Welcome to Experience Exuma Bahamas Blog!
Welcome to ExpienceExumaBahamas! I have all kinds of information and personal experience to help anybody that wants to experience their little piece of paradise. Everybody has their different idea of vacation, but if yours is quiet and peaceful yet full of all kinds of activities, Exuma is the place for you. The Bahamas themselves are said to be some of the prettiest beaches and clearest water in the world. Miles and miles of white sand and turquoise green water.
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About
The Exumas is an Out Island of the Bahamas with the main village of George Town. The Exuma Cays starts southeast of Nassau and stretches in an almost straight line for some 90 miles to the south. The Exuma islands are well known for their beauty, the amazing colors of sea around them and their interesting people. The island chain in the Bahamas has today not much more than 4,000 people, spread between several cays but with the majority living on Great and Little Exuma. The largest single land mass of the Exumas is Great Exuma, which is connected to Little Exuma by a bridge across the narrow Ferry Channel. There is one major airport in the Exumas, just north of George Town, the principal settlement on Great Exuma. The small island feel just cannot be beat. While I was there, you could walk a mile both ways and not see anybody else on the beach. In fact, almost that whole week we were there, we were the only people on the beach. That is right, we had the whole beach to ourselves. . I do recommend getting a car because even though the Island is small it is stretched out and taxis are expensive here. It saves you money to just get car and have the freedom to drive and see the whole island for yourself! There are a couple of rental places at the Georgetown International Airport where you will fly into.
My Experience
I have been on many vacations to many places and I always feel crowded or anxious about all the tourists and lines. When I went to Exuma, Bahamas it was a whole different experience. The peace and tranquility is like none other. Being able to walk down, what could be said as the prettiest beaches in the world, and by yourself, you just have to experience it.
When we arrived on the tiny island, I could tell it was going to be different. Our plane had been delayed for hours due to storms, and the taxi driver had set there all day and waited to make sure he would be ready when we got there. I have not been to another place where I got that kind of attention and hospitality. The hospitality did not end there, that was just the beginning. The whole 8 days was filled with nothing but kind people who were always willing to give directions or any information they had.
I cannot even describe the beauty and fun that lies here. So much of it is secluded and untouched that even the island is so small 8 days was not enough time to take it all in. We got do everything from island hopping to swimming with sharks and turtles and even pigs! The whole community gathers for a pig roast on chat and chill, and it is just good food and good times. I can’t talk about this place without mentioning the amazing thunder ball grotto. One of my favorite spots. I have pictures below of some of the activities we did and loved! I recommend doing an Island hopping tour with Aquaquest Escapes. They are the ones that took us on all the pictured activities.
Photo courtesy of RumTherapy.
Table 1. Places to stay in Exuma, Bahamas
| Place to Stay | Average Price Per Night | Amenities | Food Availability | Parking | Distance to Activities | Comments and Recommendation |
| Peace and Plenty Resort | $275 | Free Parking, Pool, Free Wi-Fi, Air conditioning, T.V. | Restaurant and 3 bars/lounges | Free parking | Palm Beach Bay(20 minute walk) Hoopers Bay (3.1 miles) | I seen the place looked amazing. |
| Sapphire Garden Townhouses ( Have different villas available up to 3 bedroom) | One-bedroom villa with Sea View -$180 | Free Wi-Fi, Free Parking, Balcony, Full Kitchen, T.V., Air conditioning | George Town Fish Fry-10 minute walk | Free Parking | 3 minute walk to beach, 6 Minute drive to Hooper’s Bay, 13 Minutes to Airport | I did not see these but there are a lot of good reviews and its in a great location. |
| Sea Grape Villa | $215 | T.V., Wi-Fi, full kitchen, Air conditioning, washer and dryer, Beach front | Houseman on the Bay 5 minute drive | Free Parking | Kayaks and canoes provided, snorkeling gear provided, 10 minute drive to Hoopers Bay | I stayed here and can personally attest to how great this place is. |
Peace and plenty
Sea Grape Villa
Places to Eat
Table 2 Places to Eat in Exuma Bahamas
| Place to Eat | Cost | Food Type | Wait Time | Formality Level or Setting | Distance to Activities | Comments and Recommendation |
| Chat ‘N’ Chill (Sunday pig roast) | 22 per person but lots of food. | Bahamian Style | About 15 minute line | Laid back | It’s on Island with full bar. Several things to do like swimming with sting rays. | You must go to experience this! |
| Driftwood Café | $4.50-$9.00 | Uruguayan and Bahamian fusion | 10-15 minutes | Laid back | 5 minute drive to Hoopers Bay, 1 minute walk to Shopping and Local flea market | Wonderful breakfast |
| La Fourchette (cash only) | $9-$36 | Caribbean, French, Seafood | 10-20 minute- also takes reservations | Laid back | 3 miles to Coco Plum Beach, 4 miles to Island Wellness SPA | Very nice place |
https://www.bahamas.com/islandinterestdetail/dining-exumas
https://www.bahamas.com/vendor/driftwood-cafÃ
https://www.lafourchettebahamas.com/
Map of Exuma
https://www.exumamap.com/map.htm
A little about me!
I am Julie Gatlin and love to travel. I usually don’t go to the same place twice because there is so many new places and things to see! I drag along my husband and kids, sometimes kicking and screaming, to share these places with me. I hope when my little ones are grown, they will be well traversed and love to travel themselves. Any season or climate, I am up to the challenge.
You will need a passport to get to Exuma,so I included a step by step list.
Steps to getting a passport.
I will be walking you through the steps for applying for a passport.
You must have a passport to go to Exuma, Bahamas. You need to plan ahead and apply for passport approximately 3 months before you plan to leave, as it is estimated 6-8 weeks to process and get back.
Things you will need.
Government issued Photo I.D. (Driver’s license will work)
Proof of U.S citizenship (Birth certificate)
Passport picture (Some United States Post Offices can take picture when you apply)
Passport Application
A check or money order for your passport fees.
1. Gather all necessary documents.
2. If you do not have birth certificate, you can either go you your local vital records facility and pick one up or go online to vital records and order one.
3. After you have gathered all necessary documents you can check to see if there are any local passport agency centers.
4. If there are not any centers, you can apply at an acceptance facility. (U.S.P.O)
5. There are a couple of different passport options- Passport Book, Passport Card, or both. You can check with where you are going and see what is acceptable.
6. Once you decide what kind of passport you need, you can print off passport application or if you don’t have the means to, you can stop by your local passport acceptance facility and get one.
7. Fill out application completely and without errors or it could be rejected.
8. Check ahead with your passport acceptance facility and see if they require appointments and can take your photo for additional fee.
9. IF the passport facility does not take photos, you can go to a local Walgreens and get photo for a fee.
10. You will need to figure out all fees. Your Application Fee and Execution Fees are paid separate. You have to pay your Application fee by check or money order, made out to U.S. Department of State. Check with your local facility to see what kind of payment they will take for the Execution fee.
11. Bring all documents and if the facility cannot take picture make sure you bring picture with you.
12. The person taking the application will go over documents and take copies of you photo I.D.
13. If the application is filled out properly they will accept fees and then you will have to pay them their fees.
14. They will keep your Birth Certificate, along with copies of other I.D. and you application and they will send it off.
15. You can go to the Online Passport Status System to see your application status. It takes 7-10 business days for application to be trackable.
16. You will wait for your passport and documents to be mailed back. Your Birth Certificate will come in a different envelop on a different day then passport.
For Dr. Tara Hembrough English 3903
ExperienceExumaBahamas.com 