This Bahamas All-Inclusive Gives Every Guest Their Own Boat — and the Neighbors Are Swimming Pigs

Forget pool butlers and swim-up bars. At Fowl Cay, a private island resort in the Exuma Cays, every villa comes with its own powerboat and unlimited fuel — and guests are encouraged to chart their own course through some of the most pristine waters in the Bahamas.

The resort, tucked into the heart of the Exuma island chain, operates just six oceanfront villas. Each is a standalone residence with full kitchens, living areas, and multiple bedrooms. The all-inclusive rate covers breakfast stocked in villa refrigerators, packed lunches for day trips, dinner at the resort's Hill House restaurant, and premium drinks — with no tracking or hidden charges.

What sets Fowl Cay apart from other private island resorts is the level of independence it offers. After a brief orientation and some maps, guests pilot their own boats to nearby cays, snorkeling spots, and the famous Pig Beach, where the Exumas' famous swimming pigs hold court. Thunderball Grotto, a snorkeling site made famous by the James Bond film, is a short ride away.

A Different Kind of All-Inclusive

The resort also includes fishing gear, water sports equipment, a freshwater pool, a tennis court, and golf carts for getting around the island. With only six villas occupied at a time, the atmosphere is closer to a private estate than a traditional resort.

Fowl Cay is accessible via Great Exuma International Airport, with American Airlines offering direct flights from Miami. From there, it's a boat transfer to the island.

For travelers who've done the mega-resort circuit and want something radically different, Fowl Cay makes a compelling case. While properties like Sandals Royal Bahamian offer the traditional all-inclusive experience in the Bahamas, Fowl Cay sits at the opposite end of the spectrum — fewer people, more ocean, and a set of boat keys on check-in.