George Town, Bahamas Travel Guide

City Capital of the Bahamas in Exuma district

Sandbars and boat charters define George Town on Great Exuma - day trips to the swimming pigs, snorkeling around the Exuma Cays and simple beachside conch shacks attract sailors and sunseekers.

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Main image
Costs
Pricier - Exuma chain attracts higher costs
Plan $120-$250 per day for good hotels, boat tours and midrange dining.
Safety
Generally safe and visitor-friendly
Safe and tourist-oriented, though petty theft can occur; watch beach belongings around crowds.
Best Time
Best in the dry season (Nov-Apr)
November-April: peak season, calm seas and best boat conditions for cay-hopping.
Time
Weather
Population
7,314
Infrastructure & Convenience
Good tourist infrastructure: marinas, dive shops, ferries and English services; car rentals available.
Popularity
Very popular with international tourists, day-trippers and luxury boat charters; can be crowded in season.
Known For
swimming pigs, Exuma Cays, boating, snorkeling, luxury day trips, clear blue waters, fishing, sandbars
George Town is the jumping-off point to the famous swimming pigs at Big Major Cay (Pig Island).

Why Visit George Town, Bahamas? #

Anchored in the Exumas, George Town draws travelers with a mix of easy island life and postcard scenery. Boat tours to Big Major Cay’s famous swimming pigs, snorkeling at Thunderball Grotto and day trips into the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park are signature experiences, while downtown markets serve fresh conch salad and Bahamian rum. It’s both a gateway for luxury boat charters and a place to meet local fisherfolk.

Top Things to Do in George Town, Bahamas

All Attractions ›
Don't Miss
  • Pig Beach (Big Major Cay) - Swim with the famous Exuma pigs that approach boats on Big Major Cay.
  • Stocking Island and Chat 'N' Chill - Take the short ferry to Stocking Island for beaches, trails, and a beach bar.
  • Local boat excursions - Book a powerboat or sailing charter to visit nearby cays, reefs, and snorkeling spots.
Hidden Gems
  • Compass Cay shark channel - Swim with friendly nurse sharks guided by locals on Compass Cay's sheltered channel.
  • Norman's Cay wrecks and reefs - Explore lesser-visited wrecks and coral gardens around Norman's Cay by boat or snorkel.
  • Exuma Straw Market and local artisans - Shop baskets, woven goods, and island crafts from George Town's small vendors.
Day Trips
  • Staniel Cay and Thunderball Grotto - Boat to Staniel Cay for cave snorkeling and friendly island stops from George Town.
  • Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park - Spend the day exploring protected cays, reefs, and anchorages inside the marine reserve.

Best Time to Visit George Town, Bahamas #

George Town and the Exumas are most pleasant November-April when skies are clearer and seas calmer for boating and snorkeling. Summer heat and hurricane season mean higher humidity and possible travel disruptions.

Cool Season
November - April · 19 - 26°C (66 - 79°F)
Clear water, gentle winds, and mild days make Exuma island-hopping and swimming with pigs especially enjoyable and lively.
Hot Season
May - September · 26 - 31°C (79 - 88°F)
Hot and humid with more frequent brief showers; mornings are best for snorkeling and avoiding midday heat.
Hurricane Season
June - November · 26 - 31°C (79 - 88°F)
Storm season brings risk and rain but also quieter islands and discounted rates - travel flexibly and watch advisories.

Best Time to Visit George Town, Bahamas #

Climate

Tropical climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and warm winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 19°C to 32°C. Moderate rainfall (977 mm/year).

Best Time to Visit
FebruaryMarchJanuary
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
31°
Warmest Month
18°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 19°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm).

90 Ideal

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
19° 25°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

34 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
10.7h daylight

February

February is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 20°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

94 Ideal

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
20° 26°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

29 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.6
UV Index
Very High
11.3h daylight

March

March is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 20°C. The driest month with just 23 mm.

92 Ideal

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
21° 27°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

23 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.0
UV Index
Extreme
11.9h daylight

April

April is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 22°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm).

90 Ideal

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
22° 28°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

36 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
12.6h daylight

May

May is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Significant rainfall (138 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
23° 29°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

138 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
13.1h daylight

June

June is hot, feeling like 31°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (148 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

31°
Feels Like Hot
28°C
Temperature
25° 31°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

148 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
13.4h daylight

July

July is hot, feeling like 33°C due to high humidity. Moderate rainfall (76 mm).

76 Very Good

Comfort

33°
Feels Like Hot
29°C
Temperature
25° 32°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

76 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.5
UV Index
Extreme
13.3h daylight

August

August is the hottest month, feeling like 33°C due to high humidity. Regular rainfall (99 mm).

76 Very Good

Comfort

33°
Feels Like Hot
29°C
Temperature
25° 32°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

99 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
12.8h daylight

September

September is hot, feeling like 32°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (118 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

80 Excellent

Comfort

32°
Feels Like Hot
28°C
Temperature
25° 31°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

118 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.0
UV Index
Extreme
12.2h daylight

October

October is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). The wettest month with heavy rain (164 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
24° 30°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

164 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.6
UV Index
Very High
11.5h daylight

November

November is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 22°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

84 Excellent

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
23° 28°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

68 mm
Rainfall
5.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
10.9h daylight

December

December is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 21°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm).

90 Ideal

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
21° 27°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

44 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
High
10.6h daylight

How to Get to George Town, Bahamas

By Air

Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS): Nassau is the main international gateway; you can connect onward to Exuma by scheduled flight.

Exuma International Airport / George Town (GGT): Exuma International (George Town) handles scheduled flights from Nassau (about 25-35 minutes) and some charters from Florida. From the airport into George Town is a short taxi or rental-car ride (about 10-15 minutes); expect modest fares (operator-dependent).

By Train & Bus

Train: There is no rail service on Exuma.

Bus / Local Shuttle: George Town is small and walkable for many visits; taxis and rental cars are available for exploring the cays and outlying beaches. Boat trips to nearby cays operate from the harbour.

How to Get Around George Town, Bahamas #

George Town (Exuma) is relatively walkable around the harbour, shops, and main streets. Taxis operate locally and car rentals are common if you want to explore the cays and beaches beyond town. Regular ferries and small aircraft connect Exuma to Nassau and other islands; plan transfers ahead, especially in high season.

Where to Stay in George Town, Bahamas #

Budget
George Town - $60-180/night
George Town (Exuma) has a range of budget guesthouses and small inns as well as self-catering options for budget travelers.
Mid-Range
George Town / Emerald Bay - $150-320/night
Mid-range options include established beachfront resorts and well-run small hotels convenient for boat trips and island services.
Luxury
Emerald Bay / George Town - $300+/night
Luxury in Exuma centers on a few high-end resorts that offer comprehensive amenities, private beaches, and excursion bookings from George Town.

Where to Eat in George Town, Bahamas #

Breakdown of cuisine types found across George Town, Bahamas's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Pizza
Regional

Nightlife in George Town, Bahamas #

Nightlife in George Town is relaxed: a handful of bars and restaurants may offer live music on certain nights, but there’s no club scene. Evenings are mostly for dining and casual socializing.

Shopping in George Town, Bahamas #

George Town has the best shopping in the Exumas-marine outfitters, small boutiques, and grocery stores serving both locals and visitors. You’ll find local rum, conch products, and tourist-oriented souvenirs.

Nearby Cities #