Your Guide to Ultimate Relaxation on Great Exuma Island

Beaches

• Tropic of Cancer Beach - The imaginary Tropic of Cancer meridian line runs along a set of stairs that will lead you to the beach. This beach has beautiful white sand and tranquil beauty. Relax, snorkel or enjoy a picnic lunch here.

• Hoopers Bay - Find the secret stairway and you will be able to swim with the turtles In Hooper's Bay. An organic experience, swim and engage with sea turtles in their natural setting.

• Sandy Cay - Take a boat to Sandy Cay — the sandbar is breathtaking. View the beach where Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest scenes were filmed.

• Cocoplum Beach - Just off of Queen's Highway, you can walk out a quarter of a mile on a shallow sandbar. If you are watching your travel mates on the sandbar from the shore, it looks surreal.

Visit / Do

• Chat 'n' Chill, Stocking Island - Arrive by boat or water taxi and visit the must-see beach bar with a laid-back vibe. Purchase food and hand-feed the resident stingrays on the beach. Grab lunch or cocktails and take advantage of the photo ops! If you are visiting on a Sunday, stay for the Island's biggest social event, The Sunday Pig Roast.

• Rent a boat – Immerse yourself in the beauty of the beaches at your leisure. Exuma Boat Rentals is located at Browns Marine and Boat Storage.

• Kayak / paddleboard - There is no lack of opportunities for water activities at your resort or villa. Kayaking with the surreal blue ocean around you will make you feel as though you are lost at sea.

• Full Day Exuma Islands Tour – I recommend Exuma Adventures. A swimming pigs tour is a must–do when visiting the Exumas. A full-day tour will allow you to see the pigs and much more! If your budget permits, a private tour is recommended to get a more up-close and private experience with the animals and islands.

• Swim with the nurse sharks at Compass Cay. Float among the sharks for a perfect Instagrammable moment.

• Snorkel in Thunderball Grotto and see the famous underwater site of David Copperfield's mermaid piano.

• Visit Staniel Cay and have lunch at the yacht club.

• Go diving or snorkeling at Exuma Land and Sea Park, a protected national park, with Stanley Cay Diving Adventures.

• Stop and enjoy the unmatched beauty of Exuma on a magical sandbar, cocktail in hand.

• Santanna's Bar and Grill, Little Exuma – Santanna's is known for its specialty seafood and local food. You can dine on a Bahamian meal with a view of the ocean. This is a great spot to stop for a meal when visiting Tropic of Cancer Beach.

• Shirley's Fish Fry Shack - A spot for locals on Great Exuma. If you love fried fish and crab cakes, you must give this a try!

• Tropic Breeze - This restaurant is undergoing renovations and will be reopening as Tropic Breeze Lounge with the same amazing chef, Chef Kristont. Chef Kristont is also available for catering if you are renting a villa. You must reserve him in advance and his catering is full of surprises! He is full of personality, and I highly recommend him. My family still dreams about our meal with him and his lobster nachos!

• Vibe Exuma - Vibe catering is an aesthetic foodie experience. This catering experience will be like none you have had before. If you are renting a villa, you need to plan for a meal drop-off, or for large groups, a private chef experience with Chef Kat. If your villa has a pool, Vibe also offers a floating pool brunch complete with their signature coconut cocktails.

• Cheater's Restaurant - Chef Cheater is a local chef and his restaurant offers food with a local Bahamian flair. The restaurant claims to have the best cracked conch on the island — try it for yourself to decide! Chef Cheater is also available for private catering. I recommend him if you want a traditional Bahamian meal prepared in your villa.

• Big D's Conch Spot - A cabana-style restaurant where you can grab a sandwich, cold beer or, if you prefer, try a mouthwatering Bahamian dish.

• Blu on the Water Restaurant and Bar - An oceanfront dining experience with eclectic flavors and locally sourced seafood. The restaurant can also accommodate weddings.