Quick Answer
Most Bahamas yacht charters start in Nassau and spend the week in the Exumas, home to the swimming pigs, Thunderball Grotto and the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. The main season runs from December to May, and June and July are also popular. Harbour Island and the Abacos suit longer charters.
A Bahamas yacht charter is the easiest way to discover one of the most beautiful island chains on Earth. The Bahamas stretch across around 700 islands and more than 2,000 cays, and much of their magic – empty sandbars, hidden lagoons, reefs and wildlife – can only be reached by boat. Just a short flight from Florida and the US East Coast, they are also one of the most convenient yacht charter destinations in the world.
In this guide we cover the best cruising areas, when to go, how to get there, what a charter costs and the yachts we recommend for your week.
Why Charter a Yacht in the Bahamas?
- The clearest water you will ever see: shallow banks of white sand turn the sea into every shade of turquoise.
- Close to the US: Nassau is under an hour’s flight from Miami, and the nearest islands lie only about 50 miles off the Florida coast.
- A season for winter and summer: the Bahamas are a classic winter escape and also a popular early-summer charter destination.
- Wildlife encounters: swimming pigs, rock iguanas, nurse sharks, rays, turtles and wild dolphins.
The Best Bahamas Charter Areas
| Area | Highlights | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Nassau & Paradise Island | Main charter base, restaurants, resort life | Embarkation, first and last night |
| The Exumas | 365 cays, sandbars, swimming pigs, marine park | Most popular charter area |
| Eleuthera & Harbour Island | Pink-sand beaches, colourful village | Couples, beach lovers |
| The Abacos | Sheltered sea, lighthouse villages, dolphins | Families, relaxed cruising |
| Bimini & Berry Islands | Close to Florida, fishing, quiet cays | Short trips, sport fishing |
The Exumas
The Exumas are the heart of Bahamas yachting: a 120-mile chain of cays south-east of Nassau. Highlights include the swimming pigs of Big Major Cay, Thunderball Grotto near Staniel Cay, the nurse sharks of Compass Cay and the protected Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, the first park of its kind in the world. Most weekly charters spend the majority of their time here.
Eleuthera and Harbour Island
Eleuthera is a long, slender island with quiet beaches and dramatic Atlantic cliffs. Off its northern tip lies Harbour Island, famous for its three-mile Pink Sands Beach and Dunmore Town, a charming village of pastel-coloured cottages, golf carts and small restaurants.
The Abacos
The Abacos in the northern Bahamas offer sheltered water protected by a chain of barrier cays, making them ideal for relaxed family cruising. Visit historic Hope Town with its striped lighthouse, explore small loyalist villages and look out for the wild dolphins that live in these waters. The weather is very similar to South Florida.
Nassau and Paradise Island
Nassau, the capital, is the main base for charter yachts. Its colourful colonial streets, lively harbour and Paradise Island’s resorts and marinas make it a convenient place to start and finish your week, with plenty of restaurants and shopping ashore.
When Is the Best Time for a Bahamas Yacht Charter?
The Bahamas have a longer charter season than most of the Caribbean. The main season runs from December to May, with dry, sunny weather and calm seas; spring is especially pleasant, with warmer water and fewer winter cold fronts. Early summer, June and July, is also a popular time, particularly with families from the US on school holidays, and several large superyachts spend their summer season in the Bahamas.
The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from 1 June to 30 November, with the highest risk from August to October. Your captain watches the forecasts closely, and charters in late summer and autumn are planned with flexibility. See our month-by-month season guide for more.
Getting There
Most charters begin in Nassau. Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) has direct flights from many US cities, as well as from London and Toronto, and the main marinas are only 15–30 minutes away. Guests flying privately can also land on smaller airstrips in the Exumas, such as Staniel Cay, so a charter can start or finish in the middle of the islands.
A Sample Week in the Exumas
| Day | Where | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nassau | Embarkation and welcome dinner |
| 2 | Allen Cays & Highbourne Cay | Rock iguanas, first snorkel |
| 3 | Norman’s Cay | Sandbars and a plane wreck in shallow water |
| 4 | Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park | Mangrove creeks, hiking, protected reefs |
| 5 | Cambridge Cay | Coral gardens and tender trips to sandbars |
| 6 | Big Major Cay & Staniel Cay | Swimming pigs and Thunderball Grotto |
| 7 | Compass Cay | Swimming with gentle nurse sharks |
| 8 | Nassau or Staniel Cay | Breakfast and disembarkation |
How Much Does a Bahamas Yacht Charter Cost?
Prices depend on the yacht, the season and your route. Luxury motor yachts of around 30–40 metres are among the most popular choices in the Bahamas, and large superyachts are also available. As with all superyacht charters, an Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) is added to the charter fee to cover fuel, food, drinks and berthing, and local taxes apply. Read our guide to Caribbean and Bahamas charter prices for real examples from our fleet.
Which Yacht Is Best for the Bahamas?
Many areas of the Bahamas are shallow, so the choice of yacht matters. Motor yachts with a moderate draft and catamarans can reach more anchorages, while larger superyachts anchor further out and use their tenders and water toys to explore the sandbars and beaches. Your Aren Yachting advisor will match the yacht to your route.
Yachts for a Bahamas and Caribbean charter
Looking for more ideas? Explore our top 10 Caribbean yacht charter destinations or our complete Caribbean yacht charter guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bahamas part of the Caribbean?
Geographically the Bahamas lie in the Atlantic, north of the Caribbean Sea, but they are usually grouped with the Caribbean for yacht charters and share a similar climate and season.
Where do Bahamas yacht charters start?
Most start in Nassau. Charters can also begin or end in the Exumas, for example at Staniel Cay, and some yachts are based in the Abacos.
Can we charter a yacht in the Bahamas in summer?
Yes. June and July are popular, especially with families from the US. Some superyachts spend the whole summer season in the Bahamas.
How long should a Bahamas charter be?
Seven nights is ideal for Nassau and the Exumas. To combine the Exumas with Eleuthera or the Abacos, we recommend 10 nights or more.
Can we see the swimming pigs?
Yes. Big Major Cay, near Staniel Cay in the Exumas, is home to the famous swimming pigs and is included in most Exumas itineraries.
Ready for turquoise water and empty sandbars? Browse our Caribbean and Bahamas yachts or send us your dates, and we will tailor your Bahamas charter around you.