Recreation

Great Exuma is all about life on the water. It's the stunning beauty of the Exuma Cays and its Land & Sea Park, as well as the amazing creatures that call it home. From snorkeling and diving among vibrant coral reefs to championship golf with ocean views and world-class fishing, you'll have endless opportunities to explore Great Exuma's unrivaled natural surroundings and local culture.

Fish the Deep

Big tuna, marlin and mahi mahi are just a few of the prizes on which serious sports fishermen and beginners alike set their sights on Great Exuma. There are half-day and full-day fishing charters that offer experienced sports fishing guides and all the gear you'll need for a day on the water. Of course, you can bring your own fishing equipment, as well.

Another popular Great Exuma fishing option is Reef Fishing. Ideal for novice anglers, as well as experienced fishermen, this catch-and-release adventure will put you up close and personal with everything from yellow-tail snapper and barracuda to reef sharks.

If free-diving in 10-35 feet of water along a stunning coral reef sounds like your kind of action, spearfishing should be on your list of activities during your visit to Great Exuma. You'll harvest what you catch and bring supper home with you! 

Explore Great Exuma by Boat

Cruise your way through hundreds of beautiful Cays and enjoy the astonishing palette of color displayed by the tropical coral reefs and indigenous fish of Great Exuma. Exploring Great Exuma by boat is also one of the best ways to see many of the deserted islands and sand bars within the Exuma Cays, and provides access to amazing snorkeling on some of the area's more remote reefs. Discover the famous Thunderball Grotto made famous by Sean Connery (as James Bond) and the movie Splash, or take a break to stroll along a beach and gather a few sand dollars to remember your special journey to Great Exuma.

Grand Isle is happy to arrange half-day and full-day Great Exuma boating excursions tailored to your groups' interests, such as:

Snorkeling Trips Island Excursions

Deep Sea Fishing Bonefishing

You can also cruise by several celebrity islands owned by the likes of Johnny Depp, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, but the most famous of all are the swimming pigs that come out to your boat for a bite to eat! If you prefer, you can meet their scaly indigenous neighbors on Iguana Island.

Snorkel an Underwater World

Step into Great Exuma's turquoise waters and experience an underwater world like nothing you've seen before. Great Exuma is home to some of the world's most beautiful coral reefs, and there are numerous snorkel spots around the island and surrounding Cays just waiting to be explored. From Stocking Island to Harbour Island, vibrant reefs and freighter wrecks portray ecosystems at their finest.  Snorkelers are also encouraged to enjoy the network of shallow underwater snorkeling trails accessible from the resort's own white-sand beach. Complimentary snorkeling gear is available for resort guests.

Dive In for a Closer Look

The Exuma Cays offer lush coral reefs and exciting animal encounters for all who venture into the depths. The lure of ocean blue holes and shipwrecks offers world-class diving opportunities for experts and beginners alike. The professional dive operators on Exuma offer a range of instruction and options to address the skill level of everyone in your group.

Swim with the Sharks

On Compass Cay, you can actually go swimming with the friendly nurse sharks and hundreds of Caribbean reef fish that join you off the dock. Any squeamish members of your group can stay on dry land and pet the sharks from the dinghy dock as they surface to meet their new human friends.

Feed the Stingrays

If you've never heard of pet stingrays, you certainly will after a trip to the Chat 'n' Chill, an authentic island eatery famous with locals and yachters alike. Offer the stingrays their favorite treat, and the gentle giants will glide across your hand, even while you're holding a tropical drink in the other. The Chat 'n' Chill is located on nearby Stocking Island and is only accessible by boat. Charters can be arranged through Grand Isle Resort & Spa.

Discover George Town

No visit to Great Exuma is complete without a visit to George Town, the charming island capital.

Choose a walking tour or stroll through the city on your own. Popular highlights include exploring the blue holes, caves where the now extinct Arawak Indians lived peacefully, as well as touring historical churches and local farms. Be sure to cross the demarcation line of the Tropic of Cancer which runs through the city, and take a few pictures of the famous pink and white Government Building inspired by the architecture of nearby Nassau.

You'll also find a few local shops, including the famous Straw Market. Located in the center of George Town, this small but mighty market offers an array of local crafts, baskets, t-shirts, post cards and other souvenirs of the island. The friendliness and laid-back culture of the folks who live here will truly add to your Great Exuma experience, along with the city's colorful history and fantastic local cuisine.

All excursions require advanced reservations with which our Grand Isle Concierge can help. Call 242.358.5000, e-mail concierge@grandisleresort.com, or simply come down to the Front Desk to reserve your extraordinary adventures.