Exuma Islands (Bahamas, George Town)

Exuma is one of The Bahamas' island groups and districts, with 365+ cays (small islands), total area 72 mi2 (187 km2) and population around 7000. The archipelago's largest is Great Exuma Island (length 37 mi / 60 km) with a small bridge linking to Little Exuma Island. Exuma District's capital and largest town is George Town/Georgetown on Great Exuma (population around 1500). Great Exuma has land area 61 mi2 (158 km2), Little Exuma - 11 mi2 (29 km2).

Exuma International Airport (northwest of Georgetown/near Moss Town) serves mainly small passenger aircraft and jets (linking with the USA and other regions in The Bahamas). The list of airlines flying regularly to Exuma Bahamas includes Air Canada (Toronto), American Eagle (Miami FL), Delta Air Lines (Atlanta GA). Regularly scheduled flights to Nassau (New Providence Island) are offered by Bahamasair, SkyBahamas Airlines, Western Air.

Traditionally, Exuma Islands' economy is based on tourism and fishing. Georgetown has shops, tourism service businesses, 2 banks, 2 grocery stores, 3 liquor stores, 1 gas station, 1 hotel, police station. Exuma Islands have numerous restaurants and food bars that serve mainly traditional cuisine specialties prepared with locally-sourced freshest ingredients. Fishing is both local (supports the Exuma's population) and tourism-related (guided or charter/sport fishing).

In the last decades, Exuma Islands became renowned luxury travel and leisure destination. Among the best-rated Exuma hotels and resorts are Paradise Bay (Farmerʼs Hill), EMBRACE Resort (Staniel Cay), Peace and Plenty Resort (Georgetown), St Francis Resort (Georgetown), Hideaways Exuma (Georgetown), Casa Del Mar (Jimmy Hill), Bonefish Bella Vista (Michelson), Kahari Resort (Georgetown), Rolle Town Retreat (Rolletown), Exuma Beach Resort (Georgetown), Tropical View Villas (Hartswell), Sapphire Garden Townhouses (Georgetown), Sugar Beach Villa Paradise (The Ferry Settlement), Bougainvillea House Villa (Jimmy Hill). Many luxury beach houses are available for rent and managed by private hosts.

Among the popular tourist activities are golfing (Sandals Emerald Bay's 18-hole golf course), sport fishing, boat sailing (annual events are Georgetown's Family Island Regatta, Cruising Regatta, Black Point Regatta), rowing (recreational and competitive).

Among the celebrities that own private islands in Exuma Bahamas are Nicolas Cage (actor), Johnny Depp (actor), Eddie Murphy (actor), Tyler Perry (actor), Jena Sims (actress), David Copperfield (illusionist), Faith Hill (singer), Tim McGraw (singer).

Following the Coronavirus crisis, in mid-March 2021, the ultra-luxury brand Crystal Cruises announced plans to restart passenger shipping with "Bahamas Escapes". Starting on July 4, 2021 (first departure), for Crystal Serenity ship were scheduled 16x total 7-night roundtrips from Nassau. Another series of 16x total 7-night roundtrips from North Bimini Island (Bailey Town) was scheduled for the ship beginning July 4, 2021.

Next table shows the 7-night/8-day Nassau roundtrip itinerary (named "LUXURY BAHAMAS ESCAPE") as call ports and times.

Prices started from USD 2000 per person (EUR 1680 / GBP 1445 pp) with double occupancy.

Compass Cay (Exumas) was included in the 2022 schedule (January-February) of the SeaDream 2 superyacht. The 7-night/8-day itinerary was roundtrip from Florida USA.

Compass Cay features a naturally-protected harbor, boat marina, beach lodge (with cottages for rental), and its best-known tourist attraction are the nurse sharks (swimming in the marina).