Exercise Increased Caution
“There are no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated.”
Updated Tue, 28 Jul 2026
Full advisory →Is Great Exuma safe? 🇧🇸
Bahamas · Safety report last updated
As of August 2026, Great Exuma scores 69/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Great Exuma is moderately safe for visitors who take normal precautions, with petty crime being the primary concern rather than violent crime targeting tourists. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Great Exuma 🇧🇸
Bahamas · Assessed 27 August 2026
69
/ 100
Yes — generally safe
Safer than ~71% of countries
What drives this score
Crime58/100FairCrime index 56.6 / 100
Sentiment68/100FairMostly positive
Advisories72Good
Stability80Good
Health70Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
No advisory against travel
“Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”
Updated 2026-05-28T16:01:45Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for Bahamas: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Mugging & robbery risk
Moderate risk
70
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
70
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
70 / 100 (Mostly positive)
70
City SignalCity Web Research
Homicide rate
32.2 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3Bahamas32.2South Africa43.7
14
Robbery / mugging
ModerateArmed robbery risk is low overall but possible in isolated areas or after dark; most incidents involve opportunistic theft rather than violence against tourists.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching occur in tourist hubs like George Town, Stocking Island, and boat docks, especially during peak cruise ship arrivals.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
68/100
Reported feel70Mostly positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent visitor reports describe feeling safe during the day and praising local helpfulness, though some note increased caution needed at night or in less populated areas.
Great Exuma is moderately safe for visitors who take normal precautions, with petty crime being the primary concern rather than violent crime targeting tourists.
While Great Exuma benefits from lower population density and a relaxed atmosphere compared to Nassau, the Bahamas' high national homicide rate (32.2/100k) and reports of petty theft in tourist areas warrant vigilance. Visitors should secure valuables, avoid isolated areas after dark, and use reputable transport, though violent crime against tourists remains rare.
Recent developments
- Apr 2026American woman reported missing after falling overboard during a boat trip near Great Exuma; search ongoing— Fox News
- May 2022Three American tourists found dead at a Sandals resort on Great Exuma; investigation linked deaths to carbon monoxide poisoning— The Washington Post
- Jun 2022Three Americans found dead at a Sandals resort in the Bahamas; police confirmed cause as carbon monoxide poisoning— CNN
Common scams
- Taxi overcharging
- Beach vendor pressure
- Watersports price-switching
Full briefing
Great Exuma presents a moderate safety profile for travelers, primarily requiring vigilance against petty crime rather than facing significant violent threats. While the island’s smaller communities and lower population density contribute to a relaxed atmosphere, the Bahamas’ national homicide rate of 32.2 per 100,000 (2022 World Bank data) underscores that violent crime exists in the country, though it is heavily concentrated in Nassau and rarely targets tourists in Exuma. Visitor sentiment remains largely positive, with recent reports highlighting the helpfulness of locals and a sense of security during daylight hours, though nighttime caution is advised in isolated areas.
Recent incidents underscore specific risks: an American woman went missing after falling overboard during a boat trip near Great Exuma in April 2026 (Fox News), and the 2022 carbon monoxide poisoning deaths of three American tourists at a Sandals resort on the island (confirmed by CNN and The Washington Post) led to industry-wide safety upgrades, including mandatory CO detectors in resorts. These events, while tragic, are isolated and have prompted preventative measures rather than indicating ongoing crime trends. Street-level risks focus on pickpocketing in crowded spots like George Town’s markets and popular beaches, and bag-snatching near docks during cruise ship arrivals, with taxi overcharging and vendor pressure noted as common scams.
To stay safe, travelers should use only licensed taxis or pre-agreed rental car fares, secure valuables in hotel safes and avoid displaying jewelry or electronics openly, and remain alert in tourist hubs—especially during peak hours. Health precautions include monitoring for dengue and measles (per CDC global watches) and ensuring travel insurance covers medical evacuation, given the lack of hospitals within 15 km. While hurricane season warrants weather vigilance, no active disaster alerts were present as of August 27, 2026. By exercising normal caution—particularly regarding personal belongings and after-dark movements—visitors can enjoy Great Exuma’s renowned beaches and cays with confidence.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Great Exuma districts for visitors: 5 safer, 3 needing caution. See them plotted on the Great Exuma safety map.
George TowncautionMain hub; petty theft and pickpocketing moderate risk in crowded areas, especially around the market and docks
Emerald BaycautionSite of past carbon monoxide incidents at resorts; verify detector presence and ventilation in accommodations
Great Exuma HarbourcautionBerthing area for yachts; moderate risk of theft from unattended vessels or dinghies
Stocking IslandsaferPopular day-trip destination; low crime, but strong currents and occasional bull sharks near marinas require swimming caution
Staniel CaysaferTourist-friendly with resorts and Pig Beach; normal precautions advised for belongings on beaches and boats
Compass CaysaferKnown for nurse shark encounters; low crime, but follow local guidance for water activities
Little ExumasaferQuieter southern district; low population density and crime, but limited medical facilities require emergency planning
Moriah Harbour Cay National ParksaferProtected natural area; minimal crime, but weather awareness essential for boating and hiking
07 · After Dark
Is Great Exuma safe at night?
Armed robbery risk is low overall but possible in isolated areas or after dark; most incidents involve opportunistic theft rather than violence against tourists.
After dark, be most careful around George Town, Emerald Bay, Great Exuma Harbour. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Great Exuma safety FAQ
Is Great Exuma safe for tourists right now?
Great Exuma is moderately safe for visitors who take normal precautions, with petty crime being the primary concern rather than violent crime targeting tourists. While Great Exuma benefits from lower population density and a relaxed atmosphere compared to Nassau, the Bahamas' high national homicide rate (32.2/100k) and reports of petty theft in tourist areas warrant vigilance. Visitors should secure valuables, avoid isolated areas after dark, and use reputable transport, though violent crime against tourists remains rare. (Assessed 27 August 2026.)
Which areas of Great Exuma should tourists avoid?
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
What are the most common scams in Great Exuma?
- Taxi overcharging
- Beach vendor pressure
- Watersports price-switching
How does Great Exuma compare with other places in Bahamas?
Great Exuma ranks #2 of 5 Bahamas destinations we've assessed, scoring 69/100. See the Bahamas safety overview for the full list.
How is this Great Exuma safety score calculated?
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
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