Great Exuma: Discover The Jewel Of The Bahamas For Boaters

Great Exuma: Discover The Jewel Of The Bahamas For Boaters

Travel

Great Exuma is calling—don’t let it go to voicemail.

For some, it’s the destination after the long journey south, a place to toss out the hook and enjoy the sunshine, beaches, and camaraderie. For others, it’s an important waypoint on a longer voyage that will take them onto the Eastern Caribbean. No matter how you look at it, George Town has been a hub for boaters for decades. But George Town is not just a town. It’s cruiser shorthand for an entire region of the Bahamas—the eastern shore of Great Exuma Island and the protected waters of Elizabeth Harbour. During peak winter months, 400 boats or more crowd into the harbor, but there’s plenty of room for everyone to spread out. Whether you’re planning a few days stopover or a few months of relaxation, here’s your guide to Great Exuma.

Getting to Great Exuma

Great Exuma is effectively the end of the road that is the Exuma Cays. The 30-mile-long island is also a location of some strategic importance for long-distance travelers. Beyond here, fuel and safe harbors become scarce.

The typical route leaves South Florida with stops in Bimini, Chub Cay, and Nassau. You can check in with Customs and Immigration at any of these stops. After Nassau, hop down the lovely Exuma Cays or head into Exuma Sound for a straight run to Elizabeth Harbour on Great Exuma if you’re in a hurry.