The Exuma Islands are a string of Caribbean islands just south of the Bahamas. The largest of this string is Great Exuma, a land once a haven for pirates. Today, Great Exuma has an airport and is much more accessible to tourists than ever before. The primary draw of Great Exuma is its white sand beaches that spill into the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. However, there are more than just beaches in Great Exuma; in fact, Great Exuma was voted as one of the top ten vacation destinations in 2004 by the Washington Post. The capital of the Exuma Islands, George Town, is located in Great Exuma, and, although it is the primary tourist destination, it has retained its relaxed atmosphere. This is the site of the Out Islands Regatta, a yearly boating event held in April at Elizabeth Harbor.

Sightseeing Attractions

While the fantastic Exuma coasts are a sight of their own, Great Exuma also has its share of man-made sightseeing attractions. The three main attractions are the Shark Lady Museum in Little Exuma, St. Andrew’s Church in George Town, and the ancient Stromatolites.

Outdoor Activities

Great Exuma’s beaches are nearly deserted, allowing tourists a much-needed break from the bustle of their everyday lives. They’re also great places for swimming, as the currents around the islands are not strong. Snorkeling is available on every beach, but more adventurous tourists may want to snorkel at the Staniel or Crab Cays. Staniel Cay offers shallow reefs and blue holes and is the sight of the Vulcan Bomber, the ship sunk for special effect during the making of the James Bond film Thunderball. Crab Cay is the sight of the Exuma Pride wreckage, and it is also a great snorkeling location for viewing thousands of different types of tropical fish. The last huge outdoor attraction in Great Exuma is fishing. The most desired catch around the islands is the Bonefish. Deep sea boats also offer deep sea fishing opportunities, with most vendors operating out of George Town.

Nightlife

Great Exuma is not known as a nightlife hotspot, primarily because it is a destination for relaxation. The island has no clubs; however, get-togethers occur around the hotel districts frequently, and barbeques are held twice a week on the beaches. There is also weekend dancing available at the Two Turtles. Dining in Great Exuma is a great experience with most restaurants offering fresh fish dishes. However, don’t expect to find too many different types of cuisines on the island. Most restaurants are clustered around George Town.

As a port city that used to be a major hub for transport between Europe and the West Indies, the Bahamas city of Nassau was once a haven for pirates and merchants. However, in the last fifty years, Nassau has become one of the largest tourist sites of the Caribbean. With a large international airport and the recent construction of the Paradise Island Bridge — a bridge that connects the city with Paradise Island — the number of visitors to the city each year has grown considerably. Beyond the distinct Caribbean attributes that Nassau shares with its island neighbors is its distinct colonial appeal. While much of the city has been modernized for tourist comfort, much of it also retains the architectural appeal of its late-1700s-early-1800s development, allowing its visitors to experience a vibrant mixture of both natural and man-made beauty.

Sightseeing Attractions

Paradise Island is perhaps the most popular tourist attraction of the city. With its modern comforts, white beaches, and turquoise waters, Paradise Island is aptly named. For a more historical outing, stroll the streets of Old Town. Here you’ll find an interesting array of colonial buildings, abandoned structures, and buildings painted in typical-Caribbean vibrant colors. To experience some of Nassau’s history as a port town, visit the Pirate Museum.

Outdoor Recreation

Most of the outdoor activities that occur in Nassau are water-related, naturally. Visitors can find ample opportunities for scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, and sailing. The main diving district is Coral Harbor; however, you’ll find long, deep reefs and drop-off walls on the southern coast and shallow reefs on the western coast. The premier spot for fishing is in the waters around New Providence where grouper, snapper, deepwater amberjack, blackfin tuna, bonito, and blue marlin fish species are common. Sailing is a common pastime among Nassau’s natives, and boats are available for rent at all of Nassau’s harbors.

Nightlife

If you’re interested in shopping, there is, of course, an ample selection of malls to choose from in Nassau. However, for a richer shopping experience, check out the Straw Market instead. The dining opportunities in Nassau are also internationally diverse; however, if you can afford to splurge on at least one expensive meal, you’ll want to visit a restaurant that prepares the island’s freshly-caught seafood. Most of these will be found of the waterfront. As far as drinking, Nassau is known as a spring break hotspot. Every hotel on Cable Beach has its own disco, but visitors should expect to pay a substantial cover charge wherever they decide to go. Nassau bars and nightclubs are steadily busy throughout the week.