Yacht Charter Bahamas 2026 — The Complete Guide
700 islands, one of the world's most photographed cruising grounds.
The Bahamas is the closest tropical cruising ground to the US east coast, and the most photographed water on Earth. The Exuma chain alone runs 120 miles of cays, sandbars and impossibly clear shallows — Highbourne, Norman's, Shroud, Warderick Wells, Compass, Staniel Cay (the swimming pigs), Sampson, Big Major. The Abacos to the north are the boater's Bahamas — protected, friendly, with charming villages on Green Turtle and Hope Town. Nassau and the Berry Islands sit in between as logistics hubs and weekend playgrounds.
What sets the Bahamas apart from the Caribbean proper is the water depth — most of the cruising is on the Bahama Banks in 5–20 feet of water, which is what creates the surreal turquoise visible from space. Visibility on a calm day is 30+ metres. The downside: shallow water means careful navigation. The upside: every swim of the charter happens in colour you won't see anywhere else.
The 2026 Bahamas charter market has grown sharply with the post-pandemic motor yacht migration. Nassau berth availability is genuinely tight in February and Easter weeks; the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park requires permits; the swimming pigs at Big Major now cap visitors. A good captain — or a good agency — manages these constraints invisibly.
- The water
Genuinely the clearest, brightest blue you can see from a boat. The Exuma banks are the reason.
- Direct from the US
Fly to Nassau, Staniel Cay or Marsh Harbour from Florida in under 90 minutes. Charters often start mid-afternoon same-day.
- Winter season
November–May is peak — when the Med is shut, the Bahamas is at its best.
- Wildlife
Swimming pigs at Big Major, sharks at Compass Cay, iguanas at Allan's Cay, dolphins at Bimini.
Best time for yacht charter in the Bahamas
The Bahamas charter season runs December through May. Hurricane season (June–November) sees insurance and fleet relocation issues — most yachts move to New England or the Med for summer. The sweet spot is February through early April: water 25°C, trade winds steady at 15–20kn, almost no rain. December and January are festive peak with the highest prices and pressure on berths; late April / early May is the value window before crews relocate.
| Month | Weather | Notes | Crowd |
|---|---|---|---|
| December | 26°C, sunny | Holiday peak. Festive bookings command top dollar. | Very High |
| January | 25°C, breezy | Strongest trade winds. Sail-perfect. Some chilly evenings. | High |
| February | 25°C, ideal | Best balance — sun, swimmable, full activity calendar. | High |
| March | 26°C, ideal | Spring break weeks fill fast; otherwise excellent. | High |
| April | 27°C, calm | Lighter winds, warmer water, Easter peak then quieting. | Moderate |
| May | 28°C, calm | End-of-season value. Last 3 weeks of season. | Low |
Itineraries by days
3, 5, 7 and 10-day sample itineraries that we actually charter for clients. Day-by-day plans, not generic outlines.
Embark afternoon, swim with the pigs, snorkel the James Bond filming cave.
- •Embark afternoon, swim with the pigs, snorkel the James Bond filming cave.
Swim with nurse sharks at Compass dock; sandbar swim at Pipe Creek.
- •Swim with nurse sharks at Compass dock; sandbar swim at Pipe Creek.
Permit anchorage. Mooring on the north side overlooks miles of empty sand banks.
- •Permit anchorage.
- •Mooring on the north side overlooks miles of empty sand banks.
Tender through Shroud's mangrove creek to the 'Washing Machine' — natural waterslide on the ocean side.
- •Tender through Shroud's mangrove creek to the 'Washing Machine' — natural waterslide on the ocean side.
Lunch at Norman's MacDuff's, swim the sunken plane, return south.
- •Lunch at Norman's MacDuff's, swim the sunken plane, return south.
Cross to the top of the Exumas. Marina dinner at Highbourne.
- •Cross to the top of the Exumas.
- •Marina dinner at Highbourne.
Iguanas at Allan's, lunch at MacDuff's.
- •Iguanas at Allan's, lunch at MacDuff's.
Mangrove tender trip, Washing Machine.
- •Mangrove tender trip, Washing Machine.
Hike Boo Boo Hill at sunset.
- •Hike Boo Boo Hill at sunset.
Sharks then pigs in one day.
- •Sharks then pigs in one day.
Thunderball Grotto, dinner at Lorraine's.
- •Thunderball Grotto, dinner at Lorraine's.
Disembark Staniel via direct flight to FL.
- •Disembark Staniel via direct flight to FL.
Standard Exumas highlights.
- •Standard Exumas highlights.
Eleuthera's pink-sand beaches.
- •Eleuthera's pink-sand beaches.
Different scenery — green pine cays, calm sounds.
- •Different scenery — green pine cays, calm sounds.
Loyalist villages, swimming pigs of the north.
- •Loyalist villages, swimming pigs of the north.
Direct flights to Florida.
- •Direct flights to Florida.
Key anchorages & quiet finds
- ExumasBig Major (swimming pigs)
Anchor in the lee of Big Major Spot; pigs swim out to the boat.
Local tip: Arrive 7am or after 4pm to avoid the day-tripper fleet.
- ExumasCompass Cay marina
Stern-to at the dock; swim with nurse sharks under the deck. Tender service for outside-anchored yachts.
- Exumas Cays Land & Sea ParkWarderick Wells (north mooring)
Mooring-only; permits booked through ECLSP. The most photographed sandbar in the Bahamas.
- ExumasShroud Cay creek
Tender or paddleboard through mangroves to the ocean. Strong tidal flow at the 'Washing Machine'.
- ExumasHighbourne Cay marina
Northernmost Exumas, full marina services, easy crossing from Nassau.
- AbacosHope Town (Abacos)
Candy-striped lighthouse, mooring field in protected harbour. Loyalist village ashore.
- NassauCabbage Beach (Paradise Island, Nassau)
Anchor off Atlantis. Day-only — overnight in Nassau Yacht Haven or Hurricane Hole.
- AbacosNo Name Cay (Abacos)
Northern swimming-pig anchorage. Quieter than Big Major in the Exumas.
Insider notes
- Schooner Bay (Exumas)
Tucked-away sandbar 4 nautical miles south of Staniel — empty when Big Major is mobbed.
- Lorraine's Café (Staniel Cay)
Family-run, plates of cracked conch, no website, no reservations — order morning, eat that evening.
- Allan's Cay iguanas before 10am
The famous swim-up iguanas; arrive at first light before the day boats.
- Spanish Wells (north Eleuthera)
A working lobster village, exceptional anchorage, almost no charter traffic.
- Hurricane Hole (Paradise Island)
The right Nassau berth for crew change — quiet, secure, walking distance to Atlantis without staying inside it.
What kind of yacht works best here
- Motor yachtBest for: Exumas focus, families, shore-led days
Crewed 24–40m motor yachts are 80% of the Bahamas fleet. Shallow-draft variants (sub-2m) reach the bank anchorages monohulls cannot.
- CatamaranBest for: Multi-family, shallow anchorages
Power catamarans and large sail catamarans are increasingly the smart Exumas choice — shallow draft, stable swim platforms, room for tenders and toys.
- SuperyachtBest for: 10+ guests, full range
Strong 40–80m fleet bases in Nassau (Albany, Atlantis), Hurricane Hole (Paradise Island) and Marsh Harbour. Tender depth limits matter for Exuma reach.
- Sailing yachtBest for: Trade-wind sailors, longer ranges
January–March trade winds make the Bahamas one of the world's great sailing grounds. Crewed sailing catamarans and 50ft+ monohulls cross daily between Nassau and the Exumas.
Budget ranges
Bahamas charter pricing in 2026 sits between Caribbean and Med — significantly cheaper than the Riviera, slightly more than Croatia. No VAT (0% on charter). Bahamas charter license fee (4% of base) is added.
- 01Crewed catamaran (50–62ft)$25,000 – $55,000
Crew of 2–3. The smart family choice for the Exumas.
- 02Motor yacht (24–30m, crewed)$55,000 – $130,000
Crew of 4–6. The Bahamas standard.
- 03Superyacht (30–45m)$140,000 – $400,000
Crew of 6–10. Chef-led, full toy box, beach club on many.
- 04Superyacht (45–60m)$400,000 – $1.2m
Crew of 10+, helipad common.
- 05Superyacht (60m+)$1.2m – $3m+
Full-spec ocean yachts.
Bahamas charter license is 4% of base. APA typically 30%. Berthing at Nassau Albany or Atlantis is the most expensive in the country (~$8/ft/night for 50m+ in season). National park fees (Exumas Land & Sea Park) are nominal but mandatory.
Getting there & logistics
- Where to embark
Nassau (largest fleet, full marinas, daily US flights), Staniel Cay (direct from Florida, drops you in the middle of the Exumas — saves a day of crossing), Marsh Harbour (Abacos).
- Getting there
Direct from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, NYC, Atlanta to Nassau and Marsh Harbour. Staniel Cay via Watermakers Air / Tropic Ocean Airways direct from FL. Private jets clear at Nassau, Marsh Harbour and Staniel.
- Cruising permit
Required for all foreign-flag yachts; agency handles. Park permits for Exumas Land & Sea Park book separately.
- Connectivity
BTC and Aliv cover the main cays. Outer Exumas and Land & Sea Park are weak — most luxury yachts now carry Starlink.
Experiences in Bahamas
- Family yacht charter
Swimming pigs, sharks at Compass, beach picnics on empty sandbars — the Bahamas is the world's best family charter.
Explore itineraries → - Honeymoon yacht charter
Private sandbar lunches, Shroud Cay creek tenders, Eleuthera's pink-sand beaches off-season.
Explore itineraries → - Diving & adventure
Andros barrier reef, Tongue of the Ocean wall dives, Bimini hammerheads in winter.
Explore itineraries → - Gastronomy & wellness
Chef-led catamaran charters with locally-sourced conch, grouper and lobster.
Explore itineraries →
Common questions
- When should I book a Bahamas charter?
For Christmas/NY, book by previous April. February–March, by previous September. Easter weeks (peak demand) — book a year ahead.
- How much for a week in the Exumas?
A crewed 60ft catamaran runs $30–50k. A 25m crewed motor yacht is $80–130k. A 40m superyacht starts around $200k.
- Exumas or Abacos?
Exumas for the iconic Bahamas — turquoise banks, swimming pigs, sandbars. Abacos for a calmer, village-led week with Loyalist history.
- Can we visit the swimming pigs?
Yes — Big Major in the Exumas is the famous one. No Name Cay in the Abacos has them too, much less crowded.
- Do we need a US passport?
Yes for entry. The Bahamas allows 90-day stays for most western nationalities.
- What about hurricane season?
Most charters end in May and resume in November. June–October has serious storm risk and most yachts are not in the Bahamas.
The Bahamas is the world's most photographed cruising ground for a reason — there is nowhere else where the colour of the water is the whole story. Start in the Exumas. Add an Abacos week the year after. And accept that the iPhone photos really do look like that without filters.