The Exumas are more remote than Nassau but reasonably accessible by air. Getting here requires at least one connection for most US travelers, and there is no ferry or fast boat service from the US mainland.
By Air
Exuma International Airport (IATA: GGT)
George Town's Exuma International Airport is the main gateway to the Exumas.
Key routes:
- Miami (MIA) to GGT: American Eagle operates direct service, approximately 1 hour. This is the most reliable US gateway.
- Nassau (NAS) to GGT: Bahamasair and other regional carriers run frequent service, approximately 35 minutes. Nassau is the main hub for connecting to all Family Islands.
- Fort Lauderdale: limited service via regional carriers; verify current availability.
There is no direct service from New York, Atlanta, Charlotte, or other major US cities to GGT. Connections run through Miami or Nassau. If you're flying from the Northeast or Southeast, Miami is the typical connection point.
Private and charter aviation is significant in the Exumas. Staniel Cay Yacht Club has its own airstrip (IATA: TYM), and Staniel Cay Airport now serves as an official Port of Entry with Customs and Immigration, making it a practical arrival point if you're flying into the northern cays rather than George Town. Staniel Cay sits less than 250 miles from South Florida's coast. Island Air Charters, Flamingo Air, and similar operators run scheduled and on-demand flights from Nassau and Fort Lauderdale to various cay strips. Other private cays and resorts throughout the northern and central Exumas have private strips.
GGT is a small airport with limited facilities. Car rental desks are on site. There are no commercial hotels immediately adjacent to the airport; most accommodation is in George Town proper, a short drive away.
By Sea
Mail Boat from Nassau
Mail boats from Potter's Cay Dock in Nassau serve George Town and other Exuma destinations. The journey takes approximately 12–18 hours depending on stops and conditions. This is a genuine cargo boat: you're sharing passage with freight, vehicles, and local passengers. Berths or deck space is basic. Not practical for most visitors but authentic and cheap. Departure schedule is published irregularly; check with the Potter's Cay Dockmaster.
There is no commercial ferry service from the US mainland to the Exumas, and no fast ferry service between Nassau and the Exumas.
Private and Charter Boat
The Exuma Cays are a major cruising ground. Many visitors arrive by private yacht or chartered sailing vessel, navigating down the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park chain. Staniel Cay Yacht Club and other marinas throughout the cays accommodate cruising boats. Highbourne Cay offers a full-service marina with eight beaches nearby, and Compass Cay has a protected marina well suited to island hopping through the northern cays. See Exumas The Cays for marina details across the chain.
If you're crossing from Florida by private boat, the Boating Fling flotilla program organizes guided group crossings to the Exumas, departing from Bahia Mar Yachting Center in Fort Lauderdale (801 Seabreeze Boulevard). Flotillas are capped at 30 boats, with a 22-foot minimum length requirement, and all registered participants depart together. A welcome reception is included on arrival. Contact [email protected] or 954-236-9292 ext. 3011 for current schedules and registration; Bahia Mar can be reached at (800) 755-9558 or (954) 627-6309.
From Nassau
The standard route for most visitors is to connect through Nassau on Bahamasair or a regional carrier. The NAS to GGT flight is short and runs multiple times daily, though schedules and frequency vary by season. Book early in winter season (December through April) as flights fill quickly.
Practical Notes
- GGT has a small terminal; arrival and departure procedures are simple and low-stress compared to NAS.
- Allow extra time for connections in Nassau, as domestic and international terminals are separate and NAS connections can be tight.
- Charter flights to outlying cay strips are a significant expense but sometimes the only option for resorts beyond George Town. Factor this into planning if staying at Staniel Cay or further north.
- Weather delays affect small aircraft more than large jets; build flexibility into your schedule, especially on departure day.
- Sandals Emerald Bay and Grand Isle Resort typically have their own transfer arrangements; confirm with your hotel.