Exuma

[vharrison]

I am thinking about going to The Exuma islands next year. Does anyone have any experience's there? Like where to stay, ect. I want to see those pigs!!:p

[BahamaAngie]

V, there were some pictures posted a while back (excellent ones) with the pigs. Did you check in the archives here?

[Abacouple]

I've been several times but stayed on a private island, so I'm not the most versitile visitor. The most prominent place to stay is the Emerald Bay, 4 seasons resort. I feel certain that there are rentals and small inns around Georgetown. I hear houseboats are available for rent. A sailing mecca, I have not heard of any small, power boat rentals in the area, but I could be wrong (I was once). Exuma is not as visitor easy as Abaco. Beautiful coastline. Different and, I think, would be a real fun challenge to explore if you have time, a plan and transportation.

[PELLUCID]

I think we pretty well covered this in a couple of threads earlier this spring. It's a lovely place to visit if you have your own boat and lots of time. For those accustomed to flying in to the Abacos on short notice for a few days and having lots of activities to choose from, it will seem pretty limited. It is however a great place if you just want to show up at a beach resort and chill.

[BahamaAngie]

Wondering where you have been Pellucid.....you crusing? Enjoying your summer?

[DaGoose]

V, google Staniel Cay Club. It looks really nice, not too touristy and they do rent small boats. From there you can go see the pigs.

Tina

[PELLUCID]

Yeah, rambling and repairing my way north this year. I'm in Georgetown SC (there are a lot of Georgetowns in the former British empire) waiting out the weather. Aim to be in the Chesapeake by the end of the month... but you can bet I'll be back in the Bahamas by the time it turns cold here!

[DrRalph]

I am thinking about going to The Exuma islands next year. Does anyone have any experience's there? Like where to stay, ect. I want to see those pigs!!:p

Use the Search tool, use "Exuma" and "Staniels" as key words, you should able able to find relevant several threads from this spring.

[Patti Puzo]

I remember that forum members 'Felix' and 'Marc Marino' posted info and pictures about Exuma, and the famous aqua-hogs.

[theKurp]

I visited Great Exuma in June of 2007 and things are shaping up for another visit towards the end of September.

On my last visit I stayed at Palm Bay Club and found it to be quite adaquate. However this time around I'll probably rent an ocean cottage on Tar Bay (between the airport and George Town).

Minns Water Sports in George Town has rental boats (see mwsboats.com).

[serenity]

We went to Exuma in February 2008. It was very nice. Stayed at the Peace and Plenty and the african suite there was awesome. When I came back I went to donate blood and discovered Exuma was the only island in the Bahamas that has MALARIA! A few weeks later I read an American was diagnosed with Malaria in March 2008 after returning from Exuma. This would not stop me from returning although I would probably take the preventative medicine before the trip and definitely keep insect spray on. Elizabeth Harbour was some of the finest snorkling I have ever seen. The reefs were unmolested and the angel fish were the biggest we ever seen. We thought we would dive but the reefs were shallow enough that snorkling was perfect and a lot less work. They will not let you take the rental boat out of the harbour and you must return it every night to the business dock. Make sure you visit the fish camp! It is a local hang out and it is a happening place. It really gets cooking about 9:00 pm!

[PELLUCID]

As for the malaria thing, I don't want to minimize it and everybody has to make their own decisions... suffice it to say that when it has cropped up the past two years not only has the government sprayed the Exumas they have also sprayed Nassau... they are very very sensitive about this issue and are taking every precaution.

My own theory is that the parasite occasionally hitches a ride from Haiti where it is indigeonous, and for two years in a row an unlucky tourist has been bitten by an infected bug. It has been decades since this was indigenous to the Bahamas.

To give you some historical perspective, in case you think malaria is strictly a disease of the tropical swamps, it is the "ague" that characters in Shakespeare plays complain of. And Holland (latitude 53N) was not certified free of the disease by the WHO until 1960.

[Patti Puzo]

As for the malaria thing, I don't want to minimize it and everybody has to make their own decisions... suffice it to say that when it has cropped up the past two years not only has the government sprayed the Exumas they have also sprayed Nassau... they are very very sensitive about this issue and are taking every precaution.

My own theory is that the parasite occasionally hitches a ride from Haiti where it is indigeonous, and for two years in a row an unlucky tourist has been bitten by an infected bug. It has been decades since this was indigenous to the Bahamas.

To give you some historical perspective, in case you think malaria is strictly a disease of the tropical swamps, it is the "ague" that characters in Shakespeare plays complain of. And Holland (latitude 53N) was not certified free of the disease by the WHO until 1960.

Bob, you're still amazing. I'm so sorry we didn't get to talk longer this past May.

[FISHBONE]

Pellucid in Georgetown, SC. I love that little town and harbour. One of the souths gems in my opinion, although it can smell from time to time. Your travels amaze me.

[vharrison]

Thanks for sharing guys and gals!

[Patty&Rudi]

To give you some historical perspective, in case you think malaria is strictly a disease of the tropical swamps, it is the "ague" that characters in Shakespeare plays complain of. And Holland (latitude 53N) was not certified free of the disease by the WHO until 1960.

Yes, Canada's capital, Ottawa lost more than 500 men in the building of the World Heritage Rideau Canal (there to defend us against the Americans).

And not too many picture Ottawa as tropical! Especially those of us who live here. ;)

[Spagna]

Try this link http://www.exumabahamas.org/georgetown.html

We flew US Air into Georgetown in March of 2006. Stayed at the Peace and Plenty Beach Club as opposed to the one in downtown Georgetown. If you want late night party atmosphere and noise stay downtown if you want peace and quiet back in your room stay at the Beach club which is 2 miles out of town. We walked into town and back at least once during that stay. We had a great time. The cruisers race week was going on and there was a 'talent show' in the park downtown. Local Bahamian bands play there frequently and the Chat n' Chill bar/restaurant across the harbour at Volleyball Beach serves great food and monster drinks with a pig roast every Sunday.