Exuma embodies the “untouched Caribbean.” If you book one of these Exumas Bahamas resorts for your next family beach vacation, you’ll avoid the crowds and tourist traps and spend a week with your toes in the sand. Feel like you have the Caribbean all to yourself, and the stressors of daily life will melt away.
Sounds magical, doesn’t it?
We love tiny, unique hotels here at Mango Tree, and Exuma offers many of them for families – ranging from the ultra-luxe to the affordable and eco-conscious. We’ve rounded up the best of the best to guide your way.
Mango Tree Bottom Line
Best All-Inclusive Exuma Bahamas Resort: Fowl Cay
Best Traditional Exuma Beach Resort: Grand Isle Resort & Residence
Best Luxury Boutique Hotel in Exuma: Kahari Resort for Beachfront Cottages
Best Resort Partnership: Spend a few days at Nassau’s The Island House, then let them whisk you away to their partner, Highbourne Cay, in the Exumas.
Best Budget Option For Families: Hideaways at Palm Bay
Concerned there won’t be enough to do in this quiet part of the Bahamas? You’ll be surprised how much your kids can entertain themselves in a natural playground, with shallow calm beaches, snorkeling, kayaking, wildlife, and more.
Throw in some swimming pigs, boat excursions, and local markets, and a week at an Exuma Bahamas resort will fill up in no time.
So let’s dive in and get you booked for your getaway to Exuma!
Table of Contents
Bahamas Family Travel Resources
Before we dive in, let’s be sure you have our best travel resources at your fingertips.
Did you know we have a whole collection of recommended family hotels in the Caribbean – including in the Bahamas? I’ll let you in on a secret, it’s sort of our pride and joy.
Now, pour yourself a Bahamamama and start planning your Exuma beach vacation…
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Top Reasons to Visit Exuma With Kids
Many family travelers head to Nassau, Bahamas – an easy access point with unlimited, curated fun for kids. But those seeking to explore the more relaxed side of the Bahamas head to the “Out Islands.” Among them, Exuma is a special kind of authentic family destination.
Exuma is a collection of more than 350 islands, brimming with hidden coves, natural wonders, and off the beaten track wild attractions. If you take your kids to the Exuma islands, you’ll find:
- Some of the clearest ocean water you’ll ever see
- Gentle and safe island geography for kids
- Calm, shallow waters and expansive, private beaches and sandbars
- Excellent conditions to teach your kids how to snorkel
- Flat water for kayaking and paddleboarding
- Unique wildlife, like iguanas and swimming pigs
- Quieter destination and less chaos, so you can slow down and reconnect
Perhaps the best part is, even though Exuma Bahamas is a classic Caribbean destination, it’s only an hour from Florida. It’s far more accessible than you might think! (Head down to the end of the post for more details about the best ways to get to Exuma from Nassau or direct from Florida.)
Map of Exuma
It’s always helpful to get oriented before picking the right resort for your family vacation. This Exuma map shows the location of all the Exuma Bahamas resorts and hotels we recommend in this post, and their proximity to the airport in Georgetown.
Best Exumas Bahamas Resorts for a Family Getaway
If cheesy cartoon resorts and cruise ship crowds are not your vibe, you’ve got your eye on the right place. In these unspoilt islands, there’s sure to be a hotel to fit your tastes and budget. The top Exumas Bahamas resorts for families include boutique beachfront cottages and ultra-luxe all-inclusive hotels.
Best Boutique Resorts Exuma Bahamas
Looking for cozy, family-oriented option that doesn’t sacrifice luxury or quality? If you’ve been here a while, you know we love boutique hotels here at Mango Tree. And here are the best boutique Exuma Bahamas resorts that welcome families!
Peace and Plenty (Great Exuma)
Named by Caribbean Journal as one of the Coolest Caribbean Hotels in 2022, Peace and Plenty offers two resorts in one.
First, just 15 minutes from the airport, you’ll find a classic oceanfront hotel, walking distance from Georgetown’s shops, restaurants, and markets. Its light and airy feel attracts the rich and famous. The main hotel has several two-bedroom suites that would be great for families who want easy access to all Georgetown has to offer.
But for a more remote experience, book a cottage at the resort’s second half: a collection of one- and two-bedroom beach cottages that sit 4-minutes across the bay on Stocking Island.
Long and narrow, Stocking Island offers an expansive stretch of secluded, white sandy beach. The sand gives way to a unique underwater world with coral reefs just off-shore.
Whatever side of this Exuma resort you choose, you’ll have easy access to watersports, a private beach club and bar, and an oceanside restaurant. This is also a perfect launchpad to Elizabeth Harbour, one of the largest natural harbours in the world, and a boater’s dream.
Kahari Resort (Stocking Island)
As if two resorts in one doesn’t provide enough of an option, Peace and Plenty has a sister property on Stocking Island. Formerly known as Lumina Point Resort, 4-star eco-luxury Kahari Resort promises a true escape.
Kaharai’s main attraction is its stylish beachfront bungalows perched along the sandy shoreline of this magical island. Wake up in your comfortable, deluxe bedding to the sound of calm waves outside your door, and stumble just a few steps for beachfront coffee.
For families, Kahari offers two bedroom bungalows – with cozy loft spaces big kids will love.
Powered by renewable energy sources, Kahari focuses on family and sustainable tourism; this resort is all about connecting with the marine world and each other – but it provides lush amenities while it does so! They include:
- Private outdoor showers
- On-site restaurants & bars
- Fitness center
- Full service spa
- Saltwater pool
You’ll be surrounded by remote beaches, sandy points, and quiet hiking trails on Stocking Island. The resort also arranges snorkeling excursions in Kahari Reef, paddle boarding, and kayaking.
Highbourne Cay (Great Exuma)
Want a really unique experience in an exclusive, highly sought-after location? Miles away Georgetown, spend a few days at Highbourne Cay, an incredible Bahamas Exuma resort.
Literally in the middle of nowhere, Highbourne Cay can only be reached by private seaplane or boat, and rates aren’t listed online. So how in the world do you get there?
The hotel has a partnership with our favorite Nassau Hotel, The Island House. For a completely bespoke, boutique Bahamas holiday, spend a few days at The Island House, and then let them whisk you away to Highbourne Cay.
Highbourne Cay is an H-shaped cay that stretches for 3 miles, with some of the most beautiful beaches in the Bahamas. This intimate island is filled with natural wonders, powdery white sand, and turquoise waters.
The hotel’s website paints a perfect picture of what to expect here its “What To Do” Page:
“Nothing. Go for a walk. Explore the coast line. Read a book. Go for a swim. Check out the stromatolites. Go fishing. Clean your fish. Take a nap. Go birding. Stargaze at night. Watch the sunrise on East Beach. Watch the sunset from the Marina. Visit Kids Playground. . . . Nothing.”
Your stay will come with housekeeping, a complementary golf cart for exploring the cay, internet and streaming services, and all the luxuries of a fully-stocked villa.
Hideaways at Palm Bay (George Town)
Our first three boutique hotel recommendations fall squarely into the luxury category. But if you’re seeking a laid-back and homey vibe for your Bahamas family vacation, Hideaways at Palm Bay may be the Exuma resort for you. This affordable, 3-star hotel has a ton to offer families.
First, families can choose between the more intimate one- or two-bedroom cottages, or the larger one- to three- bedroom villas. The rooms are casual, come with kitchenettes, and are just steps from the beach.
Hideaways is perched along a white sand beach but offers easy access to Exuma’s best shopping and entertainment. The resort provides a free shuttle into Georgetown. It’s a great place to enjoy some privacy, without being too remote.
The hopping Splash! Beach Bar will provide tons of entertainment for the whole family. Pool tables, board games, and frequent live music meets beachfront vibes and delicious cocktails–something for everyone!
Hideaways also provided complementary water toys for the kids, access to kids’ TV networks, puzzles and other screen-free entertainment for your downtime.
Paradise Bay (Rokers Point Settlement)
Want a taste of authentic Bahamian culture without any distractions? Paradise Bay might be the Bahamas Exuma resort for your family.
This 3-star beach hotel is a cross between a self-catering stay and a small hotel. The property has an on-site restaurant and helps to arrange excursions and boat rides. But beyond that, you’ll be left to yourself to enjoy the stunning white-sand beach.
The hotel offers just 11 cottages and villas, with one or two bedrooms, all with full kitchens. The decor exudes laidback island vibes. Your kids will love the colorful pastel blue and yellow cottages nestled among the palm trees.
Disconnect from your phone and head out on a snorkeling, kite-surfing or catamaran tour. For on land activities, you’ll also be within walking distance of golf courses, eateries, and marinas.
Best All Inclusive Resort in Exuma Bahamas
Fowl Cay Resort (Fowl Cay)
There is only one true all-inclusive resort in Exuma for families and it’s a once-in-a-lifetime-luxury-stay kind of place.
Fowl Cay Resort is a 5-star award-winning Exuma resort on an exclusive private island that offers an extravagant all-inclusive package. The 11-villa hotel has such a unique vibe for an all-inclusive; it may surprise you to hear it’s actually owned by the Sandals’ resorts parent company. (It surprised us.)
What do you get when you stay at Fowl Cay? An ultra all-inclusive experience:
- A fully-stocked oceanfront villa
- Your own 17-18 foot power boat with unlimited fuel
- Unlimited food and drinks
- Breakfast delivered each day to your villa
- Lunch and dinner in-villa, or at the on-site Hill House restaurant
- Complementary use of professional fishing gear
- Hobie Cats, kayaks, and paddle boards
- Access to exclusive beaches that can only be reached by boat
The luxury resort also offers boating and snorkeling excursions along their private cay. If you want a taste of that million-dollar lifestyle, this is the place to be.
Best Traditional Beach Resort in Exuma Bahamas
Grand Isle Resort & Residences (Great Exuma)
The 4-star Grand Isle Resort & Residences should be on your radar if you’re considering booking an Exuma Bahamas resort and want space to spread out in a traditional resort setting. Although the hotel does not currently offer all-inclusive packages, it has an all-inclusive vibe to it – with everything on-site that you need for a fulsome, memorable holiday.
Its 78 villas range from one- to three-bedrooms, space enough for families of all sizes, with kitchens and laundry in each unit. A golf course surrounds the property, and kids will love the golf carts that come with each villa for easy zipping around.
This resort sits along the turquoise waters of Emerald Bay and lays claim to its own private white-sand beach, with a calm entryway and decent snorkeling on-site. The jewel of the property is the beach club, with a heated oceanside infinity pool your kids may never want to leave.
Grand Isle Resorts has three restaurants on-site offering a variety of food for a stay.
Although Grand Isle is on quiet, remote part of Exuma, there are plenty of activities to help while away the days. In addition to golf, the resort provides complimentary kayaks, floats, snorkel gear, and sand toys, and organizes more elaborate excursions too.
Grand Isle is a 25 minute drive from the Exuma International Airport in Georgetown
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Get to Exumas Bahamas?
Wondering how to get to The Exumas Bahamas? Even though these islands seem quite remote, they’re shockingly accessible. From the U.S. you can take a direct American Eagle flight from Miami to George Town Exuma International Airport (GGT). You can also fly direct on Delta Airlines from Atlanta and on American Airlines from Charlotte.
How to Get to Exuma from Nassau?
The easiest way to get to the Exumas from Nassau is by plane. Bahamasair flies twice daily from Nassau to Georgetown.
Is there a ferry from Nassau to Exuma?
There is a ferry from Nassau to Exuma, but it’s quite a journey. Bahamas Ferries runs an overnight ferry on Monday and Thursday nights but the journey takes roughly 15 hours. Plane is a much quicker and more comfortable way to make the trip.
Are there all inclusive resorts in Exuma Bahamas?
There’s only one true all-inclusive resort in Exuma, the luxurious Fowl Cay Resort. But for an inclusive experience without a meal package, consider Grand Isle Resort & Residence, a beachfront resort with three restaurants on-site.
What is Exuma Bahamas Known For?
Exuma is known for the world-famous swimming pigs and its long stretches of powdery white, soft sandy beaches.
Is Exuma Bahamas Worth it?
The Exumas may seem far away, but it’s actually quite accessible! With direct flights from several U.S cities – and from Nassau – the Exumas are an incredible, other worldly tropical destination that are totally worth the journey.
Travel Insurance For Your Exuma Family Trip
When you book travel with your kids – to the Bahamas or elsewhere – you should always make sure you have trip insurance in case things go wrong. You want to be sure you’re covered for trip delays or cancellation, medical costs, and lost luggage.
We suggest getting a quote from IMG global. The Travel SE plan will offer sufficient coverage for most family trips. And we like it for the Caribbean in particular because, on top of having comprehensive medical, cancellation, and luggage protection, the hurricane protection is better than most. If NOAA issues a hurricane warning or watch for your destination 24-72 hours before departure, trip cancellation benefits kick-in (read the fine print for all plan details, of course).
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