3 Recommended Gear Rentals in Great Exuma
Great Exuma, the longest of the Bahamas’ Exuma cays, is famous for its mile-long sandbars, wild swimming pigs, and some of the clearest, most unspoiled coral reefs in the entire Caribbean. Most travelers plan their trips around the big, Insta-famous spots: swimming with the pigs at Big Major Cay, snorkeling Thunderball Grotto, or spending an afternoon on the iconic sandbar at Compass Cay. But the real magic of Great Exuma is in the small, off-the-beaten-path moments that most day trippers never get to experience— and having the right gear on hand is the easiest way to make those moments happen. A lot of people write off renting gear on island trips, assuming it’s overpriced, low-quality, or more trouble than it’s worth. But in Great Exuma, local rental shops stock well-maintained, high-quality equipment for a fraction of what you’d pay to buy it outright, and you won’t have to schlep heavy snorkels, kayaks, or cameras through airport security or worry about your gear getting damaged on the flight down. Renting only what you need for your specific trip lets you tailor your experience to what you actually want to do, whether that’s diving deep in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park or paddling through quiet mangrove tunnels away from the crowds.
1. Full-Service Snorkel and Dive Gear Packages
Great Exuma’s reef system is one of the most intact in the Caribbean, home to everything from bright parrotfish and sea turtles to ancient coral formations that have stayed mostly untouched by mass tourism. The cheap, leaky snorkel sets you get at all-inclusive resorts often ruin the experience for first-time snorkelers, with foggy masks and broken fins that make it hard to enjoy the underwater world. Local rental shops in George Town and Staniel Cay, by contrast, offer high-quality, well-sanitized gear that’s inspected after every use, including prescription masks for people who wear glasses, child-sized sets for young kids, and lightweight wetsuits for the cooler winter months when water temperatures dip into the high 70s. Many shops also offer guided dive packages for experienced divers, with trips to less crowded reef sites that most day boat tours skip entirely. This rental is perfect for every type of Great Exuma visitor: first-time snorkelers who don’t want to invest in a full set they’ll only use once, seasoned divers who don’t want to haul heavy BCDs and regulators through airport security, and families with young kids who need smaller, more comfortable gear than standard adult sets. Even casual travelers who only plan to snorkel once or twice will find the cost of a weekly rental package far lower than buying a cheap set at a big-box store before their trip.
- Best time to rent: November through April, when the Exuma Banks have visibility of 100 feet or more, and calm seas make snorkeling at spots like Thunderball Grotto and the Iguanas of Bitter Guana Cay far more comfortable.
- Booking tip: Reserve a 7-day or longer package instead of daily rentals; most local shops offer a 20% discount for weekly bookings, and many will drop off and pick up the gear at your vacation rental or hotel for free, no extra charge.
2. Inflatable Kayak and Paddleboard Rentals
A lot of Great Exuma’s most magical spots are impossible to reach by motor boat, or too shallow for larger watercraft to navigate without getting stuck on sand. Inflatable kayaks and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) are perfect for exploring hidden mangrove tunnels, quiet coves off Stocking Island, and the shallow, calm channels around Big Major Cay where the swimming pigs hang out. Rental shops across the island carry stable, beginner-friendly inflatables that are easy to transport, even if you’re staying at a small cottage with limited storage, and many come with built-in cooler mounts so you can pack drinks and snacks for a full day of exploring. Some shops even offer tandem kayaks, so you can paddle with a partner or a friend without having to worry about balancing a board on your own. This rental is ideal for anyone who wants to skip the crowded day boat tours and see Exuma at their own pace. It’s perfect for couples looking for a private afternoon on the water, families with kids old enough to paddle, solo travelers who want a low-key way to explore without spending a fortune on a private boat charter. You can even paddle out to the famous sandbar at Compass Cay for a picnic, no tour group required, and you’ll likely spot wild stingrays and baby sharks in the shallow channels along the way.
- Best time to rent: Early morning, 7 to 9 a.m., year-round. Winds are almost always calm at that hour, making it easy to paddle through narrow mangrove channels without fighting chop, and you’ll have hidden coves and swimming spots all to yourself before the day trippers arrive.
- Booking tip: If you’re new to paddling, request a wide-body SUP or tandem kayak when you book; most local rental shops will throw in a free waterproof dry bag and a hand-drawn map of lesser-known coves and swimming spots if you reserve at least 48 hours in advance.
3. Underwater Camera and Drone Gear Rentals
Great Exuma is one of the most photogenic destinations in the Caribbean, from the electric blue shallow sandbars that stretch for miles to the wild swimming pigs that wade right up to tour boats. But your phone’s underwater camera will only get you so far, and bringing a high-end waterproof camera or drone through Bahamian customs can be a hassle, not to mention the cost of buying gear you’ll only use on one trip. Local rental shops in George Town and Staniel Cay offer rugged, waterproof action cameras with extra batteries, floating wrist straps, and 4K video capabilities, as well as FAA-compliant drones pre-loaded with no-fly zone maps for protected wildlife areas and nesting grounds. Many shops also offer optional guided photo tours, where a local photographer will take you to hidden spots to get the perfect shot without you having to do any research ahead of time. This gear is perfect for anyone who wants to capture high-quality photos and videos of their trip without dropping hundreds of dollars on equipment. It’s ideal for content creators, families who want to get professional shots of their kids swimming with pigs or snorkeling over coral reefs, and even casual travelers who are tired of the same grainy, over-edited photos of Exuma’s famous spots that fill social media feeds. Even if you only plan to take a few photos, the cost of a 3-day camera rental is lower than buying a cheap disposable underwater camera that takes low-quality, blurry shots.
- Best time to rent: Late December to mid-April, when water visibility is at its peak for underwater shots, and the soft, golden afternoon light makes drone footage of the cays and sandbars look crisp and vivid, no harsh shadows.
- Booking tip: Ask the rental shop to walk you through local wildlife and drone photography rules before you head out; most will program your drone’s no-fly zones and give you a list of off-limits areas for free, so you don’t end up with a hefty fine from Bahamian authorities for flying too close to protected bird nesting sites.
There’s something really special about Great Exuma that you don’t get from the perfectly edited photos you see online— it’s the quiet morning paddle through a mangrove tunnel with no other boats in sight, the rush of snorkeling over a coral reef teeming with parrotfish and sea turtles, the laugh you let out when a wild swimming pig nudges your kayak looking for a snack. Renting the right gear instead of hauling it across the country or buying expensive equipment you’ll barely use lets you lean into those small, spontaneous moments that make a trip feel truly memorable, instead of sticking to a rigid, pre-planned itinerary. Whether you’re visiting for a long weekend or a full week, the right rentals will help you see a side of the Exumas most day trippers never get to experience.
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