M&EM — Postcards from Paradise | Robert's Exumas Itinerary

Day 1 — Friday, April 11

Arrival — Norman's Cay

You arrive this afternoon at the famous -- and notorious -- Norman's Cay, former operations headquarters of Carlos Lehder's drug smuggling operation (1978-1982), depicted in the film "Blow" starring Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz. The Columbian cocaine ring flew cargo from Medellin to Norman's Cay, refueled, and then into Miami and southern Florida. This is where it all happened.

Arrival

Norman's Cay Airstrip & Tender Transfer

Our tender collects you from the marina for a fifteen-minute cruise navigating the labyrinth of sand bores over to Shroud Cay, where the party is ready and waiting on M&EM.

Late afternoon / early evening arrival

Water Toys & Exploration

Sunset Exploration

M&EM is anchored west of Shroud Cay, fully set up with Jet Skis, Sea Bobs, Flight Boards, kayaks, and more. Enjoy a sunset kayak or jet ski to explore Norman's Pond or Shroud Cay. Nothing but endless white sand and gin-clear turquoise water. Alternatively, grab a massage, facial, or other spa treatment.

Welcome cocktails on the sundeck. Dinner al fresco on the Owner's Deck Aft. M&EM remains anchored off Shroud Cay for the evening.

Day 2 — Saturday, April 12

Shroud Cay & Camp Driftwood

M&EM greets the sun from Shroud Cay this morning with plenty of options for fun in the sun.

For the Brave: Optional sunrise kayak of ~10 miles over 3.5 hours circumnavigating Shroud Cay via the South Creek system. Depart at first light due to tide levels. Expect rays, sharks, and turtles along this route.

Beach Day

Shroud Cay Beach Setup & Creek Exploration

Short tender ride or jet ski to the beach near Shroud Cay Creek. Sun cabana, lounge chairs, beach games, and cocktails. The Creek is a tidewater stream bisecting the island -- paddle 45 minutes across to Driftwood Beach on the eastern shore. White sugar sand, turquoise gin-clear water, not another soul in sight. Snorkel for sand dollars and sea turtles, or hike to Camp Driftwood (FBI/ATF surveillance outpost from the 1980s).

All day beach program

Beach BBQ

Lunch in Paradise

M&EM chefs cooking on the flames for a BBQ lunch on the beach. Kick back, relax, and watch your pulse -- it may become pleasantly low and slow.

Lunchtime on the beach

Afternoon Excursion — 3:45 PM
Snorkel the Sunken DC-3
Fifteen-minute tender cruise to Norman's Cay to snorkel a drug-running DC-3 that missed its approach in 1981. Sits in about twelve feet of water at slack tide. Reef fish, sting rays, and sea turtles inhabit the ill-fated aircraft.
3:45 PM departureSlack water, 1 hr before high tide

Sundowners Option A

McDuff's or The Yacht Club on Norman Cay -- cocktails ashore

Sundowners Option B

Cocktails aboard M&EM on the sundeck

Dinner onboard while M&EM repositions 5 hours south to Pipe Cay / Sandy Cay area.

Day 3 — Sunday, April 13

Staniel Cay, Sandy Cay & Thunderball Grotto

You'll greet the sunrise from Sandy Cay this morning, surrounded by incredible views of gin-clear turquoise water and white sandy beaches. Enjoy a big breakfast -- you're going to need it!

Morning Excursion — 9:30 AM
Thunderball Grotto
Fifteen-minute tender ride east, James Bond style, to the famous Thunderball Grotto -- filming location of "Thunderball" (1965). Snorkel through caves among tropical reef fish and Queen Angel Fish at slack low tide. This is a must-visit at low tide for the full experience.
9:30 AM departure~10:00 AM arrival at slack low tide

Wildlife Encounter

Big Major's Cay — The Swimming Pigs

Approximately 20 pigs and piglets sustained by three freshwater springs. Our leftovers from last night are their lunch today -- fingers crossed it's not pork! Grab a snorkel and fins for an up-close experience with the Exuma's most famous residents.

Afternoon

Sandy Cay & Relaxation

Cruisy two-mile kayak paddle back to M&EM with a stop at Sandy Cay at low tide -- pristine white sugar-sand, protected coral reef teeming with fish. Lunch onboard, spa treatments, jet ski to Sampson Cay. M&EM Pain-Killer cocktails -- the perfect "Rum Therapy."

Sundowners

Staniel Cay Yacht Club

Cocktails at the historic Staniel Cay Yacht Club, then return to M&EM for dinner onboard and a one-hour sunset dinner cruise.

Late afternoon

Dinner onboard with outdoor movie beneath the stars.

Day 4 — Monday, April 14

Pipe Creek, Compass Cay & Twin Cay

Morning Kayak
Pipe Creek to Compass Cay
Some of the prettiest water in the Exuma chain -- a labyrinth of sand bores and coral reefs. Pass Little Halls Pond Island (Johnny Depp's vacation home) and White Bay Cay (Tyler Perry's 14,000 sq ft relaxation compound). Bring your camera -- today will be a stunner!
~3 miles one-wayMorning

Wildlife Encounter

Compass Cay Marina — Nurse Sharks

Tender standing by for a snorkel adventure among the stingrays and nurse sharks at the dock. While you may feel like bait, these are some of Exuma's friendliest sharks! Back on kayaks or tender for a five-mile run to Twin Cays.

Private Island Day

Twin Cay — Your Island for the Day

Welcome to Heaven! We've secured the exclusive booking for the entire day. Private pool, outdoor kitchen and dining, full beach setup with all water toys. M&EM chefs are cooking up a well-deserved feast. This is yours -- kick back, relax, and enjoy it.

Full day exclusive booking

Evening

Sundowners & Campfire on Twin Cay

BBQ lunch, cocktails, and the option for dinner on your own private island. Campfire at sunset. Return to M&EM for a five-hour dinner cruise back north to Norman's Cay.

Through sunsetM&EM underway 5 hrs overnight

Day 5 — Tuesday, April 15

Norman's Cay — Departure

It's your final morning onboard -- make it yours!

Explore

Norman's Cay Lagoon by jet ski or kayak -- explore the caves of Norman Pond

Relax

Final spa treatment, or just enjoy the outdoors and that beautiful blue water

Meals

Breakfast & Lunch Onboard

Enjoy meals onboard as desired prior to departure.

Departure

Norman's Cay Airstrip

Tender transfer to Norman's Cay marina. Departure flight from the airstrip. Thanks for coming to play with us in the Exumas on M&EM!

11:00 AM departure