A self-guided tour of three boating islands

Travelers often bring their own boats to explore the Out Islands. YouTuber Ryan Dahlberg shared video highlights of an Out Island adventure in a 32ft center console boat. We reverse engineered his trip to outline an island-hopping itinerary that allows you to recreate the excitement so beautifully depicted in their video. Watch the video below and then check out our suggested itinerary.

Itinerary: 3-Island "Hot Spot" Boating Tour 

SS Sapona Shipwreck, Bimini

Bimini is one of several Out Island ports of entry. It is the closest to Florida and often the first stop for travelers who bring their own boats. The SS Sapona is a fun attraction for snorkeling and a little extreme sport: jumping from the rusted deck into the sea below. It was a concrete-hulled cargo steamer that ran aground near Bimini during a hurricane in 1926. During WWII it was used by the US Army Airforce for target practice. Today it is a top Bimini attraction. If you enter The Bahamas by way of Bimini, do like Ryan and make a stop at the cargo steamer.

"We stayed on Bimini Island for 4 months and also dove off the bow; it's beautiful!! You can snorkel and go through the wreck. There were stingrays going by me and turtles and star fish all around. I was amazed how colourful and friendly they were." Susan Hood

Fishing in the Out Islands

Bimini and the Berry Islands are both large fishing destination, primarily for their big game fish and abundant fish population. Use this gamefish chart to see the best times to fish in the Out Islands 

Compass Cay Nurse Sharks, The Exumas

Located in the Exuma Cays, north of Staniel Cay is this fabled island with its resident nurse sharks. These are the tamest of all the sharks in Bahamian waters, and at Compass Cay you can interact with them in their natural territory. 

Swimming Pigs, The Exumas

Big Major Cay is the island adopted by the swimming pigs as their very own. The swimming pigs of The Bahamas live in the lap of luxury, far from the muddy conditions of their global counterparts. 

Thunderball Grotto

Thunderball Grotto is an underwater cave that is manageable even for novices at snorkeling. The ceiling of the cave has a natural glass window. Climbing to the top of the island and jumping into the cave is an adventurous way to enter the cave. There are tamer ways, but they all involve getting wet.  

Staniel Cay, The Exumas

Staniel Cay has a private airstrip that accepts direct charters from the United States and scheduled airlift from New Providence. It is centrally located in the Northern Exuma Cays with convenient access to all of the popular attractions. The Staniel Cay Yacht Club is the only resort on the island; it has a large marina and fuel station. 

The Berry Islands

Berry Islands is another port of entry, specifically in the south at Chub Cay.