Experience George Town

Overview

The capital city of the exotic Exumas is George Town, located on Great Exuma Island. This stunning chain of tropical islands stretches for over 100 miles in the Bahamas with the Tropic of Cancer running right through the heart of Georgetown. It is a popular seaport and a big draw for avid sailors and yachters, with two major regattas held here annually. The town has a deep and intriguing pirating past with the deep Elizabeth Harbor being used by them during the 18th century. Georgetown boasts a colorful history and is home to the pink and white Government Building inspired by the one in Nassau. George Town is a true hidden gem brimming with natural beauty. It is a charming town renowned for its spectacular beaches, and you will have all to yourself in this piece of paradise. 

Things to see and do

Take an exploratory walk around the laidback capital of George Town Harbor decorated by attractive colorful buildings housing shops and restaurants along the sparkling waterfront. 

Spend the afternoon at one of the exotic Exuma island's idyllic white sand beaches. The 120-mile stretch of pristine coastline of the island boasts some of the most astonishing beaches throughout the entire archipelago. These uncrowded beaches are one of the best ways to relax under the sun and soak up the sand and seas, the waters are a glittery emerald and sapphire blue hue and are very welcoming for swimming, snorkeling, and fishing.

Go fishing off the beach, rent a kayak and ply the wonderful exotic waters, and go golfing at the Emerald Reef Golf Club on the 18-hole championship course designed by PGA pro Greg Norman.

Catch a ferry over to Stocking Island, this picturesque piece of paradise boasts some of the most outstanding secluded beaches. Visitors can explore the island by car, rent a bike, or walk around to check out the hidden treasures like Mystery Cave, which features a blue hole grotto 70 feet below the island. 

Stocking Island offers some very unique activities such as Sunday pig roasts, conch salad demonstrations with delicious samplings, and Sting Ray feedings. The island is filled with peaceful, scenic walking trails where local plant life can be discovered and benches to sit and absorb the natural beauty. 

Stocking Island is also known for its dramatic soaring seaside cliffs that rise 150 feet out of the water, there is beautiful breathtaking scenery that can be enjoyed from the top of Beacon Hill, a hike to the top unravels panoramic views of the island. This can be a great spot to enjoy a picnic or a sunset.

Try excellent snorkeling and scuba diving while on Stocking Island in the crystalline waters. There are many fascinating things to discover underwater including the island's famed blue holes, vibrant coral reefs, and underwater caves. Jacques Cousteau discovered these stunning natural underwater caves and found out that they stretch for 2 miles out to sea. The mouth of the cave is an excellent location for snorkeling teeming with various marine life.

Go island hopping in the Exuma Cays, there is so much to see and do on these exotic islands, spend a day snorkeling in the Thunderball Grotto, swim with the pigs, see rare iguanas, and sit back on a secluded serene sandbar. The Exumas are a famed location for bonefish fishing in the shallow sandy flats surrounding the islands.

The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park is another great location covering 176 square miles, the park was created in 1958 and was the first land and sea park in the world. It is one of the most successful ones filled with pristine beaches, crystal clear waters, and ecological preserves filled with wildlife and marine life. Visitors can snorkel, scuba dive, take guided tours, and feed the endangered Bahamian iguanas or possibly spot the elusive hutia.

Head to Big Major Cay and swim with the domesticated pigs, these sociable pigs live on `Pig Beach` and will swim out to greet visitors arriving by boat to be fed. Watch the pigs play in the sand, sunbathe, and explore the uninhabited island, home to around 20 pigs and piglets. There are tours offered out to the island where you can also swim with nurse sharks and go snorkeling in the famous Thunderball Grotto (featured in two James Bond films).

Shopping

There are several great Shopping opportunities in George Town including the famed Straw Market, which opened in the early 60s, it is a fascinating treasure trove filled with all kinds of goods and souvenirs like handmade bags hats, and jewelry, made from straw, shells, and beads. There are lots of beachfront gift shops selling unique authentic island items and a stretch of quaint shops along the waterfront in George Town harbor. Visitors can find a wide selection of Bahamian crafts such as straw baskets, ceramics, watches, and postcards. The Exuma Markets are conveniently located in George Town where shoppers can pick up some great bargains on local produce, meats, and fish. 

Beaches

There are a number of excellent beaches to visit in the Exumas. The Bahamas overall is rated as one of the best beach vacation destinations, with idyllic beaches boasting powdery soft white sand and some of the most beautifully colored waters in the world. The Exumas has a host of deserted beaches as well as hundreds of islands, cays, and islets and thousands of miles of white sand beaches. There are beaches known for their true natural beauty, beaches for snorkeling, beaches for relaxing, and unique beaches only accessible by boat. 

The Tropic of Cancer Beach is famed for the theoretical Tropic of Cancer line that runs through it, it is the longest beach on Little Exuma boasting white sand and blue, green-hued waters. This is one of the most popular beaches in the Exumas due to its convenient location and the long sweeping stretch of sand. It was made famous as the first Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed here.

Coco Plum Beach is a relaxing secluded beach with swaying palm trees, water swings, and vibrant coral patches. This beautiful white sand beach has a reputation as a great place to find sand dollars and the waters are great for snorkeling and diving with several nearby shipwrecks that have been turned into artificial reefs. There are shallows and little sand bars that appear during low tide when you can walk out to the sandbar. 

Hooper's Bay is home to many sea turtles, it's a beautiful public beach with shallow turquoise waters perfect for snorkeling with abundant marine life including stingrays to see just offshore. 

Exuma Point Beach is nestled on the northern tip of Great Exuma Island, a remote beach with soft white powdery sand and sandbars with beautiful blue-hued waters great for snorkeling. There are many fish and young marine life to see in the shallow waters including nurse sharks, starfish, and stingrays. 

Forbes Hill Beach is a beautiful little cove beach with light pink-hued sand located on the southern coast of Exuma. The waters here are popular for snorkeling with plenty of fish to see in the clear waters. 

Jolly Hall Beach is a long stretch of soft sand lapped by gorgeous turquoise waters with hotels and restaurants found nearby. 

Tropic Breeze Restaurant Beach is a small stretch of sand known for its popular Tropic Breeze Beach Bar and Grill overlooking the beach. A great place for a snack and a tropical cocktail with magnificent beachfront views. There is a small shipwreck in about 8 feet of water right in front of the restaurant making it a great snorkeling spot. 

Cuisine

There is an extensive array of restaurants located in George Town, many situated around the harbor and scattered along the beaches. Beachside snack shacks, upscale dining, port pubs, and authentic local restaurants can all be found in Exuma. The menus are filled with local and international fare along with plenty of freshly caught fish and seafood. Many of the eateries here can be found along the waterfront accompanied by wonderful relaxing views. There is a great collection of outdoor fish shacks and bars just to the north of George Town where you can dine outside at a picnic table next to the beach, Friday night is the popular Fish Fry held here. 

Nightlife

Nightlife in George Town and the Exumas can mostly be found at hotels and resorts that offer guests evening entertainment options like live music, bars, and happy hours. Local hangouts include dining options, expansive menus, and drinks, live music, dancing, games, and karaoke. A local after-dark favorite is Club Peak and Plenty in George Town, it's been around for over 50 years and offers partygoers poolside parties and live bands for a great night out. Eddie`s Edgewater, Tropical Breeze, and Junkanoo Beach Party at Sandals are some other exciting options.