Here is your Ultimate Guide to Tours in Exuma. The Exumas are a dazzling chain of 365 islands in the heart of the Bahamas. Famous for their crystal-clear waters and exotic wildlife, these islands offer some of the most sought-after adventures in the Caribbean.
Great Exuma is the largest island in the chain, and Staniel Cay is one of its most visited destinations — known worldwide for the swimming pigs of Big Major Cay. See our Exuma Map here.
Many visitors think reaching these remote cays is difficult, but there are now three popular ways to experience Staniel Cay and its surrounding attractions.
Tours in Exuma
You can book a plane tour from Nassau, a boat tour from Georgetown, or even a day trip by plane from Florida. Each option is designed to help travelers experience the best tours in Exuma.
From interacting with wildlife to snorkeling in turquoise waters, every tour offers something magical. Let’s explore how you can make the most of your time in this tropical paradise.
1. Visit the Famous Swimming Pigs at Big Major Cay
No trip to the Bahamas is complete without meeting the swimming pigs at Big Major Cay. These friendly pigs have become the face of the Exumas, drawing visitors from around the world. Located just a short boat ride from Staniel Cay, this island is home to a group of pigs who live freely on the beach and paddle out to greet boats.
Visit Pig Beach, known as Big Major Cay in Exuma.
They’re not shy. The pigs swim up to the edge of the boats hoping for snacks and attention. You can swim alongside them, take photos, and feed them (with approved food). It’s an unforgettable experience and the highlight of most tours in Exuma.
This stop is included in all three tour types — whether you’re flying in from Nassau or Florida, or taking a boat from Georgetown. If you’re coming for the pigs, you’re in for a unique treat you won’t find anywhere else in the world.
2. Visit the Sharks at Compass Cay
Another iconic stop included on many tours in Exuma is Compass Cay Marina. This small island is famous for its pet nurse sharks, which swim around the docks in shallow waters. Unlike more aggressive shark species, nurse sharks are gentle and safe to interact with under guided supervision.
Swim with sharks tours in exuma at Compass Cay Marina
Visitors can swim with these amazing creatures or simply observe them from the dock. Many describe the experience as thrilling, yet peaceful. The sharks glide through the clear water with ease, completely accustomed to human visitors.
It’s the perfect activity for anyone who wants to step out of their comfort zone — just a little.
Compass Cay is included in the plane tours from Nassau and Florida, and the boat tour from Georgetown.
Whether you’re snorkeling near the dock or just dipping your feet in the water, this stop makes every Exuma tour memorable. For wildlife lovers, Compass Cay is a must-see.
3. Underwater Plane Wreck at Staniel Cay
Underwater planewreck at Staniel Cay Bahamas, tours in exuma
Just off the coast of Staniel Cay lies one of the most famous underwater attractions in the Bahamas — a sunken drug cartel plane from the 1970s. The wreck rests in shallow waters and is easily accessible for snorkelers of all levels.
This eerie yet fascinating site gives a glimpse into the region’s more mysterious past.
On most tours in Exuma, guests are given snorkel gear and guided to the plane’s location. The water here is crystal clear, and the fuselage is teeming with fish and marine life. It feels like you’re swimming through a living museum.
This plane wreck is visited by both plane tours and boat tours alike. It’s a surreal moment — seeing the wreck below as you float above it, imagining the history beneath you.
The site combines natural beauty and human history in a unique way. If you’re choosing from among tours in Exuma, make sure this wreck is on your list.
4. Iguanas at Leaf Cay
For those who choose the boat tours from Georgetown, an additional wildlife encounter awaits — the endangered rock iguanas of Leaf Cay. These prehistoric-looking reptiles are native to the Exumas and live on only a few isolated islands. Leaf Cay is the easiest place to see them.
tours in exuma to Leaf Cay, home of the Bahamian Rock Iguanas. Take a boat tour from Barraterre Dock to Leaf Cay iguanas.
Once your boat arrives, the iguanas come down to the beach to greet guests. They’re used to seeing people and are often happy to pose for photos or accept bits of approved fruit. It’s a fascinating encounter, especially for nature lovers and families with children.
This stop is exclusive to the Georgetown boat tour, making it one of the more diverse tours in Exuma. It combines marine adventures with land-based wildlife, adding an extra layer to the day.
The iguanas are large, colorful, and full of personality. Leaf Cay gives you a rare chance to meet them up close.
5. Underwater Mermaid Piano Sculpture
“The Musician”, an underwater art piece nestled 12–15 ft below the crystalline waters off Rudder Cut Cay, near David Copperfield’s private Musha Cay in Exuma. Commissioned in 2011 by the famed illusionist and brought to life by sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor, it features a life‑size mermaid lounging beside a Steinway‑style grand piano replica—meticulously crafted from 316 stainless steel and pH‑neutral cement to encourage marine life growth.
Underwater Mermaid Piano Statue
As snorkelers glide over white sandy seafloor, Strong currents occasionally stir sand, turning the scene into a fleeting discovery—on a clear day, though, spotting the mermaid feels like unearthing a secret fairytale .
Perfect for adventurous travelers, this hidden gem blends art, marine conservation, and whimsy—inviting you to take a breath, dive down, and pose atop the bench, joining the mermaid in her silent symphony beneath the waves.
Mermaid Piano sculpture can only be visited on our Full Day Boat Tour from Georgetown.
Book a Tour in Exuma
The Exumas are more than just beautiful — they’re bursting with wildlife, history, and adventure. Whether you’re swimming with pigs, snorkeling a sunken plane, or petting nurse sharks, each moment here is unforgettable. With multiple ways to explore the region, it’s easy to find a tour that fits your travel style.
You can choose a tour based on your departure location; plane tour from Nassau, a boat tour from Georgetown, or a day trip from Florida. Each option offers access to the famous stops — and a few surprises depending on your route. The pigs at Big Major Cay, the sharks at Compass Cay, the iguanas of Leaf Cay, and the underwater wrecks all combine into a dream day on the water.
If you’re searching for the best tours in Exuma, look no further, contact us today! These curated experiences let you explore one of the world’s most breathtaking island chains, all in comfort and style.
Don’t wait — book your Exuma tour today, departing from Nassau, Georgetown, or Florida. Experience the magic that makes tours in Exuma unforgettable.
