120-mile-long Exuma archipelago in The Bahamas hosts spectacular Four Seasons Resort
Great Exuma, The Bahamas (March 21, 2005) - Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts on Great Exuma, The Bahamas, is an undiscovered and pristine island resort, just a short flight from Florida. It’s the largest of 365 mostly uninhabited islands or cays within the 120-mile-long Exuma archipelago. The island is 40 miles long and rests on the Tropic of Cancer, just under 484 km (300 miles) from Miami and 242 km (150 miles) southeast of Nassau, capital city of The Bahamas.
With only 2,400 residents, Great Exuma is an unspoiled island with crystal-clear turquoise waters, one of the most beautiful in The Bahamas. The Exuma Cays are a prime cruising ground for yachters and a favourite stop for discerning travelers. Its shallow reef-protected waters stay comfortably warm, providing ideal year-round swimming, snorkelling and diving experiences.
Great Exuma beaches
Of the many beaches of Great Exuma, crescent shaped Emerald Bay is among the most scenic. Sailing and yachting enthusiasts will enjoy the new 17-acre deepwater marina adjacent to Four Seasons’ Great Exuma Resort. The marina can moor yachts up to 200 ft.. Catamaran charters and day excursions are available. Just a two-hour boat ride from the resort is the Exuma National Land and Sea Park where visitors experience several rare and exotic species of birds, reptiles, fish and flora found in The Bahamas. Exuma National Land and Sea Park is an inspiring 176-square-mile sanctuary, untouched by fishing or hunting, lets one observe native iguanas, commune with tropical birds or view the abundantly spectacular sea life while diving or snorkeling with an expert.
Underwater adventures in Great Exuma
Experience thrilling underwater adventures in Great Exuma or at many of the uninhabited cays throughout the archipelago. Stocking Island, off George Town, Exuma, is an idyllic sliver of land lined by deserted fine sandy beaches almost its entire length. One of the most noteworthy of the spectacular dive sites off its shores is Mystery Cave, a 400-ft. deep blue hole and living limestone fossils dating back 3.5 million years. A highlight at Staniel Cay, Exuma, just north of Great Exuma, is Thunderball Grotto an exquisite underwater cavern, lit by beams of light shining through holes in the ceiling. It’s named after the James Bond classic which was filmed here, as were scenes from the comedy Splash and another 007 film, Never Say Never Again.
Great Exuma is the perfect place for bonefishing
Some of the world’s most renowned sport fishing is found in the waters of the Exuma archipelago. The vast flats in the Exumas provide a perfect habitat for bonefish with catches running two-and-a-half to six pounds and some over 10 pounds. Experienced deep sea, spinning or fly fishing guides are readily available for private charters manned by fishermen who know where and when to find the best catch.
Surrounding Great Exuma are hundreds of remote islands and private beaches where Four Seasons Resort guests can play castaway for a day. Armed with a picnic lunch and champagne, guests can get away from it all for a romantic outing. The resort will escort them to their own fantasy island and pick them up at an arranged time.
Exuma Bahamas hosts The Bahamas Out Island Regatta
Every April since 1954, Exuma has hosted an "Out Island Regatta," a week-long celebration of the Bahamian craft of working sail boats, that has become the most prestigious and popular sailing event in the Bahamas. During the Regatta, held in George Town, Exuma's Elizabeth Harbour, the capital jumps to the local sound of festive Goombay music, and is the scene of Junkanoo parades, a national festival celebrating African music, history and dance.
Exuma, The Bahamas - a brief history
Exuma was home to the peaceful Lucayan Indians when Columbus discovered The Bahamas in 1492. The British arrived in 1648 and made salt a major product while buccaneers sought refuge in the secluded cays and caves of Exuma’s shores. Kidd Cove was, according to legend, a favorite anchorage of Captain Kidd. Salt Pan and an Ionic Column are reminders of the days when ships sailed the world in search of highly prized salt. Later the British Loyalists from Colonial America established cotton plantations. Guests can visit the ruin of Cotton House, the oldest building in The Exumas, part of what was once a 970-acre cotton plantation.
George Town, Exuma’s capital, founded in 1793, is a place for leisurely strolls. Visitors can browse the central straw market under the big African fig tree for authentic Bahamian crafts or visit the 150-year-old St. Andrew’s Anglican Church. The neoclassical Government Administration Building’s facade is painted in classic pastel pink with white columns. Lingering at the shops and restaurants around the lake and sampling beer brewed in The Bahamas, called Kalik, eating a portion of cracked conch, a local favorite, and a congenial talk with one of the residents, is a treat well worth exploring.
And now the fabulous Four Seasons Resort
Four Seasons Resort Great Exuma at Emerald Bay offers guests a full range of services for land, water and air excursions in Great Exuma and throughout the Exuma Cays and The Bahamas. A flyaway-day excursion to Paradise Island, Bahamas, or the capital city of Nassau, is a change-of-pace with great shopping and Vegas-style entertainment available.
Disclaimer: The information in this article/release was accurate at
press time; however, we suggest you confirm all details and prices
directly with vendors.
HOME | HOTELS | VILLAS | CRUISES | ACTIVITIES | SHOPPING | RESTAURANTS | MAPS | SPECIALS | YELLOW PAGES | NEWS
