Great Exuma: In Exuma, one of the 'Out Islands' of the Bahamas, life remains as it was decades ago.
Often the only sounds you may hear are the songs of birds in the air, and the gentle lapping of the sea on the shore.
When you arrive on Exuma, you are greeted by some of the friendliest people on earth, the Exumians. You are welcomed to their community as an honored guest, not as a tourist that must be tolerated. The island's simplicity and unpretentiousness are exemplified in the atmosphere of the community.
Great Exuma is completely different from the crowded, noisy, flash of the Atlantis casino of Paradise Island and Nassau. No condominiums towers here!
The allure of Exuma can be contagious. As you will see, your views of the sunset will be unimpeded by high-rises, and your star gazing will be clear and bright without the interference of bright lights and commercial glitz.
A day in Exuma can be spent in a variety of activities, and all are easily arranged at your lodging. The serenity and beauty of Exuma can be experienced by fishing, bonefishing, scuba diving or snorkeling, power or sail boating, bicycling, hiking, or exploring the island and beaches by rental car or taxi tour.
In George Town, take a walking tour. Visit the central straw market under the big African fig tree for some authentic Bahamian crafts, enjoy the architecture of the Government Administration Building or the 150 year old St. Andrews Anglican Church. As you stroll around George Town's Lake Victoria, be sure to linger along the way at the many shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and local businesses that encircle the lake. Have some cracked conch, drink a Kalik (the Bahamas own beer), and strike up an amiable conversation with a local.
Slow down, sit back and relax...you're in Exuma!
Getting to Great Exuma: You can get to Great Exuma very easily.
Many airlines (including Jet Blue) fly quite often to Nassau, after which it is just a quick 30 minute flight on either Sky Bahamas, Bahamasair or Western Air to get to Great Exuma. Once landing at the airport, you can easily get a taxi to February Point or rent a car if you would like.
Alternatively, you can fly to Great Exuma on American through Miami (about 1.5 hours); on Continental through Ft. Lauderdale, (about 1.5 hours); through Atlanta on Delta (may be limited to certain times of the year), or through Charlotte, NC on USAir (may be limited to certain times of the year). Air Canada has just started a direct flight out of Toronto, Jet Blue is now offering flights to Nassau out of White Plains, NY/Westchester Airport.
Remarkably easy to get to, considering how wonderfully unspoiled it is!
Golf:
Sandals Golf Club Great Exuma at Emerald Bay is a championship 18-hole course designed by golf legend, Greg Norman. Set to become one of the world's greatest ocean-side clubs, the course uses an environmentally friendly seashore paspalum grass, which offers a lush, deep green canopy. Nestled in a series of dramatic fairways along the oceanfront that wind through seaside dunes, the course finishes on a rocky peninsula with a spectacular view of the ocean. Six signature holes hug the perimeter of Emerald Bay's scenic peninsula, providing unparalleled vistas along its turquoise waters.
The new Sandals Resort, marina and restaurants can be reached in approximately thirty minutes.
