Turquoise water
Shallow and clear.
Craig Stanfill — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Craig Stanfill — CC BY-SA 2.0 · cogdogblog — CC0 · cogdogblog — CC0 · Matt Kieffer — CC BY-SA 2.0
The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park is a large reserve in the chain of small Exuma islands, running from Shroud Cay in the north to Bell Cay in the south. Low islands with short scrub, white beaches, shallow turquoise water in every shade of blue and anchorages for yachts fill it. Daniel Beard, superintendent of Everglades National Park, proposed it in 1953, and it was formally set up in 1958 with the Bahamas National Trust in charge. It is one of the oldest land and sea reserves of its kind in the world. It has mangroves, orchids and bromeliads on the branches, and rays and fish under the water. The park headquarters is on Warderick Wells, which has walking trails, including one up Boo Boo Hill over the islands. On Shroud Cay a creek through the mangroves takes visitors by boat or kayak to a beach on the far side. Fishing is banned across the park. The park is about 105 km south-east of Nassau and reachable only by boat. It takes no reservations, and fees are charged on moorings and boats. Most cays have no services, so bring water and food.
Shallow and clear.
A view over the cays.
A boat through mangroves.
Exuma Cays, from Shroud Cay in the north to Bell Cay in the south; headquarters on Warderick Wells
By boat only, on a tour or by yacht.
Very few, so bring water and food.