Little Farmer's Cay, Exuma: turtles, the February festival and how to get there

Little Farmer’s Cay is a small island in the district of Black Point¹. It sits south of the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park. The places guide covers the other stops along the chain.

Where is Little Farmer’s Cay?

The island lies on the banks side of the southern Exuma Cays, 20 nm south of the better-known Staniel Cay². It is easily reached from the south or the north on the banks side².

Detail	Value
Coordinates	23.958°N, 76.322°W1
Distance from Staniel Cay	About 20 nm south2
Population	66 at the 2010 census1
Farmers Cay Yacht Club	Northwest end of the island, nine miles from Black Point4

Southern Boating & Yachting describes the cay as quiet, relatively undeveloped, and dotted with attractive homes and lush vegetation (article last updated 24 July 2019)². Little Farmer’s Cay is not inside the park: the park’s two southern boundary corners are at 24°14′25″N and 24°18′37″N⁸, and the island lies at 23.958°N¹. The park vs wider Exumas guide explains how that comparison works.

How do boats get to Little Farmer’s Cay?

Dockage is available at the Farmer’s Cay Yacht Club, and moorings can be rented from the Yacht Club and Ocean Cabin². Boats coming into the club’s port can reserve dock space or a mooring rental⁷. In settled easterly winds the best anchorage is on the west side of the island, off the beach².

Farmer’s Cay Cut offers access from Exuma Sound, but use caution in the cut². The cuts and tides guide covers the Exuma cuts. Black Point is nine miles from the club⁴.

Can you fly to Little Farmer’s Cay?

Yes. The Farmer’s Cay Yacht Club promotes a 35-minute flight from Nassau³, and Flamingo Air manages every aspect of that flight⁷. The club sits on the northwest end of the island and was established in 1989 by Roosevelt and Shirley Nixon⁴.

The club offers rooms and a two-bedroom beach villa. The villa includes a dining room, kitchen, cable TV, internet access, a microwave, and kitchenware and utensils⁷. The club states a no pets and no smoking policy⁷. Rates change, so ask the club for current prices.

What is there to do on Little Farmer’s Cay?

The main draw is the turtle bay. Staniel Cay Adventures says guests swim here and can pet wild sea turtles⁶. The turtles come into the bay because locals clean conch in the water and feed them, so most people can pet them⁶. Bahamas.com lists a “Swim with the Turtles” experience and souvenir shopping at the FCYC Treasure Shop and Daryl’s Gift Shop⁴.

The yacht club runs a full-day boat tour with a Farmer’s Cay turtle swim among its stops⁵:

• It carries up to 7 guests⁵.
• The tour guides set the price, so the price is not published⁵.
• You pay by phone or in person with Visa or MasterCard⁵.

Staniel Cay Adventures also names a few sights near the island⁶:

• Oven Rock: a lone limestone pinnacle with an opening like an oven.
• The Fountain of Youth: a freshwater pond inside a cave system.
• The Mile-long Sandbar: just south of Big Farmer’s Cay, a stretch of white sand that emerges from the water at low tide.

Deep sea caves and coral reefs nearby are described as good for diving and snorkeling⁶.

When is the Farmer’s Cay festival?

The first weekend in February is homecoming weekend for Little Farmer’s Cay². The festival is known as The First Friday in February Farmer’s Cay Festival, hence the 5 Fs². The island hosts the sailing regatta¹. Skilled Bahamian sailors race through the anchorage, and trophies go to the winners². Check the year’s dates before you plan a visit around the weekend.