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he islands are a popular spot for yachting, sailing, diving, and islands are the very definition of “tropical paradise” with turquoise

T coral reef and cave exploring. Many of the unnamed beaches waters lapping miles of white sand beaches and secluded anchor-
and coves of the islands, including extensive offshore reef areas, ages. Many divers see the Exumas by hopping one of the live-aboard

are included in the protected Exuma National Land and Sea Park of boats that regularly cruise the area.

the Bahamas National Trust. Some of the islands on which there are
permanent residents and resorts include Staniel Cay (home of the
iving the Exuma Cays starting only 35 miles south east of Nas-
DStaniel Cay Yacht Club, a fixture in the Exumas), Fowl Cay, Musha sau. Easy international air connections and some of the best

Cay and Iguana Cay. Thunderball Grotto, located just a few hundred Bahamas diving. Wall dives along the east side of the Exuma Island

yards off Staniel Cay, is one location where the James Bond film chain with the “Best of the Bahamas” 25 to 35 foot depth coral reefs

Thunderball was filmed. Sandy Cay, just a short boat ride from Little in the channels between the over 365 individual small Cays and Is-

Exuma was the location used for filming the Pirates of the Carib- lands.

bean beach scenes and one Shell commercial. The novel Wind from T he Exumas are ideal for a dive expedition of 6 to 8 days of div-
the Carolinas was set in Great Exuma. ing. Longer dive trips (9+ days) might include the south east
coast of Eleuthera and Little Cat Island. We have operated dive ex-
E xuma Cays Land and Sea Park (Exumas) -- A major attraction, this peditions to the Exuma Cays from Nassau since 1972. The wall dives
park was the first of its kind anywhere on the planet. The 35km-
long (22-mile), 13km-wide (8-mile) natural preserve attracts divers at “Ocean Cay Wall”, Highbourn Cay and Long Cay are great starting

to its 453 sq. km (175 sq. miles) of sea gardens with spectacular at 50 to 70 feet. The channel reefs between Islands at “slack” tide

reefs, flora, and fauna. Inaugurated in 1958, it lies some 35km (22 are the best in the Bahamas. Drift diving through “Wax Cay Cut” and

miles) northwest of Staniel Cay and 64km (40 miles) southeast of “Coral Cut” are filled with high speed excitement. While diving the

Nassau; it’s only accessible by boat. The Exumas comprise 365 cays Exuma Cays are great year round, the best dates to dive the Exumas

spread over 120 miles, with amenities running the gamut from an are April through June and October/November.

incredible Four Seasons resort on Great Exuma to the more basic

yachting resorts found around Georgetown and Staniel Cay. These