Exuma City Guide

Exuma, a 365-island chain in the central Bahamas anchored by Great Exuma and the hub town of George Town, is the country's fastest-rising Out Island market. Famous for the swimming pigs, Thunderball Grotto and some of the planet's clearest water, it has shifted from sleepy backwater to sought-after second-home and resort-residence destination, with prices rising steadily as the islands gain global fame. The market spans attainable inland lots and homes from around US$300,000 to luxury resort residences at Grand Isle and Emerald Bay, where villas and penthouses run from roughly US$1.5M to US$3.75M; beachfront and sea-to-sea estates can exceed US$5M. Prime product sits around US$500-$1,200 per square foot. Resort-managed villas at Grand Isle deliver strong vacation-rental performance, with gross yields commonly 7-9%+ given high nightly rates and managed programs. The Bahamas' tax neutrality and unrestricted foreign ownership apply equally here; sub-five-acre homes need only Investments Board registration, closing costs centre on 10% VAT plus ~2.5% legal fees, and US$750,000+ purchases qualify for permanent residency. Limited inventory and rising fame point to continued appreciation through 2026.