Guide to Staniel Cay Bahamas (see, do, eat, stay)

Sponsored by Embrace Resort, Staniel Cay

I actually didn’t know something about Staniel Cay, Exumas, when Natajia, co-owner of 3Ns Exuma Holidays and Embrace Resort invited us to expertise this spectacular area of the Bahamas.

I purposefully prevented researching an excessive amount of. On this modern-day of social media sharing, surprises have been destroyed by viral developments.

I miss the enjoyment of studying a number of paragraphs in a journey information, seeing some picture prints, or listening to traveler’s tales, and deciding to go and expertise the shock for myself. I needed to return to that thriller. And I acquired it. It’s probably why this journey to the Bahamas – our first time – felt prefer it had a sure sort of magic.

I used to be capable of actually really feel the true power of Staniel Cay – and I appreciated it.

Our days have been spent swimming with pigs and nurse sharks, sunning with iguanas, and seeing a number of the most lovely seashores on the earth.

For our 4 days in Staniel Cay Bahamas, the remainder of the world didn’t exist. It was a refreshing change and disappointing having to return.

However return we did, and to ensure you have a go to as wonderful as ours, we’ve ready a information to the Staniel Cay Exumas so you’ll be able to expertise the thriller like we did.

Why Go to Staniel Cay?

Because the world loves following the lives of celebrities, comply with their lead. Many stars haven’t simply houses within the Exuma Cays, however their very own personal islands.

In the event that they don’t personal a chunk of this paradise, they’re cruising round in tremendous yachts, undisturbed as they snorkel, zip round on jet skis, and quietly sip on rum cocktails at laid-back bars.

If it’s ok for Johnny Depp, it’s ok for me!

A few of their films have been filmed within the turquoise waters and snow-white sands of this island chain: James Bond’s Thunderball, Pirates of the Caribbean, Splash, Into the Blue, and extra.

Because the Exuma Islands are a bit of tougher to get to – and the massive cruise ships don’t come right here – you’ll discover a extra unique and splendid expertise with little to no crowds.

In actual fact, we had one of the crucial lovely seashores we’ve seen on the earth, Pirate Seaside, all to ourselves. And that was on Staniel Cay, one of the crucial populated cays within the Exumas.

Spanning 176 miles and made up of 356 islands and cays, the Exumas provide nothing however pristine seashores and outside actions. Be ready for limitless white sand, swirling sapphire blue and turquoise waters, wildlife encounters, and beautiful pink and orange skies at sundown.

It’s an open invitation to flee from the hustle and chaos of life to relearn how one can loosen up and revel in days being with nature.

The place is Staniel Cay and the Exuma Islands?

The Exuma Cays are an archipelago of 365 distant islands stretching throughout the Tropic of Most cancers within the southern half of The Bahamas.

They’re discovered about 250-miles southeast of Florida and 75-miles south of Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. The Bahama Islands are literally within the Atlantic Ocean, not the Caribbean Sea, however the nation is a part of CARICOM, the Caribbean Group.

Staniel Cay is without doubt one of the bigger islands and is situated on the coronary heart of the Exuma Cays. Because it has one of many solely touchdown airport strips it has turn into the gateway to the Exuma archipelago.

Many vacationers come out and in every day for the swimming with pigs’ tour from Nassau, and this small island group is residence to round 100 residents.

I used to be disenchanted leaving after 4 days, I couldn’t think about flying in for simply the day, seeing the fantastic thing about the Exumas, after which leaving. I counsel staying for 2 nights not less than.

get to Staniel Cay?

Except you’re crusing in, the one strategy to get to Staniel Cay is by small aircraft. It’s simply one more reason to go to this lovely island within the Exumas because the 30-minute flight is a scenic one.

It was overcast and at nightfall after we flew into Staniel Cay from Nassau, so we didn’t see an excessive amount of beneath however had front-row seats to an attractive sundown.

On the way in which again, our morning flight with shiny sunny skies unveiled a shocking vista beneath of the Exuma Islands, which we flew over nearly the whole manner.

You possibly can both fly in from Nassau (Bahamas) through Flamingo Air or Titan Air or fly in from Fort Lauderdale Govt Airport (Florida, US) through Makers Air or Staniel Air.

Flamingo Air, Titan Air, and Maker’s Air have flights twice every day.

When is the perfect time to go to Staniel Cay?

I used to be stunned to find that Staniel Cay is a well-liked place to go to year-round. Whereas Staniel Cay has by no means been hit by a significant hurricane, it doesn’t imply it will possibly’t occur.

It’s most likely greatest to plan your go to outdoors of hurricane season, which normally lasts from early June to late November, and typically into early December. The wettest month is October, but it surely nonetheless solely receives on common 12 days of rain in the entire month.

Peak occasions are Christmas and New 12 months, Spring Break, the 4th of July, Bahamian Independence Day, and the primary week in August.

June and July are the busy excessive season. The off-season is normally mid-August/early September to mid-November, however needless to say that is additionally the wet season.

A great time to go to the Exumas is the Spring. From April, the climate is at its mildest and you might be blessed with sunny skies. The height season runs from December till early April, so time to go to could be late April and Might, which is able to see fewer crowds and good climate.

Issues to Do on Staniel Cay

At solely half a mile by two miles lengthy, exploring Staniel Cay is easy and stress-free. There isn’t any have to hurry. Gradual days are the perfect days within the Bahama Islands.

1. Swimming Pigs Tour

The most effective factor to do whereas in Staniel Cay, and why most individuals come right here, is the ‘Swimming with Pigs tour’. Pig Island, or Huge Main Cay because it’s typically generally known as, is the island subsequent to Staniel Cay and is a brief five-minute boat experience.

The easiest way to see them is to affix a swimming with pigs’ tour, 3 N’s Exuma Holidays has the number one ranked tour on TripAdvisor and provides a premium four-hour tour that gives small group sizes.

It has seven stops in addition to Pig Seaside, and contains drinks (even native Bahamian beer, Kalik), snacks, snorkel gear, seaside towels, and entrance charges and taxes. Additionally they provide personal excursions.

Assume sunning Bahamian Rock Iguanas on the seaside of Bitter Guana Cay, swimming with nurse sharks at Compass Cay, snorkeling in a (movie-famous) grotto, and stepping on one of the crucial lovely sandbars on the earth.

2. Get Round by golf cart

Because the island is just one mile by two miles, you’ll be able to stroll in every single place on Staniel Cay. However extra enjoyable is zipping across the island in a golf cart, which you’ll be able to lease from Embrace Resort.

Our women have been most enthusiastic about this – significantly Kalyra, who’s at present getting her driver’s license and needed to follow.

Nevertheless, you have to be totally licensed and eighteen, so we canned that concept, and he or she had enjoyable sitting within the again as an alternative.

That is a kind of occasions when the journey turns into a part of the vacation spot. Take a look at these beautiful views you get as you drive round in your open-air automobile.

3. Discover the seashores on Staniel Cay

There are 5 major seashores on Staniel Cay: City Seaside, Pirate Entice Seaside, Ocean Seaside, Ho Tai Cay Seaside, and South Seaside.

The final two seashores we didn’t go to. I’m unsure why. Doable confusion as to how one can get there on the golf cart, however most likely as a result of we have been blinded by the fantastic thing about Pirate Seaside!

Spend the day on Pirate Seaside

Hiya, one in every of our new high ten seashores on the earth. We couldn’t imagine the vistas of Pirate Seaside as we pulled up in our golf cart.

The circumstances have been excellent. Nonetheless, crystal clear, gentle blue water – it was like being at a large swimming pool – tremendous comfortable white sand. And there was nobody on it.

On each days we visited Pirate seaside there was solely us and a passing boat with a pair who stopped for some time.

It was the proper seaside for swimming, sitting underneath shady bushes and studying (or on the fringe of the water) having a picnic, or exploring.

You possibly can wade over to a small island on the japanese aspect of the seaside which supplies you views out to the ocean. Think about our shock after we rounded the small outcropping of rocks to see a brilliant yacht parked simply offshore in its personal personal house.

On this space, there’s a small cove, which I think about is the way it acquired the identify Pirate Entice Seaside, as these shallow waters would entice a pirate – or not less than disguise one!

I couldn’t recover from how powdery the sand was. I’d sit there watching Savannah learn by the sting of the water, simply enjoying with the sand; it was like flour.

Don’t swim too far out. There’s a robust present within the darker blue waters – you’ll see it and it’ll for certain sweep you out to the ocean.

Pirate Seaside is on the northernmost a part of the island, a couple of 5 min golf cart experience, or 20-minute stroll from Embrace Resort.

We advocate packing a picnic from the Flying Pig Café and utilizing your cooler out of your Embrace Resort villa.

Take a brief hike to Ocean Seaside

The very first thing you’ll discover arriving at Ocean Seaside is that it’s not a seaside for swimming. Because it’s on the ocean aspect of the island, the water is loads rougher and there may very well be riptides to look at for.

However, it’s nonetheless an attractive seaside, and value taking the brief seaside path to succeed in it.

You should park your golf cart at the start of the trail – there’s a signal – and stroll up. Don’t drive the cart, it’ll get caught. Tajia, our host at Embrace Resort recommends Ocean Seaside because the place for dawn on Staniel Cay.

Calm down on Public Seaside

This small seaside is situated subsequent to the Staniel Cay Yacht Membership. There have been by no means greater than 5 individuals on it after we visited, though there have been a number of boats moored out the entrance.

On our first afternoon swim, a sting ray joined us on the fringe of the shore. This was simply after our morning swimming with pigs, and sharks, and hanging out with iguanas. What a spot the Exumas are!

There are additionally lounge chairs on the seaside to be used. You may as well go kayaking or stand-up paddle-boarding and lease gear from the Staniel Cay Yacht Membership, should you favor to be a bit of extra lively.

4. Get a Therapeutic massage from the Therapist to the Stars!

Khori from Illusions by the Sea got here to our villa for an unbelievable deep-tissue therapeutic massage. I felt like a brand new individual after it and have made a pact with 2023 to make this a month-to-month factor!

You understand you might be in good fingers when your therapeutic massage therapist is the masseuse to the celebs. Yep, we have been one diploma of separation from many well-known stars together with Michael Jordan, Paris Hilton, Johnny Depp, and Pooh Bear.

In actual fact, my therapeutic massage was postponed as a result of Khori was caught up with Johnny Depp on his personal island. #ThisIstheExumas

5. Watch The Sundown on Public Seaside

Seize your cooler with a number of drinks and a few snacks and pull up a lounge chair on Public Seaside for a spectacular sundown occasion.

The sundown is best from right here than from the Staniel Yacht Membership (talked about beneath) because it’s a a lot wider vista, and we had all of it to ourselves. It was the proper strategy to finish our Staniel Cay trip.

6. Take pleasure in Sundown Drinks at Staniel Cay Yacht Membership

The Staniel Cay Yacht Membership is famous on this tiny island. It’s the place the place celebrities come to really feel considerably regular, drink a rum cocktail on the bars, and never be disturbed.

We got here down right here one night to look at the sundown. We grabbed a rum cocktail and sat on the small deck outdoors for sundown. We loved watching the massive boats dock into the marina simply as a lot.

Though insider information says they have been infants in comparison with the tremendous yachts that navigate the deeper waters.

7. See the Feeding of Nurse Sharks at Staniel Yacht Membership

Whereas on the Staniel Yacht Membership, pier over the sting of the marina to see a faculty of nurse sharks feeding off the scraps the fishermen throw in from the close by cleansing station.

Whereas they’re docile and delicate, they nonetheless have sharp tooth and received’t tolerate any silly people.

You’ve the chance to swim with nurse sharks on the swimming with pigs’ tour.

8. Tour the close by islands and seashores by boat

If there may be one factor we remorse about our Staniel Cay trip, it’s not exploring the close by islands and seashores in a ship.

Sadly, we didn’t really feel assured to drive a ship round on our personal, as our expertise is proscribed and it’s important to take into consideration tides, reefs, sandbars, and extra once you’re cruising round. The very last thing we needed to do was crash a ship and get stranded on a distant island…Or did we?

When you can confidently drive a ship, then undoubtedly lease one whereas on Staniel Cay. Embrace Resort and 3N’s Exuma Trip Journey Company can assist you manage that.

In hindsight, we want we had of employed a neighborhood driver to take us round.

All you’re going to seek out on the market are hidden coves, jaw-dropping sandbars, wildlife, and empty seashores. Pack your picnic, snorkels, sunscreen, and your curious and zen like spirit.

9. Go snorkelling (or scuba diving) at Thunderball Grotto

Only a brief boat experience west of Staniel Cay and also you’ll attain the spectacular Thunderbal Grotto, an underwater cave system that’s nice enjoyable to snorkel or dive in.

When you’ve seen the James Bond Thunderball film, then you’ll absolutely recognise this spot (hense the identify, Thunderball).

As you would possibly anticipate from Staniel Cay within the Bahamas, it’s alive with marine stay and vibrant coral reefs. You would possibly see some yellow-tail snappers, Angel fish, Sergeant Majors and perhaps even some nurse sharks!

The place to Eat on Staniel Cay

There are just a few locations to eat on Staniel Cay (plus grocery shops listed beneath).

Do not forget that meals on the island is imported, so some menu objects is probably not obtainable once you go to.

Embrace Resort has a provisioning service the place they will have groceries from Nassau prepared for you once you arrive.

Flying Pig Café Embrace Resort

We ate most meals throughout our keep on the Flying Pig Café at our Embrace Resort. Even if you’re not staying right here, you’ll be able to eat at their café.

I used to be stunned at how reasonably priced, recent, and scrumptious the meals was. Kalyra couldn’t get sufficient of the rooster bacon panini, Craig and I ordered the flank steak practically each day, and Savannah fell in love with Mahi Mahi.

These fluffy chocolate chip breakfast waffles have been an enormous hit, particularly with the $6 price ticket! There are gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan choices on the menu, like a coconut chickpea curry.

We have been thrilled that the Flying Pig Café additionally had improbable espresso, and signature cocktails at an reasonably priced value.

There’s a shaded outside seating space, a stunning fashionable ambiance, and a enjoyable video games night time each Thursday for the Staniel Cay group. We have been unhappy to overlook it because of the wet climate cancellation.

You possibly can learn extra concerning the Flying Pig Café in our Embrace Resort overview.

Staniel Yacht Membership

There may be additionally the choice to dine on the Staniel Yacht Membership for lunch or dinner. Word that the costs might be costlier for dinner than lunch. We have been fortunate, on the night we ate right here, that they have been solely working from the lunch menu, which was extra reasonably priced.

They’d gluten-free buns, so I had a blackened recent catch burger with Asian slaw. The child’s menu was fairly costly at $15 for rooster tenders!

The place to Keep on Staniel Cay

Because it’s a small island, there aren’t many lodging choices – principally trip leases in small bungalows. The one “lodge” selection is the Embrace Resort, which is the place we stayed.

Embrace Resort was opened in 2014 by a neighborhood Bahamian girl, Nicole (Nikki) who has been working within the tourism trade for 30 years.

The resort goals to embrace the true essence of Bahamian tradition – rest and a spot the place households can come collectively.

We love that Embrace Resort is an all-female, family-owned enterprise that’s the product of affection and expertise. The Resort is made up of seven one-bedroom villas to three-bedroom villas, surrounding a swimming pool and luxurious gardens.

All visitor rooms include the facilities you’ll anticipate from a resort, resembling security options like smoke detectors and hearth extinguishers within the room, flat display screen television with cable channels, free toiletries within the lavatory, and naturally, free Wi-Fi.

Facilities on Staniel Cay

Come ready to your keep on Staniel Cay as there are restricted facilities. 

The village (solely three tiny streets) is generally a residential home, a church, a marine provide retailer, a submit workplace, a library, a clinic, a small on line casino, three grocery shops, and a laundromat/ liquor retailer.

The grocery shops are:

•  Pink Pearl Groceries – most cost-effective.
•  Burke’s Comfort Retailer – the most costly.
•  Isles Basic A-Z Retailer – closest to Embrace Resort.

There may be additionally a liquor retailer for extra reasonably priced alcohol choices. Don’t overlook duty-free in your strategy to The Bahamas.

How a lot does it value to go to Staniel Cay?

As it is a very subjective query carefully tied to your spending habits, the dimensions of your get together, and what hacking methods you implement to get free or cheaper flights through mileage factors, I can solely give a tough guideline for prices on Staniel Cay.

Many of the Staniel Cay sights listed on this submit might be free. Right here’s a fast finances breakdown to offer you an concept:

• Lodging at Embrace Resort: On the time of writing (January 2023) room costs begin at $250 for one bed room, $550 for two bed room and $600 for 3 bedrooms.
• Meals: At Flying Pig Cafe, Count on to pay $6-12 for breakfast and round $12 – $35 for lunch and dinner. Staniel Cay Yacht Membership anticipate to pay round $20-$50
• Alcohol: Cocktails ranged from $10 – $16 | Beers $5-$6
• Golf Cart Rental: Begin from $60
• Swimming with pigs tour begins from $300. Embrace Resort friends obtain 30% off.

FAQs About Visiting Staniel Cay Bahamas

Right here’s what individuals normally ask us about visiting the Exumas and staying in Staniel Cay.

Is Staniel Cay Protected?

We discovered Staniel Cay to be very secure and didn’t really feel nervous or afraid as soon as. Theft or crime is just not actually an issue, locals even go away the keys of their golf carts and sleep with doorways unlocked. 

The island is small and everybody is aware of everybody, so there’s not loads that may go by undiscovered. However once more, that doesn’t imply issues can’t occur so be cautious.

As with every place you journey to, it’s necessary to make use of widespread sense and concentrate on your environment!

Is there an ATM on the island / are playing cards accepted?

There isn’t any ATM on the island, so convey money. You need to use USD or Bahamian {dollars}. It’s a 1:1 forex trade. Chances are you’ll obtain Bahamian change should you use USD or vice versa.

Sure, Credit score Playing cards are additionally accepted!

What’s the climate like in Staniel Cay?

The Exumas have a tropical savanna local weather with dry winters. The yearly common most temperature in Exumas is 81°F (starting from 76°F in march to 85°F in august). 

Annual rainfall is 64.3 inches, with a minimal of two.1 inches in March and a most of 11.7 inches in October. 

We visited within the first week of January and had beautiful heat climate (80F) each day with a number of sudden, however fast rain showers. Perceive that climate is all the time unpredictable and can’t be managed. Learn to dance within the rain! 

What’s a Cay?

Don’t really feel foolish should you’re questioning what a Cay is or how one can pronounce it. As a result of that was all me.

Cay is pronounced Key (just like the Florida Keys) and it’s merely a naturally occurring low island, both a sandbar or a coral reef. Cay is most frequently utilized to Caribbean islands and comes from the Spanish phrase, Cayo, which implies key.

Do it’s important to tip?

Tipping is just not obligatory however welcome and accepted because the norm. Some locations could routinely add on a gratuity of 15% so make sure you examine your invoice. Keep in mind to tip your guides as properly. 

Last Ideas on a Staniel Cay Trip

It could take time to your Western wired-up physics to loosen up into Bahama Time. That’s, issues occur once they occur, you glide of the day, and principally there isn’t something to do however swim, learn, and be mesmerized by nature’s magnificence.

Keep in mind this, it’s okay to do nothing. Being busy is just not all the time greatest and you’ll not fall behind should you put stillness first.

This journey took me again to my days backpacking Southeast Asia and Africa – earlier than smartphones and social media – and I couldn’t cease craving to return to that.

They have been the times spent being totally current, partaking in what was proper in entrance of me, connecting to different cultures, individuals, and nature, and feeling hidden from the skin world.

These have been actually the perfect days and I believe on this hyper-connected social world, all of us want extra of them.

That is Staniel Cay, and the Exuma Islands!