Bahamas Yacht Charter
Swimming pigs, nurse sharks, and 365 deserted cays across impossibly turquoise shallows.
Life's a Beach on a Bahamas Yacht Charter
You're anchored off a deserted cay where sand swirls in turquoise water so clear you can count tropical fish at fifteen feet. A curious nurse shark glides beneath your catamaran while swimming pigs paddle toward your dinghy from a pristine beach.
The afternoon trade wind fills your sails with Caribbean warmth as you contemplate which of the 700 islands to explore next.
A Bahamas yacht charter delivers this surreal combination; unique wildlife encounters, pristine natural beauty, and shallow water sailing perfect for catamarans.
The Bahamas are good for:
Unique wildlife encounters
Crystal-clear shallow waters perfect for catamarans
Year-round trade winds (12-18knt)
World-class diving on blue holes and barrier reefs
Award-winning secluded beaches and paradise island vibes
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Why choose the Bahamas?
Experienced sailors find themselves drawn to the protected Sea of Abaco, where colonial settlements and reliable conditions create perfect learning environments for building blue-water skills.
Catamaran enthusiasts discover that the Exumas' shallow banks reward careful navigation with anchorages in water colors that seem digitally enhanced. The Bahamas accommodates both approaches while delivering experiences that satisfy adventure appetites and relaxation needs equally.
The Bahamas cruising area is split across two distinct personalities. The Exumas, southeast of New Providence Island, dazzle with 365 cays offering daily wildlife adventures. You can visit the pink sands of Harbour Island, and encounter swimming pigs at Big Major Cay, nurse sharks at Compass Cay, iguanas at Allen's Cays, and dive the famous Thunderball Grotto where James Bond filmed underwater scenes.
The Abacos, including Grand Bahama Island, are full of New England-style charm, and iconic monuments like the Hope Town lighthouse, and the protected Sea of Abaco, where calm waters welcome families and newbies.
Each region delivers completely different experiences while maintaining that essential Bahamian magic: warm hospitality, pristine nature, and the sense that you've discovered paradise before the crowds arrived.
The Anchor team are all experts in Bahamas yacht charters, and your personal broker will listen to your wants and needs before picking the perfect yacht to suit your group.
When is the best time to sail in the Bahamas?
At the northern tip of the Caribbean as it flows into the Florida Keys, Bahamas is fortunate to have a pleasant climate most of the year, with the exception of the hurricane season (September and October), when the barometer gets more variable and weather patterns are less predictable.
The primary sailing seasons can roughly be divided in three as follows:
Peak Season (December-April): Perfect Trade Wind Paradise Bahamian winter sailing delivers temperatures consistently between 75-85°F, with northeast trade winds at optimal strength and minimal rainfall. Water temperatures remain warm at 75-78°F, comfortable for extended swimming and diving. This period offers the most reliable conditions, with peak crowds during Christmas and New Year creating vibrant marina atmospheres.
Shoulder Seasons (November, May): Excellent Value March stands out as the sweet spot for experienced Bahamas sailors—settled weather patterns, warm water temperatures, fewer crowds than high season, and the full spectacle of Caribbean marine life without summer heat intensity. November offers similar advantages as weather stabilizes after hurricane season.
Summer Season (June-August): Warm Water Adventures Bahamas summer delivers water temperatures reaching 82-84°F, perfect for extended snorkeling and diving sessions. Trade winds moderate to 8-15 knots, creating gentler sailing conditions. Heat and humidity increase, with afternoon thundershowers providing natural cooling. Lower charter rates and uncrowded anchorages reward flexible travelers.
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Popular yachts in the Bahamas
Where to charter in the Bahamas?
The Exumas
The Exumas deliver Bahamas sailing at its most spectacular and wildlife-rich. This 90-mile chain of 365 cays extends southeast from New Providence Island, creating a daily wildlife adventure calendar—one pristine island for every day of the year.
Iconic Wildlife Encounters:
Swimming Pigs at Big Major Cay: The Bahamas' most famous residents paddle out to greet visiting yachts, creating photo opportunities found nowhere else on earth. Bring fresh vegetables and clean drinking water for these charismatic swimmers who've mastered the art of tourist hospitality.
Nurse Sharks at Compass Cay: Swim alongside friendly nurse sharks in shallow marina waters, getting close to these gentle creatures in conditions safe enough for children. The marina owners feed them regularly, creating reliable encounters that transform nervous first-timers into shark enthusiasts.
Thunderball Grotto (Staniel Cay): Snorkel through the marine cave where James Bond filmed Thunderball scenes. At low tide, shafts of sunlight illuminate this underwater cavern, creating ethereal conditions that justify the fame. Arrive early to avoid day-tripper crowds from Nassau.
Northern Bahamian Rock Iguanas (Allen's Cays): Feed prehistoric-looking iguanas found only in the Exumas. These gentle creatures grow surprisingly large and jump impressively for grapes. The surreal experience of giant lizards approaching your dinghy creates memories that last lifetimes.
Protected Natural Wonders:
Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park: This 176-square-mile protected area accessible only by boat or seaplane represents the Caribbean's first marine reserve. No fishing or collecting ensures pristine underwater ecosystems. Mooring buoys protect coral from anchor damage while providing secure overnight stays.
Warderick Wells Cay: Park headquarters offering hiking trails to Boo Boo Hill, where cairns left by cruisers create impromptu monuments. The blowholes and stromatolite coral reef dating back 3.5 billion years (!) provide geological drama alongside natural beauty.
Sailing Conditions: Shallow-water navigation requires constant attention and good light conditions. Depths change rapidly, demanding careful chart reading and visual piloting. The reward for vigilance? Anchorages in water colors ranging from electric blue to emerald green, with sand bottoms providing excellent holding.
- Charter Base: Palm Cay Marina, Nassau: Modern facilities, comprehensive services, convenient airport access
- Fly to: Nassau Lynden Pindling International Airport (35 minutes to marina)
- Best for: Wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, families seeking adventure, shallow-draft catamarans
- Sailing: Shallow water navigation, visual piloting essential, spectacular anchorages
- Highlights: Swimming pigs, nurse sharks, Thunderball Grotto, iguanas, Land and Sea Park, pristine nature
The Abacos
The Abacos offer Bahamas sailing at its most accessible and charming. The protected Sea of Abaco creates conditions perfect for first-time charterers, families, and sailors wanting reliable calm waters. Colonial settlements add cultural depth to natural beauty, while the iconic Hope Town lighthouse provides the photogenic focal point that defines Abacos identity.
Key Settlements:
Hope Town, Elbow Cay: The red-and-white striped candy cane lighthouse, built in 1864 and still operational, dominates this picture-perfect colonial village. Narrow streets lined with pastel cottages create New England atmosphere transplanted to Caribbean paradise. The harbor provides excellent protection and village amenities within dinghy distance.
Green Turtle Cay: New Plymouth settlement maintains Loyalist architecture and cultural traditions dating to the 1700s. Historic buildings, local museums, and authentic Bahamian restaurants create cultural depth rare in Caribbean destinations. The settlement's protected harbors offer secure moorings and genuine island hospitality.
Marsh Harbour: Commercial center providing comprehensive provisioning, fuel, and technical services. Less charming than Hope Town or Green Turtle Cay but essential for practical charter needs. Multiple marinas offer modern facilities and easy access to outer cays.
Man-O-War Cay: Boatbuilding tradition continues in this settlement where wooden Abaco dinghies are still crafted using traditional methods. The settlement remains dry (no alcohol sales), creating quiet family-friendly atmosphere that contrasts with livelier neighboring islands.
Sea of Abaco: This sheltered body of water between Great Abaco Island and the outer cays creates ideal learning conditions. Consistent 10-15 knot trade winds provide excellent sailing without challenging seas. Line-of-sight navigation between settlements makes passage planning straightforward.
Sailing Advantages: Protected waters eliminate ocean swell concerns. Numerous settlements provide secure harbors within short sailing distances. The combination of reliable conditions and cultural destinations makes the Abacos perfect for families and less experienced charterers building confidence.
Charter Bases:
- Marsh Harbour: Comprehensive marina services, largest yacht selection
Hope Town: Charming colonial base with boutique atmosphere
- Fly to: Marsh Harbour Airport (Leonard Thompson International Airport)
- Best for: First-time charterers, families with children, colonial history enthusiasts, protected water sailing
- Sailing: Calm Sea of Abaco, line-of-sight navigation, reliable trade winds, numerous safe harbors
- Highlights: Hope Town lighthouse, colonial settlements, boatbuilding culture, protected sailing, family-friendly
What You'll Love About Sailing Holidays in the Bahamas
Unique Wildlife Encounters: The Bahamas transforms standard Caribbean sailing into a wildlife documentary you direct and star in. Anchorage choice depends on you want to do first. Monday's swimming pigs at Big Major Cay. Tuesday's nurse shark swims at Compass Cay. Wednesday's Thunderball Grotto snorkeling, where James Bond filmed underwater scenes. There's no other place with this richness and concentration of unique wildlife encounters.
Shallow Navigation Challenges: Bareboat sailing in the Exumas demands more vigilance than deep-water destinations. Reading turquoise gradients, timing passages with tidal currents, and piloting around coral reef. It's why plenty of Bahamas visitors hire a skipper for their charter yacht. The learning curve pays off fast, though: anchorages in water so clear and colors so vivid they seem digitally enhanced.
Catamaran Paradise: The Bahamas is the ultimate catamaran destination. Shallow draft becomes a huge advantage, opening anchorages that monohulls can't reach. Stability matters when children leap into the water, and the open spaces are ideal for soaking up the rays.
Abacos Colonial Charm: The Abacos deliver that rare Caribbean combination of charming colonial settlements alongside pristine natural environments. Hope Town's candy-cane lighthouse gives you moments for the 'gram, while New Plymouth's Loyalist architecture creates cultural experiences beyond beach-bar tourism. The protected Sea of Abaco offers calm passage-making that welcomes families building confidence before tackling more challenging destinations.
Year-Round Warmth: The Bahamas' climate delivers consistent trade winds and comfortable temperatures that all guests love. Winter months offer peak conditions without Mediterranean summer intensity. Water temperatures rarely drop below 75°F, making extended swimming and diving comfortable year-round.
Bahamas Sailing Conditions and Navigation
Bahamas sailing demands different skills than deep-water destinations, and it's very important to 'read the waters'. Depths change rapidly, with passages crossing banks where water depth drops to 6-10 feet.
Wind and Weather Patterns:
Trade Winds: Consistent northeast winds averaging 10-15 knots create reliable sailing conditions. Winter months (December-April) produce strongest and most consistent patterns, while summer winds moderate to 8-12 knots.
Tidal Currents: Strong currents occur around the Exumas, particularly in cuts between cays. Timing passages for favorable currents reduces motor hours and improves fuel efficiency.
Weather Forecasting:
- Cruisers Net broadcasts daily at 8:15 AM on VHF channel 68
- WindGuru provides detailed Exumas forecasts
- Marina staff offer local weather interpretation
- Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association (BASRA) monitors VHF 16
Bahamas Charter Yacht Costs
Charter yacht fees vary depending on dates, and these are all estimated and approximate! (Based on a group of 8 sailing in the shoulder season):
Bareboat Catamarans: $6,000-15,000 USD per week
- Entry catamarans (42-45ft): $6,000-10,000
- Larger catamarans (46ft+): $10,000-15,000
Skippered Charters: $7,000-30,000 USD per week
- Professional captain with shallow-water expertise
- Local navigation knowledge included
- Gratuities typically 15-20% of charter fees
