A specific historical connection to Moss Town lies in nearby Hermitage: the Ferguson family from the Carolinas settled there after the American Revolutionary War. Three marked graves and a grave commemorating George Butler, Constance McDonald, and Henderson Ferguson connect the settlement with named individuals and their history.
Exuma as a Broader Travel Destination
For planning beyond Moss Town, the geographic layout of the Exumas is helpful: the island chain consists of Great Exuma, Little Exuma, and the Exuma Cays. Regional natural attractions include Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park, founded in 1958 as the world’s first land and sea park and spanning 176 square miles, as well as Moriah Harbour Cay National Park between Great Exuma and Little Exuma.
Sand dunes, beaches, mangrove channels, and seagrass meadows shape the landscape of Moriah Harbour Cay National Park. Moriah Harbour Cay and its surroundings offer opportunities for kayaking, snorkeling, kiteboarding, bonefishing, hiking, and photography; conditions may vary. The variety of activities mentioned combines coastal and water experiences with things to do on land, without requiring them all to take place in the same location.
The Exuma Cays also have their own natural attractions. Big Major Cay is an uninhabited island among the 365 Exuma Cays and is home to the famous swimming pigs associated with the name Pig Beach. The island is accessible only by boat; check current boat options before making specific plans. Thunderball Grotto is an underwater cave system for snorkeling, diving, and wading. At low tide, visitors can swim through it; tides and conditions affect activities. The Grotto was used as a filming location for “Thunderball” (1965) and “Never Say Never Again” (1983).
On Little Exuma is Tropic of Cancer Beach, also called Pelican Beach. The crescent-shaped beach has white sand and blue-green water and is considered the longest beach on Little Exuma. Stocking Island, meanwhile, is known for its white-sand beaches, blue holes, coral gardens, and underwater caves; stromatolites are also found on its Atlantic beaches.
Culture, Events, and Getting Around
The Exuma Straw Market in George Town has been operating since the early 1960s. Locally handmade souvenirs and a selection of seasonal fruit and vegetables are sold there; seasonal offerings may vary. On Little Exuma, St. Christopher’s Anglican Church also tells a story of its construction: it was built from wood salvaged from a stranded schooner in 1939.
Events offer further guidance for planning your dates. For more than 45 years, sailors from around the world have gathered for two weeks of games, boat races, music, and island entertainment at the George Town Cruising Regatta. Every year, a hands-on workshop at Volleyball Beach is part of the event, where participants make a working conch horn from an empty conch shell. Bahamian workboats compete in the National Family Island Regatta in April. Check current event dates when making specific travel plans.
Travel routes also vary depending on the regional destination: Exuma International Airport is on Great Exuma, a few miles from the main settlement of George Town, and serves as the main gateway to the Exumas. Little Exuma is connected to Great Exuma by a bridge. Stocking Island is accessible by boat from Elizabeth Harbour; the boat ride across the harbor to Chat ’N’ Chill takes five minutes, and a water taxi operates during the day. As schedules may change, it is a good idea to check current connections before making plans.
If you are looking for accommodation, first decide which places and themes you want to shape your stay: Hermitage adds a historical dimension to Moss Town’s local connection, while the natural attractions, events, and routes across the wider Exuma area each offer their own focus.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Farmer's Hill, Hartswell, Rokers Point Settlement, Steventon, William's Town, Alexander, George Town.
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