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The Ultimate Staniel Cay Guide

11/25/2021 by Kristin Addis 2 Comments

Imagine a little island of only 120 people, where everyone waves to you, the water is baby blue, and you’re a stone’s throw away from the original swimming pigs of Big Major Cay.

Staniel Cay is a little island in the Exumas of the Bahamas that’s full of character and a great jumping off point not just for the pigs, but for grottos, cuddling with nurse sharks, sea turtles, iguanas that live on the sand, and even an underwater piano. Here are my favorite things to do there, plus where to stay and what to eat when on Staniel Cay:

Table of Contents

Things to do:

Rent a golf cart and explore:.

Staniel Cay is small, and though you could walk it, most people opt for a golf cart since it can get HOT during the day, and they’re fun to drive anyways.

I had actually never driven a golf cart before trying on Staniel Cay, but it was a good place to learn. It’s not like there’s any traffic to speak of on the roads, and if you manage to get lost, I’ll be impressed! The golf cart gives you the freedom to drive yourself to the beaches and to dinner, and it’s how most people choose to get around the island. Remember to drive on the left!

You can rent golf carts here (affiliate link).

Pirate Beach

This was my favorite beach on Staniel Cay, with white sand, baby blue water, and the perfect conditions for a floating session. It’s easy to get to, nestled on the north side of the island. Just follow G&B highway almost to the end, turning right down a dirt road just before you reach it. I used Maps.me (a free map smartphone app) to navigate while I was there and found it easily.

Keep in mind there will be a lot less beach at high tide, which is dependent on the moon phase.

Sunset at the Yacht Club

An institution on Staniel Cay, the Yacht Club is one of the only places to eat on the island, and is a favorite hangout spot of most visitors. Chances are good that while you’re staying on the island, you’re going to eat here at least once. My recommendation is catching the sunset there, as it is perfectly situated facing west.

There’s a nice beach just before you reach the Yacht Club as well, where I saw a ray fully breach out of the water! There are nurse sharks nearby as well.

The Swimming Pigs Tour

This is what you probably came to Staniel Cay to see – the swimming pigs ! I found the experience to be delightful. We had such an awesome boat captain, Dave with 3N’s Exuma Vacations, who seemed to have a special relationship with them. He’s even trained one to stand up for treats!

The pigs really do swim right over to your boat, and you can get in the water with them and swim around, which I did! They were adorable, and much more open to pets and belly rubs than most other pigs I have met. There are also babies that your guide will likely bottlefeed and maybe even give you the opportunity to try as well.

There are touristy things that sometimes don’t live up to the hype, but this really did for me. Where else in the world can you see swimming pigs in perfectly blue, clear water? You can book it here.

Snuggle Nurse Sharks

The swimming pigs tours almost always include the nurse sharks, too. You’ve probably also seen famous photos of people floating with the nurse sharks in the Exumas. These sharks are habituated, and have been for decades. They are used to tourists swimming in the water with them, and are so docile you can even stroke them and hug them!

That said, they are still sharks, so please respect them and watch your fingers when you’re interacting with them. Your guide will most likely bring along fish treats to attract them over. Even if you’re not comfortable getting in the water, you can watch them from the dock above.

A word to the wise: While DSLR cameras are welcome elsewhere on the tour stops mentioned in this post, you’re only allowed to take photos and film with a phone at the sharks.

Visit the Sand Bar

Only visible at certain times of day, the Sandbar will be a logical stop between the nurse sharks and the pigs on a day tour. If you have a drone, this is the place to fly! You get nice layers of color as the sand fades to dark blue channels for the water to flow through. Since you can’t fly anywhere on Staniel Cay due to the proximity to the airport, I liked the opportunity of being able to fly on the sandbar.

But even if you don’t have a drone, the perfectly white sand set amongst a multicolored blue backdrop makes for beautiful photos!

Sea Aquarium

This stop has a small area that has lots of little, colorful fish and nice corals for a quick snorkel.

I thought the corals were particularly nice, with lots of sea fans, parrotfish, and sometimes even turtles, if you’re lucky.

En route, ask your captain to stop by the plane wreck if you’re interested. It’s shallow enough to be viewed from the surface.

Thunderball Grotto

The Thunderball Grotto will probably be your first or last stop of any boat tour out of Staniel Cay, and entry and exit all depends on the tides. The current can sometimes be strong, but if you’re a strong swimmer and able to hold your breath and swim down into the cave, you’ll be just fine.

There’s a variety of fish inside, with several entry and exit points that emit light underwater. There are little bats inside too, though they’ll likely be sleeping when you visit.

Around noon, you can even get sun beams shooting into the cave, which would be amazing to see!

See the Sea Turtles

While the pigs, sharks, grotto, and sand bar are all part of the usual tour out of Staniel Cay, you can opt for something a little different heading in the other direction. If you’ve always wanted to swim with sea turtles, you can get the chance on Farmer’s Cay.

Like most of the animal attractions in the Exumas, a local guide takes their favorite food — conch — out into the water to attract them.

I’m not sure how I feel about feeding wildlife, but I also appreciate that this is how many animal interactions around the world are done, from shark swimming, whether in a cage or the deep ocean, to attracting fish when snorkeling. The same is true of feeding birds when out hiking, or, honestly, putting out a bird feeder in the backyard. Everyone has to decide for themselves how they feel about it, but I at least want you to go into the experience with open eyes. Like the nurse sharks, these guys seem habituated.

The Underwater Piano

About 15 minutes beyond where you swim with the sea turtles, there’s an underwater piano with a mermaid hanging out next to it. This is also not part of the typical tour, but if you get a group of friends together and get your own private boat, this is a pretty cool one to stop by and is only about 15 or so feet down in the water.

This work of art, called the Musician, was commissioned by David Copperfield who owns an island nearby. It was created by Jason DeCaires Taylor and intended it to be a surprise for the few private guests of the island, as well as day visitors like me. Bonus – since it’s not on the usual tour, nobody else was around.

Iguanas on the Beach

On your way back to Staniel Cay, why not another animal interaction? We did everything mentioned here from the pigs onwards in one day, and it felt so full of wonderful animal experiences, I found myself appreciating how much variety and abundance there is in the Exumas.

These iguanas mostly survive off of berries and greens found on the island, and have no natural predators. Like the pigs, they’re cared for and looked after by official staff, living out most of their days happily on the sand.

Where to Stay:

I stayed at EMBRACE Resort while I was on Staniel Cay, and it’s great for many reasons – it’s local, Bahamanian woman founded, owned, and operated, the central location is great, and it’s affordable.

While there are vacation rentals and a few other options on Staniel Cay, I loved the vibe of EMBRACE. My bungalow was adorable, with my own fridge, a big jetted tub, and a big bed all for me. They would also bring by little treats every now and then, and really made me feel welcomed and at home.

There’s also a pool, easy golf cart rental and parking, and discounts on the tours mentioned above when you stay with them. They also offer COVID antigen testing onsite, which makes getting back home easy!

They have several different room types, including options with multiple rooms and full kitchens. You can check out the options here.

Where to Eat:

There’s only one major restaurant on Staniel Cay – the Staniel Cay yacht club. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. During the days, it can get quite busy with tour groups coming in to eat lunch, and for dinner you’ll want to book ahead of time for the multi course meals, which were delicious.

That said, Carole at Big Dogs restaurant makes fantastic local food. Each day there are several options like chicken, cornish hen, or my choice while I was there – oxtail. It comes with sides like rice, cole slaw, potato salad, and veggies. Ask at your accommodation if they can call her to place an order. Orders must be placed by 10:30am to eat at noon each day. This is true, home-cooked eating and I LOVED it.

Getting There:

Staniel Cay is about a 30-minute flight from Nassau. I flew Flamingo Air on a little plane and enjoyed the view.

You’ll still fly out of the international airport, heading to the domestic side where you’ll see Flamingo Air on the far left. Keep in mind the schedule seems to be flexible, so try not to leave check-in to the last minute. For help booking, you can ask your accommodation. EMBRACE handled my booking for me and even called me to let me know when my flight time moved up.

Staniel Cay was a little slice of paradise to me. I loved the friendliness, the small-island vibe, the beautiful beaches, and especially the boat tours. There’s really so much to see out there, and if you love animals and super clear water, you’ll love the Exumas.

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* This post was created in collaboration with Staniel Cay Vacations. All thoughts on the amazing tours and accommodation are my own .

About Kristin Addis

Kristin Addis is the founder and CEO of Be My Travel Muse, a resource for female travelers all around the world since 2012. She's traveled solo to over 65 countries and has brought over 150 women on her all-female adventure tours from Botswana to the Alaskan tundra.

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Ruby Stacey says

11/12/2022 at 1:06 pm

such a nice blog, i do loved to explore to this place.

Kristin says

11/18/2022 at 2:23 pm

Calm down. Lots of people out there had drones and they’re here to stay!

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Staniel Cay Yacht Club

Staniel Cay Yacht Club is an adorable boutique hotel in the northern Exuma Cays, with convenient access to the best attractions in its waterfront playground. It is a buzzing boater’s paradise with a romantic restaurant and a seaman’s bar, in which locals and visitors gather to drink, watch sports or play bar games.

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Conveniently located near the best attractions in the Exumas: the famous swimming pigs, Compass Cay nurse sharks, Thunderball Cave and the Exuma Land and Sea Park. If the ocean currents were not a safety concern, you could comfortably swim or kayak from the marina at Staniel Cay to Thunderball Cave.

Because most of the nearby islands are within eyesight, you can captain your own rental boat after a short boating tutorial. This beautiful little island has its own airstrip and a small residential community. It is worth exploring by golf cart to experience the various beaches, creeks and every part of the stunning coastline. Off the hotel compound there is a bakery, a small convenience store and a beachfront restaurant, and other small local eateries.

Style and Character

The resort gains much of its character from its location. Resident nurse sharks are always buzzing around the marina; guests can watch them being fed. The quintessential Bahamian horizon line, where the blues of the sea and the sky seamlessly blend, is on constant display from the harbour-facing hotel. Wooden planked docks don’t only carry you to the boat slips - there are dedicated docks that lead to the oceanfront bungalows as well. The resort is more oceanfront than beachfront, as its rooms are primarily stilted on the rocks that frame the coastline.

Service and Facilities

The hotel offers a package plan, which is recommended, as it includes all-inclusive meals and access to a skiff, including fuel. Having your own boat is a major perk as it gives you the freedom to explore all of the neighbouring islands. The marina is also a fuel dock, so makes the hotel a hub for boaters, but also because they can enjoy the hotel bar. Wi-Fi is available here only, free of charge.

The hotel’s beach is not the best on the island, but it still has the expected qualities of a Bahamian white-sand beach. There is a hotel pool on site, and a dive shop that provides snorkeling and scuba-diving gear. Bicycles are available to explore the island, plus ocean kayaks and paddle boards to scoot around in the harbour.

The newer marina-facing bungalows are minimalist but stylish. For me, they were custom-made for sleeping late as their floor-to-ceiling white curtains are heavy duty enough to completely block out the sun if you so wish. The stilted bungalows on the opposite side of the hotel resemble boathouses; their clapboard exteriors are brightly coloured for a fun and festive feel.

Sugar Apple is one of five modern rooms overlooking the marina. These compact rooms are all named after Bahamian fruits and plants. They have spacious bathrooms with double sinks and comfy beds with cuddly comforters, and are the most elegant rooms. The Coco Plum suite can hold up to four children in a living room that doubles as a sleeping area. There are no televisions in these rooms. The front verandas don’t offer much privacy, but they are spacious and breezy.

Most of the older waterfront bungalows and suites sit right on the edge of the water, elevated on stilts. The colourful clapboard exteriors are iconic for Bahamian architectural style. The interior design feels a bit dated, but their eclectic and casual beachy style still has lots of charm. Some of these rooms have their own private docks. The compact two-storey waterfront bungalows have spiral staircases that are tightly wound and slightly awkward to traverse.

Food and Drink

Dining options on Staniel Cay are very limited. In fact, in the northern Exuma Cays there are very few restaurants to speak of. Fortunately, among the few that do exist there are options with creative menus and quality food such as the Yacht Club restaurant. You can dress up or dress down when dining in. Lunchtime is basic with salads, sandwiches and burgers.

For dinner, when a reservation is required, the menu has seafood, steak, lamb, duck and chicken options. The culinary team is known for its homemade bread and desserts, particularly the key lime pie, which I do recommend. I asked to meet the pastry chef after my meal, as I was so impressed with the dessert: the perfect sweet end to a salty day.

Breakfast is American style. The French toast is made with homemade bread, as is the breakfast sandwich. There is one Bahamian option, and it is a classic: grits and tuna.

Value for Money

Double rooms from 208 Bahamian Dollars (£155) in low season; and from 518 Bahamian Dollars (£387) in high, room-only. Rates for all-inclusive packages are per person. All-inclusive packages from 185 Bahamian Dollars (£138) per person in low season; and from 240 Bahamian Dollars (£179) in high, including three meals per day with one non-alcoholic beverage per meal and use of a 13 or 17ft skiff depending on bungalow, including fuel. Free Wi-Fi, only available at the bar.

Access for guests with disabilities?

Family-friendly.

The yacht club has special rates for children aged under six and between six-12 years old; from 30-75 Bahamian Dollars (£22-56) per night. Coral Villa, the largest on property, accommodates a maximum of six guests. All other rooms are double occupancy, but there are some room categories that can accommodate extra guests.

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Staniel Cay Yacht Club, Staniel Cay, Bahamas

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S/V Oxygen comfortably accommodates up to 6 guests.

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Prior to boarding, complete a preference sheet for all guests. Tell us about your likes & dislikes - favorite cuisine, dietary restrictions, preferred interests & hobbies - or anything else you need to make your time aboard more enjoyable. 

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Captain (SLC) Alan & Chef Wayne welcome you aboard with a champagne tour of the yacht, along with a charter and safety debriefing. 

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Chef Wayne presents all onboard meals using locally sourced ingredients, according to your tastes & dietary requirements.

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Activities range anywhere from sight-seeing, snorkeling & paddle-boarding, to, sailing lessons, star-gazing & billiards.

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Sample "hop"*, sample "run"**.

Hops are shorter 4 day, 3 night charters across the Yellow Bank, exploring points of interest  in the northern Exuma Cays

Exuma Cays Hop

Less sailing time exchanged for a relaxed itinerary with plenty of opportunities for shore leave  

• Boarding  (10AM)
• Depart Palm Cay
• Yellow Bank Crossing (~3 hrs) 
• POI: Iguana Beach
• Allen's Cay Anchorage 
• Haul Anchor
• POI: Plane Wreck
• POI: Beach & Swim
• Norman's Cay Anchorage
• POI: Snorkeling Reef
• POI: Halyard Swing
• Rose Island Anchorage
• Dock @ Palm Cay
• Disembark (Noon)

*Due to poor weather & other conditions, itinerary is subject to change without notice.

Runs are longer 7 day, 6 night charters with lots of sailing opportunities. Staniel Cay, the final port  of call, offers friendly, island nightlife vibes. 

Staniel Cay Run

Less flexible itinerary exchanged for a richer sailing experience with time to grow your sea legs 

• Boarding (10AM) 
• Depart Palm Cay (noon)
• Highbourne Cay Anchorage
• Shroud Cay Anchorage
• POI: Exuma Park
• Warderick Wells Mooring
• POI: Swimming with Sharks
• Compass Cay Anchorage
• POI: Pig Beach
• POI: Yacht Club
• Staniel Cay Anchorage

**Due to poor weather & other conditions, itinerary is subject to change without notice.

Sample Menu***

Lunch - Tapas

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Breakfast - Pancakes & Bacon

Lunch - Caesar Salad

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Breakfast - Yogurt Parfait

Lunch - Homemade Pizza

Dinner - Cracked Conch

Breakfast - Steak & Eggs

Lunch - Seared Scallops

Dinner - Honey Glazed Salmon

Breakfast - French Toast & Sausages

Lunch - Ceviche

Dinner - Roasted Chicken

Breakfast - Eggs Benedict

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Brunch or Lunch in Paradise

The Exuma Cays are incredible. We make it perfect.

Be whisked away on your private charter boat, enjoy lunch or brunch on a deserted beach or sandbar in the Exuma Cays as waves lap the sand around your feet.

 Sip drinks under the umbrellas served by your private waiter. Play a variety of beach games or float the day away and enjoy a memorable day near Staniel Cay.  Upon returning to Staniel Cay we can make a stop to visit the Original Swimming Pigs or snorkel Thunderball Cave. All things are possible in your personal paradise.

Let us cater to your every need with unsurpassed service and island-style décor.

 Only one seating is available per day, and advance reservations are required.

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For the ultimate dining experience with breath-taking views of the Exuma blues, our toes in the sand Brunch in Paradise is not to be missed! From the idyllic water views to playing on a sand bar, Brunch is the perfect way to start your island days.

BRUNCH IN PARADISE

Guest selection of three items

Fresh Fruit and Cheese platter

Fresh Croissants and Muffins Basket with butter and assorted jams

Yogurt Parfait with Organic Granola

Vegetable Quiche

Seafood Pasta Salad ~ Lobster and Shrimp tossed in Italian vinaigrette dressing

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Water and soft drinks with lots of ice

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Kindly email your reservation request to [email protected] Text or Call (242) 524-8062 and What’s App

Lunch in Paradise

LUNCH IN PARADISE

Guest selection of two starters and three entrées, includes chef dessert

Chips and hummus with toasted pinenut topping

Asian shrimp cocktail with sweet thai chili sauce

Chicken Salad with freshly baked pita chips

Five layer Mexican Dip topped with fresh thinly sliced jalapeno, served with tortilla chips

Slicked steak with lobster salad topped with aioli, served with fresh baguette

Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad, served with a citrus vinaigrette ~ add sliced chicken

Fresh seared sea scallops atop orzo pesto, served with freshly grated parmesan cheese

Sushi-grade ahi tuna, seared and sliced with jasmine rice, microgreens and a soy vinaigrette

Specialty Enhancements:

Fresh Stone crab claws with classic mustard sauce ~ seasonal, market price

Dessert ~ $10/person

Chocolate Torte with fresh mint sprig

Lemon Tart with organic berries

Bahamian Rum Cake

Custom Dessert and Special Occasion Cakes available upon request ~ pricing available

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