What: 365 cays stretching over 120 miles.
Getting there: Several flights daily go from Miami and Fort Lauderdale to George Town on Great Exuma.
Information: 800-OUT-ISLANDS; www.myoutislands.com or www.bahamas.com.
Events:
• National Family Island Regatta, late April
• Junkanoo Summer Festival, June and July
Rates listed below are for summer; some drop in fall; all rise again by the holidays.
GREAT/LITTLE EXUMA
Lodging
• Four Seasons Exuma: Breezy luxury resort with all the amenities: Greg Norman golf course, spa and fitness center, concierge, beach services, pool cabanas. Popular with both Americans and Europeans, families and couples. www.fourseasons.com; 242-336-6800. From $375 until Aug. 19, when rates drop to $275.
• Club Peace & Plenty: This friendly, low-key inn plays duty as George Town's social gathering spot; it is right in town, within walking distance of clubs and restaurants and the launch to Chat n' Chill. The hotel's boat service takes guests to the beach on Stocking Island, home to the Peace & Plenty Beach Club B&B; the company also has a bone-fishing lodge near Little Exuma. 242-336-2551; www.peaceandplenty.com. Rates, from $148 through Dec. 15.
• Palm Bay Beach Club: Cheery collection of cottages (studios, one or two bedrooms) with good casual restaurant, one mile from Georgetown. 888-396-0606; www.palmbaybeachclub.com. From $155 through Dec. 14.
• February Point: Breezy upscale oceanfront 2, 3 and 4-bedroom villas available for sale, fractional ownership or rent. www.februarypoint.com; 800-726- 2988. Two-bedroom, from $600 through Oct. 31.
• Grand Isle Villas: Villa sales/rentals adjacent property to the Four Seasons; www.grandislevillas.com; 888-472-6310. From $435 for a one-bedroom.
• Bahama Houseboats: Houseboats sleep four and can be rented by the day (three-day minimum, $385 per day) or week, $2,500 weekly. Six-person boats also available. www.bahamahouseboats.com; 242-336-BOAT.
Dining
Four Seasons, Peace & Plenty and Palm Bay all have good restaurants; the most gourmet is at Four Seasons. Other local options:
• Cheetahs: Considered the best local restaurant in Georgetown.
• Chat n' Chill: Open days only; burgers and conch salad, pig roast late afternoon on Sundays. If you don't have your own boat, take the launch from Georgetown; ask the staff at the Peace & Plenty to call for you.
• Runaway Bay Beach Bar: Conch fritters, burgers and chicken wings on the beach, a couple of miles east of Rolleville (west from the Four Seasons).
• Cocoplums: Casual beach club with sophisticated menu, near Runaway Bay.
Nightlife
Nightlife rotates between various island spots (Eddy's Edgewater, Two Ts, Palm Bay and Peace & Plenty); ask when you arrive about the current schedule. Don't expect any late nights;things pretty well wrap up by 9 or 10.
STANIEL CAY
Staniel Cay Yacht Club: Don't let the name put you off; this is a low-key, no-attitude boater's heaven with comfortable cottages and pool and super-casual dining. A runabout will get you easily to nearby isles for visiting with marine iguanas, swimming with the pigs and snorkeling in Thunderball Grotto. Air transport and all-inclusive packages available. www.stanielcay.com; 954-467-8920. Two-person cottages from $145.
MUSHA CAY
Exclusive 150-acre private island owned by David Copperfield has five homes accommodating a total of 14, plus pool, 25 beaches, private chef and customized activities. $24,750 per day for up to 8 people, additional per-day costs for larger groups. www.mushacay.com; 877-889-1100.
INDIGO ISLAND
Also private, 135 acres with accommodation for up to 18 in a the main villa and five guest houses, with boating gear, media room and private chef. $26,000 per day for groups of 8 to $46,000 per day for 18. www.indigoisland.com; 954-525-5101.
-- JANE WOOLDRIDGE
