William's Town

Travel Guide

William\'s Town showing general coastal views
William\'s Town which includes rugged coastline
William\'s Town which includes views and general coastal views
William\'s Town showing a gorge or canyon, tropical scenes and rocky coastline
William\'s Town showing general coastal views

Filled with stories of a fascinating history of salt production, this old-fashioned village is the gateway to one of the Bahamas’ most beautiful beaches.

William’s Town is the southernmost settlement on Little Exuma. This quaint town is best known for its ruins of a former plantation home and a nearby beach that is touted as one of the region’s most stunning stretches of sand. Watch local fishermen bringing in their catches and see the haunting remains of the town’s salt lake.

Check out the unusual Salt Beacon, located on the Queen’s Highway on the outskirts of William’s Town. This 30-foot-tall (9-meter) Tuscan-style pillar was built in the 18th or 19th century to help guide ships to the salt port. Exuma’s salt-raking industry flourished for hundreds of years until refrigeration was developed in the 20th century. Look for a small plaque describing the beacon, as well as a lone cannon once used to defend the site against pirates.

The land at the base of the Salt Beacon is an excellent lookout point, offering views over the ocean and inland to the Great Salt Pond. Look over this eerie body of water, where salt was harvested before overseas shipment.

Don’t miss the picturesque hilltop ruins of the Hermitage, an 18th-century cotton plantation. The Hermitage spans 970 acres (390 hectares) and is the last surviving example of many plantations once dotted across the Exumas. Look for wild cotton growing around the property, a reminder of the slaves who once worked on the land.

Near the Hermitage are a somber group of Loyalist tombs. Read the inscriptions to see that three of the graves are marked with the names of Loyalist families, while the fourth is mysteriously unmarked, possibly belonging to a slave.

Ask for directions to the Tropic of Cancer BeachOpens in a new window, down an unmarked rocky road northwest of town. It is often described as one of the Bahamas’ most beautiful beaches. You’ll likely be the only visitor enjoying this secluded strip of sand. Aside from being a serene place to relax, the imaginary Tropic of Cancer meridian line runs across this beach.

To reach William’s Town, cross to Little Exuma from Great Exuma. You’ll find it about 19 miles (30 kilometers) southeast of George Town.

Always Calm Beach. No Estate like this in Exuma! Brand New on protected sand bar
Always Calm Beach. No Estate like this in Exuma! Brand New on protected sand bar
Little Exuma, Exuma
Book a stay at this beach vacation home in William's Town. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
10/10 Exceptional! (49 reviews)
Simply beyond words....
"When we walked through the door for the first time it literally took our breath away. We have been coming to Exuma for 12 years and thought we had seen it all. This is by far nicer then anything we have ever seen. The sand bar is a screensaver and the beauty of this property and home is stunning. ..."

Reviewed on Apr 30, 2025

Always Calm Beach. No Estate like this in Exuma! Brand New on protected sand bar
23Exuma * LUXURY, TOP BEACH* Calm Waters* 5 Bedrooms, Each w/Private Bath* Pool
23Exuma * LUXURY, TOP BEACH* Calm Waters* 5 Bedrooms, Each w/Private Bath* Pool
Exuma
Book a stay at this beach villa in William's Town. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
10/10 Exceptional! (59 reviews)
Amazing Trip!
"We could not have had a better experience this last week!!! Truly, there is not one bad thing to say about"

Reviewed on Jun 24, 2025

23Exuma * LUXURY, TOP BEACH* Calm Waters* 5 Bedrooms, Each w/Private Bath* Pool
BEACHFRONT! Best Location on Private Lazy River Sand Bar.  Always Calm Water!
BEACHFRONT! Best Location on Private Lazy River Sand Bar. Always Calm Water!
Moore Hill
Stay at this vacation home in William's Town. Enjoy private pools, laundry facilities, and patios. Popular attractions Little Exuma Beaches and Salt Pond are ...
10/10 Exceptional! (48 reviews)
Out of this world experience
"I can spend hours describing the amazing time we had, but ill summarize it. The description and pictures do not match how beautiful the house and location is. You have to see it to believe it. Judy was beyond amazing. Always answered the phone and was there for anything we needed. The island and ..."

Reviewed on May 23, 2025

BEACHFRONT! Best Location on Private Lazy River Sand Bar. Always Calm Water!
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Blue Reef Villa, New build located on one of Little Exuma's Lazy Rivers!
Blue Reef Villa, New build located on one of Little Exuma's Lazy Rivers!
Moore Hill
Book a stay at this beach villa in William's Town. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Little Exuma Beaches and Tropic of ...
10/10 Exceptional! (10 reviews)
Gorgeous house
"We had a wonderful week in this house . The house has absolutely everything you could need and was immaculately clean . Judy the house manager was very prompt with any queries we had . The house has drinking water which was a massive bonus and a beautiful heated pool . The beach and lazy river were ..."

Reviewed on Apr 29, 2025

Blue Reef Villa, New build located on one of Little Exuma's Lazy Rivers!
Always Calm Beach. No Estate like this in Exuma! Brand New on protected sand bar
Always Calm Beach. No Estate like this in Exuma! Brand New on protected sand bar
Little Exuma, Exuma
Book a stay at this beach vacation home in William's Town. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
10/10 Exceptional! (49 reviews)
Simply beyond words....
"When we walked through the door for the first time it literally took our breath away. We have been coming to Exuma for 12 years and thought we had seen it all. This is by far nicer then anything we have ever seen. The sand bar is a screensaver and the beauty of this property and home is stunning. ..."

Reviewed on Apr 30, 2025

Always Calm Beach. No Estate like this in Exuma! Brand New on protected sand bar
23Exuma * LUXURY, TOP BEACH* Calm Waters* 5 Bedrooms, Each w/Private Bath* Pool
23Exuma * LUXURY, TOP BEACH* Calm Waters* 5 Bedrooms, Each w/Private Bath* Pool
Exuma
Book a stay at this beach villa in William's Town. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
10/10 Exceptional! (59 reviews)
Amazing Trip!
"We could not have had a better experience this last week!!! Truly, there is not one bad thing to say about"

Reviewed on Jun 24, 2025

23Exuma * LUXURY, TOP BEACH* Calm Waters* 5 Bedrooms, Each w/Private Bath* Pool
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Cities near William's Town