to Get to Exuma 

We already mentioned that flying by plane is the cheapest way to get to Exuma. Here’s what you need to know. 

Avoid the Ferry

Most people who decide to partake in Exuma excursions from Nassau think that a cruise to Exuma is the best option. After all, the Bahamas is an island nation, so what can be a better way to traverse the country than by water?

Unfortunately, expectations often differ from reality here. 

If you’re wondering how long is ferry from Nassau to Exuma, know that it takes at least two hours to get there, and if the weather is rough, it can cause delays or even cancellations. That means you have four hours taken out of your day trip, limiting the number of sites you can see and showing that the cheapest way to get to Exuma isn’t necessarily the best. 

But besides just being slow, the cruise to Exuma is also an uncomfortable experience. The boat travels over open water, which can cause things to get a bit rocky at times. Even if you’re not someone who usually experiences motion or seasickness, Exuma boat tours are not the relaxing cruises that many people imagine. 

Finally, Exuma excursions from Nassau that travel by boat are also popular. Because of that, you can expect to share the boat with many other people – hundreds of others, to be exact. That’s not fun in the best of times, but especially not during the tail-end of a pandemic. 

Air Travel: Luxurious Yet Not Out of Reach

You might think that traveling on a plane to the Exumas is a dream that’s out of reach. But when you’re looking to get from Exuma to Nassau, it’s actually the best, most cost-efficient option. It’s also much cheaper than you might think!

For one thing, the amount you pay covers just about everything you’ll have to pay on a Nassau to Exuma day trip. That includes round trip airfare and the cost of local transportation once you arrive. You won’t have to worry about paying any additional major fees and will get to enjoy Exuma boat tours to some of the top sites in the region. 

But besides being more affordable than you might think and covering all major expenses, traveling by plane also gives you the chance to enjoy a bit of luxury. The boat ride might be a slightly cheaper option, but if it’s bumpy and you have to share it with hundreds of other people, is it worth it?

Air travel lets you cruise above the azure water and sandy islands beneath you, all in the comfort of your private-class plane. We guarantee that when you lean back in your seat, gazing out at the water and islands beneath you, you’ll know that you made the right choice. 

Traveling by Plane: More Time to See the Top Sites

Now that you know the cheapest way to get to Exuma is by plane, you might be wondering what you’ll get to see once you arrive. Here are a couple of the highlights you can look forward to when you travel from Exuma to Nassau.  

The Exuma Pigs at Pig Beach

Many people trying to figure out how to get from Nassau to Exuma are doing so for one reason: they want to visit the Exuma pigs at Pig Beach! 

Although there are several stories floating around about how the pigs got to the island, the most probable version tells that farmers from neighboring islands grew tired of the smells the pigs they had were creating. To help their noses, they transported the pigs to Big Major Cay – the island informally known as Pig Island. 

However, they didn’t abandon them completely; they brought them food by boat, causing the pigs to get excited when the boats approached the island. Because of that, they now look forward to the arrival of all boats to their island! 

Traveling by plane  gives you all the time you need to see the pigs, hop in the water alongside them, and soak up the beauty of their island home. 

Iguanas at Bitter Guana Cay

As mentioned, air travel isn’t just the cheapest way to get to Exuma. It also saves you time, giving you more opportunities to see additional attractions in the region.  

While Bitter Guana Cay might not be as famous as Big Major Cay, it’s an amazing stop on a Staniel Cay day trip nonetheless. The island is home to a rare and beautiful animal: the Northern Bahamian rock iguana. 

With a population of less than 5,000, Bitter Guana Cay is one of the only places where you’re guaranteed to see iguanas. And see them you will! When Exuma boat tours pull up to the island, you’ll see these pink and brown lizards slither out from the undergrowth. 

And, while the iguanas are a sight to behold, the island itself is also jaw-droppingly beautiful. Bring a quality camera as you’ll want to have it ready! 

Nurse Sharks at Compass Cay

Thanks to movies like Jaws, most people have a negative perception of sharks. But the reality is that most are harmless, and even the more dangerous types aren’t the monsters they get made out to be. 

Compass Cay is another small island in the Exumas. It’s also one of the top places in the world to observe sharks up close. 

Thanks to its shark-loving owner, the local marina has schools of nurse sharks that swim around its waters. Although they can reach lengths of up to 10-feet, these animals are gentle and provided you don’t bother them, won’t try to harm you in any way. 

While you can watch them from the docks, you can also choose to hop in the water with them! Just don’t bring food in the water, and avoid grabbing onto them, as well. 

The Cheapest Way to Get to Exuma Is Actually By Plane

When most people imagine the cheapest way to get to Exuma, they imagine that it’s by boat. But as explained, taking the ferry causes you to spend hours in transit and is also an uncomfortable experience. 

On the other hand, flying on a private-class plane gives you the time you need to take full advantage of an Exuma to Nassau day trip. It also gives you a taste of luxury at an affordable price.

Sign up for an Exuma day trip today with us today!