What to Pack for Exuma

What to Pack for Exuma:

We've done this trip enough times to know what we actually use, what we regret bringing, and what we wish we'd had on day one. The honest version: Exuma is about as beachy as a destination gets. Pack accordingly.

We overpacked on nice clothes. You will too if you're not warned.

Exuma's dress code is beach coverup → casual dinner → repeat. On a 2-week trip, we brought multiple nice outfits we never wore because every evening worth dressing for was casual enough that a sundress or a clean linen shirt was the most formal thing at the table. The restaurants don't require it. The private chef dinner at your villa certainly doesn't.

What you actually wear:

• Swimwear — multiple sets, because you're in and out of the water multiple times daily; they never fully dry

• Rashguards (the uniform, essentially)

• Coverups and casual beach dresses — the daily rotation

• 1–2 nicer outfits for your Blu on the Water, Baymahni or 23° North dinners — that's genuinely all you need

• Flip flops for everything or Crocs for kids if you like to protect their toes

Leave behind: the nice heels, the extra dress shirts, the outfits you're packing "just in case." The suitcase space is better used for the items below. Have I mentioned the planes are pretty small coming into Exuma, so most carry-ons even have to be checked!

Documents & Pre-Departure Essentials

• [ ] Every passport — valid 6+ months past your return date

• [ ] Villa address and return flight info saved offline (needed for customs form)

• [ ] Travel insurance policy document (screenshot or PDF)

• [ ] Global Rescue membership card

• [ ] Saily Bahamas eSIM — installed before you board

• [ ] Cash (USD) — organized and accessible; don't rely on Exuma ATMs

• [ ] Zelle set up and transfer-ready for vendors who require it

• [ ] Portable carbon monoxide detector for your rental

Beach & Water Essentials

You can find all our family favorites here: https://amzn.to/4s9WZ0c (affiliate)

Reef-safe sunscreen — Required in Bahamian waters by law. Mineral-based only (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide). Oxybenzone and octinoxate-based sunscreens are prohibited. Bring more than you think you need — a family burns through it fast on boat days.

UPF-rated rash guards for kids — The single most important sun protection item. Kids in the water for 8 hours will burn through sunscreen no matter how diligently you apply it. A full-coverage rash guard is the actual fix.

Wide-brim hats — One per person. Non-negotiable on boat days.

Polarized sunglasses — The glare on open water is relentless, and they make every boat day dramatically more comfortable.

Dry bag — For your phone, car key, camera, and anything that cannot get wet on the boat or water taxi. Charter operators provide some storage but a personal dry bag means your valuables are under your control. One bag per adult; keep it accessible, not buried at the bottom of a tote.

Reusable water bottles — One per person, insulated. Staying hydrated on boat days in tropical sun requires active effort. Bring your own and fill them before you board.

Snorkeling Gear — Bring Your Own

Bring your own snorkeling equipment. Charter operators provide masks and fins, but the quality varies significantly, and fit is never guaranteed — especially for kids. Your well-fitting gear makes the underwater experience significantly better and safer.

Fishing Gear

First, you can never fish from the shore or outside of your rental home. We always bring our own fishing gear. The island has excellent fishing — bonefish flats, deep sea, hand line — and having your own tackle means you're set up for spontaneous moments, not dependent on arranging a full charter every time someone wants to drop a line.

What we bring:

• Light spinning rod (breaks down for travel)

• Basic tackle box: jigs, hooks, swivels, line

• Check Bahamas fishing regulations before you go for bag limits and any restricted species in the national park areas

Bug Protection

No-see-ums are real, and they emerge on calm, wind-free evenings island-wide. Apply before any outdoor sunset or evening activity. Particularly important after rain or on days with no breeze.

Boat Day Kit (Pack This Bag the Night Before)

Everything you need for a full-day charter, packed separately:

• Reef-safe sunscreen (dedicated boat day supply)

• Change of clothes for each person (you will be wet most of the day)

• Extra towels — more than one per person. It can get chilly on the boats!

• Snorkeling gear in mesh bags

• Dry bag for phones/camera

• Water bottles (filled before departure)

• Snacks for kids, extra water

• Dramamine or sea-sickness bands for anyone prone to open-water Exuma can have chop, better to have it and not need it

• Windfinder Exuma bookmarked on your phone — check it the evening before every boat day for an hourly wind forecast

For Families with Kids

• Kids' swim vests/floaties — Some villas have life jackets; don't count on them fitting your child. If your kids use floaties in the pool or in open water, bring their own.

• First aid kit — Bandages, antiseptic wipes, children's Motrin/Tylenol, and any prescription medications. Exuma's pharmacy carries basics, but selection is limited. U.S. doctors can NOT call in prescriptions to Exuma, so get everything you need from your doctor before arriving.

• Kids' snorkel gear — see above; a well-fitted kids' mask is the difference between a great snorkel and a frustrated one

What NOT to Pack (Or Bring Home)

Do not bring live shells, hermit crabs, or sand dollars back inside your villa or in your luggage. Villa rental agreements include a cleaning charge for live shellfish brought inside. More importantly, it's illegal to export certain marine life from the Bahamas — customs will catch it.

A drone — only if you've completed CAA Bahamas approval in advance. It's a separate application with lead time. Don't bring the drone if you haven't sorted the permit; it won't leave the bag without it.

Anything you need is perfectly pressed and dry. The island's humidity is real. Linen wrinkles. Pack things that look good, slightly rumpled.

Do not have fruit or any other fresh produce coming into the Bahamas and then back to the US! Double check for those bananas (speaking from experience)

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