The Exumas sit at the mid-to-high end of Bahamian travel costs. There are budget options in George Town, but the experiences most visitors come for, boat excursions, the swimming pigs, the cays, carry real costs. Plan accordingly.
Accommodation Costs
| Type | Approximate Nightly Rate |
|---|---|
| George Town guesthouse (basic) | $80–130 |
| Vacation rental (house/villa, George Town area) | $150–300 |
| Chat N Chill cottages (Stocking Island) | $150–250 [UNVERIFIED] |
| Staniel Cay Yacht Club | $200–350 |
| Grand Isle Resort (villa) | $400–700+ |
| Sandals Emerald Bay (all-inclusive, per couple) | $600–900+/night [UNVERIFIED] |
| Private island villas | $5,000–20,000+/night |
All rates are approximate and before taxes, resort fees, and service charges (typically add 15–25%).
Food and Dining Costs
Budget eating:
- Fish fry / local stalls in George Town: $12–20/person
- Grocery provisioning (Smitty's etc.): $15–25/day with self-catering
Mid-range:
- Chat N Chill (Stocking Island): $20–35/person including drinks
- Santanna's and local restaurants: $15–30/person
- Staniel Cay Yacht Club dinner: $35–55/person
Resort dining:
- Grand Isle Resort restaurant: $40–70/person
- Sandals: included in all-inclusive rate
A realistic daily food budget for two people eating out at mid-range spots (not all-inclusive): $80–140/day. Self-catering with grocery shopping can bring this to $40–70/day for two.
Activities and Transport
Excursions from George Town:
- Full-day group excursion (swimming pigs, Thunderball Grotto, snorkeling stops, lunch): $150–250/person
- Private boat charter for a group (half day): $400–600; full day: $600–900
- Rental car on Great Exuma: $80–100/day (limited availability; book ahead)
- Bike rental: $20–35/day†
- Water taxi to Stocking Island: $5–10/person each way
Diving and water sports:
- Single-tank dive with operator: $80–120†
- Snorkel gear rental: $15–25/day
- Kayak rental: $20–40/half day
Charter flights to outlying cays:
- Nassau or Fort Lauderdale to Staniel Cay (charter): $300–600+ per person one-way depending on aircraft and group size†
Daily Budget Estimates
Budget traveler (guesthouse, self-catering plus one local meal, minimal excursions): $150–200/day
Mid-range traveler (vacation rental or modest hotel, eating out twice daily, one excursion every 2–3 days): $300–500/day
Splurge traveler (Grand Isle or equivalent, dining at resorts, private boat charter): $800–1,500+/day
Boating visitors should add marina fees ($50–150/night at Staniel Cay Yacht Club or similar) plus fuel and provisioning costs on top of any of the above estimates.
Money-Saving Tips
- Base in George Town rather than at a resort. You'll have access to affordable local restaurants, the fish fry, and grocery stores while still being able to book group excursions.
- Book group excursions rather than private charters. A group day trip to the swimming pigs from George Town costs roughly $150–250/person vs. $600+ for a private boat. The experience is similar.
- Self-cater for breakfast and lunch. Stock up at Smitty's in George Town and save restaurant spending for dinners at Chat N Chill or Santanna's.
- Travel shoulder season (May–June or October–November). Rates drop noticeably outside the December–April high season, and the weather is generally still good.
- Fly via Miami. American Eagle from MIA to GGT often has the best fares to the Exumas; comparing Nassau connection options can also yield savings.
- Avoid resort exchange rates. Use US dollars directly (universally accepted at par with the Bahamian dollar).
Seeded from general knowledge as of 2026-06-08. Not yet compiled from verified sources.