Nurse Sharks Archives

Are you dreaming of one day getting to visit the exquisite chain of islands known as Exuma Cays in the Bahamas? Have a hankering to swim with the swimming pigs of Big Major Cay (aka Pig Beach)?

Would you be brave enough to get in the water with the “pet” nurse sharks of Compass Cay? Do you want to see and snorkel through Thunderball Grotto – made famous by the James Bond movie “Thunderball”?

Or, do you just want to bask in the ridiculously clear, blue water and maybe walk along a sandbar that only appears at low tide?

How about a visit to Staniel Cay Yacht Club – mentioned by Jimmy Buffet as one of the 10 great places for a waterside drink! Are you ready to go now? Me too!

Here’s a great way to experience all of the above – and more. Staniel Air, based out of Florida, offers a one of a kind Exumas day trip from Ft Lauderdale to Staniel Cay, Exumas which will include (weather permitting) a beautiful flight to Staniel Cay over the stunning Exuma Islands then transfer to one of their luxurious and roomy boats for an ‘insiders’ island tour of the attractions listed above – plus time to explore the island and beaches of Staniel Cay and enjoy some beverages, if you’d like, at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club Bar!

2017 Grand Cessna Caravan

The day begins with a 6:30am check-in at the Ft Lauderdale Executive Airport and you will return to the airport a 7:00pm. The small group tour includes a maximum of 8-9 people and is available each week on Friday or Saturday. If you’d like to book a private tour, it can be done any day of the week (depending on aircraft availablility).

Tour Boat

A few more things: Prices include flights, boat excursion, immigration & customs clearance and transfers in the Bahamas. Passports are required. Minimum age is 5 years old. Staniel Air also offers private air charters within a 500 mile radius of Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport and single seats to and from Staniel Cay/Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, when available.

Are you ready to book this tour? Click here to find out more, and be sure to let them know that you read about the Bahamas Day Trip – Fort Lauderdale to Staniel Cay Exumas on Rum Therapy!

**This post contains an affiliate link to Staniel Air. If you do decide to book the Bahamas Day Tour with them, be sure to mention that you read about it on Rum Therapy. We receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from our links, which, we promise, we’ll mostly blow on creating more rum recipes to share with y’all!**

So, I know sharks play an important part in the oceans ecosystem, but I just am not a fan. Sorry sharks. Nothing personal, it’s just those teeth…

When we were offered a stop at Compass Cay to swim with the sharks during an excursion generously provided by Embrace Resort on Staniel Cay, I thought fine. I’ll just take photos of the experience while John happily interacts with them in the water. Photos, from the dock – or as far away as I needed to be out of tooth range. But then I did a little research on the type of shark that hangs out at Compass Cay. The Compass Cay sharks are nurse sharks and according to National Geographic, adults are commonly about 7.5-9.75 ft long (although they can get as big as 14 ft.) and weigh 200-330 lbs. NG goes on to say, “Nurse sharks are for the most part harmless to humans.” Apparently they just don’t like to be provoked…(please tell me what ticks off nurse sharks!)

Upon our arrival at the Compass Cay Marina, we quickly became aware of the sharks presence. There were several people already in the water with (gasp) sharks swimming all around them. No one was panicking and there were even smiles.

Some were petting the sharks…

I found myself getting more and more intrigued.

Tucker, the man who owns Compass Cay Marina relayed the story of the sharks. When he first opened Compass Cay Marina, he brought in several nurse sharks. Over the years, the sharks had little sharks, have become accustomed to human
interaction and are now considered “pets”. There is a continual and abundant supply of fish scraps for the sharks as fish are cleaned at the end of one of the docks. At feeding time, a small hatchet is whacked on the cleaning board and the sharks come swimming in.

Hmmm. To make a long story short, I not only got in, but I snorkeled with them, pet them and enjoyed every minute. We enjoyed it so much, that we rented a boat from Staniel Cay Rentals and came back several days later to do it again at high tide when they just float right up next to you on the dock.

When we got back to our hotel, we looked through the pictures we got underwater while swimming.
Even more impressed that I got in.

So, do I have a greater appreciation for sharks? Well, let’s just say I really did enjoy this adventure and would do it again. With nurse sharks. On Compass Cay. In a heartbeat.

Have you gone swimming with the sharks on Compass Cay? If not, would you? Tell us about it!

Find Compass Cay Marina on our Bahamas Map

You might also enjoy:
The Swimming Pigs of the Exuma Cays

To see more posts on the Bahamas and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Tag: Nurse Sharks

Bahamas Day Trip to Staniel Cay, Exumas!

Swimming With Sharks on Compass Cay