Enjoy the secret, wild side of the Bahamas known as the “out islands.” These are the real Bahamas, where pristine landscapes remain intact and a rich Bahamian culture thrives largely unchanged by mass tourism. The remote Exuma Cays and Brigantine Islands spill across the pristine Caribbean waters for 120 miles. With 365 palm-fringed islands to chose from, the paddling possibilities are endless. Sapphire waters, blue sky horizons, epic sunsets and sugary white sand beaches merge seamlessly, creating a tropical sea kayakers' paradise. Coral reefs abound in these pristine, warm waters, supporting a busy undersea community of exotic creatures. Slip off your kayak and snorkel the reefs. On this trip you will experience and learn about the wonderful interface where land and sea meet in a stunningly beautiful place. Time slows as the sound of your steadily dipping paddle replaces the noise and hustle of town life. This is the Bahamas most people never see. Sea kayaking provides a unique, intimate experience unlike any other.
Sample Itinerary
Please note: While the itinerary presented is an accurate depiction of what your trip will be like, it is only an example. Our trips are real adventures in the outdoors--not pre-packaged tours that happen on a schedule.
DAY 1: Meet your trip leaders in George Town, the gateway city to the Exuma and Brigantine Islands, at the Peace and Plenty Hotel. Enjoy getting to know your group and guides over a seafood dinner. After dinner you can take a stroll through town and watch the sunset over beautiful Elizabeth Harbor.
DAY 2: Wake up early, enjoy coffee and a hearty breakfast at Peace and Plenty. Depart for the small village of Barre Terre, the departure point for the wild islands to the north. After a sea kayaking instruction session, depart Barre Terre for your first night’s beach camp.
DAY 3: Enjoy a sunrise dip in the ocean and a hearty breakfast on the beach. Take to the sea with your kayaks and paddle north along Lee Stocking Island past Tug and Barge Rock, and cross over to Norman's Caye. Look for dolphins and conch! Camp on a beautiful long white beach--the Caribbean at it's best. You'll see conchs swimming. Leave the young ones alone.
DAYS 4 THROUGH 5: Explore the reefs, shoals and mangroves of the Brigantine Islands. You’ll hop from island to island, camping on isolated, pristine white sand beaches. Explore mangrove channels, working your way through the salt water-tolerant trees to discover the rich varieties of life that exist here. Visit a myriad of shallow patch reefs and don snorkeling gear to explore these fascinating underwater realms.
DAY 6: After breakfast on the beach and a short paddle along the coast, return to the quiet sea village of Barre Terre. Shuttle back to Georgetown and stay at Peace and Plenty for a final evening of exploration, shopping and dinner with your group. Go have dinner at the local hotspot. Retire to a beautiful lodge for the night.
DAY 7: Enjoy one last breakfast in the cool Bahamian morning. Pack your bags and join your group in a shuttle to the airport. Share a few more stories and laughs before saying goodbye and returning to your respective homes.
Travel, Terrain, Etc...
TERRAIN/ROUTE CHOICES: The Exuma Cays lie to the north of Great Exuma Island in the central Bahamas. Offering a wide range of route options from very easy to very difficult, the "out islands" afford the perfect setting for novice and expert kayakers alike. This region is especially welcoming to those who are interested in learning the skills involved in ocean craft travel. Your trail leaders will determine the route you will take, based on weather conditions and your group's interests.
TYPE OF TRAVEL/DISTANCE: You will travel in tandem Necky & Wilderness Systems expedition kayaks which hold 2 paddlers and all necessary gear. An average day's travel consists of 3-6 hours of paddling. Travel distances vary from 6-12 miles per day with the exception of scheduled layover days. To protect the environment, WI uses Leave No Trace camping techniques.
WEATHER: Temperatures in the spring range from 60 F to 85 F. Rainfall can vary, but typical February days are clear and breezy.
LODGING/BATHROOM FACILITIES: With the exception of the first and last nights, this is a camping trip. At night you will sleep in comfortable, spacious tents. Typically, there are 3 people per 4 person tent (although other arrangements can be made). We recommend that you bring your own personal sleeping bag and "camprest" foam core inflatable mattress. Bathroom facilities consist of a foldable commode chair set up over the provided facility, with a privacy tent if necessary. We make every effort to ensure privacy and cleanliness.
GROUP SIZE: The group size for this trip is limited to 12 people, plus 1-2 Wilderness Inquiry staff. Most groups consists of people of various ages, backgrounds and abilities, including people with disabilities.
CAMP CHORES: Our trips are cooperative in nature. WI staff will assist you in whatever areas you need, however most people pitch in where they can. Part of the adventure involves learning about daily camp activities.
EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING: If you are new to outdoor activities, you need not spend a lot of money on gear. Wilderness Inquiry will provide all necessary kayaking and camping equipment. All you need to provide is your personal gear, such as clothing and a sleeping bag. A detailed equipment list will be sent to you upon confirmation of your participation. If you need to borrow personal gear, that can usually be arranged.
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: While no previous experience is needed to complete this trip, this is a challenging destination due to the often windy conditions.
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Wilderness Inquiry is proud to serve Caribou Coffee on all our trips. Great food, great coffee, and great company are just some of the ingredients that make Wilderness Inquiry trips special.
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The Bahamas, derived from the Spanish, Baja Mar, are a series of over 700 islands and cays appropriately named for the shallow seas that surround them. Cradled atop two elevated bank systems, shore depths rarely reach more than 33 feet. In contrast, where the two banks drop off, depths can near two and a half miles. These rich and diverse marine habitats afford tourists some of the best snorkeling and diving in the world and have helped shape the Bahamas into an aggressive contender within the tourism industry.
A mere 50 miles from the Florida coast, the Bahamian islands support surprisingly Caribbean, rather than North American, ecology. During the last of four major glacial advances, sea levels momentarily dropped, exposing the shallow Bahama platform. The banks rose towards the Greater Antilles, lessening the distance between Cuba and the islands, and allowing a diverse population of flora and fauna to cross from southern regions.
Much later, in the 7th century, a people known as the Lucayans sailed from these same nearby lands and moved as far east as San Salvador Island. Here, in 1492 the Lucayans welcomed Christopher Columbus as he first set foot in the New World.
Throughout history, the Bahamas have hosted a wide variety of inhabitants, from indigenous peoples to Loyalists and their slaves leaving the U.S. after 1783. A British Crown Colony until 1964, the Bahamas continue to mirror British politics and the Queen of England serves as a ceremonial head of state.
Kayaking the Bahamas is particularly unique due to the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, the first ever protected replenishment zone. This pristine marine environment showcases some of the Bahamas’ most overwhelming displays of colorful coral and anemone gardens. Stromatolites, a blue-green algae and the oldest living evidence of life on earth, can also be found within the park.
For more information, visit these links:
The Bahamas National Trust
Geographia.com Exuma information
Official Tourism Website of the Bahamas
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