6 days exploring the Exumas by superyacht

days exploring the Exumas by superyacht

Meet your luxury yacht at the Atlantis Marina in Paradise Island. Your captain will plot a course to Highbourne Cay, the gateway to the Exumas. From here, it’s a quick tender ride to Allen’s Cay, home to huge rock iguanas that are friendly enough to feed. Back at Highbourne, hike to The Spring for glorious views then retire to the yacht for sunset cocktails and dinner.

Highbourne Cay to Shroud Cay

The divers on board can enjoy a morning plunge at the Exuma Wall, a 75-foot-deep vertical dive which is considered to be one of the best diving spots in the Caribbean. Others less experienced in the group can get acquainted with scuba. Sail to Norman’s Cay where everyone can partake in an easy snorkel around a sunken airplane, and, for a laidback island experience, have lunch ashore at MacDuff’s, an Exumas’ institution. At sunset, cruise to the uninhabited island of Shroud Cay and dine under an unbelievably starry sky.

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Shroud Cay to Warderick Wells

Wake up to the peacefulness of Shroud Cay, enjoying breakfast al fresco on the aft deck. Take a tender tour of the island’s tidal creek, a nursery for myriad birds, lobsters, fish, and sea turtles. The next stop is Warderick Wells, home to the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park. Natural beauty abounds, and the kids will enjoy “discovering” the skeleton of a 53-foot sperm whale that washed ashore long ago. And runners rejoice — there are more than seven miles of trails to explore on shore.

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Warderick Wells to Staniel Cay

As you wake, your yacht arrives at Bell’s Cay, where you can dive the aptly named Aquarium site. At Compass Cay, meet and even pet the friendly nurse sharks who swim right off the docks. Stop off for sunset cocktails and dinner at the private island of Fowl Cay’s Hill House restaurant, which boasts 360-degree views from its elevated perch. Then take a nightcap and soak in the scenery at the iconic Staniel Cay Yacht Club bar.

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Staniel Cay

With its colourful waterfront cottages, Staniel Cay is the ideal jumping off point for further adventures. Made famous by Bond himself, Thunderball Grotto is a secret cave where the friendly fish will eat bread right from your hands. Next, see the famed swimming pigs at nearby Big Major’s Spot — an experience that should be on everyone's Caribbean bucket list. Use the tender to explore cays that larger yachts can’t reach, and the crew will set up picnic lunches on a deserted sandbar. Luxuriate with a beachside massage.

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Staniel Cay to Paradise Island

This is a great place to play with the jet skis and toys, taking in the amazing colours of the water one more time. Your yacht will soon make its way back to Paradise Island where you can partake of some exciting casino action or a meal at Nobu before slipping back fully into the real world.

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