At solely a few miles lengthy and with a inhabitants of round 100 residents, Staniel Cay could also be small, but it surely packs a punch! In the event you’re on the lookout for a peaceable, but enjoyable trip, learn on to be taught every little thing you could find out about Staniel Cay within the Exumas.
Initially, we had been planning on spending 5 nights on the cay. It’s so small, we didn’t assume there could be all that a lot to see and do there. We had been incorrect!
In actual fact, we ended up extending our keep to 10 nights and will have simply spent 2 weeks on and round stunning Staniel Cay — there’s simply one thing magical about this place.
Identified for the well-known swimming pigs, the Thunderball grotto, pristine sandbars and a lot extra, it’s no shock individuals come from all world wide to go to this little piece of paradise.
On this information, I’ll share every little thing you could find out about visiting Staniel Cay within the Bahamas.
Attending to Staniel Cay
To start with, the place is Staniel Cay and the way do you get there?
The place is Staniel Cay?
This little cay is situated within the Exumas, mainly in the course of the Bahamas. It’s round 120 kilometers (75 miles) south of Nassau and 400 kilometers (250 miles) southeast of Florida.
There are 365 islands (cays) within the Exumas district of the Bahamas, with Staniel Cay being certainly one of them.
How Do You Get to Staniel Cay?
Except you may have your personal boat and are crusing or cruising across the Bahamas, one of the simplest ways to get to Staniel Cay is by flight.
There is a mailboat that leaves from Nassau and heads to Staniel Cay as soon as per week, however that takes 12 hours and the entire locals we spoke to mentioned they wouldn’t take it now that there are flight choices.
From the United States, you may fly direct to Staniel Cay on a flight with Makers Air from Ft. Lauderdale. Or, take a industrial flight from Florida to Nassau after which a direct, 30-minute flight to Staniel Cay with Flamingo Air.
There are quite a few flights per day.
We flew with Makers Air in a 9 seater airplane from Ft. Lauderdale and the journey was snug and secure. We arrived on the hanger on the Govt Airport in Ft. Lauderdale simply 1 hour earlier than the flight was on account of take off and loved espresso and snacks within the lounge.
The flight was two hours and fifteen minutes, together with a cease on Andros Island to finish immigration. The view from the airplane was unimaginable!
As soon as we arrived in Staniel Cay, we had been greeted by Natajia from Embrace Resort and after a 2-minute golf cart trip, we arrived at our lodging.
This was the best flight day we’ve ever had. Attending to Staniel Cay is easy.
The place to Keep in Staniel Cay
There are only some lodging choices on Staniel Cay, together with dear trip properties, bungalows, and the Staniel Cay Yacht Membership. We spent 10 days at Embrace Resort and advocate it — we felt like household throughout our keep.
About Embrace Resort
The resort, which consists of simply 7 vibrant villas, is owned and operated by an all-female, native workforce. The employees actually made our keep memorable.
The proprietor (Nikki) and her daughter (Natajia) had been each born and raised on Staniel Cay! They know every little thing there may be to know concerning the space and are blissful to share their house with guests.
The Villas at Embrace Resort
The rooms showcase Bahamian tradition, and every villa is called after one of many islands within the nation.
We stayed in each Cat Island and Andros villas. Cat Island is a cute studio bungalow good for a pair, whereas Andros is a 2-level villa with 3 bedrooms, good for households or a gaggle of buddies.
The villas include a microwave, espresso maker, kettle, and mini-fridge. Within the case of the 2-level villas, there’s a full kitchen as nicely.
You’ll additionally discover a flatscreen TV and as a bonus, a cooler (icebox) to make use of in your day by day adventures! Plus, there’s an ice machine on the property. Click on right here to be taught extra and seek for the newest costs.
Facilities
Embrace Resort is situated proper by the airport they usually have their very own personal dock proper close to the resort. This makes day journeys on the boat or renting your personal boat actually handy.
The property isn’t oceanfront, however there’s a good pool that the villas face. The onsite restaurant is predicted to be full this summer time, adopted by a present store, health club, and convention room. A number of issues happening right here at Embrace!
Presently, you may e-book excursions, lease golf carts, and lease a ship on-site with 3N’s Exuma Holidays.
Lastly, for those who want a unfavourable antigen take a look at on your subsequent vacation spot (ie: the USA), Embrace provides this service. The directors of the take a look at are professionally skilled and first-aid licensed.
We personally had two COVID exams every at Embrace Resort and the exams had been pain-free, fast, and straightforward.
Issues To Do in Staniel Cay
We had been by no means bored throughout our 10 day journey to Staniel Cay. Relaxed? Sure. Bored? By no means. These are the highest 5 issues to see and do in Staniel Cay.
1. Be part of a Day Journey
One of the simplest ways to see the principle highlights round Staniel Cay is to affix a day journey. We booked this tour with 3N’s Exuma Holidays and it was a lot enjoyable!
The spotlight was the well-known swimming pigs of the Bahamas, however, the tour provides a lot greater than the piggies.
The highlights embrace: seeing the pigs, swimming with nurse sharks at Compass Cay, exploring Thunderball Grotto, stepping foot on the attractive Pipe Creek sandbar, snorkelling over a sunken airplane, and visiting the Bahamian rock iguanas at Bitter Guana Cay. There’s additionally a lunch break on the tour.
I may have listed all of these items to do in Staniel Cay as separate gadgets, however at the present time journey covers all of them and is certainly worthwhile!
Take a look at our video of the AWESOME day journey!
Becoming a member of the highlights day journey is among the greatest issues to do in Staniel Cay. Discover out extra right here, or e-book on Viator for those who’d want. Professional tip: for those who keep at Embrace Resort, you obtain 30% off the tour.
2. Hire a Boat and Uncover Hidden Spots
Renting your personal boat is feasible within the Bahamas! Rent a ship and be a captain for the day.
The water across the Exumas is calm and secure. We had a 17-foot Whaler boat for 3 days throughout our keep in Staniel Cay and had a blast discovering hidden coves to name our personal. Our favorite space was most likely the sandbars close to Sampson Cay — what an absolute dream.
We discovered so many wonderful sandbars and empty seashores. It was lots of enjoyable mooring up, studying our books, suntanning, after which transferring on to the subsequent stunning spot. Converse to your lodging about renting a ship.
3. Discover by Golf Cart
One of the crucial distinctive issues about Staniel Cay is the truth that individuals get round by golf carts right here.
Hire a golf cart with 3N’s Exuma Holidays and discover. The golf carts are electrical, which is so good because it makes for a peaceable means of getting round.
Seeing Staniel Cay by golf cart is the best possible means. Pack the cart along with your seaside gear and a cooler stuffed with meals and drinks and set off for a enjoyable day of exploration.
Golf Cart leases are $70 for twenty-four hours ($60 for Embrace Resort visitors). Study extra and e-book your cart right here.
4. Lounge on the Seashore
For such a small place, Staniel Cay’s seashores are diversified and exquisite. We visited in February and had many of those attractive sandy spots to ourselves.
Deliver your towel, a e-book, some meals, and drinks, and benefit from the day. There are not any services on any of those seashores.
Don’t miss Public Seashore (City Seashore), Pirate Seashore, Ho Tai Cay Seashore, South Seashore and Ocean Seashore. Extra on one of the best stretches of sand under.
5. Watch Sundown
The sunsets on Staniel Cay are magical. Seize a sundowner and head to your favorite spot on the west coast to witness the solar dip in direction of the ocean.
Our prime sunset-watching spots had been from the Yacht Membership on the finish of the jetty, and from Public Seashore.
Finest Staniel Cay Eating places
There are solely a handful of Staniel Cay eating places, which is why it’s so nice that Embrace Resort is opening up a brand new one quickly. Replace 2024: Embrace Resort has opened up a brand new restaurant known as “the Flyin’ Pig Cafe” – which is nice as there aren’t that many choices on the island!
You may see the menu right here – the meals and drinks sound improbable!
The Yacht Membership
That is the principle restaurant on the island. Right here you may get pleasure from breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Or, simply sit on the busy bar and sip on a drink whereas chatting with different travellers.
Be sure to strive the peanut colada, you may thank me later!
For lunch, I like to recommend the recent fish of the day, the burger, and the Asian tacos. For dinner, you may’t go incorrect with child again ribs, lobster, or lamb.
For dinner, you will need to order prematurely on the identical day earlier than 4:00pm. Nonetheless, be certain that to position your order as quickly as you may, as you could not get a desk.
Yow will discover the menu right here and reserve your spot by emailing: reservations@stanielcay.com.
Barbie’s Kitchen
Barbara (aka Barbie) and Tameka are an area mother-daughter workforce who serves up fabulous lunches on the weekend. We had been fortunate sufficient to reach on a Saturday and had fried grouper with tartar sauce, potato salad, rice, inexperienced beans and plantain for dessert.
Ask at your lodging for instructions and the menu of the day.
Huge Canines
It is a chilled-out native bar with a pleasant environment. The meals right here is Bahamian and is scrumptious. We ordered a lunch of stewed rooster with rice and peas and corn and weren’t disenchanted! Discover Huge Canines on the map right here.
Cook dinner for Your self
Our villa at Embrace Resort had a full kitchen so we had been capable of prepare dinner for ourselves. It’s at all times extra enjoyable to dine out, however you would whip up a fast breakfast, and for lunch possibly some pasta, soup and sandwich, or one other easy meal.
Finest Seashores in Staniel Cay
Contemplating it’s a cay, it’s no shock that there are some fairly stretches of sand right here. What shocked us, nonetheless, was that more often than not we had the seashores solely to ourselves!
Not one of the seashores have any type of facilities, so be sure you use the bathrooms earlier than beginning your seaside day, and convey meals and drinks.
These are the 5 fundamental public seashores on Staniel Cay — in fact, you would at all times seek for your personal hidden seaside!
Pirate Seashore
Positioned within the north of the island, this can be a stunning seaside. The Pirate Seashore provides gentle, powdery sand and there’s some shade right here as nicely. At low tide, you may stroll across the bend.
Understand that there’s a channel of speeding water offshore (it’s very noticeable), so don’t swim out too far. Discover it on the map right here.
Public Seashore (City Seashore)
This stretch of sand is situated subsequent to the Staniel Cay Yacht Membership, and whereas there are typically small boats moored up right here, we nonetheless actually liked this spot.
Throughout our keep, there have been 4 lounge chairs out there and earlier than we had knowledge on our telephones, we had been in a position to hook up with the wifi on the yacht membership. We additionally noticed some nurse sharks, rays and turtles right here.
Public Seashore can be an important place to look at the sundown.
Ho Tai Cai
That is really a gaggle of two fairly seashores, which provides some shade as nicely. In the event you’re driving a golf cart, you’ll have to park close to the airstrip and stroll throughout the little creek — don’t get the golf cart submerged in water, or caught within the sand!
There are some primary picket benches at Ho Tai Cai and it’s a spot the place locals hangout with buddies. Proceed strolling over a small hill and also you’ll arrive on the subsequent seaside…
South Seashore
This was most likely our favorite seaside on Staniel Cay! There are a couple of trip properties right here, however once more, nobody was ever on the seaside once we visited. You may stroll the complete size, after which go for a swim.
The water may be fairly shallow right here, but it surely’s good and calm. Preserve your eyes open for stingrays — you don’t need to step on one.
Ocean Seashore
This isn’t a seaside for swimming, it’s extra of an thrilling viewpoint and an important place to look at the sundown. When driving in direction of Pirate Seashore, you’ll see a path signal. Park your golf cart and stroll the trail to Ocean Seashore — you may’t drive.
Don’t swim right here because the water is tough and there may very well be undertows and riptides.
Seashores Round Staniel Cay
As I discussed earlier than, probably the greatest issues to do in Staniel Cay is to lease a ship and discover the close by Exumas. That is the place you’ll discover different attractive, abandoned seashores…and sandbars!
Head north in direction of Pig Seashore and Fowl Cay, and farther afield to Sampson Cay and Pipe Cay. In these areas, we discovered our favorite seashores.
Facilities on Staniel Cay
Staniel Cay is small and rustic. You gained’t discover purchasing malls, cinemas, gyms, or something like that — which is all a part of the appeal right here.
Three small grocery retailers are promoting the fundamentals: The Blue Retailer, Pink Pearls, and Isles Common. For booze, you’ll discover a Laundromat/liquor retailer. Do your laundry whereas sipping on a beer!
There are a handful of eating places (listed above), one church, a publish workplace, a clinic, a library, and a telecommunications workplace the place you should purchase a SIM card on your keep.
Is Staniel Cay Protected?
Sure, Staniel Cay could be very secure for vacationers. Because the island is so small, everybody is aware of everybody — you couldn’t get away with something right here.
Folks sleep with doorways unlocked and depart keys of their golf carts and boats, theft and crime aren’t an issue. Tourism is large in Staniel Cay (and the Bahamas as an entire), that means vacationers are nicely taken care of.
The one factor I might be conscious of is the solar, dehydration, and doubtlessly getting caught out in a storm on the ocean. However even then, with slightly frequent sense, you’ll don’t have any points in anyway.
Put on a hat, placed on sunscreen, and drink a number of water. When renting a ship or taking a tour, guarantee lifejackets are on board, and there’s a radio in case of emergencies.
We by no means felt uneasy as soon as throughout our 10-day keep. All the locals and vacationers we met had been extremely pleasant and welcoming. Staniel Cay is a really secure place.
Climate in Staniel Cay
The climate in Staniel Cay, Exumas is just about good year-round, with a excessive temperature of round 25 – 30 °Celcius (77 ° – 86 ° Fahrenheit).
We visited initially of February and other than one wet afternoon, we had completely clear skies and temperatures of round 21 – 25 °Celcius (70 – 77 ° Fahrenheit).
If you wish to go to within the low season to keep away from crowds and peak tourism costs, you solely have a couple of choices — February, September, October, and November.
Winter Season (December – February)
The winter season runs from December to February, which is the best time of the yr. December and January are busy in Staniel Cay.
Spring Season (March – Might)
Spring runs from March to Might. At the moment, the climate is extra humid and hotter than within the winter. Spring can be one of many excessive tourism seasons within the space on account of Spring Break and Easter holidays in Canada and the USA.
Summer time Season (June – August)
Summer time is from June to August and in contrast to the Caribbean islands within the south, that is really thought of the excessive tourism season for Staniel Cay. Summer time months see virtually no rain in any respect.
Autumn Season (September – November)
Fall runs from September to November and is taken into account the shoulder season within the Bahamas. Nonetheless, needless to say October is the wettest month with round 12 days of rain throughout this time.
Cash and ATMs
The Bahamian Greenback (BSD) is pegged 1:1 to the US Greenback and the Bahamas accepts US {dollars} interchangeably with Bahamian {dollars}.
So, you may convey your US money and spend it round Staniel Cay. Irrespective of which forex you spend, you would possibly obtain change in BSD or USD!
Understand that there are not any ATMs or banks on Staniel Cay. Be sure to convey sufficient money on your keep, or pay for meals, excursions, and leases with a bank card.
Value of Travelling to Staniel Cay
Staniel Cay is a spot to get pleasure from a romantic trip, have a good time an necessary occasion, or have a enjoyable journey with family and friends. The Bahamas isn’t a funds vacation spot, but it surely doesn’t have to interrupt the financial institution both.
As you may think about, since Staniel Cay is a distant vacation spot, mainly all gadgets must be imported — both from the USA or “mainland” Nassau. Due to this, the price of items are greater.
On the excessive finish, anticipate to spend $20 per individual for lunch and $50 per individual for dinner. These costs are inclusive of 10% VAT and 15% gratuity.
I like to recommend budgeting $150 per day for a pair for meals and drinks on Staniel Cay. You may at all times pay along with your bank card for those who go over that quantity.
For transportation, you may lease a golf cart for $70 per day ($60 for those who’re staying at Embrace Resort), stroll the island on foot, or lease a bicycle.
To affix the swimming with pigs tour from Staniel Cay, that can price $249 per individual (Embrace Resort visitors obtain 30% off). Hiring a 17-foot boat for the day prices $250.
Often Requested Questions
Listed below are solutions to some generally requested questions on travelling to Staniel Cay.
Is there any nightlife on Staniel Cay?
There are not any nightclubs or loopy bars right here on Staniel Cay. After the solar units, everybody appears to congregate on the Staniel Cay Yacht Membership for dinner, drinks on the bar there, and a sport of pool. When there are sporting occasions, the yacht golf equipment reveals them on the TVs across the bar.
Are there any gyms on Staniel Cay?
No, at present there are not any gyms or health facilities. Nonetheless, Embrace Resort is within the means of constructing one! For train, you may go swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, biking, or strolling.
What’s the distinction between an island and a cay?!
It is a good query. The Bahamas is house to islands and smaller “islands” known as cays.
Islands are fully surrounded by water and are shaped by a volcanic eruption or belong to a continental plate containing a bigger landmass.
Cays are shaped on coral reefs when sediment strikes throughout the ocean and turns into “caught” on the reef. Over time, that sediment builds up and creates sandy islands, known as cays.
Since cays are additionally surrounded by water, actually the one distinction between an island and a cay is how they’re shaped.
Staniel Cay Journey Video
Take a look at our video which showcases the attractive cay, in addition to the enjoyable issues to see and do, the place to remain, one of the best seashores, and extra!
Take pleasure in Your Journey to Staniel Cay
We met so many pleasant individuals throughout our journey to Staniel Cay — each international and native. What actually stood out was the truth that a lot of them returned to this little cay every year. After our 10-day keep, I can see why! There’s simply one thing particular about Staniel Cay.
I hope this information helped plan your journey! Be happy to e mail me with any questions on visiting Staniel Cay and seeing the entire highlights of the Exumas.
