Great and Little Exuma are easily explored by Car. Here are some recommended day trips:
South/East - Leave by 10:45 - go near the end of Little Exuma to Santanna’s for lunch - get there by 11:30, cracked conch and lobster. Mom’s bakery is next door. Get the rum cake, but wait to eat it until the rum soaks all the way in. On the way back, stop at Tropic of Cancer beach. A woman is there with a full bar and she makes food, at the beach entrance. This is literally where the Tropic of Cancer line falls. On your way back there is Molly Bay beach and Forbes Hill beaches. Bring the beach chairs.
North/West - You could drive all the way to Barreterre - this is where the watersports leave from if you are going to check out the pigs and iguana beaches for a day trip. It is about $1200 for a private day trip to do all of that - it’s a lot of time on the boat, so beware. It can cost about $250 per person if you go in a group. The Thunderball Grotto snorkeling is spectacular, try to avoid going on a weekend in season. The day trips to Staniel Cay are spectacular, you will see the swimming pigs, iguana beach, and many snorkel and beach sites, along with celebrity-owned islands.
North/West - Cocoplum beach - it is unmarked but trust Google Maps. There is a big blue utility box at the entrance of the road. When you drive up the (very rough) road, you’ll see cars parked by the beach. Park there, then walk to the right - it is a beautiful beach and sandbar. Try to time it near a tide change. Before or after - eat lunch at Grand Isle - Palapa restaurant - make a reservation ahead of time so you can get in the gate. Upscale and a beautiful spot. Walk down the steps to their beach, there is a beach bar there on the right, and it connects with Sandals. Other nearby restaurants are Big D’s Conch Shack and Houseman on the Bay. An Ice Cream parlor is also nearby.
North/West but nearby - eat at Splash (lunch or dinner) they have pool tables and outside giant connect 4 - and then drive over Jolly Hall beach to relax, or further over to Hooper's Bay to see the turtles (2024 note: the turtles have moved on from Hoopers, do not swim there if the water is murky or stirred up by a storm). Look for the yellow Beach Access signs.