The first land and sea park in the world — 176 square miles of protected Bahamian waters and cays with no fishing allowed, creating the richest and most fish-dense snorkeling and diving in the entire archipelago.
Why It’s Worth Your Time
The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park was established in 1959 as the first land and sea park in the world — 176 square miles of protected Bahamian waters, cays, and ocean floor where no fishing, shell collection, or coral removal has been permitted for over 60 years. The result is spectacular: fish are larger, more numerous, and less shy than anywhere in the Caribbean. The reef system is intact. Nurse sharks, hawksbill turtles, and Nassau grouper (critically endangered elsewhere) are routine encounters. The park is accessible by private boat or live-aboard dive charter from Nassau or Staniel Cay. No motorized vehicles on land.
What Stands Out
- First land and sea park in the world — established 1959
- 60+ years of no fishing — fish are large and numerous
- Nassau grouper — critically endangered elsewhere but common here
- Hawksbill turtles and nurse sharks — routine encounters
- Live-aboard dive charters from Nassau available