Kathy is a freelance writer from Canada who is always on the lookout for fun things to do with her family.

While staying in Nassau, Bahamas on a four day vacation with my husband a few years ago, we had a chance to see some of the Exuma islands firsthand. We were very impressed and truly felt like we had found a piece of Paradise.

Map of the islands of the Bahamas

Where Are the Exuma Islands?

The Bahamas is made up of 700 different islands. The biggest island is Grand Bahama Island, followed by Nassau/ Paradise Island. The other islands are referred to as the out islands of the Bahamas and stretch for hundreds of miles southeast of Grand Bahama Island.

The Exumas, or Exuma Islands, are considered to be part of the out islands of Bahamas. They are an archipelago of over 260 islands, beginning 35 miles southeast of Nassau and stretching approximately 120 miles to the south.

Our Day Trip to Exuma

We arranged a day trip through a tour agent at our hotel in Nassau. There were many day trip packages to choose from, but the one from Island World Adventures caught our eye first, so we booked an excursion with them. Am I ever glad we did - we had a fantastic time!

Our trip started at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal early in the morning. We boarded the Island World high-speed powerboat with a few other couples, our captain and first mate for the day, and we were off. We passed some very impressive homes along the way, including Nicholas Cage's island retreat on Paradise Island, and private islands owned by movie stars like Johnny Depp.

The weather had been overcast and drizzling when we left our hotel in the morning, but we were happy to discover a beautiful sunny day awaited us once we got a little further south. We were told the weather in Exuma is often different than the weather on the two larger main islands of the Bahamas, and we were happy this was the case.

Snorkelling

One of the highlights of the day was snorkeling in the ocean off the boat. The water was crystal clear, and there were so many beautiful and colourful fish all around us. I wished I had an underwater camera to capture photos of some of the beauties we saw in the ocean.

We also had a chance to explore a sandbar of beautiful white sand during our trip. I felt like a kid again, playing in the sand and splashing in the warm water!

Sandbar in the Exumas

Feeding the Sharks After Lunch

Feeding the Sharks

After a lovely BBQ lunch on the island, we had the opportunity to feed some sharks. There was a special area set up where you could take any leftovers from your lunch and throw it into the water off the dock. The sharks quickly appeared to eat their lunch.

They were fascinating to watch, but I'll admit I was more than a little freaked out to realize that I had been in the water not too far away just a couple of hours earlier.

Relaxing on Saddleback Cay

In the afternoon, we had some time to explore the island of Saddleback Cay and relax on any of the seven private beaches on the island that are used exclusively by guests of Island World Adventures. The Half Moon Bay beach is the largest beach on the island.

The water was crystal clear, and the sun was hot. We were in our own tropical paradise, and felt incredibly blessed to be experiencing this wonderful day. I began to wonder if anyone would notice if we didn't board the boat for the return trip back to Paradise Island. I wanted to stay there much longer!

Half Moon Bay and Beach on Saddleback Cay

All too soon, it was time to leave. On our way back to Paradise Island, we made a stop at the small island of Leaf Cay. Leaf Cay is home to one of the only remaining populations of the endangered Exuma Islands iguanas, also known as Allen Cay iguanas. They are a type of rock iguana native to Bahamas, and they are an endangered species, with a population of less than 2500 remaining. The iguanas on Leaf Cay are used to tourists stopping by to feed them and will run right up to you to take a grape from a stick. They are faster than they look!

Leaf Cay and the Endangered Exuma Island Iguanas

Endangered iquana on Leaf Cay in the Bahamas.

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Bahamas Travel Poll

Although our trip to the Exuma Islands was brief, it made a lasting impression on me. I hope to return there some day, and spend much more time enjoying the natural beauty of the Exumas.

Exuma Trip Poll

© 2012 Kathy Sima

Comments on Trip to the Exumas, Bahamas

Kathy Sima (author) from Ontario, Canada on November 22, 2012:

Thanks AliciaC! It was so much fun, and so beautiful. I would definitely take that trip again, if I ever get the chance.

Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on November 21, 2012:

I love the photos, savingkathy! The water colour is beautiful. It must have been great fun to observe the wildlife and feed the iguanas.

Kathy Sima (author) from Ontario, Canada on April 24, 2012:

Thank you daisynicolas! It really was a pleasure to try to capture some of the beauty with my camera.

daisynicolas from Alaska on April 24, 2012:

You have captured an exotic landscape with your great eye for beauty. It's sooo inviting.

Kathy Sima (author) from Ontario, Canada on April 03, 2012:

It was wonderful! I really hope to go back again some day, but for now I will have to be content to look at the photos :)

Movie Master from United Kingdom on April 03, 2012:

Wow, snorkeling in crystal clear water, an opportunity to feed sharkes and sandy beaches - it all sounds absolutely wonderful and your photos are fabulous!

Thank you, I enjoyed reading and voted up.

Kathy Sima (author) from Ontario, Canada on April 03, 2012:

Thanks Jen! This trip definitely brings back many happy memories. Thanks for commenting :)

jenubouka on April 03, 2012:

What an incredible journey you embarked! Oh, how the pictures remind me of a slice of heaven, the water is incredible, I can actually feel as though I could jump in. Wonderful article!

Kathy Sima (author) from Ontario, Canada on April 02, 2012:

Thanks very much, Express10. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

H C Palting from East Coast on April 02, 2012:

I enjoyed reading this hub and looking at the beautiful pictures.