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Nautilus Yachting > Yacht Charter > Caribbean Yacht Charter > Bahamas

Bahamas Yacht Charter & Sailing Holidays

Choose a yacht charter in the Bahamas for an idyllic sailing holiday. It is hard to believe that this serene sailing area, virtually untouched by mass tourism, is situated just under an hour flying time from Miami.

There is no shortage of fascinating places to discover on a bareboat or skippered yacht charter in the Bahamas. From the base in Nassau you have access to more than 200kms of paradisiacal sailing ground. Explore the Exumas, the Abacos, Eleuthera and Cat Island or venture further afield to San Salvador or Crooked Island.

The 365 islands of the Exumas will in themselves give you plenty to see and do. The beaches are spectacular, mile after mile of white sand inhabited more by seabirds than people and plenty of reefs for fantastic snorkelling and scuba diving. The Bahamas serve up a storm when it comes to their local cuisine! Rum cake, conch fritters and grilled lobster will have you dreaming of your Bahamas yacht charter long after your return home.

The striking beauty and plentiful safe anchorages of the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park make it a 'must-visit' for charter boats in the Bahamas. As one of the largest protected marine parks in the world, it is home to an abundance of wildlife species including fish, turtles, iguanas and birds. Wonderful hiking trails take in the stunning views, whilst back out on the water you can discover the underwater world of the coral reefs.

Don't forget the pigs! Witness the iconic sight of the gorgeous Exumas pigs swimming in the extraordinary sapphire blue waters of Big Major Cay (known to many as 'Pig Beach'!) Around 20-25 pigs and piglets roam the pristine beach of this uninhabited lush green island, welcoming the visitors by swimming out to the boats to be fed.

Start planning your Bahamas boat charter today to experience the picture-postcard beauty of this magnificent sailing area.

With calm, reef-protected waters and Level 1 sailing, the Bahamas suit families and less experienced crews beautifully; see how they compare with the rest of our Caribbean yacht charters.


Yacht Charters from:

£2688.00

7 nights / 3 cabins


Experience Level: Level 1-2

Protected by the barrier reef, winds Force 2-5 Find out more...

Bahamas Yacht Charter

Sailing holidays in the Bahamas

Suggested Sailing Itineraries

Map courtesy of Wanderlog, a trip planner on iOS and Android

 DAY 1 : Palm Cay, Nassau

Embark at Palm Cay, Nassau and spend your afternoon collecting your provisions and getting settled onboard.

 DAY 2 : Highborne Cay

Head to Allen Cays to see the rare Northern Bahamian Rock Iguanas, which are only found in the Exumas. Continue your sail to Highborne Cay and be sure to snorkel the Octopus Garden reef at Horseshoe Bay. Highborne Cay Marina has a lovely restaurant with great views overlooking the bay. Take the chance to explore the island on the hiking trails.

 DAY 3 : Warderick Wells Cay

Explore the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park at Warderick Wells Cay, an area of outstanding beauty with sand dunes, mangroves and wonderful beaches.

 DAY 4 : Warderick Wells Cay

Visit the Interpretation centre, snorkel, hike, visit the loyalist plantation ruins or simply relax on the island's 30 deserted beaches.

 DAY 5 : Shroud Cay

Shroud Cay is part of the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park and is the perfect place to use a paddle board or kayak to explore the shallow mangroves and creeks. Here you will be able to spot turtles, rays and nurse sharks. On the east side of the island you will come to a vibrant blue lagoon and one of the most beautiful beaches in the Bahamas - Driftwood Beach.

 DAY 6 : Norman's Cay

Norman’s Cay is an abandoned former drug trafficking island and run by Carlos Lehder, which explains its runway. You can snorkel the smuggler’s plane wreck, which rests in just 10ft of water on the south-west coast of the island. Enjoy a stroll along Twinkie Beach before dining at Norman’s Cay Beach Club and watching the sunset.

 DAY 7 : Palm Cay, Nassau

Late morning head back to Palm Cay and enjoy the pool, beach and restaurant.

Sailing conditions in the Bahamas

Trade winds blow from 5-20 knots, with higher gusts in winter months. The entire cruising ground is protected by a barrier reef, which moderates sea conditions year-round. Temperatures averages 77-89oF year-round. The best time to visit is February to June. There is a risk of tropical storms during August and September.

We have rated this destination a 'Level 1-2' (levels info)

Getting There

Flights to Nassau, Bahamas

British Airways have direct flights to Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS), Nassau.

Transfers

The transfer time from the airport to the base is around 30 minutes. 

Tourist Board

For more information on things to see and do in the Bahamas on your yacht charter please click HERE

FAQs

The best time for a Bahamas yacht charter is February to June, when the trade winds are steady, the skies are clear, and the sea is at its calmest. December to April is the busiest period, with winds of 15–20 knots making for lovely sailing. Hurricane season runs from June to November, with the highest storm risk in August and September; good travel insurance covering adverse weather is advised if sailing then. Temperatures are kind all year, averaging 25–32°C.

Gentle, and that's the joy of it. The entire cruising ground is protected by a barrier reef, which keeps the seas moderate year-round, and winds average Force 2–5. We rate the Bahamas a Level 1–2 destination, making it one of our best areas for families and less experienced crews. The waters are shallow and famously clear, so keep a good lookout for coral patches and sandbars, and enjoy some of the easiest eyeball navigation anywhere.

A week from Nassau lets you explore the northern Exumas in a relaxed loop; see our suggested 7-day itinerary above. With two weeks, you can venture deeper into the Exumas chain or across to Eleuthera. Whatever your timescale, our team can help you shape an itinerary around it.

The famous swimming pigs of Big Major Cay ('Pig Beach') live around 20 strong on their own uninhabited island in the Exumas, and happily paddle out to greet arriving boats. 

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