The Bahamas
700 islands spread across 100,000 square miles of the clearest water on Earth. The Exumas alone are reason enough for a charter — Disney-blue shallows, swimming pigs, and beaches reached only by sea.
A cruising overview
The Bahamas are an archipelago — not a single cruising ground. The Exumas are the iconic chain south of Nassau: 365 small islands strung over 130 miles of sand banks, with anchorages every few miles. The Abacos to the north offer more wind, more sailing and quieter pace. Eleuthera and Harbour Island add pink sand and pastel-painted Loyalist towns.
Distances vary — the Exumas are short hops between cays; longer passages are required to combine archipelagos. Most luxury charters base out of Nassau or Georgetown and concentrate on one chain per week.
November – May
Dry, sunny and breezy — ideal cruising weather. June–November is hurricane season; most yachts depart for the Mediterranean or northern US.
7 days
Minimum: 7 days
Recommended: 7 days Exumas from Nassau, 10 days to combine with Eleuthera
- Palm Cay Marina, Nassau — modern charter base with beach club
- Albany Marina, Nassau — primary luxury charter base
- Atlantis Marina, Paradise Island — central Nassau alternative
- Exuma Yacht Club (Georgetown) — southern Exumas departure
- Bakers Bay (Great Guana Cay, Abacos) — luxury private-island marina
The right yacht for these waters
Sailing Yachts 42–56ft
Steady NE trade winds make for excellent sailing — Beneteau, Jeanneau and Oyster, crewed or bareboat. From €5,000/week.
Catamarans 42–55ft
Shallow draft is a real advantage on the Exuma banks — Lagoon, Fountaine Pajot, Sunreef. From €8,500/week.
Motor Yachts 50–90ft
Speed across the banks is valuable — Princess, Azimut, Viking. From €30,000/week.
Luxury Crewed Yachts 90–180ft
The dominant Bahamas format — Sanlorenzo, Westport, Benetti with full crew. From €120,000/week.
What you'll remember
Pig Beach (Big Major Cay)
The famous swimming pigs of the Exumas — best photographed early morning before the tour boats arrive.
Thunderball Grotto, Staniel Cay
A James Bond filming location — snorkel into the limestone cavern at low tide.
Iguanas at Allan's Cay
Endangered Bahamian rock iguanas, gentle and habituated — often greet arriving yachts from the beach.
Shroud Cay Mangrove River
Paddle through a natural mangrove waterway into a private turquoise lagoon — one of the Exumas' most magical experiences.
Norman's Cay Plane Wreck
Snorkel above the famous wreck of a 1980s drug-runner's aircraft resting in shallow turquoise water.
Pink-sand beach, Harbour Island
Three miles of genuinely pink sand on Eleuthera's small offshore cay.
Compass Cay nurse sharks
Anchor at Compass Cay marina and snorkel with harmless nurse sharks.
Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park
A protected marine paradise with pristine coral reefs, sea turtles and the famous Boo Boo Hill viewpoint.
Good questions, good answers
- Exumas or Abacos?
- Exumas for postcard turquoise waters, swimming pigs and Thunderball Grotto. Eleuthera and Harbour Island for pink-sand beaches. Abacos for sailing, Loyalist towns and a quieter experience. The Exumas are the more common first choice.
- How do I get there?
- Direct flights to Nassau (NAS) from London, Miami, New York, Atlanta, Toronto. Georgetown (GGT) is the southern Exumas gateway.
- Is the season really only November–May?
- Effectively yes. Summer is hurricane season and most luxury yachts move to the Mediterranean. December through April is peak — book six months ahead.
- Can I combine with Miami or the Caribbean?
- Yes — one-way charters between Miami and Nassau are common (overnight crossing). Combinations with the British Virgin Islands (BVI) require ocean passages and 14+ days.
A bespoke yacht charter, personally arranged.
Tell us your dates and preferences. We'll return with a tailored selection of yachts and a proposed itinerary within 24 hours.