When thinking about times to take a tropical vacation, fall isn’t usually the season that comes to mind. However, if you’re visiting Staniel Cay, you’ll find it’s an island oasis all year round!
With pristine beaches and plenty to do, this little island is the perfect spot to book a trip over fall break. While temperatures remain warm, crowds begin to dwindle in fall months, and the isolated feel of this quiet island makes it the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
To help you plan your autumn adventure, we’ve created this quick guide highlighting the best fall excursions and everything you need to know about making this coastal retreat your next autumn adventure!
Getting There to Staniel Cay
Photo Credit: Viacheslav Lopatin
This small island is only accessible by plane or boat, so you’ll need to plan your travel accordingly.
By Air
The quickest and easiest route is to catch a flight. If you’re traveling from the US, flying out of Florida is your best bet. Makers Air offers daily flights out of Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport directly to Staniel Cay. These flights are about an hour and half one way.
If you’re flying in or out of Nassau, Flamingo Air is one of the more convenient options, offering multiple trips throughout the day. This flight is much shorter, lasting only about 40 minutes from boarding to landing.
By Boat
You won’t find a ferry ride to the island, so your options by water are to either charter a private boat or yacht or to bring your own. Either way, having a boat on the island is the ultimate convenience as the rest of the Exuma Islands are a short boat ride away!
Fall Weather on Staniel Cay
Photo Credit: Bara Vavrova
Staniel Cay is a year-round tropical oasis, even in the fall. From September to November, temperatures typically range from the low to mid-80s, occasionally dipping into the mid-70s. These balmy temperatures offer comfortably warm days and slightly cooler evenings.
The fall season does occur during the Atlantic hurricane season; however, tropical storms are infrequent in the Exuma Cays, and a major hurricane has never made landfall on Staniel Cay. This time of year is actually known for gentle breezes and abundant sunshine, with the occasional stormy weather, usually brief and mild.
The sea temperatures in the fall remain inviting, averaging 80 to 84 degrees, perfect for beach days and diving into the surrounding turquoise blue waters.
Best Things to Do in Fall on Staniel Cay
Since temperatures remain warm during the fall months, you’re still able to enjoy many of the area’s outdoor attractions with the added benefit of smaller crowds.
Relax on Deserted Beaches
Photo Credit: Darren Baker
Perhaps the best part of visiting in fall is having the beautiful beaches of Staniel Cay all to yourself. You can relax on the white sandy shores while soaking up the sun, or snorkel in the shallow waters surrounding the beaches.
Better yet explore the coves and beaches of Staniel Cay on a quiet kayaking trip. Or grab your paddleboard and head on on a morning SUP trip, taking in the views while watching fish and stingrays glide below you in the clear ocean waters.
Explore Thunderball Grotto
Perhaps one of the most iconic spots in the Exuma Cays, Thunderball Grotto is a network of underwater caves and caverns. This spot, popular for snorkeling and scuba diving, is named after the James Bond movie, “Thunderball” that was filmed here in 1965.
Fall is perhaps the best time to explore this underwater grotto, as warm sea temperatures and smaller crowds create the perfect opportunity to explore the caves and tunnels. With the approaching winter months, underwater species become more active as they search for food. This means you’ll encounter a wide variety of colorful fish, vibrant coral reefs, and native marine life during your trip.
Swim with the Pigs at Big Major Cay
Photo Credit: BlueOrange Studio
A visit to Staniel Cay isn’t complete without visiting the famous swimming pigs of Pig Beach. These friendly bovines are fun to visit any time of year, but in fall you may find you don’t have to fight as big of crowds.
Visitors can enjoy feeding the pigs and swimming with them in the warm waters of the Caribbean. The slightly cooler fall temperatures often bring out the playful nature of these pigs, meaning you might catch these portly creatures frolicing on the beach enjoying the reprieve from the summer heat.
Enjoy Local Cuisine
Fall is the perfect time to sample the local flavors of Staniel Cay. You can enjoy fresh seafood dishes, like the fan favorite, Conch Fritters, and other Bahamian specialties at one of the restaurants on the island.
If you’re visiting in the month of November, you can enjoy a three course traditional Thanksgiving dinner at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club. Be sure to dine al fresco during one of your meals to enjoy the gentle autumn breeze and one of Staniel Cay’s famous sunsets for a fully sensory culinary experience.
Swim with the Sharks in Compass Cay
Photo Credit: Giongi63
Swim with the sharks! If you’re looking for a Halloween worthy excursion, you can hop on a boat and head up to Compass Cay to swim with some of the area’s most notorious marine life: nurse sharks. Gentle and friendly, it’s a great way to introduce yourself to shark life!
During the fall months, the nurse sharks are especially active and stick close to the shore near the marina. The warm waters of fall mean you can hop right in and take a dip with these docile creatures.
Visit Pablo Escobar’s Sunken Plane Wreck
Another quick day trip that is the perfect fall excursion from Staniel Cay is visiting the infamous site of Pablo Escobar’s Sunken Plane.
Escobar was en route to deliver illegal cargo to the United States when his plane crashed into the sandbar surrounding Norman’s Cay. Today the remains of this plane wreck have become home to a variety of colorful fish and coral reefs, making it a popular spot for snorkelers.
Discover the Iguanas of Bitter Guana Cay
Photo Credit: Elizabeth Caron
The Bahamian Rock Iguanas of Bitter Guana Cay’s Iguana Beach have been roaming the beaches for thousands of years. Growing up to four feet in length, these reptiles can be rather intimidating, but altogether harmless.
You’ll find these prehistoric creatures are still active during the fall. No freezing iguanas falling off trees in this tropical oasis!
Packing For Your Fall Getaway
When packing for your fall getaway to Staniel Cay, there are a few things you’ll want to make sure you add to your list. In addition to your usual, be sure to also include:
- Plenty of reef-safe sunscreen – you can still burn in fall!
- Bug spray – bugs are out even in the autumn months
- Binoculars – check out the migratory birds returning
- Light jacket – for those cool nights
- Rain poncho – stay dry when a storm pops up
- Snacks – there are limited grocery stores on the island
- Cash – no atms on the island
Book Your Fall Adventure to Staniel Cay
Visit Staniel Cay in the fall months for the ultimate tropical vacation. You’ll get all the benefits of a vacation in the Bahamas with less crowds and slightly cooler temps. Let us help you get started planning your trip.
Book your perfect beach bungalow in the Exuma Cays today!