The Exumas stretch roughly 150 kilometres south-east from Nassau in a ragged spine of cays, sandbars, and cut-through channels that make for some of the most visually arresting day-sailing anywhere on the planet. The water shifts between shades of turquoise and jade you genuinely cannot photograph accurately, and at low tide the sandbars expose themselves like pale runways between islands.
The prevailing winter trades blow from the east-north-east at a reliable 15–20 knots, meaning you work your way down the chain on a comfortable beam reach and claw back upwind for the return — or, if you're clever, you time a one-way charter from Nassau to George Town and fly home.
Anchor off Staniel Cay for the nurse sharks at Compass Cay and the swimming pigs at Big Major Spot — both are exactly as ridiculous and wonderful as advertised. Allen's Cay in the north is worth a night for the iguanas alone.
George Town at the southern end serves as the social hub during cruising season, with provisions, fuel, and the kind of rum-loosened dock conversation that makes you extend your trip. The Exuma Land and Sea Park, running through the middle of the chain, is strictly no-take and genuinely pristine; anchor only on sand, away from coral, and carry your rubbish out.
Charter bases operate primarily from Nassau, with a handful of operators working out of George Town. Provisioning is expensive by any standard — load your boat in Nassau before you leave. Customs is straightforward for most nationalities on a foreign-flagged charter, but carry your clearance papers at every stop because officials do check.
Tidal ranges are modest but the cuts between cays run fast at peak flow, so time your transits.
November through April suits most sailors; those who struggle with heat and humidity should avoid May onwards without question.