With crystal-clear waters, power-soft white sand beaches, and unique wildlife, the Exumas are one of the top destinations in the Bahamas. That said, getting from Exuma to Nassau can be a challenge, especially if it’s your first time in the country.
In this post, we’re going to break down the easiest ways to see as much of the island nation as possible. Read on for all the top travel tips!
Exuma to Nassau: How to Make It Happen

Bahamas day trips let you see the swimming pigs before traveling back from Exuma to Nassau.
Begin in Nassau
Most visitors to the Bahamas end up flying or boating into Nassau. As the nation’s capital, it has the largest airport in the region, a massive cruise ship port, and marinas that can house yachts and private boats from across the world.
On the other hand, the Exumas are more remote and difficult to get to. They’re located around 80 miles to the south of Nassau and can’t receive giant international flights or cruise ships given their isolated location. Because of that, the best way to reach them is actually by signing up for day trips from Nassau to Exuma.
In most cases, Exuma excursions depart from Nassau via one of two ways: by boat and by plane. While cruising down to the Exumas on a ferry might sound convenient, there are some drawbacks, including:
- Time: Expect the journey to take a couple of hours
- Crowds of people: The ferry is a popular option, so you’ll share it with dozens of other travelers
- Rough water: As boats need to cross over open waters, expect things to get bumpy and uncomfortable!
Traveling by air sidesteps all of these problems. You arrive in a fraction of the time, travel on a private-class plane with just a few other travelers, and soar through the air hundreds of feet above the choppy swells below.
The Benefits of Day Trips from Nassau to Exuma
As mentioned, the Exumas are more remote and can be difficult to get to without the help of a tour company. Even if you were to get there on your own, you’d have to find a way to transport yourself around to the top attractions once you arrive. And, at the end of your journey, you’d then have to worry about getting from Exuma to Nassau to return home.
Working with a tour company (preferably an air travel company) allows you to sit back, relax, and enjoy your vacation. Exuma excursions from Nassau handle everything — transportation to the Exumas, transportation once you arrive, options for meals, and anything else you’d need. Learn more about our Exuma Tour from Nassau by Plane.
Instead of spending time worrying about how to get to Exuma Pig Beach or how to fly from Exuma to Nassau, they do it for you.
4 Things to See on Exuma Excursions From Nassau
Before flying from Exuma to Nassau, you first get to enjoy everything that a Nassau to Exuma day trip has to offer. Here are some of the many top sites that you can look forward to seeing:
1. Exuma Pig Beach
Pig Beach — or as it’s officially known, Big Major Cay — is the highlight of any trip in the Bahamas that flies you down then takes you from Exuma to Nassau. It lets you see the beloved Bahamas pigs, which are one of the most famous attractions in the world.
The pigs inhabit an island devoid of humans; besides a couple of goats and cats, no one else lives on their island. However, time and human contact have conditioned the pigs into friendly and gregarious creatures. Now, when the boat you’re on pulls up to Big Major Cay, don’t be surprised to see them hop in the water and swim out to greet you!
2. Compass Cay
While the Exuma pigs may be the most famous attraction on a Nassau to Exuma day trip, you’re going to want to stop at Compass Cay before returning from Exuma to Nassau.
The waters around the local marina are home to schools of nurse sharks. Although they’re still wild animals, they too are friendly, providing travelers the opportunity to get up close and personal with them. For some, that means watching them from the docks. For others, it means jumping in the water to be alongside them!

Only the top Exuma excursions take you to Compass Cay to see the famous nurse sharks.
3. Bitter Guana Cay
Exuma excursions also allow you to see the Bahamian rock iguana at Bitter Guana Cay. As they’re one of the most endangered animals in the world, the experience of watching the giant, beautiful lizards crawl out from the undergrowth around the beach is one you won’t soon forget!
4. Staniel Cay
Exuma excursions from Nassau use Staniel Cay as a base of operations — the place where the plane lands and where a boat picks you up to take you to the nearby cays of interest.
However, Staniel Cay features a quaint town that’s worth exploring, as well as a marina and yacht club that serves a delicious lunch.
Understand How to Get From Exuma to Nassau
Many people wonder how to get from Exuma to Nassau, but in reality, going from Nassau to Exuma is the way to do it. By signing up for day trips from Nassau to Exuma, you’ll get a chance to see many of the top highlights in the region.
Be sure to learn more about our Nassau to Exuma Day Trip by Plane.
Get in contact with us today to start planning your trip!
