Great Exuma, Bahamas Beach Vacation

Captain Ray gives my daughter and me floating foam noodles as we jump in the waters off Great Exuma at The Cut, a small channel that separates the island from its neighbor, Little Exuma. As we lazily lounge on the noodles, the current glides us through the channel and around its bend as the vivid aquamarine colors of the water change in hue like a marine rainbow. If ever there was a water ride, this is it, au natural.

Forget the hustle and bustle of bigger Bahamas islands with overwhelming straw markets and tons of tourists. Exuma is known for some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and for tranquility. It’s all about the natural element, the spectacular azure waters and private coves. One exquisite beach we visited was so secluded that our captain found it by scanning Google Earth. (And while Exuma does have a Straw Market, on the road to George Town, it boasts only five to 10 stalls.)

 

• The author’s daughter mans the helm during their exploration of the many cays of Exuma.

Anne Kazel-Wilcox

Luxury Leaves No Stone Unturned

Exuma is a quiet island, but with the addition of the Four Seasons Great Exuma in November 2003, it now packs in some big luxury. The resort is nothing short of spectacular with its crescent beach at Emerald Bay, service extraordinaire and a Greg Norman golf course overlooking the water. (Four Season standard rates start at $375 per night.)

The Exuma resort is a first for the luxury Four Seasons chain in the Bahamas, and no stone is left unturned. My oceanfront suite opens up to a windswept beach, with unmanicured foliage. My daughter is delivered a pail and shovel, once guest services is alerted about her shortage of critical tools for the beach. And a golf cart arrives at our cabana within minutes if we don’t feel like walking the lovely grounds to get where we’re going. The resort is exquisite, as are its surroundings, with a crescent-shaped beach and clear waters.

The resort goes all out for families. When one group with small children wanted to rent the exquisite Royal Beachfront Villa residence, guest services installed a childproof fence around the infinity pool prior to their arrival. Hotel employee Shavan Ferguson says of special requests, “As long as it’s not illegal, we’ll do it.” (The three-bedroom Royal Beachfront Villa has its own private pool, two balconies and an unobstructed view of Emerald Bay. Rates start at $6,300 per night and are subject to a 20 percent Bahamian tax.)

 

• Hole 14 at the Four Seasons Resort Great Exuma.

Courtesy of the Four Seasons Resort Great Exuma

Kids Program and Teen Center

Unlike some very high-end resorts, the Four Seasons Exuma is also very child-friendly, so consider it for your Bahamas family vacation. The Kids For All Season camp, for ages 5 to 12, is complimentary, as is the Teen Center—a fully-equipped recreation space open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily. Of course, the cost is somehow incorporated into the price of the room. But when you have several children, being able to come and go from camp activities without calculating how much every minute is costing is a godsend. The activities are nonstop and even include occasional kid pajama parties (at 6 p.m.) and golf cart drive-in movies for teens (minimum age 16 to drive).

Adult Luxury Zones

Aside from being a family oasis with snorkeling, kayaking and more right off the beach, there is plenty of respite for adults including an adult-only “quiet pool,” a casino, a challenging Greg Norman golf course and a spa. I indulged in a Javanese Lulur Royal Ritual, which includes a Balinese massage followed by skin polishing with turmeric, sandalwood, ginger root, a yogurt splash and more.