Great Exuma & Staniel Cay Island Hopping
Stay in George Town first, then fly to Staniel Cay for three nights to see the swimming pigs, Thunderball Grotto, and the Land and Sea Park.
Fly in and out of Nassau. Start by exploring the bays and sandbars in George Town, then charter a small plane north to Staniel Cay. Splitting the swimming pigs, Thunderball Grotto, and the Land and Sea Park over two days of boat trips offers a much more relaxed pace than a rushed day trip. Ideal for travelers wanting to explore the out-island waters. There are no scheduled commercial flights between the two islands, so a private charter is required, which is the main logistical challenge of this itinerary.
December to May offers calmer sea conditions, while summer and autumn carry hurricane risks.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Nassau & Visit the Fish Fry
Nassau（Cable Beach、Arawak Cay Fish Fry）
Take a taxi from the airport to Cable Beach (approx. 15 mins), and take a taxi to Arawak Cay in the evening.
Stay: Cable Beach
Day 2 · Fly to George Town & Cocoplum Beach
Nassau → George Town
Fly from Nassau to George Town (approx. 1 hour), rent a car at the airport, drive to Cocoplum Beach, and return to town.
Cocoplum Beach is best at low tide; check the tide tables beforehand.
Stay: George Town
Day 3 · Stocking Island Bay Day
Stocking Island
Take a water taxi from the Government Dock (approx. 10 mins) to the island, explore on foot, and return in the evening.
Stay: George Town
Day 4 · Charter Flight North to Staniel Cay
Exuma（Staniel Cay、Bitter Guana Cay）
There are no scheduled flights between the two locations; chartering a light aircraft takes under 1 hour. You can also charter a boat. Sharing a charter flight with others is more cost-effective.
Small planes have strict luggage limits; use soft bags and book your charter well in advance.
Stay: Staniel Cay
Day 5 · Swimming Pigs & Thunderball Grotto
Exuma（Pig Beach, Big Major Cay、Thunderball Grotto、Compass Cay Nurse Sharks）
Rent a boat or hire a local captain on Staniel Cay. Travel times are short, with all spots reachable within 30 minutes. Spend the day exploring.
Enter the grotto at low slack tide, and do not feed the pigs on the beach.
Stay: Staniel Cay
Day 6 · Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park Boat Day
Exuma（Rocky Dundas、Rachel's Bubble Bath、Sea Aquarium Snorkel Site、Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park）
Hire a local captain to head north (approx. 1 hour each way), snorkel along the way, and return to Staniel Cay in the afternoon.
There are many shallow reefs; do not captain a boat yourself if unfamiliar with the waters. Fishing is strictly prohibited in the park.
Stay: Staniel Cay
Day 7 · Return to Nassau & Visit the Forts
Exuma → Nassau（Fort Charlotte、John Watling's Distillery）
Take a Titan Air flight or charter back to Nassau (approx. 40 mins), and take a taxi to the Fort Charlotte area in the afternoon.
Flamingo Air has ceased operations; be sure to confirm current flight options.
Stay: Downtown Nassau
Day 8 · Old Town Walking Tour & Departure
Nassau（Queen's Staircase、Fort Fincastle、National Art Gallery of The Bahamas）
Walk around the city center in the morning, and take a taxi to the airport in the afternoon (approx. 30 mins).
Avoid the Over the Hill neighborhood south of Shirley Street at night.