BAHAMAS YACHT CHARTER & BOAT RENTAL

The Bahamas has one of the highest concentrations of small navigable islands and cays in the world—comprising 700 islands and over 2,400 cays spread across a relatively compact area of 500 nautical miles. This makes it one of the top destinations for sailing in the Atlantic. With sheltered bays, shallow turquoise waters, and year-round sunshine, the Bahamas is a paradise for both snorkeling and sailing.

Apart from natural beauty and abundant marine life, its historic colonial towns offer a glimpse into the past, dating back to Christopher Columbus’s arrival in 1492.

Easy Access from North America: The Bahamas are just a short flight from major U.S. cities like Miami, Atlanta, and New York. Nassau and Marsh Harbour (Abacos) are the main charter hubs with international airport connections.

• Itineraries with Line-of-sight navigation. Vast number of islands and cays allow flexible itineraries—from short hops between the Abacos to longer routes down the Exumas. Numerous protected anchorages and natural harbors make it easy to explore at your own pace.
• Enjoy fishing—but only from the boat. According to local regulations, non-resident tourists are allowed to fish only from a boat. Shore fishing is prohibited for non-residents. A fishing permit is typically included in the cruising permit issued during boat check-in.
• Snorkeling Paradise: The Bahamas offers world-class snorkeling in shallow, clear waters, with extensive reef systems and sandbanks perfect for spotting marine life.
• Unique Attractions: Iconic stops include swimming pigs, blue holes, and marine parks that are difficult to find anywhere else in the world.

Due to shallow waters, the charter fleet in the Bahamas mainly dominated by sailing catamarans (90%) and power boats (10%). The majority of yachts are based in: Nassau – Palm Cay Marina and Marsh Harbour (Abacos) – Conch Inn Marina. Very few boats can be found at other bases in the Exumas.

Charter periods usually start from 3 days, but our recommendation is to do at least 7-day rentals to fully explore the local sailing grounds - especially from Nassau, where the closest cay is 30 nm (about 8 hours) away from the marina.

Boat Type Capacity Price Range Weekly Fleet Age in the Bahamas

Sailing catamaran 6–12 people From $1,900 54% of the boats are ≤ 3 years old

Power catamaran 6–9 people From $5,400 56% of catamarans are ≤ 3 years old

In most cases, a sailing license is not required for bareboat charters in the Bahamas, but previous sailing experience on boats of similar size and type is required. Charter companies check the skipper's sailing resume and may request a practical demonstration of basic skills such as anchoring, reefing, or docking.

Starting from October 2024, some fleet operators require a valid sailing certificate for bareboat charter. RYA, IYT Day Skipper, or ASA 103/104 should be sufficient.

Suggested Sailing Itineraries in the Bahamas

The best time to explore the region is from November to late April.

For families and novice sailors, we recommend The Abacos: easy line-of-sight navigation, protected waters, and short passages.

For those with sufficient sailing experience and at least 7 to 10 days of vacation, The Exumas could be the right choice, with remote anchorages, marine parks, and uninhabited cays.

The ideal time to sail in the Bahamas is November through April.

• The Abacos sailing area is the best for families and novice sailors. It offers easy, protected sailing with line-of-sight navigation and short passages.
• The Exumas we recommend for experienced sailors with at least 7 to 10 days of vacation. This chain features stronger winds, remote cays, national parks, and snorkel-perfect reefs, including famous stops like Staniel Cay, Warderick Wells, and Norman’s Cay.