Bahamas Yacht Charter Guide
The Bahamas are perfect for cruising – the key is to know which of the many distinct islands you should include in your itinerary
With some 700 islands and uninhabited cays, The Bahamas were made for the waterborne. Lying in a gentle east-west curve just 50 miles south of the US coast of Florida, the cruising possibilities during a Bahamas yacht charter are endless. Fortunately, both nature and practicalities will help to narrow the choice of which islands to discover. From New Providence Island and the cosmopolitan Nassau, to the Exuma islands’ remote string of pearl-like cays or the scalloped bays and coves of the Abacos, there is something for everyone.

Sample Itinerary
Charter Experience
Scattered across some 100,000 square miles, the islands and cays of The Bahamas provide endless cruising possibilities. The shallow waters are home to more than 30 diving destinations, unspoiled reefs, shallow fishing waters and fantastic beaches. From visiting friends and exploring the inland sights to fishing from the comfort of your yacht and taking in the Hollywood-worthy locations – in The Bahamas you’ll truly be spoiled for choice. The Exuma Islands are the most popular cruising area in the archipelago, but don’t let the moniker “popular” make you think they are crowded as they are anything but. Comprising 365 islands, islets and cays with anchorages anything from an hour to seven hours apart, there is plenty of space to find privacy, even during the peak cruising season – so where you go really depends on how many islands you want to visit.
Being located so close to Florida and the shipping channels, the islands have history and culture aplenty, with each one enjoying a distinct personality and appeal all of its own. On the larger islands, you’ll find quaint restaurants and bars, golf courses, and boutiques. While the smaller isles being remote and unspoiled, offer luxuries that money can’t buy. Sampling a bit of both worlds is the ideal combination.
Start your journey in the Bahamas by boarding your private yacht in the vibrant capital Nassau and cruise towards the Exumas to the south. Glide from idyll to idyll as you relax on board.
Location Highlights
- Tides permitting, swim and snorkel through the waters of Thunderball Grotto
- Dive the relics of an old DC-3 airplane, Norman’s Cay
- The Staniel Cay Yacht Club is where the Exumas social scene converges
- Throw hot dogs to the nurse sharks in the shallow waters of Compass Cay
- Snorkel with stingrays, Staniel Cay
- For artisans and authentic Bahamian crafts head to the Straw Market in George Town, Great Exuma
- MacDuffs at Norman’s Cay Beach Club is the perfect spot for curry conch chowder and a varied rum cocktail menu