Exuma Hotels

10 Ways to Enjoy Exuma

• Tropic Of Cancer Beach borders the phenomenally blue-green water along the coast of Little Exuma. The longest beach on the island
• George Town closes early, which is still later than the rest of the island. After-dark entertainment takes place in various hotel bars that take turns presenting live music, usually a mixture of American tunes and Bahamian rhythms.
• Retail shopping on The Exuma Islands is generally limited to hotel boutiques and general establishments in George Town that mainly target the locals. One exception is The Straw Market -- a series of five to ten stands along the main road into George Town offering several varieties of baskets, purses and other straw goods that come in unique Exumian designs and colours.
• Points of interest while you visit the Exuma Islands might include: the Exuma Land and Sea Park, Three Sister's Rock, Stocking Island, The Hermitage, St. Andrew's Anglican Church, the Rolle Town Tombs, and Shark Lady-Gloria Patience.
• Exuma is known for its world class sports fishing
• Rent a scooter and explore the island. An ideal way to visit "Shark Lady" and sample some out of town restaurants and beaches. Check with Exuma Dive.
• Scuba Diving - Whether you are experienced or a novice Exuma is the place for diving. You can have training courses, or if you are already qualified then come and enjoy the many coral reefs the cover the Atlantic Sea bed. See crawfish, grouper, jacks and barracudas, rays, and even sharks. Check out the unbelievable colors of the reef fish. If it is choppy on the ocean then you may get a visit to the Blue Hole. These are underwater caves, some of which go for miles.
• Snorkeling - If you have rented a houseboat you will be able to snorkel from your own floating apartment. Otherwise, check the scuba operators who run snorkel trips to the best places, usually in less than ten feet of water. Gear can be rented from several sources in town.
• Kayaking - Call on Starfish Enterprises and rent a Kayak, or join one of their conducted trips around some fascinating parts of the Harbour
• Shelling - Leave the boat in one of many anchorage's and walk over to Atlantic Beach where you will find mile after mile of deserted white sandy beaches. Explore the rock pools that form at low tide and on a calm day swim out to the reefs offshore .
  
  
  

Documents Needed for Travel

United States passport holders must have a valid passport, or other proof of citizenship, such as an original birth certificate and official photo ID (driver's license is acceptable), plus marriage certificate if your name has changed. A visa is not required for stays of up to 180 days, if holding a Tourist Card/FMT form issued free of charge by airlines.

Language

English is the official language of the Bahamas.

Time Zone

EST

Beaches

Tropic Of Cancer Beach borders the phenomenally blue-green water along the coast of Little Exuma. The longest beach on the island, it is also the prettiest in the Exuma chain and you will probably have it all to yourself. The imaginary line that defines the northern extent of the tropics is said to run right along this beach. The Beachfront Hotels along Great Exuma invite you to experience their lovely beaches, even if you aren’t staying at these properties, because they offer plenty of quiet personality, but are rarely visited by most avid beach hoppers. Shroud Cay has beautiful beaches among large expanses of mangroves, while your visit to Exuma Cays Land And Sea Park may be interrupted by iguanas begging for a breakfast handout, but please don’t feed them.

Climate

The Bahamas tropical climate makes it a true year-round destination. Temperatures throughout the year range between 68 and 86 degrees. December to April is the high season, and May to October the rainy season. June to November is the official hurricane season, but storms can appear earlier or later.

What to Wear

You will be comfortable in casual summer clothes plus some light evening attire for restaurants, nightclubs and casinos. Although not banned, swimwear is frowned upon in restaurants and casinos.

Currency and Credit Cards

The official currency is the Bahamian Dollar, although US currency is widely accepted, as well as major credit cards.

Electricity

110 volts. Same as the United States.

Marriage Requirements

1. The couple must be in The Bahamas at the time of the application.
2. The couple must be The Bahamas for 24 hours prior to the date of the application. A Bahamian-issued marriage license is valid for 90 days for those seeking early application. You can write the Registrar General prior to your arrival at: P.O. Box H-5553, Nassau, Bahamas, or fax to 242-322-5553. Your Personal Wedding Coordinator can assist you with this.
3. If either party has been divorced, the original final decree or a certified copy (with a raised or colored seal) must be produced.
4. If either party is widowed, the death certificate of the deceased spouse must be produced.
5. If either party is unmarried, for a citizen or resident of the U.S.A., a declaration certifying this fact must be sworn before a U.S. Consul at the American Embassy, Nassau, Bahamas, for a fee of $55 (effective February 1st, 1998), or a Bahamian Notary Public. (Please note, the U.S. Embassy is closed on American and Bahamian holidays.)
6. Photo ID is required. The identification document must be issued by a Government Office in the country where the parties reside. A passport is required for persons who are residents of a Commonwealth country.
7. The couple must produce evidence of the date of their arrival in The Islands Of The Bahamas (i.e., airline ticket, immigration card).
8. Persons desirous of being married in a Family Island (any island outside of New Providence or Grand Bahama) can obtain the Marriage License at the local Government Administrator's office on that Island and need not come to New Providence or Grand Bahama.
9. No blood test is necessary.

The fee for a marriage license is $40.00.