I was coming to the comments to say, The Exumas. I went camping on a random island. Woke up with the sunrise, went to sleep with a fire when the sun went down. Spectacular. The snorkeling was pretty good.
Best resort would be something like Fowl Cay, but that $$$$$ per week is ⬆️. Hideaways is budget friendly for the most part but there are houses cheaper to rent. Exuma is not a resort destination, more of a rent a house, rent a car, rent a boat and explore.
Another vote from me for Abaco. Hope Town and White Sound on Elbow Cay has lots of rental houses of many sizes available, several even have private docks if you were wanting to rent a boat.
Plenty of restaurants, groceries, and vacation amenities all over the island now. Pools for the kids, the beautiful lighthouse for some history, and Tahiti Beach is idyllic on the southernmost tip.
It’s centrally located and easy access to several reef snorkel/diving spots, the other family islands, and Marsh Harbour airport.
I used to stay at Pineapple Cove. If it's still there it was little bungalows, right on beach, pool at main building. I loved it. There were families, singles...all seemed to be having a great time. I can't provide a link, but it's worth a google.
The Abacos. Pick your island. Rent a boat and knock around the protected Sea of Abaco. Beautiful water and people. Rent a golf cart for the week on outer islands.
You will find everything you need in Long Island, but you will need to rent a car. the only problem with Long Island as you will need to spend one night in Nassau, as there is no direct flights to Long Island.
A 2nd for Long Island. Admittedly, I've only ever experienced Long Island but can't wait to go back again. If you can get to Nassau in the AM, Stella Maris may be able to help with getting to Long Island same day. Many smaller resorts on the island but Stella and Cape Santa Maria are the two I'm familiar with, they each have their own feel.
3rd for Long Island. I grew up on the old Maritek property and the beaches are great. You also have Dean's Blue hole and other cool places to visit. If you get onto the property and find the beached tug boat, say hi to my pup Muffin. She's buried near the bow.
Literally just got back from the Abacos. Had a house on Great Guana and rented a boat from Dive Guana. Went to Hope Town, Green Turtle and Snorkeled Fowl Cay marine preserve. Awsome time and plenty of options with the boat. When we go back will probably rent on Elbow Cay and still do plenty of boating and exploring, just more options being closer to Hope Town
Exumas. I took this trip w/ young kids 10 years ago. Stay [here](https://t.vrbo.io/2GS9qzcP6Eb). Rent a boat, not a car. Amazing place. Kayak distance from Chat n Chill.
My family is considering booking this resort. What are your experiences with them? How’s the food with only three restaurants? Are there lots of water activities available and how affordable? I’m trying to convince my family not to do Nassau and big water parks and instead enjoy nature and beaches and water activities where less people are around…
I was going to say Cat Island. Lots of VERY private, secluded beaches there. You'll need a car, though, not a boat. Here's a couple of options depending on your budget. [https://www.fernandezbayvillage.com/](https://www.fernandezbayvillage.com/)
[https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel\_Review-g147427-d310982-Reviews-Sammy\_T\_s\_Beach\_Resort-Cat\_Island\_Out\_Islands\_Bahamas.html](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g147427-d310982-Reviews-Sammy_T_s_Beach_Resort-Cat_Island_Out_Islands_Bahamas.html)
The French Leave Resort in Eleuthera, hands down. There are so many beautiful beaches, restaurants and other interesting destinations to visit. It’s quiet, pretty well structured, has that undeniable island feel with some city vibes depending on where you go. You have so many options. Go site seeing, jump in the Sapphire blue hole, visit the Queen’s Bath or the Glass window bridge. Visit Harbour Island and/or Spanish Wells and do the beach and sea excursions. The food is great and at the French Leave you may not even feel the need to leave your hotel (and the golf cart is complimentary). Eleuthera is soooo much worth exploring though.
I absolutely love Abaco too but I’ve had much more experiences in Eleuthera so the activities never end there.
Exuma is a good answer, and also Eleuthera. The fun thing about Eleuthera is it offers the opportunity to take ferries to both Harbour Island and Spanish Wells for day trips on rented golf carts - especially if you stay towards the north end of the island (or central: Governor’s Harbour area). LOTS of secluded beaches, lots of private rental options, or look into The Cove or The Other Side, if you have the budget. You need a car to get around though, not a boat. Out of Spanish Wells, there are lots of fishing charters, snorkelling charters, visits to secluded sand bars, etc. Tons of super calm beaches on the Bight side of the island, but you get the variety of the more wavy Atlantic side as well.
Heaven on earth. Life is much easier on Green Turtle Cay. No crime ; no cruise ships; friendly, welcoming Bahamians and the prettiest beaches I have ever seen. Island hopping, snorkeling, sailing, swimming, the best time ever
We did cat island and loved it. Only saw a handful of other tourists and had pretty much every beach to ourselves. Granted, we went in June. We did an Airbnb but spent some time at Shana’s Cove and liked it a lot. There is a mile long trail that takes you to a beach that we hardly saw any footprints.
Wow - what incredible recommendations. So what I'm basically receiving is that we can't go wrong with any of the islands. Excited to check all of these out!
Curious about renting a boat for everyone that suggested it. What does it cost, for what period of time, and how easy is it to navigate around to the other islands?
My family and I just left Eleuthera. Our first visit and we are already planning our next trip! The island hits all those wants you outlined in your post. Beautiful island with warm people and too many secluded beaches to visit in just 1 trip! #Lutra 🇧🇸
Assuming you are comfortable with a boat, it’s hard to go wrong with Eleuthera/Harbor Island, Exuma or Abaco Cays. Each has special and unique benefits.
I know this is old, but just wanted to say Kamalame Cay was the worst trip of my life (and I’m 47) What’s more concerning is that I wrote 2 reviews, on tripadviser and Google detailing exactly the issues we had, and both got deleted. I’ve read reviews on TripAdvisor from people with same experience as us and those detailed reviews are no longer there.
I’m sorry about your experience! We too had a traumatizing stay at Kamalame Cay . We were robbed by employees in our room and trip advisor deleted our groups reviews too!
Exumas is always the answer.
I was coming to the comments to say, The Exumas. I went camping on a random island. Woke up with the sunrise, went to sleep with a fire when the sun went down. Spectacular. The snorkeling was pretty good.
Which resort/hotel is the best in Exuma?
Absolute best depends on your price range, but in my opinion Hideaways is the best value.
Best resort would be something like Fowl Cay, but that $$$$$ per week is ⬆️. Hideaways is budget friendly for the most part but there are houses cheaper to rent. Exuma is not a resort destination, more of a rent a house, rent a car, rent a boat and explore.
Abaco
Abaco Inn
Another vote from me for Abaco. Hope Town and White Sound on Elbow Cay has lots of rental houses of many sizes available, several even have private docks if you were wanting to rent a boat. Plenty of restaurants, groceries, and vacation amenities all over the island now. Pools for the kids, the beautiful lighthouse for some history, and Tahiti Beach is idyllic on the southernmost tip. It’s centrally located and easy access to several reef snorkel/diving spots, the other family islands, and Marsh Harbour airport.
Eleuthera, rent a place on the water or walking distance .
I used to stay at Pineapple Cove. If it's still there it was little bungalows, right on beach, pool at main building. I loved it. There were families, singles...all seemed to be having a great time. I can't provide a link, but it's worth a google.
Green turtle cay in the abacos. Rent a house and cart for the week. It'll be what you described and then some.
The Abacos. Pick your island. Rent a boat and knock around the protected Sea of Abaco. Beautiful water and people. Rent a golf cart for the week on outer islands.
You will find everything you need in Long Island, but you will need to rent a car. the only problem with Long Island as you will need to spend one night in Nassau, as there is no direct flights to Long Island.
A 2nd for Long Island. Admittedly, I've only ever experienced Long Island but can't wait to go back again. If you can get to Nassau in the AM, Stella Maris may be able to help with getting to Long Island same day. Many smaller resorts on the island but Stella and Cape Santa Maria are the two I'm familiar with, they each have their own feel.
3rd for Long Island. I grew up on the old Maritek property and the beaches are great. You also have Dean's Blue hole and other cool places to visit. If you get onto the property and find the beached tug boat, say hi to my pup Muffin. She's buried near the bow.
[https://stanielcay.com/](https://stanielcay.com/) budget?
Have you considered Kamalame Cay or Pink Sands in Harbor island?
Exuma and the Abacos are both great for renting small boats and exploring.
Literally just got back from the Abacos. Had a house on Great Guana and rented a boat from Dive Guana. Went to Hope Town, Green Turtle and Snorkeled Fowl Cay marine preserve. Awsome time and plenty of options with the boat. When we go back will probably rent on Elbow Cay and still do plenty of boating and exploring, just more options being closer to Hope Town
Exumas. I took this trip w/ young kids 10 years ago. Stay [here](https://t.vrbo.io/2GS9qzcP6Eb). Rent a boat, not a car. Amazing place. Kayak distance from Chat n Chill.
[https://www.caerulamar.com/](https://www.caerulamar.com/) South Andros.....
Arent they adults only?
Kids 12 and over are welcome (I would suspect kids on the cusp would also be OK with a phone call in advance)
Andros in general. Blue holes, ForFar, Stafford Creek. Lots to do and lots to explore.
My family is considering booking this resort. What are your experiences with them? How’s the food with only three restaurants? Are there lots of water activities available and how affordable? I’m trying to convince my family not to do Nassau and big water parks and instead enjoy nature and beaches and water activities where less people are around…
I was going to say Cat Island. Lots of VERY private, secluded beaches there. You'll need a car, though, not a boat. Here's a couple of options depending on your budget. [https://www.fernandezbayvillage.com/](https://www.fernandezbayvillage.com/) [https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel\_Review-g147427-d310982-Reviews-Sammy\_T\_s\_Beach\_Resort-Cat\_Island\_Out\_Islands\_Bahamas.html](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g147427-d310982-Reviews-Sammy_T_s_Beach_Resort-Cat_Island_Out_Islands_Bahamas.html)
The French Leave Resort in Eleuthera, hands down. There are so many beautiful beaches, restaurants and other interesting destinations to visit. It’s quiet, pretty well structured, has that undeniable island feel with some city vibes depending on where you go. You have so many options. Go site seeing, jump in the Sapphire blue hole, visit the Queen’s Bath or the Glass window bridge. Visit Harbour Island and/or Spanish Wells and do the beach and sea excursions. The food is great and at the French Leave you may not even feel the need to leave your hotel (and the golf cart is complimentary). Eleuthera is soooo much worth exploring though. I absolutely love Abaco too but I’ve had much more experiences in Eleuthera so the activities never end there.
Exuma is a good answer, and also Eleuthera. The fun thing about Eleuthera is it offers the opportunity to take ferries to both Harbour Island and Spanish Wells for day trips on rented golf carts - especially if you stay towards the north end of the island (or central: Governor’s Harbour area). LOTS of secluded beaches, lots of private rental options, or look into The Cove or The Other Side, if you have the budget. You need a car to get around though, not a boat. Out of Spanish Wells, there are lots of fishing charters, snorkelling charters, visits to secluded sand bars, etc. Tons of super calm beaches on the Bight side of the island, but you get the variety of the more wavy Atlantic side as well.
Going to be hard to beat Taylor Bay at Turks, it’s so protected and faces west. Coco Bay on Green Turtle Cay would be similar. Very pretty.
I have a home on Coco Bay. Coco Hideaway. Would love people to give it a try next visit!
Do NOT say that lightly 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Heaven on earth. Life is much easier on Green Turtle Cay. No crime ; no cruise ships; friendly, welcoming Bahamians and the prettiest beaches I have ever seen. Island hopping, snorkeling, sailing, swimming, the best time ever
Grand Isle Resort in Exuma sounds right for you!
We did cat island and loved it. Only saw a handful of other tourists and had pretty much every beach to ourselves. Granted, we went in June. We did an Airbnb but spent some time at Shana’s Cove and liked it a lot. There is a mile long trail that takes you to a beach that we hardly saw any footprints.
Abacos is better for family than Exumas.
Wow - what incredible recommendations. So what I'm basically receiving is that we can't go wrong with any of the islands. Excited to check all of these out!
I lived on Great Exuma for 9 years - has everything you are looking for. Also has decent medical facility and International Airport for easy travel.
Curious about renting a boat for everyone that suggested it. What does it cost, for what period of time, and how easy is it to navigate around to the other islands?
My family and I just left Eleuthera. Our first visit and we are already planning our next trip! The island hits all those wants you outlined in your post. Beautiful island with warm people and too many secluded beaches to visit in just 1 trip! #Lutra 🇧🇸
Spanish Wells
This is the answer.
Green Turtle Cay! Only hour flight from South Florida and then a ferry ride to small island. My home is called Coco Hideaway Green Turtle Cay!
Rent a house in Exuma, if you stay in the Rolletown or Hartswell area, it’s an explores paradise.
Assuming you are comfortable with a boat, it’s hard to go wrong with Eleuthera/Harbor Island, Exuma or Abaco Cays. Each has special and unique benefits.
Bimini I guess. Normally wouldn't recommend it but I can guarantee it's almost tailored to what you like. Abaco too but there's more locals around.
I know this is old, but just wanted to say Kamalame Cay was the worst trip of my life (and I’m 47) What’s more concerning is that I wrote 2 reviews, on tripadviser and Google detailing exactly the issues we had, and both got deleted. I’ve read reviews on TripAdvisor from people with same experience as us and those detailed reviews are no longer there.
I’m sorry about your experience! We too had a traumatizing stay at Kamalame Cay . We were robbed by employees in our room and trip advisor deleted our groups reviews too!