Exumas, Bahamas Sailing Vacation

With sapphire-blue water everywhere, the Exumas are an exotic collection of dream destinations. Palm fringed beaches and super-exclusive resorts and islands make this tropical paradise an absolute gem. The Exumas truly are the ultimate escape.

The Exumas are an archipelago of 365 cays and islands, beginning just 35 miles southeast of Nassau. Once called Yumey and Suma (names of Amer-Indian origin), the islands have gone through many changes over the years. Today, they’re divided into three major areas: Great Exuma, Little Exuma and The Exuma Cays. Each offers its own unique Bahamian experience.

Great Exuma and Little Exuma are known for their laid-back surroundings, while the Exuma Cays act as a playground for the rich and famous, boasting numerous private homes, luxury resorts and beachside condos.

Please note: We operate three different sailing routes for Exumas - and those which sail to or from Nassau both board and disembark at different locations.

Boarding for our southern route is at Palm Cay Marina close to Nassau, New Providence Island - disembarking at Emerald Bay Marina on Great Exuma Island.

Boarding for our northern route is at Emerald Bay Marina on Great Exuma Island, disembarking at Palm Cay Marina, close to Nassau, New Providence Island.

Boarding and disembarkation for Sail Great Exuma, Bahamas is at Emerald Bay Marina on Great Exuma Island.

This destination offers AQUA, AQUA North and AQUA South experiences. Read on to find out more.

AQUA AQUA North AQUA South

Sail Great Exuma

Watch the world drift past as you sail south from island to island. The warm, salty breeze washes over you as your catamaran glides over the shallow seas looking for the perfect spot to explore. In the distance you see a secluded cove, with untouched sand, eagerly awaiting your footprints. The palm trees line the beach and as your yacht brings you close to the shore you finally understand the meaning of unspoilt paradise.

Discover and explore the stunning islands of The Exumas. Consisting of three main areas, Great Exuma, Little Exuma and The Exuma Cays, you’ll be able to relax and unwind in some of the most spectacular and beautiful islands in the Bahamas.

Nature lovers will delight in seeing the flamingo, the national bird of the Bahamas in its natural habitat, along with the Hawksbill turtle and the rare Bahamian iguana. We even have a special treat in store, as we visit the famous swimming pigs of Big Major Cay – and yes, they really do swim. This is one swim that you won’t want to miss!

Below the stunning sapphire water lies an amazing coral reef system, and the shallows allow for a superb underwater adventure, as you explore wrecks and come face to face with a variety of marine life, including jewel fish, angel fish and the Atlantic spadefish. Scuba diving and snorkeling is a must and one of the diving highlights may include O’Brien’s Wall on Cambridge Cay.

Back on land, you’ll come face to face with some of the friendliest people in the Bahamas and enjoy a warm welcome from Exuma’s residents. Enjoy a walk through the colorful towns and even pick up a souvenir or two.

Only 1 hour 30 from Florida and just five hours from LA, there’s nothing stopping you from discovering your own little corner of paradise.

ACTIVITIES

ITINERARY

PACKAGE

Itinerary

Here is sample itinerary of what you may expect while enjoying a sailingvacation with TradeWinds in the beautiful Exumas islands of the Bahamas. Weather or other outside factors may mean that your Captain sets an alternative course.

Arrival day - Saturday

Your adventure will begin at Emerald Bay Marina at 5pm, when you’ll be introduced to your awaiting crew who will get you straight into vacation mode with a refreshing cocktail! We’ll move the boat over to White Bay (a secret sandbar off the western coast of Great Exuma) to anchor overnight. We’ll enjoy our first gourmet dinner here under the stars.

Cruising Day 1 – Sunday

After breakfast we’ll up anchor and sail to fascinating Lee Stocking Island - formerly home to the Caribbean Marine Research Centre. After a leisurely lunch aboard, we’ll move to Lignum Vitae Cay, one of the most stunning natural Bahamas Cays, and we’ll anchor off this beautiful beach for cocktails and dinner onboard again this evening.

Cruising Day 2 - Monday

Breakfast over - we'll set sail for Big Galliot Cay, where we'll anchor for lunch by this beautiful beach. The snorkeling is great here, and we'll spend some time here and later move on to Little Farmers Cay - where snorkelling with turtles is available at a small additional charge. Later we'll return to the boat for Captain's Cocktails and another scrumptious dinner aboard.

Cruising Day 3 - Tuesday

After breakfast this morning we'll move to Staniel Cay, where we'll visit the world-famous site of the Thunderball movie and Thunderball Grotto. We're sure that everyone remembers James Bond and this scene! The snorkeling in this cave-system is amazing, totally bursting with marine life. Later, we will move to Staniel Cay Yacht Club to take dinner ashore at the world famous Club Thunderball.

Cruising Day 4 - Wednesday

This morning will see us swimming with the famous pigs of Big Major Cay. Yes, we did say pigs, and yes, they do swim! And they drink beer - they are totally amazing! After lunch we'll move on to Great Guana Cay (the second largest of the Exuma islands) where we'll hike to the famous cave and enjoy sipping our cocktails either here or on the beach … before heading back to the boat for another fabulous dinner aboard.

Cruising Day 5 - Thursday

Our first stop this morning will be to head for Rudder Cut Cay (owned by magician David Copperfield). Just off the coast is a life-sized sculpture of a mermaid lounging atop the sandy ocean floor next to a baby grand piano!We'll have a quick snorkel and explore before lunch and then move on to another privately owned island, Leaf Cay, where we can feed iguanas on the beach (fruit and veggies only) before our last wonderful dinner afloat.

Cruising Day 6 - Friday

After breakfast this morning we'll head for Boysie Cay.We'll explore the amazing blowholes, cairns, and lovely beach and tidal pool before lunch aboard and our return to Emerald Bay Marina. We'll have Captain's Cocktails onboard before going ashore to enjoy dinner ashore at one of the many fine restaurants nearby.

Saturday - Departure Day

After a last tasty breakfast onboard, it's time to gather your belongings, as well as your wonderful memories of a week in this most beautiful environment. Before exchanging fond farewells, your crew will arrange transport from Emerald Bay Marina to the airport. You will already be planning your next cruise with TradeWinds.

Package

INCLUDED

A professional Captain and Chef team on a 7-night all-inclusive cruise
All taxes and crusing permits
All meals and beverages served onboard
Well stocked open bar service and winelist
Water sports activities: snorkel equipment, a 2-person kayak, Flagship Class only; a stand up paddle board

EXCLUDED

Travel to and from the embarkation point
Two evening meals when guests are asked to dine ashore
Scuba diving for certified divers is charged at $75 per person per dive
Crew gratuities

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Bahamas, Exumas Vacation Offers

21 Aug 2021

Bahamas, Exumas

AQUA experience

Shared Charter

2 cabins available

$8,300

embarking on 21 Aug 2021

BOOK NOW
23 Oct 2021

Bahamas, Exumas

AQUA experience

Shared Charter

3 cabins available

$8,300

embarking on 23 Oct 2021

BOOK NOW

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Amazing time in the Exumas. Bruno and Lydia were awesome!

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Disclaimer

To help you book your luxury experience, we have given you some helpful travel links and suggestions with details of how you can reach your intended destination. Like we say, these are just suggestions to help you plan your journey. While we want to help you find your sense of adventure and experience a vacation like no other, unfortunately, we can’t be held responsible for any changes to flight schedules, or for any issues resulting from your accommodation booking. We ask that you double check all your travel schedules, transport requirements and pre-stay accommodation with the relevant travel companies before booking your TradeWinds vacation.

Luxury All Inclusive Sailing
in Exumas

Sail Great Exuma

Activities

Fishing

Scuba Diving