The Exuma Cays are not your average beach destination. This chain of 365 islands and cays in the Bahamas holds some of the most extraordinary natural experiences on the planet. Crystal-clear turquoise water, wildlife you can actually swim with, and sea caves straight out of a film scene. It is genuinely one of those places you have to experience to believe.
Here is everything worth knowing before you go.
The start of the Exuma Cays sit roughly35 miles southeast of Nassau. What makes them special is not just the scenery. It is the combination of wildlife, history, and sheer natural beauty all packed into one stretch of water. Few places on Earth give you this much variety in a single day out on the ocean.
Yes, they are real. And yes, they swim right up to your boat.
The swimming pigs of the Bahamas experience is one of the most talked-about wildlife encounters in the entire Caribbean. Located at Big Major Cay (also called Pig Beach), a small group of pigs has made the shoreline their home. Nobody knows exactly how they got there. That mystery is part of the charm.
A few things to keep in mind when visiting:
Captain's Marine offers private Bahamas yacht charters that include stops at Pig Beach as part of a fully tailored itinerary. No rushing, no group schedule.
Thunderball Grotto near Staniel Cay is a flooded sea cave that featured in two James Bond films. That alone makes it worth a visit. But beyond the film history, the grotto is genuinely breathtaking from the inside.
Sunlight pours through openings in the rock ceiling and hits the water in ways that feel almost unreal. Schools of colourful fish circle the cave walls. Snorkelling here is absolutely one of the top Exumas snorkelling experiences available anywhere in the Bahamas.
Best tips for visiting Thunderball Grotto:
The Exuma Cays have far more than two headline attractions. A well-planned day on the water can include:
The truth is that the Exuma Cays are difficult to fully enjoy on a crowded group tour. The best spots require flexible timing, smaller boats, and the freedom to linger.
Captain's Marine specialises in exactly this. Their fleet of private yachts and powerboats covers everything from the 48' Leopard catamaran to the sporty 37' Axopar, with vetted captains who know these waters deeply. Every trip is built around your group's priorities, not a fixed timetable.
Whether it is a full-day Bahamas island hopping adventure or a focused private snorkelling charter, the experience is always personal.
The Exuma Cays reward those who plan with purpose. Pick your top experiences, build a flexible itinerary, and explore with a crew that knows every hidden cay worth visiting. From swimming pigs to sea caves and shark encounters the islands deliver far more than expected.
Captain's Marine handles the details, so you simply show up and enjoy.