Group Education Program offered: Leadership Course, Orientation Course, Environmental Service Coures Activities: Sea kayaking, snorkelling, service work, initiatives and workshops Minium Age: 16 years old Time of Year: December - June Capacity: 1 group of 12 students Minimum Course Length: 7 days Course Start Location: Georgetown Airport, Grand Exuma Island. (Outward Bound does not provide travel to and from the course start location.)
Expeditioning Through The Exumas
Paddling from shore into the sound, the water's color quickly changes from opal to celadon to jade. The Exumas offers 365 cays spanning 150 miles of the Bahamas. By sea kayak, you see the wildlife, waters and beaches of the Bahamas from a unique perspective. Expeditioning through the Exuma Cays by sea kayak offers a powerful and stunning setting to experience an Outward Bound Group Education Program.
Work together to chart a course through glorious Bahamian waters, perfecting strokes while navigating through hundreds of undeveloped islands. Learn to predict currents and tides, and then apply that knowledge to your expedition. Monitor and predict the weather. Practicing "wet exits", assisted re-entries, paddle float self rescues, and various methods of rolling a kayak is enjoyable in the warm Caribbean waters. "Raft up" " with the group to discuss the conditions and bearing before committing to the open water crossings.
Paddle past a mysterious blue hole. Listen to island birds chattering from nesting refuges along the shore. Snorkel through exotic coral reefs for close-up views of butterfly fish, moray eels and dolphin. See first hand the devastating effects of coral bleaching while learning about our earth's endangered reef system. Camp on tropical beaches, practicing Leave No Trace ethics to minimize impact on the land. Hike to the top of Perry's Peak, At 321 feet it is the highest point in the Exumas and offers a 360 degree view of the surrounding waters, Conduct an environmental service project. Spend time journaling in solo reflection under the shade of a coconut tree.
Natural and Cultural History
Our Group Education Programs in the Bahamas expedition through a chain of islands called the Exuma Cays. The 365 Exuma islands are sparsely populated - only 3,500 people live on the islands year round. Some islands are completely uninhabited and undeveloped.
Virtually free of pollution, the waters surrounding the Exumas are among the clearest and most colorful on Earth. The depth of the water, coral heads and sunlight are responsible for the incandescent colors of aqua, turquoise and emerald. Crossed by the Tropic of Cancer, the Exumas have average "winter" temperatures ranging from the mid 70s to mid 80s.
The Bahamas are fairly simple geologically and visitors often make the mistake of thinking the islands are volcanic in origin. They are really composed of Tertiary limestone deposits formed approximately one to two million years ago. The cays themselves are low lying with few hills over 100 feet high.
The sea temperature is ideal for coral formation, and the reefs of the Exumas provide dwelling places for a variety of sea creatures. Crustaceans such as shrimp, crabs and lobsters are prevalent. Echinoderms, such as starfish, sea urchins, sea biscuits, sea cucumbers and sand dollars are also common.
While snorkelling, it is not unusual to see butterfly, angel and parrotfish, as well as barracuda and eels. The conch, which is a mollusk, is also found extensively along the shoreline. The three types of sea turtles that inhabit the area are the green, loggerhead and hawksbill.
The silver top and thatch palm trees can be found growing on almost every cay. These trees provide a cornerstone to Bahamian culture and economy. For more than 250 years, the Bahamians have used the leaves of the palm to make baskets, hats, ropes, shoes, mats and thatch roofs for their homes.
The Exumas are a part of the Bahamas -- an independent country and a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations. Lucaya Indians are believed to have been the first settlers in the Exumas. Their presence diminished in the 16th century as Spanish explorers captured and traded them in the slave market. The 17th century brought salt-rakers by the hundreds as well as pirates looking for a safe place to store their booty.
Following the independence of the United States, a number of English Loyalists fled to the Exumas. Throughout the 18th century, cotton and salt became major industries and a large number of West African slaves were brought in to work on the plantations. The British Crown granted much of the land in the Exumas in the late 18th century to Lord John Rolle. After Britain abolished slavery in all of its territories in 1834, Rolle turned over his plantations to his former slaves. Many of the freemen took Rolle's name. Today, most of the land cannot be sold. It continues to be passed down through generations of islanders, many who still bear the Rolle name.
Work together to chart a course through glorious Bahamian waters, perfecting strokes while navigating through hundreds of undeveloped islands. Learn to predict currents and tides, and then apply that knowledge to your expedition. Monitor and predict the weather. Practicing "wet exits", assisted re-entries, paddle float self rescues, and various methods of rolling a kayak is enjoyable in the warm Caribbean waters. "Raft up" " with the group to discuss the conditions and bearing before committing to the open water crossings.
Our Group Education Programs in the Bahamas expedition through a chain of islands called the Exuma Cays. The 365 Exuma islands are sparsely populated - only 3,500 people live on the islands year round. Some islands are completely uninhabited and undeveloped.
The Exumas are a part of the Bahamas -- an independent country and a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations. Lucaya Indians are believed to have been the first settlers in the Exumas. Their presence diminished in the 16th century as Spanish explorers captured and traded them in the slave market. The 17th century brought salt-rakers by the hundreds as well as pirates looking for a safe place to store their booty.