Considering a trip to the Exumas in 2019? The area is full of traditions and national holidays perfect to enjoy. This welcoming community loves to share their culture with guests, perfect for those looking to travel to the Caribbean. Learn about each of these events when making arrangements for an upcoming Exuma bonefishing and sightseeing trip. 

Emancipation Day

In 2019, the Exumas will celebrate Emancipation Day on August 5. This event is the day local celebrate slave’s emancipation from British owners. The emancipation occurred in 1834, and those in the area celebrate with celebration, boating and other events in surrounding neighborhoods. 

Majority Rule Day 

A newer tradition to the Exumas, citizens have been celebrating Majority Rule day for four years. Held on January 10, this event celebrates equality with the Exuma’s voting system. It also looks back nearly 50 years ago when the first person of African descent won an election. 

Bahamian Music and Heritage Festival

On March 7 – 9, many will enjoy the family-friend Bahamian Music and Heritage Festival. This festival includes singing, how-to workshops, historical features, art for sale, and much more. In addition, you will love the food. 
 

Independence Day

The Bahamas celebrates Independence Day on July 10. Their Independence Day reflects on gaining independence from the United Kingdom in 1973. This public holiday features art, regattas, fairs, and more. 

National Heroes Day

An upcoming event in the Bahamas is National Heroes Day, held on the second Monday in October. Since 2013, the area celebrates with a variety of events and activities for the whole family. Many also enjoy a relaxing day at the beach. 

Randol Fawkes Labor Day

Named on behalf of the late Randol Fawkes, this event showcases and honors his work. Those that work in labor unions walk in parades and celebrate. Held on June 7, much of the festivities are held in Nassau. Kicking off at 10 a.m., enjoy music, and festivities. Each year, the parade concludes at the Southern Recreation Grounds. 

Boxing Day

Held the day after Christmas, Boxing Day honors African slaves. They were given the boxes used for their owner’s gifts. There is a parade known as “Junkanoo” that begins in George Town. The area is filled with food, dancing, and much more. This event has been celebrated for more than 500 years. You can enjoy art, music, and entertainment. 

Annual National Family Island Regatta

The Exumas will celebrate their 65th annual national family island regatta on April 24 – 28 at Elizabeth Harbour. Many love coming to watch and participate in races. 

No matter when you would like to visit the Exumas, Bonefish Drex is here to make sure your travels are wonderful. Our bonefishing and sightseeing opportunities allow you to explore the ins and outs of the area. This little piece of paradise offers experiences that you will not get anywhere else. For sightseeing in Exuma, book your reservation today. Have questions or would like to book additional excursions? The more, the better! Contact us at 242-357-0243 to get started. 

Vacations are the perfect way to reset. The hustle and bustle of everyday activities can leave you forgetting to take time for yourself. In fact, did you know that almost 75 percent of all Americans have noted they have stressors in their lives? Also, with technology connecting us in so many ways, it is hard to leave the office when it is in your pocket at all times. One of the best ways to do a “control + alt + delete” is to travel to an extraordinary place on earth and practice health and wellness. Learn more about ways to de-stress on vacation with massages by Nitza in the Exumas—and much more!

Tips for a Healthy Vacation

When traveling, it is easy to immediately go to junk food. However, when you eat junk, you feel like junk! We all deserve to treat ourselves, especially while on vacation. But you do not want to spend your time away feeling bad, which starts with the food you put in your body. Be mindful of what you eat and avoid binging on bad foods the entire time. Add in a mix of healthy foods or dedicate a couple cheat meals on your trip. It is also helpful to stay active, even just walking around. Take some time to explore an area while walking to burn some calories, keep your blood pumping, and have fun!

Decompressing and Disconnecting

You are not on vacation if you are glued to your phone or mobile devices—especially if you are checking work emails. Prior to your trip, make arrangements to have windows of time your employees know you will not be responding to emails. Depending on your line of work, it could be the entire trip or a time period during the day. While near the beach, take some time to practice meditation and be mindful. Use some of these tips for bringing mindfulness to your next vacation. You will notice a huge difference in how you feel! 

Vacation Massages

Massages are incredibly relaxing and great for your health. Through various types of massage, you will be taken back to a calm state of mind as your body is calm. Massages are ideal for everyone, including those who are stressed, suffer from anxiety, medical ailments, fibromyalgia, digestive issues, and much more. Be sure to destress with yoga and massages by Nitza on your Exuma vacation. There is such a wide variety of massage techniques to help reduce pain and clear your mind. Plus, nothing beats a beachside massage!

In your quest for a relaxing vacation where you can discover health and wellness, making for a perfect reset, Bonefish Drex has you covered. With our massages by Nitza, you can truly disconnect with a beachside massage listening to the waves crash onto the shore. Scheduling an appointment is easy and is the perfect addition to your travels. Whether you have one massage per trip or one massage per day, you will notice a huge difference in the way you feel. 

As fall sets in, now is the time to think about your 2019 travels. Planning in advance without an exact date in mind allows you to be more flexible, allowing you to potentially take advantage of lower flight and hotel prices. Even better, traveling to the Bahamas is perfect for an Exuma bonefishing trip. As one of the best places for bonefishing on earth, you must add this destination to your travel list. From fantastic weather and opportunities to explore, to the peacefulness of the area, the Exumas definitely needs to be a “must-go” for your 2019 travels. 

Fantastic Weather

No matter when you choose to travel to the Exumas for a bonefishing excursion, it is a win-win in terms of the weather. The conditions stay favorable throughout the year for the fish as they are accustomed to tropical water. Temperatures are their warmest and most humid during June through September, with averages peaks in the 80s and 90s. December through March have lower temperatures in high the 70s and low 80s. If you are looking for low-overcast times of year for great catches, they also happen to during the winter months. While the area does not get as much rain, the majority of showers fall in May and June. However, if you prefer to travel during the spring and summer, there tend to be more yields. You can’t go wrong! 

Must-Go Destination for Top Bonefishing Experts

The Exumas are one of the world’s best destinations for bonefishing. Because the waters in so many places are shallow and crystal clear, it leads to easy catches in the areas. In addition, the fish enjoy the warmer waters, which are higher to the surface. The Exumas are filled with shallow waters, extremely beneficial for this sport. Even better, because it is such a beloved destination for bonefishing, it is full of bonefishing guides. This is ideal as your local guides know all of the rules and regulations when Exuma bonefishing in local flats. 

Opportunities for Unique Exploration

As an archipelago that is made up of 365 islands and cays, this gives you endless opportunities to explore. The islands and cays span more than 100 miles in length and are divided as Great Exuma, the largest, as well as Little Exuma and the Exuma Cays. You can take a bonefishing adventure in main areas, or you can ask your guide to take you to some of the places off the beaten path. Each of the three areas of the Exumas offers their own unique opportunities for bonefishing, relaxation, and adventure. As you explore the Exumas Travel Guide, you will learn about all of the fun activities you can do while on vacation. 

When planning your trip to the Exumas for your 2019 bonefishing adventure, Bonefish Drex has you covered. We offer guided bonefishing through the region’s gorgeous waters as well as sightseeing tours, and massages. Call us today at 242-357-0243 to discuss your trip and make your reservations. We look forward to seeing you next year!
 

Are you looking for your next place to vacation? The Exumas should be at the top of your list! This impeccable part of the Earth is home to sparkling water, untouched land, and white sandy beaches. There is much to learn about, so be sure to book an Exuma sightseeing tour. To get started, check out a brief overview of the area’s history as you make your plans to visit.  

Basics of these Islands

The Exumas are known as an archipelago, which is a group of islands. This archipelago has a total of 365 islands spanning more than 100 miles. The areas are broken up into Great Exuma, Little Exuma, and the Exuma Cays. A majority of travelers frequent Great Exuma and Little Exuma. What is so wonderful about many parts of these islands is that they are untouched. As nature preserves, you can see nature (both on land and underwater) in their original state. 

History of the Exumas

Colonization of the Exumas dates back to the 1400s by the Lucayan Indians. It is said they first found the land after leaving Africa. A century later, the Spanish discovered the land and establish salt mining. Sadly, as they colonized, they enslaved the Lucayan Indians. During the mid-1600s, the British also found the chain of islands, as well as some people in America who were escaping from the Revolutionary War. The land housed several cotton plantations. 

Also, somewhere in this timeframe, the area was frequented by pirates. It’s rumored that Blackbeard and James Kidd were some of the many pirates that made it to this part of the Earth. 

During the late 1600s and into the 1700s, tensions were high between the Spanish and British. But that changed after the Treaty of Versailles in the late 1780s, which gave rights of the Exumas to the British. The islands were then primarily used for cotton and salt mining. However, things began to change in the early 1800s. After a loss during the Revolutionary War, many British landowners lost their property. Then when slavery was abolished in the late 1830s, the slaves were free and able to set their own roots in this beautiful part of the world. 

Sights to See

When traveling to the Exumas, here are a few sites to tell your tour guide that you would like to see: 

• Swimming pigs: Major’s Spot Cay is home to the swimming pigs. No one is quite sure how they got there but they love to meet new people and enjoy swimming in the crystal-clear ocean. 
• Thunderball Grotto: Go snorkeling in this underwater cavern. You’ll see the beautiful coral reef and colorful tropical fish. It was also used during the filming of the two James Bond films “Thunderball” and “Never Say Never Again.”
• Salt Beacon: Explore some of this area’s history at the Salt Beacon in William’s Town, Little Exuma. The area houses a large Roman Tuscan Column erected in the late 1600s to help those at sea see where to go to access salt pans. 

When traveling to the Exumas, Bonefish Drex will help you plan your trip. We know the top landmarks to add to your Exuma sightseeing trip and make it memorable. Schedule your tour today by calling 242-357-0243. 

One of the best places to relax is in the Exumas. The key to having the perfect getaway is to rest and reset, removing yourself from the day-to-day stresses of life. From essential oils and massages in Exuma, to disconnecting from technology, there are many ways to get away from it all. As you prepare for an upcoming trip, use this guide to find perfect additions to your itinerary for your Bahamas getaway.  

Essential Oils

People all across the globe use essential oils for rest and relaxation, perfect for a trip to the Exumas. Essential oils come from plants and become a concentrated form that provides various feelings based on the type of oil. Various plants create different feelings, based on the type of plant. They can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled. When traveling to the Bahamas, essential oils can aid in relaxation. Some of the most common essential oils include: 

• Cinnamon leaf: Known as an anti-inflammatory, cinnamon leave is great for reducing pain and giving energy—perfect to help you prepare for excursions on a trip
• Clary sage: Used to help improve one’s move, clary sage helps with stress and anxiety, as well as to help with happiness
• Lavender: A go-to for sleep and relaxation, lavender provides a relaxing feeling. It helps headaches and eases tension in the body. 
• Rose: A great oil for stress and anxiousness, Rose also has been known to help people sleep. 
• Sandalwood: Ideal for those with anxiety, sandalwood aids in improving focus and easing anxiousness. 

Massages in Exuma

When planning a trip to the Exumas, make sure to add one (or several!) beachside massages to rest and relaxation. They are the perfect way to kick off a trip, unwind after excursions or to help you enjoy your last day. Massages on the beach allow you to heighten your sense and take everything in. From breathing in the crisp air, to listening to the waves crash onto the shore, the environment will help you truly disconnect and unwind. Some of the most popular types of massages include: 

Deep tissue: Releases knots in muscles to reduce tightness and pain
Shiatsu: Increases energy and reduces anxiety
Swedish: Increases blood flow and reduces inflammation
Looking for more? Explore massage therapy styles and health benefits. 

Other Ways to Relax

A few other key tips for optimal relaxation on your trip include: 

• Do not check work email or greatly reduce if you have a job that requires you to do so – inform colleagues and others you are working with in advance 
• Limit screen time 
• Take photos but do not forget to be present
• Create a reasonable itinerary
• Enjoy food but avoid foods that cause discomfort 

Did you know that you can de-stress with yoga and massages by Nitza on your Exuma vacation? Have the perfect relaxing vacation by booking a massage at Bonefish Drex. Our beachside massages by Nitza are the perfect way to indulge yourself, helping you to disconnect while on vacation. Book yours today by calling 242-357-0243.