Turquoise water at Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas © Nils Fretwurst / CC BY-SA 3.0

Exuma Ferry Guide 2026

How to reach Pig Beach, Thunderball Grotto & 365 cays — by mail boat, day-tour or fly-and-cruise.

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TL;DR — Getting to Exuma in 2026

Last updated: May 3, 2026
FactDetails
Mail boat operatorBahamas Ferries / Mail Boat Company — M/V Grand Master, M/V Captain C
Mail boat departurePotter's Cay Dock, Nassau — typically Tuesdays (call dockmaster: +1 242 393 1064)
Mail boat duration10–14 hours overnight to George Town
Mail boat fareFrom about $45 one-way (cabin extra when available)
Powerboat tour duration8–10 hours same-day return from Nassau / Paradise Island
Powerboat tour priceFrom $290 (Coastline-style) up to ~$480 (premium with hotel pickup)
Best time to visitDecember – May (calm seas, low humidity)
Hurricane season1 June – 30 November (peak Aug/Sep)
365 Islands & Cays
$220+ Day Tours
3 hrs Speedboat Time
$40 Mail Boat Fare

Reaching the Exumas isn't as simple as boarding a fast-ferry — there is no scheduled passenger service between Nassau and Exuma, and there hasn't been for years. What you actually have is three quite different options: the working mail boats from Potter's Cay (cheap, slow, authentic), full-day powerboat tours that bounce you between the most photogenic cays and back to Nassau before sunset (the most popular path), and a fly-and-cruise combo that gets you onto Staniel Cay in under an hour. This guide breaks each one down with real 2026 prices, departure points and what you should book first.

Your Options for Reaching Exuma

From overnight mail boat to powerboat day-tour to fly-in

Traditional Mail Boats

Budget Adventure Option

MV Grand Master & Captain C
Departs: Potter's Cay, Nassau
Duration: 10-14 hours overnight
Schedule: Tuesday departures mainly
Basic bunks (if you're lucky!)

One-way from

$40-45

Most Popular!

Day Trip Speedboat Tours

Best Overall Experience

High-speed powerboats
Departs: Nassau/Paradise Island
Duration: 8-10 hour day trip
Includes: Swimming pigs visit
Lunch & drinks included

Per person from

$220-350

Fly & Tour Combo

Fastest & Most Comfortable

Small plane to Staniel Cay
Departs: Nassau Airport
Flight: 30-40 minutes
Includes: Local boat tour
Best for: Limited time

Full package from

$450-600

What You'll Experience in Exuma

The highlights that make every trip unforgettable

Swimming Pigs

The stars of Big Major Cay! These friendly piggies swim right up to your boat. Pro tip: hold food high or they'll mob you!

Nurse Sharks

At Compass Cay, swim with gentle nurse sharks. They're like underwater puppies - totally safe and absolutely incredible!

Iguana Feeding

Allen's Cay is home to endangered rock iguanas. They'll eat grapes right from your hand - prehistoric and awesome!

Pristine Beaches

365 islands means 365 beaches! From secluded sandbars to Instagram-famous spots, each one's more gorgeous than the last.

Thunderball Grotto

Snorkel where James Bond filmed! This underwater cave system is magical at low tide when sunlight filters through.

Starfish Point

Crystal-clear shallows filled with massive starfish. Remember: look but don't touch - they need to stay underwater!

Sarah's Insider Tips for Exuma Success

Secrets I've learned from 8 years of island hopping

Budget Smart

Mail boats are cheap but exhausting. Day tours cost more but include everything - lunch, drinks, all stops. Do the math: separate flights + local boat tours often cost MORE than all-inclusive speedboat tours!

Best Times to Visit

November to May is prime time - perfect weather, calm seas. Avoid cruise ship days (Tuesday/Thursday) for less crowded pig beaches. Early morning tours beat the crowds to all the best spots!

Pack Like a Pro

Waterproof phone case is ESSENTIAL. Bring reef-safe sunscreen (they check!), underwater camera, dry bag, and cash for tips. Leave the fancy jewelry at home - salt water ruins everything!

Pig Etiquette

Those pigs are FAST swimmers and food-motivated! Hold food high, feed from the boat first, then wade in slowly. They can be pushy - kids should stay close to adults. Best photos: early morning when they're hungry!

Seasickness Prevention

Those speedboats FLY over waves! Take Dramamine the night before AND morning of. Sit in the middle-back of boat, eyes on horizon. Skip the heavy breakfast - trust me on this one!

Photo Secrets

Best swimming pig shots: squat low in shallow water. For sharks: underwater camera on video mode. Thunderball Grotto: go at low tide for that magical light. Your guide knows all the best angles!

Real Talk About Mail Boats

Look, I gotta be straight with you - mail boats are an ADVENTURE, not a cruise. You're looking at 12-14 hours overnight on a working freight boat. No restaurant, basic facilities, sleeping on deck if bunks are full. It's authentic island life for sure, but after seeing tourists arrive exhausted and miss half their Exuma time recovering... I usually recommend the speedboat tours. Same price range when you factor in accommodations and local transport!

Trusted Tour Operators I Recommend

These crews know their stuff and treat the animals right

Exuma Water Sports

Original Exuma-based operator

Long-running 5-star TripAdvisor history
Half- and full-day tours, family-run
Based on Great Exuma (also Nassau pickup tours)
Pigs, sharks, iguanas, sandbar all on one tour

Full day from

$350

Pieces of 8 Tours

Premium Nassau Tours

Luxury 38' Fountain boats
Onboard bathrooms
Premium service
Paradise Island pickup

All-inclusive from

$350

Coastline Adventures

Best Value Option

Competitive pricing
Free hotel pickup
Small group tours
All major stops included

Day tours from

$250

Where to Stay in the Exumas

Compare hotels on Great Exuma and Staniel Cay before, during or after your tour

If you do the day-tour from Nassau, you don't need an Exuma hotel — you sleep in Nassau the night before and the night of. If you want to stay on the islands, base yourself in George Town or Emerald Bay on Great Exuma, or on Staniel Cay if you want walking-distance access to the swimming pigs.

Top Hotel Picks

Emerald Bay beach, Great Exuma
Luxury · All-Inclusive

Sandals Emerald Bay

From $560 / night

Adults-only all-inclusive on a mile-long stretch of Emerald Bay. Best fit if you want to base yourself on Great Exuma and add boat tours from George Town.

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Crystal-clear water at a Bahamian cay
Luxury · Villas

Grand Isle Resort & Residences

From $480 / night

Private villas with kitchens overlooking Emerald Bay. Good for families and small groups who'd rather cook than do an all-inclusive.

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Swimming pigs at Big Major Cay near Staniel Cay
Mid-range · Closest to Pig Beach

Staniel Cay Yacht Club

From $330 / night

Iconic pastel cottages on Staniel Cay — the only stay within a short boat ride of Big Major Cay (Pig Beach), Thunderball Grotto and Compass Cay. Books out months ahead.

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Beach in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park
Mid-range · George Town

Peace & Plenty Hotel

From $190 / night

Long-standing waterfront hotel right on George Town harbour. Walkable to restaurants, shops and the Tuesday mail boat dock — sensible base for Exuma Water Sports tours.

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Disclosure: BahamasHopping earns a commission when you book through these links. The price you pay is unchanged. Learn more.

Exuma Ferry FAQ

The questions travellers actually ask before booking

Is there a passenger ferry from Nassau to Exuma?
No, there is no scheduled passenger fast-ferry between Nassau and Exuma. Your two regular sea options are the Bahamas mail boats from Potter's Cay (overnight, weekly, freight + a few passenger berths) and full-day powerboat day-tours that run between Nassau and the northern Exuma Cays.
How long does the mail boat take from Nassau to Exuma?
Roughly 10–14 hours depending on the vessel, sea state and the number of stops. Departures from Potter's Cay are typically Tuesdays for George Town, but schedules shift — always call the dockmaster at +1 242 393 1064 before travelling.
How much does a swimming pigs tour from Nassau cost in 2026?
Full-day Exuma powerboat tours from Nassau start around $290 per person (smaller boats, basic catering) and run up to roughly $480 for premium operators with hotel pickup, lunch and drinks included. Booking sites such as Viator and GetYourGuide list current prices and live availability.
Where do the swimming pigs of Exuma actually live?
On Big Major Cay (commonly called Pig Beach), an uninhabited cay near Staniel Cay in the central Exumas. The pigs are feral and reach the water freely; visitors arrive only by boat. They're famously food-motivated, so feed from the boat first and wade in slowly.
Do I need a passport to visit Exuma?
Yes. US citizens travelling to the Bahamas by air require a valid US passport book. By sea, US citizens can sometimes travel on a passport card or government-issued birth certificate plus photo ID, but a passport book is recommended for all travel and required if you fly home — including emergency flights.
When is the best time to visit Exuma?
December through May offers the calmest seas and the lowest humidity — that's also when day-tour cancellations are rarest. Hurricane season runs 1 June – 30 November, with peak storm risk in August and September. Tours often still run, but build flexibility into your dates and consider travel insurance.
Is the Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line still running?
No. Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line ceased operations in 2022. The Palm Beach to Freeport route is now operated by Margaritaville at Sea. There has never been a scheduled passenger ship between Florida and Exuma — Florida → Exuma always involves either a flight or an overnight stop in Nassau.

Ready to meet the swimming pigs?

Compare 2026 powerboat tours from Nassau and Paradise Island — real-time prices and free cancellation on most options.

Compare Exuma Day Tours

Or stay on the islands if you'd rather take your time.