7-Day Exumas Itinerary: Staniel Cay, Pigs, Thunderball & Land and Sea Park
This comprehensive 7-day itinerary delivers the complete Exumas experience, combining the iconic attractions with the pristine wilderness of the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. From the moment you set sail, you enter a world of impossibly clear water, uninhabited cays, and marine life protected for over 60 years.
Your journey weaves through the heart of the Exumas, anchoring in protected harbors where you may be the only boat in sight. Swim with famous pigs, explore underwater caves, hike to Loyalist ruins, and discover why the Land and Sea Park is considered the crown jewel of Bahamian conservation.
Nassau to Highborne Cay
Depart Nassau and cross the Yellow Bank on a 38-nautical-mile passage to Highborne Cay, the northern gateway to the Exumas. This 5-6 hour sail introduces you to the shallow, brilliant turquoise waters that define the Exuma Bank. Highborne offers a small marina with provisions, fuel, and a restaurant, making it the perfect first stop to settle into island time.
Overnight: Highborne Cay Marina or western anchorage
Highborne Cay to Shroud Cay
Sail 12 nautical miles south into the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, anchoring at magnificent Shroud Cay. After securing a mooring, launch the kayaks or paddleboards to explore the island's famous mangrove creek system. Navigate the tidal creeks at mid-to-high tide, winding through the interior to emerge at secluded Driftwood Beach on the Exuma Sound side.
Overnight: Shroud Cay mooring field
Shroud Cay to Warderick Wells
A short 6-nautical-mile passage brings you to Warderick Wells, headquarters of the 176-square-mile Land and Sea Park. Contact the park office on VHF Channel 9 to secure a mooring ball in the protected J-shaped harbor. Spend the afternoon hiking the 20 marked nature trails, swimming at pristine beaches, and visiting the park headquarters to learn about marine conservation efforts.
Overnight: Warderick Wells main mooring field
Warderick Wells to Cambridge Cay
Sail 5 nautical miles south to Cambridge Cay, still within the Land and Sea Park. After securing a mooring, take the dinghy to Rocky Dundas to explore the spectacular underwater caves featuring stalactites and stalagmites. At low tide, swim into the larger cave to discover a small beach inside, with fossilized shells and coral decorating the walls. The snorkeling around Cambridge Cay reveals rays, reef sharks, and abundant fish in the protected waters.
Overnight: Cambridge Cay mooring field
Cambridge Cay to Staniel Cay
Depart the Land and Sea Park with a 12-nautical-mile sail to Staniel Cay, the colorful heart of the central Exumas. Arrive in time for lunch at the legendary Staniel Cay Yacht Club, then explore the small village with its pastel-painted buildings and welcoming locals. Stock up on any provisions and prepare for tomorrow's wildlife adventures.
Overnight: Staniel Cay Yacht Club anchorage
Swimming Pigs, Thunderball Grotto & Compass Cay
Start early with a dinghy trip to Big Major Cay to swim with the famous pigs before day-tour crowds arrive. Continue to Thunderball Grotto at slack tide to snorkel through the underwater cave, where sunlight creates cathedral-like shafts through the water. In the afternoon, visit Compass Cay Marina to wade with friendly nurse sharks in the protected marina waters.
Overnight: Staniel Cay or Compass Cay
Staniel Cay to Nassau
Enjoy one final morning swim before setting sail on the 45-nautical-mile return passage to Nassau. The 7-8 hour sail crosses the Exuma Bank with typically favorable beam winds. Arrive in Nassau by late afternoon, completing a week that showcased the very best of the Exumas, from protected marine sanctuaries to iconic wildlife encounters.
Overnight: Nassau Marina
Trip highlights
- Explore Warderick Wells and the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park
- Kayak through Shroud Cay's mangrove creek labyrinth
- Discover Rocky Dundas underwater caves with stalactites
- Swim with pigs and nurse sharks in crystal-clear water
- Snorkel Thunderball Grotto at slack tide
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to reserve moorings in the Land and Sea Park?
- Mooring reservations are made on arrival by contacting the park office on VHF Channel 9 during office hours (Monday-Saturday 9am-noon and 1pm-4pm, Sunday 9am-noon). Anchoring is prohibited at Warderick Wells; you must use a mooring ball. Fees are approximately $30-40 per night.
- What is the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park?
- Established in 1958, the 176-square-mile park is the oldest marine protected area in the Caribbean. All marine life is protected in this no-take zone, resulting in abundant fish populations, healthy reefs, and remarkable snorkeling. The park includes Shroud Cay, Hawksbill Cay, Warderick Wells, and several other pristine cays.
- Are the nurse sharks at Compass Cay safe to swim with?
- Yes, the nurse sharks at Compass Cay are docile, fed regularly, and completely accustomed to human interaction. They have been swimming with visitors for years. There is a small landing fee of approximately $10 per person to access the marina and shark encounter.
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