EXUMAS ATTRACTIONS The beaches and sandbars are main attractions EXUMAS CAYS LAND AND SEA PARK Exuma Cays was the first land and sea park in the world. established in 1959. This nature reserve is a fun and fascinating place, with fine beaches and a wide variety of wildlife. Though this park is mostly water, the land is a vital refuge for a small mammal called the hutia, several rare and endangered iguana species and marine birds such as terns and the long-tailed tropicbird that nest high in the bluffs. The waters of Exuma Cays have been managed as a no-take marine fishery reserve since 1986. This has allowed populations of commercially important species such as queen conch, Nassau grouper and spiny lobster to thrive. Sea turtles swim throughout the coral reefs that teem with marine life. For more info, go HERE....... STOCKING ISLAND, GREAT EXUMA Stocking Island is a cay off the east coast of Great Exuma, near Georgetown. Only about a mile across Elizabeth Harbor from the Georgetown, Stocking Island separates Exuma from the Ocean. This is one of the reasons for the calm waters in the Harbor and features a relaxing nature walk. A Ferry will take you to the island it is a short hike to beautiful deserted beaches and a stunning ocean view. BOWE FAMILY PLANTATION, GREAT EXUMA This ruined cotton plantation serves as a striking reminder of the island's colonial past. A historic site on Great Exuma Island. Today, this former cotton plantation lies in ruins, though in its remains, one can achieve a clear picture of the structural arrangement of the house, including the kitchen and the slave quarters THUNDERBALL GROTTO, STANIEL CAY Thunderball Grotto, one of the most outstanding snorkeling attractions in all of the Bahamas. While this hollowed out rock has been the location for the James Bond movies Thunderball and Never Say Never Again and also Splash, it lures snorkelers to enjoy a natural fishbowl...swim in at slack low tide (when the current takes about an hour break from its normal fast run), and enjoy many varieties of colorful fish, corals, sponges and other sea life. Weave through the grotto's many entrances and passageways, escape to the outside through its holes. Gaze skyward when inside the amphitheater to see light streaming through the roof where rain has eroded natural skylights. Look but don't touch...Thunderball and the adjacent two islands are protected by the Bahamas National Trust. . Near Staniel Cay with its quaint settlement sprinkled with brightly colored houses. A fine dinner or drinks at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club is always a great Out Island experience. SHARK LADY , aka Gloria Patience, a legendary septuagenarian from Georgetown, who earned her nickname—not to mention an audience with Queen Elizabeth II—by hunting down some 1,500 sharks around LIttle Exuma Island over her lifetime. Past 80 years old, she once met the Queen of England, barefoot with shell bead around her ankles. It's easy to imagine that she held her head just as high then, barefoot before the Queen, as she does now. She is a formidable character, and presides over the amazing items she has collected through the years in her home and museum above, with a regal bearing quite her own. Her guided tours through her museum home provide a wealth of historical information and she is a fascinating and warm person. The book written about her claims she caught over 1,500 sharks during her fishing career, including a 17 foot long monster in a 15' Boston Whaler! There is no one who knows the last hundred years of Exumian history more completely. Her house/museum is a potpourri of memorabilia, but the real treasures come from her memories of life in the Exumas as it used to be. POWERBOAT ADVENTURES Step on board one of our three custom built 1000hp offshore powerboats for an exhilarating 55 minute ride to the dreamy Exuma Cays some 38 nautical miles away from Nassau. Watch the towering landmark of the Atlantis Resort disappear to a memory as we near our first stop... Pulling in to the secluded Allan's Cay you will meet the first of our neighbours as we pause to provide a tasty breakfast for the protected Allen's Cay Rock Iguana (Cyclura cychlura inornata). We call this critically endangered species the Bahamian Dragon and have often provided transportation for research and environmental teams to Allen's Cay to aid in the study and conservation of these lizards. Go HERE for more info....... NIGHTLIFE Coconut Cave Sand Bar.........................242-336-2659 Eddie's Edge Water Club: .....................242 336-2050 Flamingo Bar Rusty Anchor ....................242 336-2400 Kermit's: George Town. .......................242-345-0002 Silver Dollar:................................242-336-2615 Three Sisters:................................242-358-4040 Club La Shante:...............................242-345-1436 Whale's Tail..................................242-336-2979 WHATS ON IN GEORGETOWN, EXUMA Monday Night Rake & Scrape dance at Eddies Edgwater, 8pm till late Wednesday Night Rake & Scrape at Silverdollar, 8pm till late Friday Night Bar - b - que & dance at Two Turtles Saturday Night Dance at Club Peace and Plenty, 9 pm till late SOUNDS OF EXUMA About Exuma Bahama Lullaby Exuma Farewell Fools Rush In Island In The Sun Land Of Sea And Sun O'Liza Regatta Time Merengue The Last Dance Water Wings Of A Dove CHAT AND CHILL BAR "Chat and Chill Bar" on Stocking Island, Georgetown Big Pig Roast: A new tradition at KB's Chat n' Chill, near the Hurricane Holes on Stocking Island. You need a boat ride to get there, so check at your hotel or at Starfish to arrange transportation. Sunday afternoons.