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The Exumas are a grouping of islands that are some of literally hundreds of islands
in the Bahamas chain. Exuma is located 35 miles southeast of Nassau and occupies
approximately 110 square miles. Nestled in the center of the Bahamas and a bit closer
to Cuba than to Florida, Exuma consists of two main islands, Great Exuma and Little
Exuma, which are joined at the southern end of the chain by a bridge. There are
approximately 365 cays in Exuma, most of which are uninhabited. Exuma is a yachter's
paradise with its spectacular and unspoiled cays, beaches and reefs.
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Great Exuma is roughly 38 miles long and ranges from 2-8 miles wide, with the Tropic
of Cancer running directly through it. Exuma is home to 3,500 residents. The south side
of the island features marine fisheries, mangrove forests and bonefish flats, and is
mostly unsettled and unspoiled. The north (ocean) side of the island harbors most of the
small hotels, beaches and communities. A highway runs from one end of the island to the other.
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Georgetown, the capital of Exuma, surrounds the diminutive Lake Victoria. Elizabeth Harbor,
sandwiched between Georgetown to the west and Stocking Island to the northeast, has been a
sanctuary to sailors for centuries. Its deep and calm waters now annually host the Family
Island Regatta, drawing spectators from all over the world to watch locals sail the
traditional Bahamian racing sloops. The Regatta takes place during the third week in April
and Exuma sees its population grow nearly four times during this popular event. Snorkeling,
scuba diving and bone fishing are also extremely popular activities in the Exumas. Georgetown
boasts several small hotels and inns, an impressive Government building, an open air market,
a bank, two grocery stores and a number of restaurants and bars.
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CrimsonBow