Turquoise Experience -Exuma Cays -Southern Exuma Private Charter

Crystal-clear water is only the beginning. I like the private boat setting, which lets your group of up to 15 enjoy the Exuma Cays without sharing the day with a large crowd. I also like the range of stops, from Rock Iguanas and nurse sharks to the famous swimming pigs, followed by lunch at Staniel Cay Yacht Club.

The main consideration is the price: $6,500 per group is a serious spend, even when divided among a full party. The day also runs for about eight hours, with long boat rides between Nassau and the cays, so this suits people who want a full sea adventure rather than a short sightseeing cruise.

Key Points

• Six memorable stops: See Rock Iguanas at Leaf Cay, the Pablo Escobar sunken plane, nurse sharks at Compass Cay, swimming pigs at Big Major Cay, Staniel Cay Yacht Club, and a beautiful sandbar.
• Private for your group: The charter accommodates up to 15 people, with no unrelated passengers joining your boat.
• Food and drinks included: Bottled water, sodas, local beer, and lunch at Staniel Cay Yacht Club are part of the price.
• Captain Leslie and Vi: The experience is connected with captains and crew who share Bahamian stories and local insight.
• A long day on the water: Boarding begins around 7:30 a.m., and the return to Fort Montague takes about 45 minutes after the final stop.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Why This Exuma Charter Makes a Strong Day Trip

The Exuma Cays are the real reason to book this outing. The water around these islands is famous for its clear turquoise color, but the appeal is not only visual. In one day, you get several very different wildlife encounters, a historic curiosity, a Bahamian lunch, and time to slow down on a sandbar.

I like that the day is built around places with a distinct identity. Leaf Cay is about Rock Iguanas. Compass Cay is about nurse sharks. Big Major Cay is about swimming pigs. That gives the trip a clear rhythm, and you are not simply riding around hoping something interesting appears.

This is also a private activity, which matters at this price. Your group controls the social atmosphere on board, within the limits of the planned route and timing. A family can keep the day together, and a group of friends can enjoy the boat without adjusting to strangers.

The published rating is based on one five-star experience, so I would treat the praise as encouraging rather than as a broad statistical record. The most specific positive detail is the mention of Captain Leslie and Vi, whose service helped make a family outing memorable. That personal touch fits the tour’s promise of local captains and Bahamian stories.

Leaving Fort Montague Early in the Morning

Check-in and boarding begin at about 7:30 a.m. The listed start time is 8:00 a.m., while the planned departure is 7:45 a.m., so you should confirm the exact arrival and departure time when you book. The meeting point is Fort Montague on East Bay Street in Nassau, and the charter returns there at the end.

The first run to Leaf Cay takes about one hour. That is a meaningful part of the day, not a quick hop across the harbor. If you enjoy being on the water, the ride helps set the tone. If you are prone to motion sickness, the length of the boat trip is worth considering before you commit.

Wi-Fi is available on board, which is a useful extra on a long outing. Bottled water, sodas, and local beer are also included. A restroom on the boat gives you some welcome practical comfort, especially since the schedule includes several stops rather than a single resort-style facility.

The charter is designed for a group of up to 15 people. That is large enough for a family reunion or a group of friends, but still much more personal than a big sightseeing boat. The price makes the most sense when the boat is filled or nearly filled. For two or three people, the per-person cost becomes very high.

Leaf Cay and the Rock Iguanas

The first stop is Leaf Cay, where you have about 30 minutes to see the Rock Iguanas. This is a good opening stop because it gets you onto an island quickly after the boat ride and introduces one of the Exuma Cays’ more unusual animals.

The stop is short, so you should think of it as a close look and photo opportunity rather than a long island visit. Keep your attention on the animals and follow the crew’s instructions. The tour description does not promise extended walking time or a full nature program, so expectations should stay focused on seeing the iguanas during the scheduled half hour.

I like this stop because it gives the day more variety. Many boat excursions center only on water activities. Here, you also get a land-based wildlife encounter before returning to the boat.

The Pablo Escobar Sunken Plane

The next stop is the Pablo Escobar sunken plane. The crew provides background about the aircraft, and the visit lasts about 15 minutes.

This is the shortest stop on the route, so it works best as a quick look at an unusual piece of Exuma lore. You will not have the same amount of time here as at the swimming pigs or the sandbar. Still, the plane adds a story element to the day and breaks up the wildlife stops.

The precise conditions around the plane can affect what you see, and the supplied information does not promise a particular viewing method or underwater activity. I would treat it as a brief scenic and historical stop rather than the main event.

Compass Cay and the Nurse Sharks

At Compass Cay Marina, you get about 30 minutes to swim with and pet nurse sharks. This is one of the tour’s most distinctive encounters, and it is likely to be a major reason many people choose this route.

The wording matters here: the experience is an opportunity to swim and pet the sharks, not a guarantee that every person must enter the water. You can decide how comfortable you feel once you arrive. A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended for the overall activity, and you should take the crew’s instructions seriously around any marine animal.

This stop also illustrates the value of a private charter. Your group has a shared experience to remember, and the captain and crew can explain what is happening in a more personal setting. Still, 30 minutes passes quickly, especially if people need time to prepare before entering the water.

Big Major Cay and the Swimming Pigs

Big Major Cay is the headline stop for many people. You get about 45 minutes to meet, feed, and swim with the famous pigs.

The pigs are entertaining, but this is still an animal encounter, not a petting zoo. Follow the crew’s guidance about feeding and approaching them. The tour includes the entrance fee to Pig Beach, which keeps this part of the day simple from a budgeting point of view.

I like that the schedule gives the pigs longer than the iguanas and the plane. Forty-five minutes allows more time for pictures, watching the animals in the water, and letting different members of your group take part. If you are bringing children, keep in mind that the activity requires attention around animals and water, and toddlers under three are specifically listed as a concern in the additional information.

This stop can also be busy at popular times, although the tour is private for your group. Private does not mean the island itself is reserved exclusively for you. The benefit is that your boat group remains together and avoids adding unrelated passengers to the charter.

Lunch at Staniel Cay Yacht Club

After Big Major Cay, the boat heads to Staniel Cay Yacht Club for a one-hour Bahamian lunch. Lunch is included, along with the bottled water, sodas, and local beer listed in the package.

This break is practical as well as enjoyable. After several stops involving wildlife and water, you get a proper pause on land. It gives you time to eat, use facilities, and reset before the final sandbar visit and ride back to Nassau.

The information provided does not list the exact lunch menu, so I would not book this expecting a particular dish. The useful point is that a meal is included at a named local venue, rather than leaving you to arrange food during a tightly scheduled day.

The one-hour stop is long enough to feel like a real break, though not long enough for an unhurried restaurant outing if service happens to be slow. Keep your group aware of the departure time. The boat still has one final stop before the return run.

A Quiet Finish at the Sandbar

The final stop is a beautiful sandbar, with about 45 minutes to lounge, collect sand dollars and sea shells, and take pictures.

This is the calmest part of the itinerary. After the iguanas, plane, sharks, and pigs, the sandbar gives you open space and a slower pace. I like the balance. The day is not just a checklist of animal encounters; it finishes with time to enjoy the water and scenery.

You should follow local rules about collecting shells and sand dollars. The description says you can collect them, but it does not explain limits or conditions, so ask the crew before taking anything. This is also a good place for group photos, especially because the sandbar provides a simple backdrop without the distractions of a built-up attraction.

Sandbars depend on tide and weather conditions. The exact look and amount of exposed sand may vary, so think of this as time in a beautiful shallow-water setting rather than a guaranteed postcard scene.

The Ride Back to Nassau

After the sandbar, the return trip to Fort Montague takes about 45 minutes. By then, you will have spent a full day moving between islands and stopping for wildlife, food, and swimming.

The total duration is approximately eight hours. That includes the long run to the Exuma Cays, the stops, lunch, and the return. The schedule is full but logical, with no large block of unused time.

The boat rides are part of the experience, but they are also the biggest physical demand. People who want a relaxed beach day may find the pace too active. You should also be ready for sun, wind, spray, and changing weather conditions, though the supplied details do not specify what shade or protective equipment is available on board.

What the $6,500 Price Really Buys

The price is $6,500 for the entire group, up to 15 people. That works out to about $433 per person for a full group of 15. At 10 people, it is $650 per person, and at six people, it is about $1,083 per person.

The value depends almost entirely on group size. For a full family or friend group, the price pays for a private boat, crew, a full eight-hour route, lunch, drinks, Wi-Fi, a restroom, landing and facility fees, and the entrance fee to Pig Beach. You are also paying for access to a route that would be difficult to reproduce independently in one day from Nassau.

For a small party, the cost is harder to justify. Lunch and admission fees help, but they do not change the basic calculation. I would choose this charter when privacy and the exact route matter more than finding the lowest-cost way to see the Exumas.

Gratuity is not included. Set aside extra money for the captain and crew if their service meets your expectations. The tour provider describes its approach as high-service, and the positive account specifically credits Captain Leslie and Vi with helping create a memorable family day.

Who Will Like This Tour Most

I would recommend this charter to groups that want many signature Exuma experiences in one long day. It is especially suited to families, couples traveling with friends, and private celebrations where splitting the boat cost makes sense.

You should also like being on the water for long stretches. The itinerary includes about an hour to the first stop and 45 minutes back, plus the rides between the cays. If you want a slow morning or a single beach stop, this is not the right shape of excursion.

A moderate physical fitness level is advised. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Recent surgery and toddlers under three are listed as concerns, so families in either situation should ask for clarification before booking.

The route works well for people who want a mix of wildlife and scenery. You can see iguanas, nurse sharks, and pigs, then eat lunch and spend time on a sandbar. That range is the strongest argument for choosing this particular day.

Booking Timing and Weather Rules

This experience is often reserved about 70 days ahead, so planning early is sensible if your dates are fixed. Confirmation is provided at booking.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local time, so pay attention to the Bahamas time zone when changing plans.

Weather can cancel the charter. If poor conditions prevent the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not met. That policy is fair for a boat excursion, but you should avoid building an important flight connection or nonrefundable dinner around the exact return time.

Should You Book the Southern Exuma Charter?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and you want the classic Exuma sights in one private day. The swimming pigs, nurse sharks, Rock Iguanas, sandbar, and Staniel Cay lunch create a strong mix, and the included food, drinks, fees, and restroom remove several common add-on costs.

Think twice if you are traveling as only one or two people, dislike long boat rides, or want a quiet beach day with little structure. The price is high, and the schedule moves from stop to stop.

For the right group, this is a practical way to reach several famous Exuma locations from New Providence without arranging each part yourself. I would confirm the morning departure time, ask about the current lunch details, and check the weather before you commit. If those details suit your party, the private format and Captain Leslie and Vi’s personal service make this a strong choice for a full day in the Bahamas.

FAQ

Where does the Exuma charter begin?

The tour begins at Fort Montague on East Bay Street in Nassau, Bahamas.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the Fort Montague meeting point.

What time should I arrive?

Check-in and boarding begin at about 7:30 a.m. The listed start time is 8:00 a.m., and the planned departure is 7:45 a.m., so confirm the exact timing when booking.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the private charter?

The charter is private for your group and can accommodate up to 15 people.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at Staniel Cay Yacht Club is included.

What drinks are included?

Bottled water, sodas, and local beer are included.

Are entrance and facility fees included?

Yes. Landing and facility fees, along with the entrance fee to Pig Beach, are included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts.