What’s the distance from Nassau to Exuma? If you’re wondering how to get to Exuma, do you have different transport methods to choose from? Are there day trips from Nassau to Exuma?
All of those are popular questions that deserve answers. Below, we’re going to answer them and explain everything you need to know about Exuma tours from Nassau. Once you finish reading, you’ll be ready to start planning your dream Bahamas vacation.
Read on to get started!
Distance From Nassau to Exuma: How Far Is It?
Where Is Exuma?
If you’re wondering how to get to Exuma, it’s worth knowing where Exuma is in relation to other parts of the country.
Exuma is an archipelago of the Bahamas made up of 365 islands. One of the most famous islands is Big Major Cay (also known as Pig Beach), which is home to the Exuma Pigs. Other popular destinations include:
- Staniel Cay
- Compass Cay
- Bitter Guana Cay
- Great Exuma
- Stocking Island
If you look at a map, you’ll see that the region of Exuma is located to the south of the capital, Nassau. From there, it stretches down deeper into the Caribbean.

The distance from Nassau to Exuma is easy to cross by plane.
How Far Is Nassau From Exuma?
Given the number of islands it contains, the distance from Nassau to Exuma depends on where in the region you’re looking to go. Here’s the distance from the capital to some of the more popular islands:
- Nassau to Staniel Cay: Around 80 miles
- Nassau to George Town (on Great Exuma): Around 140 miles
But while the distance from Nassau to Exuma is straightforward, getting there can seem more complicated. So how can you get there?
Day Trips from Nassau to Exuma
If you’re wondering how to get to Exuma, specifically Pig Beach, day trips from Nassau to Exuma make getting there easy. As many travelers are just passing through Nassau, Exuma tours from Nassau allow you to see some of the top sites in the area without needing to worry about accommodations or local transportation.
As the Bahamas is an archipelago, you have two ways to get to Exuma on these trips, by boat, and by plane.
By Boat
When travelers wonder about the distance from Nassau to Exuma, they often sign up for day trips from Nassau to Exuma that travel by boat. Unfortunately, these often end up differing wildly from people’s expectations.
For one thing, traveling by boat requires you to cross over rough, open waters. From causing last-minute cancellations to creating an uncomfortable experience, in general, Exuma tours from Nassau that travel by boat don’t often offer the smooth, romantic journey that people hope for.
Traveling by boat is also an inefficient way to reach Exuma. Expect a one-way journey of around 3 hours.
By Plane
How far is Nassau from Exuma, and specifically, the Swimming Pigs? While their island home may only be 80 or so miles away from the capital, as mentioned, that distance takes quite a bit of time to cross by boat. In contrast, air travel gets you there in around 30 minutes.
Getting there quicker means more time to see the local sites (more on those below), as well as more bang for your buck.
In addition to getting you there quicker than the boat, traveling by plane also offers travelers a more comfortable experience. Plus, it’s hard (or impossible) to beat the views that you’ll get to see out your plane window.
Discover the full collection of Tours and Excursions By Plane to Exumas.
Things to do in Exuma Bahamas:
So once you finally figure out how to get to Exuma (by plane!), what can you expect to see once you arrive?
- The beautiful island of Staniel Cay, which you fly into
- The Swimming Pigs on their island home of Big Major Cay
- Nurse sharks at Compass Cay
- Iguanas at Bitter Guana Cay
- Sandbars at Pipe Creek
- An underwater plane wreck
- Underwater caves at Thunderball Grotto

Exuma offers some of the prettiest landscapes (and seascapes) in the country.
The distance from Nassau to Exuma makes air travel the perfect way to reach all of those sites.
Getting to George Town
Getting to George Town (Great Exuma) requires travelers to make a similar choice: traveling by boat or plane. However, as the distance from Nassau to Exuma George Town is greater, there aren’t any speed boats that cover that distance. The only option is the ferry, which takes 14 hours.
Again, Exuma tours from Nassau that travel by plane get you there far faster. Flying from the capital to George Town will take you just about 1 hour.
The main Airport on Great Exuma, is Georgetown Exuma International Airport, code GGT.
Take a Day Trip to Pig Beach from George Town by Plane or Boat.
Exuma Tours from Nassau: The Best Way to Explore the Country
Whether you’re looking to visit the Swimming Pigs or Great Exuma, it’s easiest to cover the distance from Nassau to Exuma by plane. Doing so allows you to save time and enjoy a much more comfortable experience.
How far is Nassau from Exuma? If you travel to Pig Beach, it’s close enough to enjoy day trips from Nassau to Exuma. These let you see all sorts of amazing sites, including the Swimming Pigs.
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