Discover Alexander

When searching for a holiday rental in Alexander, it is worth considering the wider destination of Exuma too. The Exuma island chain is divided into Great Exuma, Little Exuma and the Exuma Cays. As you plan your trip, you can consider which of these regional aspects interests you most: protected natural areas, water activities, beaches or culture around George Town. This can help you choose accommodation that matches the experiences you want to focus on in Exuma.

Natural landscapes and protected areas on Exuma

Moriah Harbour Cay National Park lies between Great Exuma and Little Exuma. Its landscape includes sand dunes, beaches, mangrove channels and seagrass meadows. Visitor experiences include hiking trails on Moriah Harbour Cay and snorkelling reefs near Fowl Cay; Basil’s Classroom is also one of the park’s main attractions. Moriah Harbour Cay and the surrounding areas also offer opportunities for kayaking, snorkelling, kitesurfing, bonefishing, hiking and photography. Conditions can vary.

The Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park covers 176 square miles and was established in 1958 as the world’s first land and sea park. Together with the varied landscapes of Moriah Harbour Cay National Park, it shows how diverse the natural environment is across the wider destination of Exuma. If you enjoy spending time outdoors, you can consider whether hiking trails, water activities or the diversity of habitats should play a bigger role in your holiday plans.

Islands, beaches and water experiences

Thunderball Grotto near Staniel Cay is an underwater cave system with coral reefs and diverse marine life. Visitors can snorkel, dive and wade there; at low tide, travellers can swim through the grotto. It is also known as a filming location for the James Bond films Thunderball (1965) and Never Say Never Again (1983). The grotto combines a natural experience with film history. Tides and conditions affect the activities.

Big Major Cay is an uninhabited island in the Exuma Cays, home to the famous swimming pigs; the island is accessible only by boat. If you plan to visit, take the boat journey into account and check the current arrangements in advance. The “Up to Staniel Cay Day Trip” tour package includes a visit to Thunderball Grotto and swimming with pigs. It is planned as a day trip; dates and availability may change.

Another tour option is the “Sandy Cay/Little Exuma Tour”. It starts at Elizabeth Harbour and heads towards Little Exuma. On the way to Sandy Cay, a remote sand island, the tour stops for lunch at a local restaurant. The two tours therefore have different focuses: one combines the grotto with swimming with pigs, while the other takes you via Little Exuma to a sand island and includes a restaurant stop. Check current dates and availability when planning your trip.

Tropic of Cancer Beach, also known as Pelican Beach, is on Little Exuma. It is considered the longest beach on Little Exuma and is crescent-shaped, with white sand meeting blue-green water. Little Exuma is connected to Great Exuma by a bridge. This connection is a useful reference point when comparing beaches and other destinations on the two islands as you plan your trip.

Stocking Island has white-sand beaches, blue holes, coral gardens and underwater caves. Stromatolites can also be found on the island’s Atlantic beaches. Stocking Island is accessible by boat from Elizabeth Harbour. You can reach Chat ’N’ Chill on Stocking Island with a five-minute boat ride across Elizabeth Harbour; a water taxi runs during the day. The restaurant serves Bahamian and American cuisine in a relaxed setting. Its Sunday Pig Roast has been a social event on the island since 2001. Schedules, menus and operating conditions may change; check the latest information if you are planning your visit around them.

Culture and trip-planning guidance

For more than 45 years, sailors from around the world have gathered at the George Town Cruising Regatta in George Town, Exuma. The two-week programme includes games, boat races, music and island entertainment. If you want to plan your trip around the event, check the latest dates. The Exuma Straw Market has been operating in George Town since the early 1960s and sells locally handmade souvenirs; it also offers a selection of seasonal fruit and vegetables, which may vary in availability.

Little Exuma also offers a glimpse into the islands’ history: St. Christophers Anglican Church was built there from wood salvaged from a stranded schooner in 1939. Another regional landmark is Exuma International Airport on Great Exuma, a few miles from the main settlement of George Town; it serves as the main gateway to the Exumas.

Explore more destinations: Moss Town, Steventon, Hartswell, William's Town, George Town, Rokers Point Settlement, Farmer's Hill.

Back to the main travel overview: Exuma.