Bahamas Yacht charters

Bahamas yacht charter overview

The Bahamas are incredibly accessible, only 100 miles apart from the Florida coast, and within 2 hours flight from New York, you can be on a Bahamas yacht charter with minimum efforts.  Apart of accessibility and clear waters this place has a great historical background: her Christopher Columbus made his first landfall in the New World, pirates built their haven in 17-th century, and many British loyalists made new homes.

Bahamas yacht charter is a perfect holiday destination as all passages are quite short and navigation is in line-of-sight. Shallow waters teemed with underwater life offer numerous stops for safe snorkeling, island hopping and sight seing. The Bahamas can be considered as an excellent destination for family vacations.

History

The Arawak Indians were the original residents of the Bahamas when in 1492 Columbus discovered this location. The first British settlements were dated to the 17th century. In the early 18th century the Bahamas became extremely popular with pirates. The Bahamas remained a British colony from 1717 till 1964 when the Islands were granted self-government in 1964. In 1973, it became an independent nation.

Climate

Yacht charter in the Bahamas is an appealing year-round destination with the warm Gulf Stream currents swirling and balmy trade winds blowing. This idyllic climate with refreshing breezes and comforting temperatures and a little change from season to season is hard to resist. The average temperature is 70F or 80F and rarely gets above 90F on a midsummer day or below 60F on a winter night. The Bahamas water temperature varies between 72F to 84F. If you rent boat in June to October you will experience the hottest and wettest period, though rain is often limited to periodic showers, which generally clear quickly.

The best time for yacht charter is December to May. Be aware that tropical storms are a possibility during the Atlantic hurricane season from June to November. Since the islands are so spread out, it is no wonder that one island could be experiencing hurricane force winds, while it's quiet and sunny in another.

Bahamas Annual Weather Averages

Cuisine

The beauty of dining here is that you can find almost anything to please your palate-from Continental to ethic, including Mediterranean, Asian, Latin, European. The most enticing on the menu is fresh seafood, of course: grouper, mahi-mahi, wahoo.

During your yacht charter try traditional Bahamian favorites, like conch (locally farmed) fritters, blackened hog snapper with mango sauce, lobster chunks marinaded in wine and for dessert, guava duff (boiled guava dough and sweet sauce). And the best way to wash down these culinary treats is with shots or cocktails crafted with signature Bacardi rum.

Taking a yacht charter in the Bahamas you may discover is a refreshing piece of history. During the Prohibition Era, some islands were transformed to bustling rum-running centers, boot-legging alcohol to some "thirsty" US areas. Now the rum-tasting or tour of Pirate Republic Brewing Co. will take you back to those moon-shining days, when spirits played an essential role in Bahamian history.

Top Bahamas Yacht Charter Destinations

Marsh Harbor and the Abaco is the main charter port, often referred to as the world capital of sailing. It serves as gateway to the stellar sailing grounds the islands offer and majority of sailing boats are berthed here.

The Abaco chain is a boomerang shape and stretches for 130 miles from Walkers Cay in the north part, to Hole-in-the-Wall in the south. The outer cays and islands create naturally protected waters commonly referred to as the Sea of Abaco. Second largest island in the Bahamas is Abaco with average temperature 26.5°C/80°F generally cooler than on the other islands. During the winter temperature rarely drops below 10°C/50°F.

From Abaco charterers can easily sail to beautiful line of sandy cays laid on the east where they will see the famous lighthouse of Hope Town, and then head to Pelican Cays National Park with its beautiful coral and sea life.

Hope Town

It is known for its boat building and was founded by British loyalists. One of the many fine examples of British colonial architecture is a “candy stripe” lighthouse that was build to mark the Elbow Cay Reef in the 1860s. Now, it is one of the only two manned beacons, and locals have undertaken vigorous efforts to keep it so, doing all to secure spare parts for the light apparatus, most of which are no longer made.

Freeport and Grand Bahama Island

Freeport is the capital of Grand Bahama Island, founded in 1955. Now it is a modern, planned city with all of the amenities a visitor could hope for: pristine beaches, golf, water sports, diving, gambling, duty-free shopping, boating, nightclubs. This is one of the reasons that Grand Bahama is the second most visited island in the Bahamas. But Grand Bahamas still offers deserted beaches and pristine nature, including the famous underwater cave systems in Lucayan National Park.

Other islands

For sure you will find your favorite island in the Bahamas if you look hard enough. Other islands that offer beautiful beaches, and fantastic underwater life are Eleuthera, the Exumas or Green Turtle Cay. These islands have uneven coastline with deep bays, sounds and delightful beaches. The community is diverse, and captures the quaint and harmonious atmosphere found throughout the islands.

Bahamas Catamaran Charters

Growing number of sailors discover that Bahamas catamaran charter offers a superb and cost effective yacht charter holiday. Most catamarans provide easy access to the water; cabins offer excellent privacy because they are in different hulls, separate from the main salon while spacious deck offers a lot for those who love swimming, snorkeling and other water sports. Plus catamaran boats do not "rock" making everyone more comfortable.

Junkanoo

The Bahamas Islands are also well known for its many cultural events, among which Junkanoo has occupied a very special place, as a joyful celebration of freedom. Junkanoo is an annual parade that is competitive to Rio de Janeiro's Carnaval and New Orlean's Madrid Gras. Competition is heated among the groups, who choose a different theme each year and keep it a secret until Junkanoo day, when the efforts are revealed. They choreograph dance steps, select music and design intricate colorful costumes. Junkanoo is a moveable, danceable party, fueled by distinctly Bahamian music created by goatskin drums, cowbells, conch-shell horns, shrieking whistles and brass bands. With thousands of dollars to win, people go to extremes to please the crowd and put on the best show.