The Bahamas spreads 700 islands and 2,400 cays across 100,000 square miles of ocean, with only 30 of those islands inhabited. That ratio — more than 200 uninhabited specks of sand for every one with a permanent settlement — is what makes this archipelago one of the best places on earth to explore by boat.
In 2025, the Bahamas welcomed 12.5 million visitors, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by more than 72 percent. The vast majority never leave the handful of developed islands. A charter puts the other 670 islands and nearly 2,400 cays within reach, on your schedule, with nobody else crowding your sandbar.
12.5 million visitors came to the Bahamas in 2025, but most never left the developed islands. A charter unlocks the other 670.
If your group has at least four people and you want to cover more than one island chain, a crewed charter usually delivers better value and far more flexibility than stitching together day trips. The real catch: you need to book early for high season, and you need to be honest about whether your group wants a floating itinerary or a fixed resort base.
Families
First-time charterers
Multi-generational groups
Below I break down the four main charter zones — what each chain delivers, what it costs to get there, and the practical details that separate a smooth trip from a frustrating one. If you are new to the charter world, start with the Exumas section; that is the benchmark route for a reason.
| Destination | Best For | Distance from Miami | Min. Charter Length | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exumas | First-timers, wildlife, variety | 183 nm via Nassau | 5–7 days | Thunderball Grotto, swimming pigs, nurse sharks |
| Abacos | Families with kids, protected sailing | 78 nm to Grand Bahama | 7+ days | Sea of Abaco, Hope Town lighthouse |
| Bimini | Short trips, day charters | 50 nm | 1 day | Nixon’s Sandbar, dolphin encounters |
| Nassau | Port of entry, urban amenities | 119 nm | 3 days | Atlantis, access to northern Exumas |
Each zone works best for a different kind of trip. The Exumas give you the most concentrated set of experiences per mile. The Abacos offer the calmest cruising water. Bimini works for a taste without a multi-night commitment. Nassau is your gateway — most charters clear customs here before pushing farther out.
The Exumas — The Crown Jewel
What makes the Exumas the benchmark for a first Bahamas charter? The chain runs roughly 120 miles south of Nassau, with 365 cays packed into that stretch. The Great Bahama Bank underneath averages less than 20 feet deep, which means the water turns that electric turquoise you see in photos, and a catamaran drawing three to five feet can slip into anchorages a deeper-draft motor yacht cannot reach.
The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park covers 176 square miles and was established in 1958 as the world’s first land-and-sea park. It is the most visited national park in the Bahamas for a reason: mooring balls at Warderick Wells put you steps from a reef trail, a blow hole, and the short hike up Boo Boo Hill. No fishing or collecting is allowed inside the park boundaries, so the marine life is denser and less skittish than anywhere else in the chain.
Three stops anchor most Exumas itineraries. Thunderball Grotto is an underwater cave system used in two James Bond films — you snorkel through natural shafts of sunlight, but only at slack tide when the current is not ripping through the chambers. Compass Cay keeps a resident population of nurse sharks that swim in waist-deep water right off the dock; the marina store there is well stocked for provisioning. Big Major Cay is where the swimming pigs live — you hand-feed them directly from the tender, and they paddle out to meet any boat that arrives.
Beyond the marquee stops, the Exumas reward the detours. Norman’s Cay has a submerged drug-plane wreck from the 1980s that is now a snorkel site. Bitter Guana Cay exposes a long sandbar at low tide. Black Point Settlement, home to roughly 300 residents, serves fresh conch salad that tastes nothing like the tourist-version back in Nassau. The stretch from Cambridge Cay to Pipe Creek is arguably the most beautiful in the entire chain — tiny cays, paddleboard-able sandbars, and coral heads that hold snapper, grouper, and the occasional sea turtle.
To the west, across the Tongue of the Ocean, lies the Andros Barrier Reef — the world’s third largest at 190 miles. Most week-long Exumas itineraries do not have time to cross over, but if you are extending into a second week, it is worth the detour.
The Abacos — The Sailor’s Bahamas
If the Exumas are about variety, the Abacos are about consistency. This chain of barrier islands in the northeast creates a sheltered body of water called the Sea of Abaco — essentially a 60-mile-long lagoon protected by the outer cays. Crossings between stops rarely exceed 20 to 30 minutes, and the water stays calm even when the Atlantic kicks up on the far side of the islands.
Air arrivals to Abaco grew nearly 12 percent year-over-year in 2024, signaling a steady recovery from Hurricane Dorian in 2019. Marsh Harbour is the operational hub — you fly into Marsh Harbour Airport (MHH) and step onto your boat within an hour. The Abacos work especially well for families with young children: the short runs between stops mean less time strapped into a life jacket and more time swimming off the back of the boat.
Hope Town is the visual highlight — its candy-striped Elbow Cay lighthouse is one of the most photographed structures in the Bahamas. Green Turtle Cay offers Colonial-era charm and a handful of good restaurants within walking distance of the marina. Treasure Cay Beach is a long arc of white sand that sees a fraction of the crowds found on the more accessible Nassau-area beaches.
In the Abacos, book a mooring ball at Hope Town at least two weeks ahead during high season. The harbour is small, and anchoring space disappears fast once the afternoon fleet arrives.
Bimini — The Quick Getaway
At 50 nautical miles from Miami, Bimini is the closest Bahamas outpost. A mid-size motor yacht can make the crossing in two to three hours, which means you can clear customs, swim, and return in a single day. Miami Boat Charters runs Bimini day trips from $1,999 all-in — captain, crew, fuel, water, and ice included — and you get roughly four to six hours on the island before heading back.
The main draw for a day trip is Nixon’s Sandbar, a calm shallow anchorage where you can wade hundreds of yards from the boat. Wild Atlantic spotted dolphins are common in the waters between Miami and Bimini, and the Bimini Shipwreck offers easy shallow snorkeling in about 15 feet of water. Bimini Bay Resort and Marina has shoreside dining and a fuel dock, which makes it the practical base for any overnight stay.
For multi-day charters, Bimini works best as a first clearing point. Most itineraries that continue southeast toward the Exumas clear customs here rather than pushing all the way to Nassau. That saves a full day of crossing time.
A valid US passport is required for all arrivals by sea. Passport cards are not accepted. The captain handles vessel-side customs documentation, and clearance at Bimini typically takes 30 to 60 minutes.
Nassau — The Urban Gateway
You will likely pass through Nassau even if it is not your focus. Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) receives roughly a dozen daily direct flights from Miami and Fort Lauderdale combined, making it the most convenient entry point for a Bahamas charter. The city is 183 miles from Miami — a one-hour flight or roughly three hours by fast yacht.
Nassau itself offers Atlantis Resort and Marina on Paradise Island, which has a casino, a water park, a marine habitat, and more than 20 restaurants. The marina there can accommodate vessels up to mega-yacht size, and it is a common overnight stop before heading south into the Exumas. The historic Bay Street shopping district is within walking distance of the Nassau Yacht Haven, where many charters embark.
For shorter trips, Rose Island and Allan’s Cay are reachable as day excursions without crossing into the deeper Exumas. Allan’s Cay is home to the endangered Bahamian rock iguana — fewer than 5,000 remain — and the iguanas will approach the beach when they see a boat arrive. It is a low-effort wildlife stop that works well for a half-day run from Nassau.
A three-day Nassau term charter starts around $13,500 for a 62- to 90-foot motor yacht with crew, fuel separate. The tradeoff is straightforward: you trade the open-water solitude of the outer Exumas for easier logistics and more shoreside options.
What a Bahamas Charter Actually Costs
Crewed charter pricing in the Bahamas varies more by vessel type than by season. A crewed catamaran under 60 feet runs a median of $26,000 per week across 30 yachts analyzed by Vital Charters. The middle half of those catamarans falls between $22,500 and $32,000. A motor yacht in the 100- to 129-foot range carries a median of $80,500 per week. In both cases, the advertised rate is a base number — what you actually pay depends on three additional layers.
| Vessel Type | Size Range | Median Weekly Rate | Typical Structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crewed catamaran | Under 60 ft | $26,000 | All-inclusive (27 of 30) |
| Crewed catamaran | 60–79 ft | $49,500 | All-inclusive (5 of 13) |
| Motor yacht | 60–79 ft | $45,000 | Plus expenses |
| Motor yacht | 80–99 ft | $65,000 | Plus expenses |
| Motor yacht | 100–129 ft | $80,500 | Plus expenses |
| Motor yacht | 130 ft+ | $165,000 | Plus expenses |
On all-inclusive catamarans, the base rate covers the crew, meals, drinks, water toys, and standard ship’s provisions. On plus-expenses motor yachts, the captain collects an Advance Provisioning Allowance — typically 30 to 35 percent of the base rate — that covers fuel, food, beverages, dockage, and park fees. Whatever is left at the end gets refunded. On top of everything, the Bahamas levies a 14 percent combined tax (4 percent charter tax plus 10 percent VAT), and the customary crew gratuity runs 15 to 20 percent of the base charter fee.
A worked example: a $26,000 all-inclusive catamaran works out to roughly $33,500 to $34,800 after tax and gratuity. A $60,000 plus-expenses motor yacht lands closer to $98,400 to $101,400 once you add the APA, tax, and gratuity. The difference is significant, but the motor yacht carries more speed, more interior space, and heavier stabilization for open-water crossings.
Some brokers quote a base rate without mentioning the APA percentage or the combined 14 percent tax. Ask explicitly: “What is the APA percentage, and does the base rate include or exclude Bahamian taxes?” If the answer is vague, get it in writing before you sign the charter agreement.
Guest count, ages, dietary restrictions, and mobility needs determine which vessels are available. Most crewed yachts have a maximum guest capacity that includes children. Book with a broker who asks about these specifics before showing you boats.
Bimini day trip, Nassau 3-day, Exumas 5- to 7-day, or a custom multi-island route. Your broker or charter company recommends based on group energy level, interests, and available time. The Exumas are the standard recommendation for first-timers.
Match the boat to your group size, budget, and itinerary. For Gulf Stream crossings from Miami, vessels 55 feet and longer with stabilizers are recommended. Catamarans draw less water and access shallower anchorages — a real advantage in the Exumas and Abacos.
A 50 percent deposit secures the dates and vessel. The remaining balance is typically due 30 days before departure. Your captain handles customs clearance, cruising permits, and mooring reservations once you are on the water.
Before You Go — Bahamas Charter Edition
How far ahead do I need to book?
High season (December through April) requires six to twelve months of lead time. Christmas and New Year’s weeks book twelve to eighteen months out. Shoulder season (May, June, November) is more forgiving — two to four months is usually enough. Earlier booking gives you a wider selection of vessels and crew.
Will my family get seasick?
The Sea of Abaco is protected and generally calm. Open-water runs in the Exumas can get bouncy, especially on windy afternoons. If anyone in your group is susceptible, take medication the night before — not 30 minutes before departure. Dramamine and Bonine both work, but they need time to take effect.
Is a crewed charter safe for young children?
Most captains are experienced with family groups and provide life jackets in appropriate sizes. Some operators set a minimum age of five or six for open-water excursions, so confirm the policy when booking. Catamarans are the preferred platform for families because they do not roll at anchor the way monohulls do.
What should I pack?
Soft duffel bags — hard suitcases damage teak decks and are awkward to store. Swimsuits, quick-dry clothing, a light windbreaker, and reef-safe sunscreen cover 90 percent of your needs. Bring your own mask if you have one; communal snorkel gear rarely fits well, and a good mask determines whether you actually enjoy the reef.
What documents do I need?
A valid US passport. Passport cards are not accepted for entry by sea. The captain handles customs clearance and immigration paperwork at the first port of entry, typically Bimini or Nassau. Check that your passport has at least six months of validity remaining before you travel.
Closing
The Bahamas by boat is not just a way to see more islands — it changes the pace of the trip itself. You wake up where the anchor dropped, swim before breakfast, and decide at noon whether to push south or stay put. For anyone used to resort schedules and fixed dinner reservations, that kind of freedom takes a day or two to adjust to. Once you do, it is hard to imagine traveling any other way.
If you are planning a charter and want to capture what you find, our guide to the best photo spots across the islands pairs naturally with a boat itinerary — you will have the light and the access that land-based visitors rarely get.
References
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. “The Bahamas Achieves Unprecedented Tourism Success with Record-Breaking 12.5 Million Visitors.” bahamas.com, 2025. ↗
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. “Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park.” bahamas.com. ↗
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook.” nhc.noaa.gov. ↗
Bahamas Customs Department. “Marine Vessel Declarations and Cruising Permits.” bahamascustoms.gov.bs. ↗
For deeper dives into specific experiences you can build into your itinerary, check out our guides to conch crafting, deep-sea fishing, and traditional Bahamian cuisine — all three fit naturally into a charter week.
Explore Places to Stay in the Bahamas
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