Happy Friday, friends, and cheers to the beautiful holiday weekend! I hope you have plans to celebrate and savor time with loved ones. Sloan is coming home for a few days, and we’ll see my parents, as well… so I’m looking forward to lots of family time.
Last month we took advantage of aligned Spring Breaks and went in search of sunshine and warm water in Exuma! We’ve been a couple of times before, and it’s a place we all know and love, so it was an easy choice.
And full disclosure, I may or may not have chosen it to ensure Sloan spent her Spring Break with us, ha! Turns out, free vacations are great incentives for adult kids!
I shared our trip HERE, with videos of where we stayed and ate, along with all our fave spots, beaches and activities, but I know y’all love to have it on Hi Sugarplum for easy reference, as well!
Exuma, Bahamas //
We were thrilled to have Regan, Jackson’s long-time girlfriend, join us again, along with Sloan’s new sorority sister, Hannah. Traveling with adult kids is just so much fun, and Exuma is a great spot with so much to do. And truly, the water and people are just so beautiful!
We rented a beautiful house directly on the beach, and spent our mornings lounging at home, afternoons exploring beaches and the surrounding waters, and finished the days with delicious dinners at casual spots around the island.
on me: Leaf Print Swimsuit (Brown/Tropical, Medium)
Squiggle Halter Dress (size 4) (Also HERE) | Toe Strap Sandals | White Beaded Bag | Love Bracelet | Chain Bracelet
Getting To & Around Exuma //
American Airlines runs flights from Dallas (DFW) to Georgetown (GGT), via Miami and Charlotte a few times each day (on full-size planes), so getting there is fairly easy for us. Definitely check your connection times though, because there are limited flights to Georgetown, so missing your connection means you’re spending your first night on the mainland. Fortunately that’s never happened for us, but we’ve come close! (I posted a video showing the travel day HERE.)
Once on island, customs are fast and easy (the airport is teeny-tiny!). Everyone speaks English, and while they operate with the Bahamian dollar, US dollars and credit cards are widely accepted.
Exuma is about a 1-hour drive from top to bottom, so I’d recommend a car for full exploring! They do drive on the left side of the road, and your rental car may have the steering wheel on the right or left, but since there’s only a single 2-lane road that spans the length of the flat, straight island, it’s not too tricky to navigate.
There are a number of very small car rental companies, but inventory is limited, so reserve early! We’ve used Airport Car Rental in the past (no website, you have to call). Our rental house this visit had a car available, so we were able to rent directly from them. (More on that in a minute.)
Striped Pullover | Sloan’s LTK HERE
Striped Tank (Small) | Tiered Skirt (Small) | Flip Flops | Crochet Bag | Straw Bucket Hat | Sunglasses | Puffy Heart Toggle Necklace | Love Bracelet | Chain Bracelet
Hannah’s Dress | Sloan’s Dress | Sloan’s LTK HERE
on me: U-Wire Swimsuit (Small, code CASSIE15 for orders $70+, code CASSIE20 for orders $109+) | Sarong | Tortoise Sunglasses
on Sloan: Striped Pullover | Sloan’s LTK HERE
on me: Striped Tank (Small) | Tiered Skirt (Small) | Flip Flops | Crochet Bag | Sunglasses | Puffy Heart Toggle Necklace
What I Packed for Exuma //
Exuma is as laidback and casual as they come… after all, it’s an island! There are a handful of spots you could get semi-dressy, but for the most part, I lived in swimsuits, lounge sets, and sundresses. And always with sandy feet and salty hair! I made a little video of all my outfits HERE.
on me: U-Wire Swimsuit (Small, code CASSIE15 for orders $70+, code CASSIE20 for orders $109+) | Sarong | Tortoise Sunglasses
U-Wire Swimsuit (Small, code CASSIE15 for orders $70+, code CASSIE20 for orders $109+) | Gauzy Shirt | Gauzy Pants (Small) | Flip Flops | Crochet Bag | Straw Hat | Sunglasses
Oversized Shirtdress (Blue, Small) | Love Bracelet | Chain Bracelet
Tropical Skirt (Yy509, Small) | Tube Top (Sky, Small) | Toe Strap Sandals | Seashell Necklace | Love Bracelet | Chain Bracelet
Gauzy Shorts Set (Z-blue, Small) | Love Bracelet | Chain Bracelet
Maxi Dress (Small) | Clear Strappy Sandals | White Beaded Bag | Seashell Necklace | Love Bracelet | Chain Bracelet
Favorite Beaches & Activities in Exuma //
Rent a Boat! // Getting on the water is an absolute must in Exuma! The waters are calm and clear, and you need very little boat knowledge to explore on your own (they arm you with a map and a defined area for boating). We’ve rented through Minns Water Sports and Island Exclusive Boats and had great experiences. With a boat, you can visit the sandbar, discover hidden beaches, and stop for lunch at Chat ‘N Chill and Coconut Club on Stocking Island.
Swim with the Pigs // You can’t come to Exuma and not see the pigs… at least once… and Exuma Water Sports is the best on the island! We loved their half-day excursion to swim with the pigs and stingrays, snorkel the blue hole and visit iguana island. The boats are top-notch, as is the crew. Watch our day with the pigs HERE.
Sugarplum Tip: Book the morning excursion for hungry and happy pigs, plus cooler weather.
Explore Georgetown // The main hub of Exuma, Georgetown houses a little straw market, quaint library, a hilltop chapel, plus a handful of cafes and a grocery. A great way to spend a cloudy or windy morning. Stop in the Peace ‘N Plenty bar for a drink or cute photo op.
Little Exuma // Across the one-lane bridge on the south end of the island sits Little Exuma. It’s home to one of the prettiest beaches, Tropic of Cancer, and the yummiest restaurant, Tropic Breeze. Depending on where you’re staying, it can be a bit of a trek, so plan to visit both on the same day.
Chat ‘N Chill and Coconut Club // On nearby Stocking Island, these are fun spots to post up for the day. Chat ‘N Chill has a flip-flop bar, outdoor grill, and docile stingrays waiting for a snack. Coconut Club is a brand new Instagram-worthy beach club with chairs, food, bar, and even lily pad floats. They’re super fun to visit with your own boat, but water taxis are available from Georgetown for the 15-minute trip.
Favorite Beaches // Choosing a favorite beach in Exuma is like picking a favorite kid… they’re all so incredible you truly can’t go wrong! The fun part is exploring and finding your own faves, either by car or boat. The beach outside of our house was truly stunning, so we spent a lot of time there. Tropic of Cancer and Cocoplum Beach are other favorites for us, but I’d love to hear your faves if you go!
U-Wire Swimsuit (Small, code CASSIE15 for orders $70+, code CASSIE20 for orders $109+) | Sarong | Flip Flops | Crochet Bag | Straw Hat | Tortoise Sunglasses
Where We Ate in Exuma //
Shirleys // In Georgetown, and a favorite of locals, you won’t find better conch fritters than Shirleys! There’s usually a wait, but they turn tables quickly, so grab a drink at the bar and hang outside.
Santannas // In Little Exuma, and Johnny Depp’s fave spot while filming ‘Pirates of the Caribbean,’ Santanas serves authentic Caribbean fare, with a chalkboard menu changing daily. Tables are outside on the deck, overlooking a stunning beach.
Tropic Breeze // Our fave spot (when you’re lucky enough to find it open!), Tropic Breeze is the type of place you just order one of everything! The small menu changes daily, and every dish will have you swooning. It’s located in Little Exuma, on a cliff overlooking the aqua waters.
Shoreline Cafe // On the north end of the island, Shoreline Cafe serves fish tacos and plantains that will make you weep! Plus, it sits directly in the sand on the most beautiful beach, surrounded by tall palms and hammocks. So when you aren’t stuffing your face with tacos, you’re staring with disbelief at the scenery.
Sugarplum Tip: Shoreline is near the drop-off from Exuma Water Sports, so it’s a great spot to stop for lunch after your excursion.
Cocoplum Bistro // One of the few places that warrants a sundress and shoes, Cocoplum Bistro has delicious Caribbean French infused food, and a fun ambiance. Make a reservation during busier seasons, but make sure to grab a drink from the beachside bar and hang by the firepit while you wait.
Blu on the Water // Every restaurant in Exuma is on ‘island time,’ but Blu takes that meaning to a whole new level! We celebrated Regan’s birthday here, and loved the more private outdoor tables perched on a deck overlooking the water below. You’ll likely need a reservation, but be prepared to wait anyway. And go before dark to truly enjoy the setting.
Sandpiper Cafe (aka Driftwood Cafe) // In Georgetown, it’s a darling spot for breakfast, brunch, and lunch, and the food is beyond fresh and delicious. It’s next door to Minns Water Sports, so grab sandwiches to go for your day on the water, too!
Private Chef // On our last night, we hired Chef Krissant of Tropic Breeze, who cooked all his signature dishes from the comfort of our house, and it was the best ending to our trip! Highly recommend!
Sloan’s Dress | Hannah’s Dress | My Dress (Small)
Where We Stayed in Exuma //
We rented ‘Lattitude Adjustment‘ for our most recent stay, and were beyond happy with it! Definitely more house than we needed, it has five bedrooms… two of which are in cottages a few yards from the main house, giving everyone lots of space and privacy. While I love having everyone piled up together, I’m learning the value of time to yourself when traveling with family, ha!
It is fully stocked with beach chairs, umbrellas, full kitchen, comfy beds, and decor… and directly on one of the most stunning beaches in Exuma! It’s also only a mile from the airport and about 15 minutes to town.
The house includes concierge service, so we were able to rent a car directly from them (they met us at the airport), plus stocked our fridge and pantry with groceries. Supplies are limited on Exuma, so this is a priceless service! Find the rental listing HERE.
On our last trip we rented through Exuma Rental Homes and can’t recommend their properties enough! And if you prefer a resort setting, The Grand Isle is a good option.
All too soon, it was time to head home… but with a whole new set of incredible memories!
Sleeveless Set (Solid Fruit Green, Small) | Sneakers (Similar HERE) | Crewneck | Crossbody Bag | Sunglasses | Beaded Necklace | Puffy Heart Toggle Necklace | Beis Suitcase (Also HERE) | Calpak Duffel Bag | Water Bottle
It was the absolute best Spring Break, and we all had a blast! I’m so grateful the girls’ breaks overlapped, and Jackson was able to secure time off work. As everyone gets older, finding these windows of time becomes even more precious. But you can guarantee I’ll continue booking trips to persuade them!
Have you been to Exuma? If you love laidback island vibes and the most stunning beaches, add it to your list! And if you want to see even more of our trip, check out this video highlight in my Instagram HERE. And if you like a day by day itinerary, check out this post HERE for our first trip to Exuma!
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My Travel Essentials
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Spring Break in St. John, USVI
Snapshots from Hotel Esencia
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Le Taha’a Resort | A Gem in French Polynesia
Great Stays | Four Seasons Bora Bora
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Vacation Essentials
Vacation Vibes | The Styles I Pack On Repeat
Trip Report | Exuma, Bahamas
How to Pack a Hat
Trip Report | Vieques, Puerto Rico
Trip Report | Pine Cay
Trip Report | Isla Holbox
All Travel Posts HERE
What a fun post! Looks like a great trip. And thank you for keeping your blog going – I get so distracted on Instagram that it’s fun to have everything here in one spot.
Thanks so much, Lisa! I really appreciate that, and so glad you still enjoy reading here! xo. C