A tranquil atmosphere abides in these seemingly limitless cays, multi-colored waters and quaint towns of amicable people who are eager to encounter visitors. Most of The Exumas' 3,500 residents live on Great Exuma or Little Exuma, the two largest islands, which are connected by a short bridge. They play host to much of the commerce and tourism in the island chain.
Two main islands, Great Exuma and Little Exuma, form the southern tip. Hidden coves, bays, and harbours throughout are magnets for yachts and sportfisherman. From Allan's Cay in the north to Hog Cay in the south, The Exumas have a lot to offer both above and below the surface of the water. There are thousands of miles of beaches, cays and inlets to be explored by foot and by boat. Regattas, fishing and diving are the mainstay, but historical attractions and natural reserves are all available to keep travelers on a continuous explore. And the pink sandy beaches and turquoise waters are the perfect setting when the simple pleasures of peace and quiet are a priority.
The People
Most of the 3,500 plus residents of The Exumas live on Great Exuma or Little Exuma, and many can trace their ancestry back to the 1700s. These wonderfully peaceful people are genuinely happy to meet visitors and ready to help in any way they're able. Most Exumians make their living in the Tourism industry.
Great Exuma
Great Exuma is made up of a number of settlements; the largest ones include:
Georgetown
This is the capital, the centre of commerce and second largest settlement in The Exumas, with a population of over 350 persons. It is home to the world famous Club Peace & Plenty Hotel, the oldest church in Exuma, St. Andrew's Anglican Church; venue of the National Family Island Regatta, held during April in beautiful Elizabeth Harbour, and the Bahamian Music and Heritage Festival, held in March at Regatta Park. Lake Victoria, also located in George Town, is named after Queen Victoria. It has a four foot wide canal that leads into the sea and was once used for soaking sisal to make rope and baskets. This pond once had a phosphorus (micro lighting) which came to the surface and lit up the pond, especially on windy nights.
Rolleville
This was the largest slave settlement on the island during Lord John Rolle’s time and the site of several slave uprisings in the 1820’s & 1830’s, when the famous slave Pompey journeyed along the beach from Steventon to Rolleville to inform the Rolleville slaves about the revolt. Today, descendants of Rolle (registered Commoners) are still claiming land from Lord Rolle's Estate. Rolleville is home of the oldest regatta in Exuma, the Rolleville Regatta, and Homecoming is held during the Emancipation Day weekend (1st weekend in August).
Rolle Town
This is another of Lord’s Rolle slave settlements, and the common land that was passed down to the slaves cannot be sold. Rolle Town is a quaint settlement with breathtaking views; it overlooks the harbour side, which leads into George Town. There are three tombs dating back to Loyalist times, on the largest an inscription which reads: “Within this tomb interred the body of Ann McKay, the wife of Alexander McKay who departed this life on the 8th. November 1792. Age twenty-six years and their infant child.” This sacred burial ground is the most popular of the tombs.
Little Exuma
The major settlements in Little Exuma are:
Forbes Hill
Forbes Hill, located about nine (9) miles south of George Town, is a small farming community named after the orginal Forbes family who settled there. One of the three government clinics in Exuma is located in Forbes Hill.
Williams Town
Williams Town, the most southern settlement on Little Exuma, is quite a large settlement of about three hundred (300) people. It was once the site of a cotton plantation dating back to the 1700s and is known for its salt pond. Williams Town has two churches, a Church of God and an Anglican Church, St. Mary Magdalene, dedicated in late 1986, with glass-stained windows depicting scenes from the National Family Island Regatta. Visitors are welcomed to view this unique craftmanship.
Sporting Haven
The wide variety of underwater topography, coral reefs and shipwrecks makes it one of the most spectacular places in the world to view enormous varieties of colorful flora and fauna. This is also a haven for anglers, as The Exuma flats are world-renowned for challenging bonefishing, and the 6,000-foot depths of Exuma Sound typically bring in record amounts of marlin and other spectacular sailfish.
Getting There (HERE!)
Easy access to The Islands of The Bahamas is a key reason for this tropical playground’s appeal as a year-round vacation destination. Just a short hop by jet, private plane, a memorable voyage by yacht or chartered boat, The Bahamas can be reached quickly by air or by sea. Explore your options.
Getting Around the Island
There are many options to help you get around each island in The Bahamas, and to help you hop from island to island. But remember, when you take to the road, British rules apply, so please keep to the left. Visitors may use their home driver’s license for up to three months and may also apply for an international driver's license.
Pedestrians should remember to look right before crossing streets.
The Islands of The Bahamas Entry Requirements:
NEW U.S. TRAVEL DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS:
The U.S. Department of State has initiated new Travel Document Requirements under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). Following is an excerpt of the new requirements:
"The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) will require all travelers to and from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda to present a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer’s identity and nationality to enter or re-enter the United States. The goal is to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate international travelers.
"In the proposed implementation plan, the initiative will be implemented in two phases. The proposed time line will be as follows:
"January 23, 2007 – Passports, Merchant Mariner Documents (MMDs) or NEXUS Air cards would be required for all air travel, and most commercial sea travel, from within the Western Hemisphere for citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda. This is a change from the previously scheduled date of January 1, in order to accommodate holiday travel.
"January 1, 2008 – The statutory deadline for all Western Hemisphere travel, including land border travel. The specific requirements for the land border crossing will be addressed in a separate rule making in advance of this date."
Visit the U.S. Department of State's website for more information.
To enter The Bahamas, U.S. citizens also need a return or onward journey ticket and proof of funds to support the visit. If you are using an electronic ticket, please show Bahamas Immigration a copy of your travel itinerary and ticket number. Stays are not to exceed eight months.
NOTE: Persons are advised to purchase return tickets (and seek reimbursement upon returning home for the unused ticket), even when they are certain to return via a private boat. The chance of an airline/cruise line ticket agent allowing travel on a single ticket is very slim. If, however, the person gets to the point of Bahamas Immigration on a single ticket, the Captain of the boat would have to present himself and the cruising permit. However, a copy of the cruising permit will be permitted for crew members, who may be arriving by plane and returning by boat, as their names will appear on the manifest. A letter will not suffice.
For Canada and other countries, please see The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism website for details.
Exuma History
The Exumas have a proud history among their people, from the arrival of the first inhabitants to today's residents. Over time, The Exumas have gone through many changes. From a salt mining colony to a haven for pirates to a cotton-producing colony—all have influenced its historical development. In fact, many of the islands’ residents are direct descendants of plantation slaves from the late 1700s.
Early Settlers
The first known people to inhabit The Islands Of The Bahamas were the Adreans who travelled by boats to The Bahamas from the Mosquito Coast region of Africa. Their descendants, the Lucayan Indians, later began colonies on The Exumas and survived by fishing and farming. The Spanish arrived in the 1500s and turned the island into a salt mining colony. Pirates also used the islands' many cays and hidden coves as bases from which to conduct raids and hide stolen goods.
In the 1700s, a group of Loyalists sought refuge here and wealthy European landowners started large cotton plantations. The most notable was John Rolle, who eventually freed his slaves and generously deeded his land to them. The grateful slaves adopted his surname and today sixty percent of the locals still have the last name Rolle.
Myths and Legends
The Shark Lady, Gloria Patience
Born in 1917, this strong old woman earned her nickname over decades of snaring more than 2,000 makos, lemon tips, hammerheads and other types of sharks—many weighing hundreds of pounds—and hauling them into the boat herself. Every part of the sharks she caught was used: the meat was eaten or buried for fertilizer, earrings and necklaces were made from the spines and teeth, and the jawbones were turned into wall hangings or coffee table conversation pieces. "The Shark Lady" died at the age of 85.
Pretty Molly
Another famous lady of The Exumas is Pretty Molly—the beautiful but elusive mermaid who is said to live in Pretty Molly Bay. Just try and catch a glimpse of her.
Information compliments from The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism website.
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The Exumas are an archipelago of 365 cays and islands, beginning just 35 miles southeast of Nassau and stretching over 120 miles. From the air, these cays look like jeweled stepping stones surrounded by a shimmering emerald sea giving this chain the distinction of being one of the prettiest in The Islands of The Bahamas. The bright white sand of the deserted beaches is a striking contrast to the aquamarine and jade hues of water. The topography doesn't vary much, as the islands are only 7½ miles across at the widest point, but the splendor of the pristine beaches, the crystal-blue waters and the lush tropical greenery attract people from around the globe. 
