Exuma Cays - Fish Fly, Pigs Swim and the Nurse Sharks Are Friendly

The Exuma Cays offer the Out Island visitor some ofresidence below the marina docks. The owner of the
the most beautiful scenery in Bahamas, with desertedisland feeds the sharks frequently throughout the day,
pure white beaches, clear turquoise water, and endlessand visitors who come in by boat enjoy swimming and
blue skies. But the best-kept secret in these islands issnorkeling amongst these magnificent, but docile
the abundance of marine life, and wildlife that arecreatures. Here you can also see schools of bonefish,
inhabitants of these waters and islands.snapper, and angelfish waiting to be fed.
The Exuma Land and Sea Park stretches for 176Further south in the chain, you will find a sight that will
square miles, and has been instituted to protect theamaze and delight you. The island of Big Major houses
marine life lying within it waters. Groupers, conch,a group of pigs that will actually swim to your boat as
lobsters, turtles and hundreds of species of fish andyou approach the beach. They are automatically
mollusks thrive in the park due to the no take fishingaccustomed to being fed by cruisers and yachtsmen
restrictions within the park. You will marvel at theas they pass through these waters, and will greet you
numbers of tropical fish that freely swim around you ifwhen they hear your engine. Be sure to bring your
you dive or snorkel, and if you are lucky, you mightleftovers for a quick feed.
catch glimpse of a turtle!Each day, you will see the local natives bring bags of
In addition to the topical fish, nurse sharks and stingraysconch to be cleaned at the marinas and local docks.
are a common site. These islands have strongConch is a local staple food, and is in abundance in
currents that bring in ocean water across the shallowsthese waters, and seafood is always on the menu.
and the sharks continuously patrol in search of food. IfThe deeper waters also have an abundance of
you visit the island of Compass Cay, you can actuallyDorado, Wahoo, and Tuna, and as you cruise, you will
swim with 'friendly' nurse sharks, which have taken upsee the flying fish jump along your wake.