Tropic of Cancer Beach, Little Exuma: location and how it relates to Exuma Park
Tropic of Cancer Beach, also called Pelican Beach, is a white-sand crescent on Little Exuma, reached by bridge from Great Exuma and outside Exuma Park.
Tropic of Cancer Beach, also called Pelican Beach, is a crescent of white sand on the coast of Little Exuma1. Little Exuma connects to Great Exuma by bridge, so you need no boat2. It is far south of Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park4.
- At a glance
- Also called
- Pelican Beach1
- Island
- Little Exuma1
- Position
- 23°26′ N, 75°35′ W1
- Access
- Bridge from Great Exuma, no boat needed2
- Inside Exuma Park?
- No, far south of the park4
On this page
Tropic of Cancer Beach is a south Exumas stop, not a park stop. Use this page to place it on the map, to find it on the ground and to know which rules apply.
What is Tropic of Cancer Beach?
Tropic of Cancer Beach, also known as Pelican Beach, is a graceful crescent of white-powder sand bordering blue-green water along the coast of Little Exuma1. Bahamas Tourism calls it the longest beach on the island1, and one travel writer places it near Williamstown, about a 30 minute drive from George Town5. The page gives its position as 23°26′ N, 75°35′ W1. Little Exuma itself covers 11 square miles, against 61 for Great Exuma3.
Readers of 10Best’s Caribbean beach poll ranked it No. 5 in 2023 and No. 4 in 20187. Shade is sparse5, and the beach is not known for being busy5.
Why does the beach have two names?
The beach is named after the line that defines the northern extent of the tropics, and that line crosses right through it1. The Tropic of Cancer runs across Pelican Beach on Little Exuma, which gives the beach its second name3.
How do you get to Tropic of Cancer Beach?
Little Exuma is connected to Great Exuma by bridge, so you need no boat to reach the beach2. From Great Exuma, follow the Queen’s Highway over the one-lane bridge and turn left onto a dirt road signed for the beach6. The last stretch is a short drive over a rocky road5. Parking is free, in an area by a covered pavilion6. Use George Town as your base, and see the Great Exuma getting around guide for cars and taxis. Exuma International Airport is on Great Exuma2; the Great Exuma flights guide covers arrival.
What is there to do on the beach?
The beach is public6. The longest stretch lies to the left of the pavilion, and a large outcropping of rocks at the far end is where visitors snorkel6. A sign beyond the rocks marks private property6. Pack reef-safe sunscreen, snorkel gear, snacks and water, because there are no amenities6,7. Sandy Cay is a short boat ride from Little Exuma and was a location for the Pirates of the Caribbean beach scenes3.
Is Tropic of Cancer Beach inside Exuma Park?
No. Tropic of Cancer Beach is not in Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park. The Trust lists the park’s south-west corner at 24°14′25″ N4. The beach is at about 23°26′ N1, south of that corner.
Park rules, mooring fees and no-take rules apply only inside the park. The park hub explains them, and the getting there hub lists the ways to reach the Exumas. For the park side of the Exumas, see Staniel Cay.
Nearby
Stocking Island is the beach island off George Town, and the places hub lists the other stops. For lodging, see where to stay in the Exumas.
Read next
George Town, Great Exuma: things to do, the regatta and how to get there
George Town is the capital of the Exuma district on Great Exuma: Elizabeth Harbour, the Straw Market, the regatta, Stocking Island and how to get there.
placesStocking Island, Exuma: beaches, snorkeling and getting there from George Town
Stocking Island sits 1 mile across the harbor from George Town, Exuma: how to get there, Chat 'n' Chill hours, snorkeling, the Beacon and where to stay.
planWhere to stay in the Exumas: George Town, Great Exuma and Staniel Cay
Where to stay in the Exumas by base: George Town and Great Exuma resorts, or Staniel Cay Yacht Club, with sample nightly rates and a note on what is closed.
Questions people ask
Is there parking and are there facilities at Tropic of Cancer Beach?
A free parking area sits by a covered pavilion, and a path through the pavilion leads to the sand6. 10Best describes the beach as having no amenities, so bring your own water and snacks7,6.
What is Tropic of Cancer Beach in the Bahamas?
It is a graceful crescent of white-powder sand along the coast of Little Exuma, also known as Pelican Beach1. It is named for the Tropic of Cancer, the line that defines the northern extent of the tropics and crosses the beach1.
What is the prettiest beach in Exuma?
Bahamas Tourism calls Tropic of Cancer Beach the longest beach on Little Exuma and the prettiest in the Exuma chain, and says you will probably have it to yourself1. That is the tourism board's own verdict.
Sources (7)
- Tropic of Cancer Beach - The Exumas in The BahamasTOURISM
Bahamas Tourism (bahamas.com) · bahamas.com · checked 2026-10-18 - The Exumas (island page)TOURISM
Bahamas Tourism (bahamas.com) · bahamas.com · checked 2026-10-18 - Exuma (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia · en.wikipedia.org · checked 2026-10-18 - Exuma Cays Land and Sea ParkBNT
Bahamas National Trust · bnt.bs · checked 2026-10-18 - Tropic of Cancer Beach - Nothing Compares to These Shores (updated 3 Feb 2022)
Uncommon Caribbean · uncommoncaribbean.com · checked 2026-10-24 - Tropic of Cancer Beach, Little Exuma, Bahamas (blog post, 8 June 2023)
JordanOutside · jordanoutside.com · checked 2026-10-24 - Tropic of Cancer Beach, Little Exuma (Best Caribbean Beach)
10Best Readers' Choice (USA Today) · 10best.usatoday.com · checked 2026-10-24
Photo credits (2)
Park fees and rules come from the Bahamas National Trust or the Bahamas government; check them again before you go. How we check facts.