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Outside the UK:
+44 1732 867 445
Mon-Fri: 0900 - 1730
Sat: 1000 - 1500

Despite being under an hour flying time from Miami, the Exumas are a beautiful sailing destination in the Bahamas virtually untouched by mass tourism.

Starting your charter from Nassau choose to sail the Exumas, the Abacos, Eleuthera, Cat Island or venture further afield to San Salvador or Crooked Island. Sailing in the Bahamas will make you feel like you are looking at a postcard with sandy islands, tranquil bays, sheltered harbours and sleepy historic villages. 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.

More than 200kms of sailing paradise and in the middle of it all you will find one of the largest protected marine parks in the world. The local cuisine includes the freshest fish, lobster and the best cracked conch you’ll ever taste! And when you see the extraordinary colour of the water surrounding these islands, you’ll know you’ve arrived at a perfect location for your sailing holiday.

Bahamas Yacht Charter

  • Overview
    Navtours at Palm Cay
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    Eleuthera Beach

    Pig-Big-Major-Spot-600x400

    Pigs at Big Major Spot

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    Moored yachts

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    Hope Town

    Norman's-Cay-Exuma-600x400

    Norman's Cay

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    Man O'War Cay

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    Warderick Wells

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    Marsh Harbour sunset

    Sailing holidays in the Bahamas

    • BA & Virgin-direct flights to Miami with connection to Marsh Harbour
    • Explore the secluded coves of Green Turtle Cay
    • Visit picturesque New Plymouth where Loyalists settled in 1783
    • THE place to head for if you are looking for exciting scuba diving!
    • Level 1 sailing
    • Great for families & less experienced sailors
    • Average temperatures of around 28 degrees
    • Average winds force 2-5. Sailing area is protected by the barrier reef
    • Flexible start and finish dates possible
  • 1 Wk Itinerary

    Suggested 1 week sailing itinerary in the Bahamas

    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.

    DAY 8 : Nassau

    Bahamas 1 week sailing holiday itinerary

  • Sailing Conditions

    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

    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. 

"Have used Nautilus now for many years and have always been well pleased with the performance. This year we had the privilege of a brand new yacht! The base managers were spot on with briefing and advice and the technician on the dock was excellent with the practical yacht systems brief. Very efficient and no time wasted."

Antigua 2014 - M.A.

Bahamas Yacht Charter prices

Yachts from Marsh Harbour Prices shown are in GB£ per yacht for 1 week

2023 Prices Extra 5% OFF for 2 weeks.

2023 GB£ per yachtBali 4.5 - 4 + 2 cab.(2020)Bali 4.6 - 5 + 2 cab.(2022)Fountaine Pajot Astrea 42 - 4 + 2 cab.(2019)Lagoon 40 - 3 cab(2019)Lagoon 42 - 4 + 1 cab.(2018)Lagoon 52 F - 6 + 2 cab.(2018)Nautitech 46 Open - 3 cab.(2019)
Dates4 cabins/4WC5 cabins/4WC4 cabins/4WC3 cabins/2WC4 cabins/4WC6 cabins/6WC3 cabins/3WC
07-20 Jan4971599542673629420569813981
21 Jan-03 Feb5519666247434029467677524424
04-10 Feb6676806258294329574393195433
11-17 Feb863810429712450147024120627033
18-24 Feb981911857821056958081135298105
25 Feb-10 Mar1090513171911963298981150299005
11 Mar-28 Apr1090513171911963298981150299005
29 Apr-05 May927111195775263298981127719005
06-26 May852910300713358148257117528290
27 May-02 Jun852910300713358148257117528290
03-30 Jul852910300713358148257117528290
01-07 Jul78909529659053767633109057667
01-07 Jul72438752605749387014100527038
08 Jul-11 Aug78299457654353437586108677610
12-18 Aug832910057696256868067115578095
19 Aug-06 Oct6595796754244624629594436310
07-13 Oct5724691045763557452486194524
14-20 Oct78679490570536436329107766338
21 Oct-03 Nov865210438627640106962118526971
04-17 Nov1014812248731947148114142528133
18-24 Nov1090513176799050578871152248881
25 Nov-08 Dec1199514495879055629757167489771
09-22 Dec1090513176799050578871152248881
23-29 Dec927111200679043007543129387548

Outboard included.

YACHT SECURITY:

6% of charter fee + reduced refundable deposit from €400-€900. Non refundable deposit on request.

COMPULSORY EXTRAS:

End cleaning and bed linen - €210

Starter pack and fees - €70

Fuel used (fill up on return)

Mandatory 4% Bahamian Port Authority tax

Optional extras: (i.e. SUP's, Kayak etc) available on request

Skipper: €1750/week + food and drink + own cabin.

 

Prices may be subject to change.

Sailing Qualifications

To skipper a bareboat charter or flotilla yacht, you need to hold a practical sailing certificate equivalent to RYA Day Skipper Practical qualification or RYA International Certificate of Competence (ICC). For charters in Greece, you must now have the ICC certificate. You must also be assisted by at least one competent crew member over the age of 18.

The port authorities in Greece are now insisting on one of the following practical certificates: RYA ICC (International Certificate of Competence), RYA Coastal, RYA Yachtmaster, ASA IPC (International Proficiency Certificate) or the IYT (International Yacht Training) Passport. If you hold an RYA Day Skipper or ASA104 it will no longer be accepted and you need to obtain either an ICC or IPC from the corresponding issuing body (RYA or ASA). If your RYA Coastal/Yachtmaster or ASA105/106 certificate is more than 12 years old and does not have a photo ID, then we would also strongly advise applying for an ICC or IPC. If you are a member of the RYA or ASA, you may qualify for a discount or free certificate, otherwise, you will have to pay. The approximate cost is £50. Please use this link - RYA application for the ICC or ASA application for the IPC.

For charters in Croatia, Malta and the Canaries, at least one member of the crew or the skipper will also need a VHF licence.

RYA qualifications can be obtained by RYA sailing schools in the UK or alternatively choose from one of our overseas centres in Gibraltar, Greece or Turkey.

For Seychelles, the local authorities require an ICC for the skipper of a bareboat or flotilla yacht charter.

For Caribbean and Tropical charters, formal qualifications are not compulsory, however, you should be Day Skipper standard and be assisted by at least one competent crew. A brief sailing resume should be provided to outline your experience.

If you don't hold the relevant qualifications then why not add a skipper?

Sailing Levels

Level 1

Winds force 2-3 (4-11 Knots)combined with generally shorter distances. Good for beginner or intermediate sailors. Line-of-sight navigation but basic knowledge of charts and ability to plot your position required.

Level 2

Winds force 3-5 (7-21 Knots) with approximately 15-20nm per day. Intermediate experience required. Predominately line of sight navigation but an understanding of how to sail in open water.

Level 3

Winds force 4-6 (11-27 Knots) with mileage of approximately 20nm+ per day. Ideal for experienced skippers looking to venture out to new destinations. Day skipper standard but with experienced crew would be recommended.