Things to do in the Exumas

Don’t come to this private island only for the thirteen gorgeous, deserted beaches, but also Rachel’s Bubble Bath – a lovely lagoon where the water froths on the surface – and the friendly nurse sharks at the marina.

Head to the north coast for empty beaches with their gorgeous dunes and all-shades-of-blue waters. West of Staniel Cay, the incredibly beautiful Thunderball Grotto (pictured) is a spectacular cave system to snorkel or dive around. Coral reefs and fish (look out for Angel fish, Sergeant Majors) are as colourful as can be, and the hidden entry makes it even more enchanting. For extra kudos, 007’s Thunderball, Never Say Never Again were filmed here.

Home to the Dripping Cave or Oven Rock Cave – you’ll need a local to show you around, as the cave’s hidden behind greenery. The inside is amazing, vast underwater chambers and dripping stalactites – look out for the bucket that was positioned to catch water and has become cemented into the rock over time.

Created in the late fifties, this was the world’s first land and sea park and covers an area of incredible natural beauty. Plants, seabirds, endangered iguanas and marine life are protected, and fishing is prohibited. With the HQ on Warderick Wells, the area includes Stromatolite reefs - the oldest living evidence of life on earth - and several idyllic cays (some private) and sandbars. Take to the walking trails or snorkel around the Shroud, Hawksbill and Cambridge Cays. Or find a wild, deserted beach and have it all to yourself.

Low tide reveals a magnificent mile of sand, which was used as a filming location in Pirates of the Caribbean. Also known as White Cay, probably after the colour of the talcum powder sand.

Ironic name really, as it is tiny. Come see the legendary swimming pigs – they gleefully paddle out to greet boats. Then frolic about in the shallows and on the shore with your new curly-tailed chums, the only inhabitants of this gorgeous paradise island. Maybe they escaped off a shipwreck, or perhaps they were brought by pirates or explorers – no one really knows how the pigs arrived here, but they’re oddly charming and there’s nowhere else in the world quite like this.

A Boat ride from Elizabeth Harbour in Georgetown and best enjoyed on a Sunday for KB’s legendary hog roast at Chat & Chill – or any other days of the week for conch burgers and cocktails galore.

Over fifteen thousand acres of coastal zone, the National Park is an important part of the eco system between Great Exuma and Little Exuma. Covering beaches, dunes, mangroves and sea grass beds, it’s home to bird life and marine life galore.

On the site of a former cotton plantation in Williams Town, the Cotton House is the Exumas’ oldest building from the 18th and 19th century when the English Loyalists ruled the land. Visitors can see parts of the house, tomb and remains of the slave quarters.