Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park
Established: 1958
Size (acres): 112,640
Location: Exuma
The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, the first of its kind in the world, is famous for its pristine beauty, outstanding anchorages and breathtaking marine environment. Under its transparent turquoise waters are beautiful natural gardens of coral teeming with fish and lobster. Within the boundaries of the ECLSP are: Little Wax Cay, Shroud Cay, Little Pigeon Cay (private), Hawksbill Cay, Little Hawksbill Cay, Cistern Cay (private), Long Cay, Warderick Wells, Halls Pond Cay, Little White Bay Cay, South Halls Pond Cay (private) Soldier Cay (private), O'Brien's/Pasture Cays, Bell Island (private), Little Bell Island (private) and Rocky Dundas.
In 1985, the Bahamas National Trust took a bold conservation stance: the Exuma Park was made a protected replenishment zone. All fishing is prohibited within the boundaries of the Park. The Osprey, Raptor pandion haliaetus, sometimes called a "fishhawk", are the only creatures allowed to fish in the Park. The benefits of this initiative are far reaching. There is evidence that more marine species are reaching adulthood, and are restocking areas outside the park boundaries.
Unique Bahamian wildlife wander unmolested within the park. The Hutia (who-tia) Geocapromys ingrahami, the only terrestrial mammal native to The Bahamas, is found in the Park. Iguanas forage in the bushes for food and sea turtles lay their eggs on undisturbed beaches within the park and sea birds nests without interference on cays within the park.
Without a doubt, the rarest living creatures in the Park are the blue-green, reef-forming algae known as "stromatolites". Stromatolite reefs are the oldest living evidence of life on earth, with some fossil stromatolites dating back 3.5 billion years. In 1983 and 1984 stromatolites were found in The Bahamas off Stocking Island, Lee Stocking Island and in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. These stromatolites are estimated to be about 2,000 years old.
What's protected . . .
- The first marine fishery reserve in the Caribbean region
- The Hutia, the only native terrestrial mammal in The Bahamas.
- Breeding habitat for sea birds
- Stromatolite reefs, the oldest and rarest living creatures that hold evidence of life on earth.
Visitor Information
Mooring fee charged to boats visiting the park.
Partner and project links
Marine Fisheries Reserve Success Story
Tucker Rolle, Small Business Owner in Exuma
"In the past 10 years there have been more and more visitors coming and I've seen it with my own business - it has improved a lot. Eighty percent of the people who come here go into the park."
Whitfield Morley, Fisherman
"I think every island in The Bahamas should have a no-take zone like the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. They're doing a good job and hope they will spread out and protect other areas.