The Exumas are a chain of more than 365 cays and islands scattered across a long stretch of turquoise water, and almost every one of them has a beach worth docking at. The Bahamas technically sits north of the Caribbean, though you would never guess it from the crystal-clear waters here.
Some of these white sand beaches are quiet crescents you will have entirely to yourself, and others are famous enough to have their own fan clubs, pigs included. Staniel Cay sits right in the middle of the chain, which makes it the easiest home base for beach hopping.
The four homes at Lazy Bay Villas can be booked individually or all together for a larger group, and each one puts you minutes from the Staniel Cay Yacht Club dock where most boats head out. Mornings start with coffee on the porch and end with a boat tied up out front.
This is a destination you explore by water, so here are six of the best beaches Exuma has to offer, ordered by how far you travel from Staniel Cay to reach each one.
1. Ocean Beach, Staniel Cay
- Distance from Staniel Cay: On the island itself
- Getting there: Short golf cart ride or walk
- Best for: Long quiet walks and sunrise swims
Ocean Beach is located on the Atlantic side of Staniel Cay and extends the entire length of the island. Mornings are the best time to visit to catch a glowing sunrise.
This is one of the island’s most popular beaches, but it maintains its paradise setting with soft sand and clear blue waters perfect for spotting marine life, from stingrays to starfish. During your morning stroll, look for colorful shells that wash ashore overnight on the northland during low tide.
This side of the island has stronger waves and currents than the western side. Find calmer options for families with kids without leaving the main island in our guide to the best beaches in Staniel Cay.
2. Pig Beach, Big Major Cay
- Distance from Staniel Cay: About 10 minutes by boat
- Getting there: Boat rental or a guided tour from the marina
- Best for: First-time visitors
Swimming with pigs is on everyone’s Exumas bucket list. Big Major Cay is uninhabited except for its famous residents, a herd of famous pigs that swim out to greet you the moment you arrive.
The pig herd lives right on the shore and swims out, so you can either stay in your boat or stand around in the waist-deep waters. Only feed them from the water and never pick up a piglet.
Plan for just an hour here because it’s mainly for photos and feeding the pigs instead of swimming. The pigs are hungriest in the morning, so arrive early to be the first to feed them before the afternoon tour boats arrive from Nassau.
See what snacks they love in our ultimate guide to the swimming pigs.
3. Crescent Beach, Compass Cay
- Distance from Staniel Cay: About 15 to 20 minutes by boat
- Getting there: Boat rental or guided charter, with a small dock fee for day visitors
- Best for: Adventure seekers and beachcombers
Crescent Beach is so good, you’ll have to pass through sharks before you can get to it! But don’t worry, the island’s famous nurse sharks are harmless and give all visitors a friendly welcome before they step onto one of the top Exumas Bahamas beaches.
Dock at the Compass Cay Marina, known for the nurse sharks wading in shallow waters close enough to touch. Our guide to swimming with sharks in the Bahamas covers safe practices.
Nearby, Crescent Beach gives a private island experience, with its secluded location and picturesque shoreline of white sand and turquoise water. There’s plenty of shoreline for a relaxing walk, swimming, or body surfing on a windy day.
While you’re here, walk the trails across the island to discover a dozen other hidden beaches that you’ll likely have all to yourself.
4. Pipe Creek Sandbar, Little Pipe Cay
- Distance from Staniel Cay: About 20 to 30 minutes by boat
- Getting there: Boat rental or charter with a captain who knows the tides
- Best for: Photos, wading, and long lunch stops
Pipe Creek Sandbar was voted one of the World 50 Best Beaches. It’s one of the most unique spots you’ll find in the Exumas because it’s not a part of any island coastline and needs a bit of luck to be able to include it during your visit.
That’s because this large strip of white sand is only revealed when the tide is low enough, but has every characteristic of the “perfect beach.” Maneuver the maze of small cays and channels north of Staniel Cay near Little Pipe Cay to find it.
For a few hours, you can stand on dry sand in the middle of open water, surrounded by blue waters on all sides. It’s a favorite location for a beach picnic, snorkeling, pitching beach chairs in the sand to relax, and chatting with the other friendly boaters docked there for the day.
5. Shroud Cay Beach, Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park
- Distance from Staniel Cay: About 40 to 60 minutes by boat
- Getting there: Boat rental or charter, best planned as a full day trip
- Best for: Mangrove paddling and a proper escape
Protected within the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, Shroud Cay Beach is a breathtaking, untouched natural beach. The Atlantic Ocean side has water so shallow you can wade a long way out before it reaches your thighs.
Don’t forget to check out the Mangrove Creeks, one of the most unique features of the island. Rent a sea kayak to navigate the water routes past sea turtles, rays, and wading birds. ‘The Washing Machine’ awaits at the end, a natural current flowing towards a sand bar.
You can also enjoy other activities, including cliff jumps or exploring the hiking trails leading off from the beach.
What About the Beaches Near George Town?
Most lists of Exuma Bahamas beaches are built around George Town, at the southern end of the chain on Great Exuma, with popular picks like Hoopers Bay and Coco Plum Beach.
Nearby are the Tropic of Cancer Beach and Pretty Molly Beach on Little Exuma, as well as the renowned Chat and Chill beach bar on Stocking Island.
Every one of them is a beautiful beach, but also at least two hours away from Staniel Cay for guests staying at Lazy Bay Villas. Accessing the beaches in this area means a flight or a lengthy boat charter rather than an afternoon out.
If those southern beaches are high on your list, book a charter or build them in as a separate leg of the trip. If you would rather spend your days hopping between empty cays with no big resorts in sight, the Staniel Cay end of the chain is where you want to be based.
Which Exuma Bahamas Beaches Will You Visit First?
The best beaches in the Exumas are full of character. A picture-perfect sandbar only accessible during low tide, swimming with pigs and nurse sharks, and your own quiet stretch of white sand beaches with only the horizon in front of you.
Be sure to explore them all for an unmissable Bahamian vacation. Lazy Bay Villas puts you minutes from all of it, so book your stay and prepare to explore world-class beaches.