Bahamas: Island Hopping by Kayak… (trip)
Bahamas: Island Hopping by Kayak in the Exumas
- Georgetown Airport, Guyana
- Boats, Barges & Small Ship Cruises
| from $2,990* per person | 9 Days | March |
| Comfort accommodations | Exertion level: 3 | |
| Operator: Explorers' Corner | 12 people max | |
Beginner to intermediate sea kayaking
2 nights hotel, 6 nights camping
Far from the touristy crush of Nassau or Freeport are the Bahamas’ remote Exuma Islands, an idyllic chain of palm-covered outposts ringed by white-sand beaches. Millions of years ago, huge deposits of shell and coral were compacted into one of the largest limestone formations in the world—as the sea level dropped, ocean currents and erosion transformed the landmass into an archipelago of 2500 islands. The Exumas, known as the Bahamas' "Out Islands," are 365 cays (pronounced “keys”) that are largely uninhabited, preserving the pristine beauty of a tropical paradise. Our explorations here are governed by the ebb and flow of the tides, the rising and setting of the sun, and the steady paddle strokes that carry us from one island to another.
As we paddle from island to island, we'll make camp on the beach, snorkel over reefs filled with colorful sea life, and hike to an overlook to watch the waves of the open ocean crash against sheer limestone walls. We'll climb down inside a blowhole and let the pressure of the surging sea wash us clean. We’ll land our kayaks on a deserted island where we are greeted by giant iguanas, watching stingrays float in the water below us and cotton-ball clouds drifting overhead. The weather here is mild and the water is warm; long stretches of open beach beckon us to pull our kayaks ashore and simply relax.
True to Explorers’ Corner's style, this trip embodies an adventurous and participatory approach to travel in nature—we’ll carry all our own supplies and help the guides with daily chores. This is a new destination for Explorers’ Corner but a classic experience for all who seek to experience the beauty of a tropical marine environment as it's meant to be encountered: from the intimate seat of a kayak and the open door of your beachfront tent.
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Locations visited/nearby
Bahamas, Central America
Itinerary
Day 1: Flights to Georgetown, Exumas IslandsAfter you arrive in Georgetown you'll take a taxi to the lovely Palm Bay Inn. Once settled, you might take a dip in the pool that overlooks the ocean or walk down the street to the straw market and see local Bahamians weaving baskets and talk to them about their handmade crafts on sale there. We highly recommend morning flights so that you can see the local sites as well as have time to adjust from your long flight. An early arrival also allows for any flight delays or baggage issues before we begin our journey. Enjoy a welcome drink on the hotel veranda - just few feet away from the blue beauty of the Caribbean. In the evening we suggest a first meal together where we will get acquainted and receive an orientation to the adventure that awaits us.
… Palm Bay Inn.
Day 2: Transfer to Launch location
After an early breakfast a quick shuttle ride brings us to where our gear is waiting. There we will spend some time getting outfitted, reviewing kayak fundamentals, safety essentials, paddling skills and the most effective way to pack your kayak. When that is done, we’ll load our boats and transfer to our launch. We'll paddle a short distance to our evening camp.
B, L, D... Wilderness Camping
Days 3 - 7: Kayak the Exuma Chain
You will be traveling by expedition sea kayak, traversing the leeward side of the Exuma Island chain. Weather permitting, we will travel to Staniel Cay. Highlights of this expedition include superb campsites on secluded beaches, cooking fresh fish over the campfire, snorkeling in the clear, rich waters, and visiting nearby villages.
B, L, D... Wilderness Camping
Day 8: Charter to Georgetown
In the morning we do a short paddle to the settlement of Staniel Cay. We will explore Staniel before boarding our small charter plane to take us back to Georgetown where we return to the Palm Bay Inn for well deserved showers and a farewell dinner.
B, L, D… Palm Bay Inn
Day 9: Georgetown – Homeward bound
We rise once more to a bright Bahamas morning, eat a great breakfast at the hotel, overlooking the waters that carried us for the past week, and then take taxis to the Georgetown airport to fly home.
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