George Town, (population 1000) is the capitol of the 350 Exuma Cays (keys). Great Exuma is the largest, located 150 miles SE of Nassau and 300 miles ESE of Miami. There are approximately 3,000 people on Great Exuma. The waters are shallow, filled with gorgeous reefs and colorful fish, which makes diving and snorkeling a real joy. There are many deserted beaches to explore. This is one of the best cruising areas in the world. Almost crime free. We have noticed theft, lately, but not toward the tourists, more like ladders, things left in the yards. One person had his boat stolen but it was recovered  (joy ride). In 20 years of visiting exuma I have never felt threatened at all. I would go anywhere day or night and my wife feels the same way.
Intra island phone service is really quite nice but do not count on calling back to the mainland at any given moment. If you are a pilot start trying to file a flight plan the day before ( I think they can be kept on file for 23 hrs.) If you can not call the USA then you will have to air file you can always get your weather from incoming pilots. Be resourceful, be patient, but please do not be rude.

1. Visit Big D's Conch Spot (Steventon) fresh conch salad - a must to try - I could eat it everyday. He also serves lobster and fish, they are grilled (steamed) and fried fish of the day.  #242-358-0059

1. Government Clinic, the doctor is in most mornings and most anyone will help you find the doctor in case of an emergency.

2. Fresh fish for sale, Joanne and Barry Knowles lovely people who live across the lane that goes beside the Clinic.

3. Anglican (Episcopal) Church all are welcome and they are delighted to have visitors. Services are usually at 11:00 am on Sunday.

4. Peace and Plenty Hotel, good meals, watch the schedule posted on their bulletin board for dances, barbecues, and entertainment.

6. Peace and Plenty Boutique.

7. Sand piper, gift shop

8. dive shop (The Fantasia) boat rental back from the rood, down a driveway towards the pond, then upstairs. They take out divers, snorkelers, and rent boats. I have many good reports on them.

9. Government Building, contains post office , police department, and the Commissioner. turn left past the government building and go on....

10. Government dock, where the commercial boats come in.

11. Government produce exchange

12. Regatta Point, a motel at the end of the dock. back to the main road

13. Two Turtles, good food, lodging, and check for barbecue dates.

14. Top and Bottom, a little bit of everything, fins, snorkels, fishing equipment, rope, some hardware, gifts, toys, insect sprays, paint, owned by "Romon" Darville.

15. Marshall's bake shop, good fresh baked bread, etc. be careful of just anyone selling things on the street, some are not wonderful.

16. Exuma Market, Exuma’s biggest and best grocery store. Hove most food, medicine, stationary, and post cards. Fredricka Glass, our caretaker, works there.

17. Scotia Bank

18. Exuma transport, car rental, laundry in back.

19. Sam’s restaurant, in back of Exuma Transport and upstairs. Good food.

20. N and D Fruits,

21. Fruit and vegetable stand, bike rental

21A. Exuma Divers, complete diving programs and mopeds for rent. 338-2390

22. Baptist Church, friendly, welcomes visitors. One way street goes around the corner to the right

23. Telephone Company

24. Ruth’s ice cream and lunch, excellent food, give Ruth a hug for me!

25. Eddie’s Edgewater Inn, the best food on the island as far as I am concerned. Lunch Specials, Excellent Grouper, Cracked Conch,. etc. Excellent native music on Monday nights. Give Andrea, Eddie's daughter, who runs the place, a hug from me! She is another great person! Roman Catholic Church end of one way street, now going north toward my house and the airport

26. Peace and Plenty Beach club

27. Coconut Cove Hotel

28. Darvilles Lumber Yard Has most any lumber or hardware one could want and also has some household products.

29. The Whale’s Tail and native night Club is on the left, going North. It has good food reasonably p priced , and a band, some nights.

30. Paradise Point, Joanie's home

31. Airport & Kirmit's Airport Lounge, at the airport, excellent native food.

32. Iva Bowe’s restaurant, excellent fish, conch fritters, cracked conch, etc.

32a. Keep going out N across a bridge, onto an island called Barreterre/ There is a restaurant there called The Fisherman’s Inn, which has very good food.Going south from George Town are several small settlements. There are some good restaurants along this road.

33. La Shante Restaurant, a quiet setting overlooking a lovely small beach, a nice place for lunch.

At the south end of Great Exuma is a bridge going to Little Exuma, that used to be a ferry. The bridge so it (and the settlement) are both called "The Ferry". The Ferry. is a place where most of the bone fishing guides live.

34. Bone Fish Lodge, owned and operated by the Peace and Plenty. Very good food, Reservations needed. the

35. The Ferry has also one of Exuma's Greatest treasures, The “Shark Lady” Gloria Patience is a legend throughout the world, she catches sharks with a hand line and National Geographic did a spectacular on her a few years ago. She has a museum in her house and sells everything from shark's teeth to sea shells. A VERY interesting, charming lady!

ENJOY!!

This list was put together by Joanie Bechard, a longtime homeowner who rents out her home when she is back in the states. This is a link to her site http://www.exumaparadise.net/map.html