This itinerary covers seven days in Exuma, Bahamas during early March, though much of the trip would likely be even better during the summer months. It’s the perfect mix of adventure, exploring, and plenty of R&R. Here’s exactly how we structured the trip and what I’d recommend to anyone visiting the island for the first time.

Quick Trip Summary

Length: 7 days
Best for: All types of travelers. This itinerary works just as well for those craving adventure as it does for anyone who wants to spend the day on the beach with their newest book.
Pace: Relaxed but engaging
Time of year: Early spring (March)

Full Itinerary Overview

Day 1: Fly into Exuma International Airport (GGT), pick up a rental car, drive into town to stock up on groceries, and head to your Airbnb. After settling in, grab drinks on the beach and officially enter relaxation mode.

Day 2: Spend the day relaxing on the beach near your Airbnb and soaking up everything the Bahamas sun has to offer.

Day 3: Join a full-day (or half-day) boat tour around the Exumas. Highlights include swimming pigs, snorkeling, and plenty of delicious rum punch.

Day 4: Another easy beach day near your Airbnb. No real agenda required.

Day 5: Grab a day pass and spend the day soaking up the rays at one of the island’s resorts. It’s a nice break from the sand, and there’s something especially relaxing about having someone periodically stop by to ask if you would like another piña colada.

Day 6: Spend a few hours riding around the island on ATVs. You will see parts of Exuma you might not otherwise explore. On the way back through town, stop at Pedro’s Sweet Haven for some truly excellent coconut ice cream.

Day 7: Spend your last full day enjoying the beach out back and soaking in the final hours of island time.

Day 8: Pack up, return the rental car, and head to the airport for the trip home.

Day-by-Day Detailed Breakdown

Day 1

Once the car was loaded up, our next priority was groceries. Even though we had all been up early and briefly debated skipping the stop, we decided to push through. That decision ended up being one of the best ones we made that day. We found everything we needed at Exuma Markets and Shop Rite, with a quick pit stop at one of what felt like twenty liquor stores to stock up for the week.

From there, we made our way to the Airbnb, and the drive alone immediately set the tone for the trip. The entire ride was filled with ooo’s and ahhh’s at just how unbelievably blue the water was. It was one of those moments where you realize you have officially arrived somewhere special.

After a long morning of travel, there was a collective sigh of relief when we finally pulled into the Airbnb around 3 PM. We took some time to unpack and settle in before heading down to the beach for our first real glimpse of what the week would have in store for us.

Tropic of Cancer Beach, located less than a five-minute walk from our Airbnb, is secluded, peaceful, and incredibly beautiful. It is often referred to as one of the best beaches in the Exumas, and after seeing it ourselves, that reputation made complete sense.

Just a short walk down the beach is Brea’s Delight Seaside Grill, a small blue food-and-drink shack where Brea pours ’em heavy and serves up a mean hot dog. It quickly became one of our favorite casual stops during the trip.

We spent the rest of the evening walking along the shoreline, taking it all in, and enjoying our first night in paradise. We were tired from the travel day but all very happy to finally be there.

Day 2

There is not much to say about what we did on Day 2, though that is honestly one of the best ways to describe a day in the Bahamas. After a busy travel day, we intentionally kept this one slow and simple.

We spent the day at Tropic of Cancer Beach reading, tanning, swimming, and enjoying the sunshine. Every now and then, we ran back inside for snacks or to reapply sunscreen, then headed right back out to the water. There was no strict schedule and no real plan. It was just a full day of relaxing and settling into vacation mode.

Looking back, this slower day ended up being exactly what we needed. It gave us time to recharge and fully appreciate where we were, and it set the tone for the rest of the trip.

Day 3

This was easily our busiest day of the trip. We decided to splurge on the 8-hour, full-day boat tour with Exuma Water Sports, and I will admit morale was pretty low when our alarms went off at 6 AM. I could tell my boyfriend, Dax, was seriously considering bailing at the thought of being stuck on a boat all day with no escape. Looking back, that hesitation feels funny now because this ended up being the highlight of everyone’s trip.

When we arrived at the marina, we spent some time hanging out on the back patio while waiting for the rest of the group to show up. As more and more people arrived, I started to feel a little skeptical about how comfortable we would be crammed onto a boat together. Little did I know, they had just gotten a brand new boat and we were the very first group to take it out. There were just shy of 20 of us, and the boat felt incredibly spacious. Even with the windy conditions, the ride stayed smooth the entire day.

After a quick safety briefing, we were each given fins, a mask, and a snorkel, and before long we were loading onto the boat and heading out. From the start, the day felt really well balanced. We were never rushed from stop to stop, but it also never felt slow or dragged out.

Our captain, Justin, and first mate, Smiley, were fantastic and kept the energy up all day. The boat was fully stocked with sodas, canned cocktails, and plenty of delicious rum punch, which definitely helped set the tone for the day.

Our first stop set the stage in the best way possible. As we approached the island, Justin started playing the Jurassic Park theme music over the speakers, which immediately had everyone laughing. Within seconds, hundreds of prehistoric-looking iguanas flooded the shoreline in anticipation of the lettuce we brought. Though they may look intimidating, the iguanas turned out to be slow-moving and surprisingly polite. We spent about 30 minutes there feeding them and taking pictures, and it ended up being a really fun way to kick off the tour.

Next up were the famous swimming pigs, which is honestly why most people, including us, choose to visit Exuma in the first place. I could barely contain my excitement as we pulled up to Big Major’s Cay and saw some of the larger pigs swimming right out to greet our boat.

Once we reached the shore, we all hopped off and were handed carrots to feed them. The pigs clearly know the routine. As soon as I picked up a carrot, a large pig swam straight toward me and I panicked a little. Apparently the pigs cannot see very well, and once they spot that bright orange carrot, they are locked in. I quickly learned that a small splash of water toward their face helps redirect them once you run out of snacks.

One of our next stops was Compass Cay, where we had the chance to get into the water with nurse sharks. As we pulled up to the dock, we could already see several sharks swimming just below the surface, which immediately made the whole thing feel very real. Dax ended up being the brave soul to jump in first. In hindsight, that was probably the right move because he entered the water when it was still relatively calm. Within seconds, though, the sharks began to gather around him, which made it feel much more intimidating for the rest of us waiting on the dock.

Eventually, we worked up the courage to get in, and once we did, it was not nearly as scary as it looked from above. The sharks swam calmly around us, mostly focused on the snacks our captain brought along (no – we weren’t the snacks!). As they swam by, we were able to reach out and gently pet them, which felt surreal in the moment. Their backs were much rougher than I expected, almost like touching non-skid.

At one point, Smiley started tossing food near us, which caused the sharks to suddenly swarm in our direction and definitely startled a few of us. He thought it was hilarious. We were not quite as amused in the moment, but it quickly turned into one of those stories we kept laughing about for the rest of the trip.

By midday, we were ready for a break from the sun, so we stopped for lunch at a nearby yacht club. It had more of a classic island dive-bar feel with a nicer dining room attached, which made it the perfect place to cool off and recharge. After a full morning on the water, burgers and cold drinks tasted especially good.

After lunch, we spent some time cruising around the different islands off Exuma while Justin shared fun facts and stories about the area. One of the more interesting tidbits was learning that magician David Copperfield owns multiple private islands in the Exumas, including one of the most expensive private resorts in the world.

One of my favorite stops of the afternoon was a stunning sandbar that created the illusion of walking on water. The water was so shallow and clear that it felt surreal. While we explored, Justin brought out fresh pineapple for everyone, which was simple but incredibly refreshing after hours in the sun.

Toward the end of the tour, we made our way to Thunderball Grotto, which was one of the most memorable experiences of the day. Once you swim inside, it feels like stepping into your own personal aquarium. You enter through a low rock opening, sometimes following a rope line, and suddenly find yourself inside a huge domed cavern filled with crystal-clear blue water and schools of fish swimming all around you.

One of our final stops was an impromptu snorkel around an underwater statue of a mermaid sitting at a piano. This was not originally part of the tour, but our captain decided the conditions were perfect and told us it was something we should not miss. He was right. It ended up being a really unique and memorable way to wrap up the day.

Throughout the tour, we also made a few spontaneous stops at beautiful beaches, each with its own personality. We even got to see some unexpected sights along the way, including a sunken drug plane, which felt like something straight out of a movie.

By the time we headed back to shore, we were sun-soaked, tired, and completely happy. What started as a slightly dreaded early morning turned into one of the most fun and memorable days of the entire trip.

Day 4

After our big boat day, we kept things simple and spent another relaxing day at Tropic of Cancer Beach. It was the perfect chance to recharge and enjoy the slower pace of island life.

Day 5

After spending a few days soaking up the Bahamian sun on the sandy, and at times fairly windy, beaches, we decided to treat ourselves to a day pass at Grand Isle Resort for a slightly more elevated vibe. The passes were $50 per person, and after calling ahead to confirm they had space, all we had to do was show up and ask for them at the front desk.

We took our time that morning and arrived around noon, slightly worried that all the good spots would already be taken. To our surprise, the resort was not crowded at all when we got there, which made settling in easy.

We spent most of the day lounging in the cabanas and soaking up the sun in the adults-only pool daybeds. It felt like the perfect change of scenery after several beach days.

My personal favorite part of the day was the poolside service piña coladas. They were incredible – I think I had three within the first hour.

By the end of the day, we all agreed this was the perfect way to slow things down and enjoy a different side of the island.

Day 6

We had another early start this morning as we headed out for our island ATV tour with Exuma Adventure Tours. From the beginning, it was clear this was going to be a fun day. The ATVs were easy to handle, even for beginners, and it quickly became one of the most enjoyable ways to see different parts of the island. Our guide, Lanardo, was fantastic and shared really interesting history along the way, which made the experience feel like more than just a ride.

One of our first stops was the small settlement of Rolleville, where we learned more about the history of Exuma and the people who live there. Lanardo explained that a large portion of the island shares the same last name, Rolle, though he was quick to point out that they are not all related, which gave everyone a good laugh. From there, we continued exploring places we likely would not have found on our own, including several beautiful beaches and scenic viewpoints along the way.

We also made our way to Cocoplum Beach, and getting there required riding our ATVs down a narrow sandy trail that Lanardo had made just for us (and all his other tour guests). That stretch ended up being some of the most fun riding of the entire day.

On our way back, Lanardo recommended we stop at Pedro’s Sweet Haven for ice cream, and we are very glad we listened. Pedro’s is an unassuming shop off the main highway, but once you step inside, it is filled with loud and colorful decor that feels very Lisa Frank-inspired. Even though they did not have the flavor I was most excited to try (guava cheesecake) the coconut ice cream ended up being absolutely the right choice. It was creamy, refreshing, and exactly what we needed after a full morning out in the sun before heading back to the Airbnb for some well-earned TV and chill time.

Day 7

We spent our final full day relaxing on the beach out back and soaking in the last few hours of island time before heading home the next day.

Day 8

On our last day, we took our time getting ready to leave. The morning was simple and a little bittersweet as we packed up our things, took one final dip in the ocean, and loaded the car for the drive back toward the airport.

With some unexpected time on our hands, we wandered over to Kermit’s Airport Lounge, which is really more of a casual bar and restaurant than a traditional lounge. We grabbed a few cold drinks, relaxed, and enjoyed those last moments of vacation before heading back to the airport.

Once we saw the “terminal,” which is essentially one large, crowded room, we were very glad we had taken advantage of that extra time. Before boarding, we spent a few minutes browsing the small gift shop and picking up magnets to commemorate the trip, a simple little tradition that always makes the trip feel complete.

Where to Stay

Many travel blogs suggest staying in or very close to Georgetown. While that may be convenient for restaurants and groceries, we chose to stay about 30 to 40 minutes down the island in Little Exuma, and we could not recommend that decision more.

Little Exuma felt quieter, more relaxed, and closer to the kind of island experience we were looking for.

We stayed at La Vie en Rose, which turned out to be the perfect home base for the week. The house was spacious, clean, and thoughtfully stocked with everything we needed. It also sat just a few minutes’ walk from one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen.

Travel Tips

Car rental:
Driving in Exuma takes a little getting used to. You drive on the left side of the road and sit on the right side of the car, which can feel awkward at first. Some roads are narrow and occasionally turn into a bit of a game of chicken about who takes the middle, so just stay alert and drive courteously. Your car will likely take a bit of a beating from potholes and rough patches. In hindsight, we wish we had chosen a vehicle with slightly higher clearance, but our small sedan still worked just fine for what we needed.

No street addresses:
Most places in Exuma do not use traditional street addresses. Instead, every home or business has a name, and that is how you will find it. Once you get used to this system, it actually becomes pretty straightforward.

Seven days was perfect:
Before the trip, we wondered if seven days might feel too long. It ended up being the perfect amount of time. We had enough days to explore and try new activities, but also plenty of time to relax and enjoy slower beach days.

Groceries at home:
Because we were staying a bit farther from town, we chose to eat most of our meals at the house. This turned out to be a great decision. We were able to find everything we needed at the local grocery stores, and it made our days feel more relaxed. It also helped us avoid driving at night, which can be challenging since there are very few street lights and some roads can be rough.

Wind in March:
Our trip took place in March, and it was definitely windy. I am not sure if that is always the case, but the wind did require a little extra planning for beach days. We often set up umbrellas to block the wind and learned to accept being perpetually sandy. The upside is that the wind seemed to keep the sand flies away. On the day we had less wind, the flies were out in full force, and several of us left with some itchy souvenirs. I have since been told that the wind is usually less of an issue during the summer months, which also means calmer water.

Keep packing simple:
Our Airbnb host told us this ahead of time, but we still packed far more than we needed. Realistically, we could have gotten by with a few bathing suits, one or two coverups, and comfortable clothes for the evenings. Life on the island is very casual, so do not overthink your packing list.

Final Thoughts

This trip was an amazing experience, and each of us walked away with different favorite moments. The island truly offers a little bit of everything, whether you are looking for adventure or simply want to relax and unwind. We all had such a great time and are already talking about when we can make it back.