Nassau to Exuma Ferry

Your gateway to swimming pigs, pristine beaches & 365 islands of adventure

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2 Routes Mail Boats Available
12-14 hrs Journey Time
From $40 One-Way Fare
Tuesday Main Departure Day
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Important Update: Bahamas Ferries no longer offers regular passenger service to Exuma. The mail boats (MV Grand Master & MV Captain C) are your main ferry options, but schedules can be unpredictable. Always call Potter's Cay Dock at (242) 393-1064 before traveling!

Nassau to Exuma at a glance

Last updated: June 12, 2026 · Schedules & fares verified against Bahamas mail-boat listings and Nassau tour operators.

JR

Hey y'all, I'm Jake Rodriguez!

Miami boat captain • 15 years island hopping • Exuma enthusiast

Real talk - the Nassau to Exuma ferry situation isn't what most folks expect. After spending years shuttling between these islands (and yes, sleeping on many a mail boat deck!), I've learned that getting to Exuma is half the adventure. The old-school mail boats? They're an experience, not just transportation. But if you're dreaming of swimming pigs and pristine beaches, there are better ways to get there. Let me break it all down for you!

Your Ferry Options to Exuma

From overnight mail boats to day trip speedboats

MV Grand Master

Traditional Mail Boat

Departs: Potter's Cay Dock
Schedule: Tuesdays @ 4 PM
Duration: 12-14 hours
Basic bunks available
Destination: Georgetown

One-way from

$40-45

MV Captain C

Exuma Cays Mail Boat

Departs: Potter's Cay Dock
Schedule: Variable (call ahead)
Duration: 8-10 hours
Stops: Staniel Cay, Black Point
Near Swimming Pigs!

One-way from

$35-40

Speedboat Tours

Most Popular Option!

Departs: Nassau harbors
Schedule: Daily departures
Duration: 2-3 hours each way
Includes: Swimming Pigs
Plus: Sharks, iguanas & more

Full day tour from

$220

"Took the Grand Master once for the 'authentic experience.' Slept on deck under the stars, shared stories with locals, arrived exhausted but with memories for life. Would I do it again? Maybe not. Am I glad I did it? Absolutely!"

- Jake's Mail Boat Adventure, 2019

The Mail Boat Experience: What to Really Expect

An honest look at this overnight adventure

It's an Overnight Journey

Departing at 4 PM, you'll arrive in Georgetown around 4-6 AM. The bunks are basic (think summer camp), and many folks just grab a deck spot with their sleeping bag. Bring a pillow!

You're Cargo Too

Mail boats are primarily freight vessels. You'll share space with everything from building materials to goats. It's authentic island life, but not everyone's cup of rum punch!

Schedules Are... Flexible

"Island time" is real. Weather, mechanical issues, or cargo delays can push departure by hours or even days. Never book a mail boat if you have a flight to catch within 48 hours!

Bring Your Own Everything

There's usually a basic meal served (rice and peas with chicken), but smart travelers pack snacks, water, and entertainment. The onboard dominoes games are legendary though!

Facilities Are Basic

We're talking bare-bones bathrooms here. Ladies, bring tissues and hand sanitizer. Gentlemen, you might find yourself appreciating the ocean breeze at the rail.

Motion in the Ocean

These boats handle waves differently than cruise ships. If you're prone to seasickness, take meds before boarding. The middle of the boat moves less than bow or stern.

Faster Ways to Reach Exuma Paradise

When you want beach time, not boat time

Fly Direct

Multiple daily flights from Nassau to Georgetown. 30-minute flight gets you there refreshed and ready for adventure.

From $180 round trip

Day Tour Speedboat

The most popular option! Visit swimming pigs, swim with sharks, and explore multiple cays in one epic day.

From $220 per person

Private Charter

Your schedule, your stops. Perfect for groups wanting to explore at their own pace. Most luxurious option.

From $1,200 per day

Swimming pigs at Big Major Cay (Pig Beach) in the Exuma Cays, Bahamas © Vorobek / CC-BY-SA 3.0

The swimming pigs of Big Major Cay are the headline stop on most Nassau day tours — a quick wade off the boat into clear, shallow water near Staniel Cay.

Finding Potter's Cay Dock

Your mail boat departure point

Potter's Cay is under the Paradise Island bridge, right where locals go for fresh conch salad. From Nassau airport, it's a $35-40 taxi ride (about 30 minutes). From downtown or cruise port, expect $15-20 (10 minutes).

Pro tip: Arrive at least an hour early to secure your spot and grab some conch fritters from the stalls. The dock can be confusing - look for the boat names painted on the hull, not fancy signs!

Jake's Essential Mail Boat Survival Tips

Learned the hard way so you don't have to

Always Call First

Call the dockmaster at (242) 393-1064 the day before AND the morning of travel. Schedules change for weather, holidays, or mechanical issues. Trust me on this one!

Pack Like a Pro

Sleeping bag or sheet, pillow, toilet paper, snacks, water (lots!), entertainment, power bank, seasickness meds, and a sense of adventure. Cash only - no ATMs mid-ocean!

Stake Your Claim Early

Bunks fill up fast. If you're late, you're on deck. Not necessarily bad - I've had amazing nights under the stars. Just bring that sleeping bag!

Make Friends

Mail boats are social experiences. Join the dominos game, share your snacks, chat with locals. You'll learn more about Exuma culture than any guidebook can teach.

Which Option Is Right for You?

Take the mail boat if: You've got time, want an authentic experience, love adventure, and don't mind basic conditions. It's a rite of passage for true island hoppers!

Skip the mail boat if: You're on a tight schedule, traveling with kids, get seasick easily, or just want to maximize beach time. No shame in flying - those pigs are waiting!

Where to Stay in Exuma

Base in George Town for beaches and resorts, or stay at Staniel Cay to wake up next to the swimming pigs

Use the map below to compare hotel prices across booking sites. All bookings support BahamasHopping at no extra cost to you.

Top Hotel Picks Across Exuma

Luxury · Emerald Bay

Grand Isle Resort & Spa

From $416/night

Spacious 1–4 bedroom villas with full kitchens on a calm, shallow beach — the top family and couples pick on Great Exuma, a short drive from George Town airport.

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Mid-range · George Town

Peace & Plenty

From $268/night

Historic Bahamian hotel right in George Town on Elizabeth Harbour — newly renovated rooms, great food, and the one base where you don't need a rental car.

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Near the pigs · Staniel Cay

Staniel Cay Yacht Club

From $350/night

Colorful waterfront cottages minutes from Big Major Cay's swimming pigs, Thunderball Grotto and Compass Cay — the only on-island stay in the heart of the Exuma Cays.

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Value · George Town

Augusta Bay Bahamas

From $215/night

Laid-back boutique hotel on a quiet beach just outside George Town, with a popular beach bar and easy access to ferries, dive shops and the regatta scene.

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Disclosure: BahamasHopping earns a commission when you book through these links. This doesn't affect the price you pay. Learn more

Nassau to Exuma: Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a passenger ferry from Nassau to Exuma?

No fast passenger ferry runs this route. Your scheduled boat options are the cargo mail boats MV Grand Master and MV Captain C from Potter's Cay (12–14 hrs overnight). Most visitors fly (30 min) or take a swimming-pigs day tour instead.

How much is the mail boat?

Fares start from about $40–45 one way, cash only at the dock. There's no online booking — call the dockmaster at (242) 393-1064 to confirm the current fare and the next departure.

How long does it take?

The Grand Master leaves Potter's Cay around 4 PM and reaches George Town roughly 12–14 hours later, near dawn. It's a working cargo boat, so weather and cargo can shift the schedule.

Where are the swimming pigs?

At Big Major Cay (Pig Beach) near Staniel Cay in the northern Exuma Cays — not in George Town. The easiest way from Nassau is a full-day powerboat tour (from $220) that also visits Allen's Cay iguanas and Compass Cay sharks.

What's the fastest way to Exuma?

Flying — daily 30-minute flights connect Nassau and George Town from about $180 round trip on Bahamasair and Western Air. Far quicker and more reliable than the overnight mail boat.

When is the best time to go?

November–May is the dry, calmer season. Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1–November 30 (peak August–September), so consider travel insurance and watch the forecast if you visit then.

Ready for Your Exuma Adventure?

Whether by mail boat, speedboat or short flight, the swimming pigs and pristine beaches of Exuma await!

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