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Weather in The Exumas
Swimming pigs and sapphire sandbars
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About The Exumas
The Exumas are an archipelago of 365 islands and cays stretching south from Nassau—a playground of swimming pigs, sandbars, and hidden beaches. Pig Beach's famed pigs wade into the turquoise water for food, while nearby islands offer snorkeling, diving, and complete solitude. The cays are sparsely populated, with development limited to a few lodges and restaurants.
Best months to visit
January, February, March, April, June, December
Things to do in The Exumas
Swimming pig encounters at Pig Beach
Sandbar floating in waist-deep turquoise water
Snorkeling and diving pristine reef sites
Thunderball Grotto cave exploration (James Bond filming location)
Deserted beach island hopping
Local conch salad preparation and tasting
Weather by month
Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.
Recommended
January
25C
Warm and pleasant, with occasional showers.
Recommended
February
25C
Warm and pleasant, with occasional showers.
Recommended
March
25C
Warm and pleasant, and mostly sunny skies.
Recommended
April
26C
Warm and pleasant, with occasional showers.
May
27C
Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.
Recommended
June
28C
Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.
July
29C
Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.
August
29C
Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.
September
29C
Warm and pleasant, with regular rainfall.
October
28C
Warm and pleasant, with regular rainfall.
November
27C
Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.
Recommended
December
26C
Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.
The Exumas are a chain of more than 360 cays strung across some of the clearest water in the Bahamas, famous for the swimming pigs of Big Major Cay, the iconic Thunderball Grotto cave from the James Bond films, and Compass Cay's resident nurse sharks. Most visitors base themselves in George Town on Great Exuma and explore the cays by boat, hopping between deserted beaches and sandbars.
Best areas to stay in The Exumas
George Town (Great Exuma)
The main settlement and base for most visitors, with a handful of hotels, restaurants and the famous Stocking Island sandbar nearby.
Staniel Cay
A small cay with an airstrip and marina, the launch point for swimming-pig and Thunderball Grotto trips.
Big Major Cay
Home to the famous swimming pigs, accessible only by boat.
Compass Cay
Known for its resident nurse sharks that gather in the marina, swimmable with caution.
Getting to The Exumas
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Flights
George Town's Exuma International Airport (GGT) has direct flights from Nassau, Miami and Atlanta; smaller cays have their own airstrips.
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From London
~30 minutes from Nassau; ~1.5 hours from Miami.
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Getting around
Boat charters and water taxis are essential for island-hopping; a rental car covers Great Exuma's main road.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit the Exumas?
December to May offers the driest weather and calmest seas for boat trips between cays.
How do you visit the swimming pigs?
Day-trip boat tours from George Town or Staniel Cay run to Big Major Cay, where semi-wild pigs swim out to greet boats.
Is Thunderball Grotto worth visiting?
Yes — it's a partially submerged cave with shafts of sunlight and colourful fish, best visited by snorkel at low tide.
Do you need a boat to enjoy the Exumas?
A boat charter or tour is essential for reaching the famous cays, sandbars and snorkelling spots — there's little to do without one.
Is it expensive to visit?
Yes — limited infrastructure and the remote, boat-dependent nature of the islands make it one of the pricier Bahamian destinations.
Traveler reviews
★★★★★
Swimming with the pigs at Big Major Cay was as surreal as it looks in photos — they really do swim right up to the boat.
Harriet O. · March 2024
★★★★★
Thunderball Grotto at low tide, with sunlight streaming through the roof onto schools of fish, was one of the most magical snorkels of my life.
Desmond K. · February 2023
★★★★☆
Stocking Island's sandbar near George Town has the most impossibly turquoise water I've ever seen, even compared to the rest of the Bahamas.
Anya F. · April 2024
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