Exuma, the Bahamian vacation out island of pristine beaches and cays!

YACHTING IN EXUMA, BAHAMAS

There’s a string of 365 unspoiled Caribbean islands and cays Southeast of Nassau, Bahamas referred to as the “Out Islands” and they stretch over a 120 mile-long archipelago… collectively, they’re called Exuma.

     These laid back and uncrowded cruising waters are ideal for island hopping and exploring long stretches of pristine beaches. I explored them with a rented Boston Whaler, but you can charter a private fully crewed sailing or powerboat. You’ll want to visit these beaches on Great Exuma:

• Coco Plum Beach: Wow, what a gorgeous beach! It’s Heaven and the beachcombing is superb. You’re guaranteed to find sand dollars and beautiful shells.
• Pig Beach: Expect pigs to swim out to your boat as you moor offshore. Have some food for them, like carrots. Manta rays are common here, and you can feed them as well. There’s plenty of cute baby pigs you can hold and take selfies with.
• The beaches of Stocking Island are among the most beautiful beaches you’ll find anywhere in the world, especially on the leeward side of the island. The turquoise-colored waters you wade into appear as if they’ve been photoshopped. Enjoy the Peace and Plenty Bar. It’s a great place to hang out. Meet and talk to “Beach chair Greg” (and island institution) if you run into him. The burgers and veggie burgers are great, great bar staff, and paddleboards, and games are available. “Beach chair Greg” has two main goals in life: keeping all the guests happy and the bar well stocked. The staff will enlighten you about the local customs and what the Bahamas are all about.
• Jolly Hall Beach: Another beautiful beach that’s great for swimming and snorkeling. Sparkling, gin-colored waters and talcum-powdered sand, beautiful shells to collect, and numerous turtles and stingrays swimming offshore. It’s an easy stroll from the Hideaways at Palm Bay, which serves powerful Bahama Mamas.
• Hooper's Bay Beach: is known for the ocean turtles that glide by offshore. A cautionary note: Tiger sharks are attracted here because of the numerous ocean turtles, which are a large part of this shark’s diet. The turtles will come right up to you, and you can swim alongside them.

     I luv Exuma so much! It is my favorite Bahamian out island. If you journey to the Bahamas, put an out island in your plans. Both of my spy thrillers MISSION OF VENGEANCE and PENUMBRA DATABASE mention several more of these “Family Islands”, as the Bahamians refer to their out islands.

     You can also subscribe to my FREE monthly “CARIBBEAN BEST-KEPT SECRETS!” newsletter, for fun and outlandish things to see and do in the Florida Keys, Caribbean and Bahamas.

     Lastly, enjoy this neat video of Exuma. Yes, it makes me feel like Robinson Crusoe as I explored its unique places while writing:

Robert Morton is a member of the Association Of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO), writes about the U.S. Intelligence Community, and enjoys the Florida Keys and Key West, Bahamas and Caribbean. He combines these two passions by creating the COREY PEARSON- CIA SPYMASTER spy thriller series.