16/08/2026
🏝️ FLYING INTO EXUMA? HERE’S HOW TO PLAN YOUR ARRIVAL DAY 🇧🇸
If you’re staying in a vacation rental in Exuma, here’s one thing first-time visitors sometimes underestimate:
If your flight lands at noon, don’t expect to be sitting at your rental house at 12:30.
Between Immigration & Customs, luggage, picking up your rental car and shopping, I recommend allowing 2–3 hours before you actually arrive at your house.
✈️ BEFORE YOU ARRIVE
Make sure you’ve been in contact with your property manager and that they have your arrival AND departure flight information.
If your flight is delayed, keep them updated so they know when to expect you and can coordinate meeting you at the house.
🚙 ONCE YOU LAND
You’ll go through Immigration & Customs, collect your luggage and pick up your rental car. Most visitors rent a car in Exuma, and I highly recommend having one.
🥩 FIRST STOP — Exuma Market Hoopers Bay/PRIME ISLAND MEATS IN HOOPERS BAY
If you’re planning on grilling, this is where I like to stop for steaks, pork chops, deli meats, cheeses and other butcher items.
🛒 THEN STOCK UP ON GROCERIES
There are several options, and inventory can vary from store to store, so some visitors like checking out more than one:
• Smitty’s Grocery & Convenience – Hoopers Bay
• Exuma Markets – George Town
• Shop Rite – George Town
🍹 DON’T FORGET BEER, WINE & LIQUOR
There are liquor stores conveniently located around the grocery-shopping areas, including next to Smitty’s and near Exuma Markets.
🦞 WANT FRESH FISH OR LOBSTER?
One of my favorite tips is to WhatsApp a local fisherman before you arrive and see what they have fresh.
We have a list of local fishermen and seafood contacts that we use and recommend.
👇 CHECK THE COMMENTS FOR THE FISHERMAN & SEAFOOD CONTACT LIST.
There’s nothing better than fresh Exuma fish or lobster on the grill at your vacation rental! 🦞🔥
🧊 GRAB A COUPLE BAGS OF ICE
Most vacation rentals have an ice maker, but if you have a large group making drinks, it’s smart to grab a couple bags as backup.
⏰ ALLOW 2–3 HOURS FOR ALL OF THIS
If your flight arrives around 12:00 PM, getting to your vacation rental around 3:00 PM can be completely normal.
Immigration & Customs + luggage + rental car + groceries + beverages all take time.
🛒 OR MAKE IT EASY — HAVE THE HOUSE PRE-STOCKED
Ask your property manager if they offer pre-arrival grocery and beverage stocking.
Our property managers can arrange to have the kitchen stocked before you arrive. After traveling all day, sometimes it’s worth it to pick up your rental car, drive straight to the house, unpack, grab a cold drink and start your vacation. 🍹🏝️
🍔 HUNGRY WHEN YOU GET OFF THE PLANE?
Especially if you’re traveling with kids, I like Splash. It’s on the water, casual and kid-friendly, with food for adults and kids and games to keep the kids entertained.
🇧🇸 THE BIGGEST TIP: DON’T RUSH YOUR ARRIVAL DAY.
You’re in Exuma! Give yourself a few hours to get everything done, settle into the house and start enjoying the island.
A little planning before you arrive makes your first day in Exuma a whole lot easier. 🌊☀️🏝️
👉 Save or share this with someone planning their first trip to Exuma — and check the comments for our local fisherman & seafood contacts!
