Bahamas sailboat charter

Why go on a cruise to the Bahamas?

Once the haunt of Caribbean pirates and privateers, the Bahamas are now a true paradise on earth: with heavenly beaches, an ideal climate all year round, and almost unreal turquoise waters... Aboard your catamaran, set off to discover the hundreds of islands and islets of the archipelago, located in the middle of the clearest waters in the world and just waiting to be explored.

• Under the tropical sun, your catamaran cruise in the Bahamas will offer you total disconnection: whether with friends or family, you won't be able to miss the warm welcome and kindness of its inhabitants.
• For nature lovers and diving enthusiasts, the Bahamas are home to some of the most beautiful diving spots in the world: during your explorations, you will surely have the chance to encounter species such as harmless sharks, turtles, rays, tropical fish..
• The Bahamas are an ideal honeymoon destination! These islands are made for dynamic and epicurean couples who enjoy activities of all kinds such as paddle boarding, snorkeling and hiking.

Types of boats to rent in the Bahamas

Depending on your budget and your sailing plan, several types of boats are available:

• A monohull sailboat charter is the most affordable option, perfect for those with sailing experience! Its size allows for easy access to coves and anchorages. Sailing on a monohull also offers unparalleled sensations, such as heeling over.
• A catamaran charter is ideal because it is the best suited boat for a cruise in the Bahamas. There are few ports in the archipelago and you will appreciate the comfort of the catamaran during your nights and days in the middle of wild and unspoiled coves. With its remarkable stability and generous spaces, the catamaran is the perfect alternative for a relaxing vacation, if your budget allows. In the Bahamas, more than half of the boats on offer are catamarans. And for good reason: it is an archipelago of coral reefs, the waters are shallow and thanks to its low draft, the catamaran is well suited to this type of navigation.
• Chartering a motorboat is generally more economical, making it the ideal option for a day trip.

Services offered for your yacht charter in the Bahamas

Here are the different services we offer for renting a boat in the Bahamas: 

• Opting for a bareboat yacht charter is ideal if someone in the crew is experienced in navigation. You will enjoy the boat in complete privacy, which will enrich your cruise in the Bahamas with your friends or family.
• Opting for a yacht charter with a skipper is the ideal alternative if no one in your group knows how to sail or if you are looking for a hassle-free vacation. The professional skipper will take care of navigation and, thanks to his local knowledge, will direct you to the best anchorages and restaurants.
• Opting for a crewed yacht charter is common for luxury boats over 20 meters. For a catamaran charter in the Bahamas measuring between 10 and 20 meters, this service is often offered as an extra. A standard crew consists of a captain, a cook and a hostess. They will devote themselves fully to your well-being to guarantee you an unforgettable cruise!
• The cruise with individual cabin charter allows you to book a cabin on an elegant and friendly boat, in the company of other travelers. A professional crew manages the navigation, the preparation of meals and the service at the side of the boat. It is the perfect solution for those who wish to travel as a couple or for those who do not have the budget to rent the entire boat.

How much does a yacht charter in the Bahamas cost?

The following table gives you a dead reckoning of the average prices for a sailboat charter in the Bahamas. Note that these rates may vary depending on the season, availability, type of model, age of the boat and other factors.

The price includes: the yacht charter and the main equipment on board (sails, crockery, Wi-Fi, dinghy, bedding and outboard engine).

The price does not include: insurance, port and anchorage fees, the skipper, hostess, cleaning (which is often included in a compulsory package), extras (kayak, paddle sup, etc.) and provisions taken on board.

If you are tempted by the idea of chartering a yacht in the Bahamas, please don't hesitate to contact us directly to consult our rates. Costs can fluctuate considerably depending on the type of yacht. Lina, our specialist in high-end crews and boats, will be delighted to present you with our best offers.

The price of a skipper is USD250 per day or USD1750 per week. The price of a hostess is generally 10% less.

We suggest you choose our cancellation insurance when you take out your yacht charter in the Bahamas. It offers protection to the whole crew, unlike personal cancellation insurance or that offered by your credit card, which generally only protects the holder.

We also recommend that our customers take out damage waiver insurance. Even the most experienced sailors are not completely sheltered from incidents at sea. With this insurance, you will be able to recover a large part of your deposit in the event of damage during navigation.

Where to sail in the Bahamas?

Located north of Cuba and south of Florida, the Bahamas archipelago is made up of 700 islands and thousands of islets to explore. The two main sailing areas in the Bahamas are: 

• The Exumas archipelago, made up of 365 islands and stretching over 200km;
• Eleuthera Island and the surrounding islands. Eleuthera Island is 180km long and 2km wide and is surrounded by turquoise water.

Don't miss:

• Green Turtle Cay: When you go on your yacht charter in the Bahamas, don't miss this bewitching stopover. It is a magnificent island with numerous coral reefs. It takes its name from the green turtles that used to inhabit the region. During your stopover on this island, you can enjoy heavenly beaches such as Coco Bay or Gillam Bay Beach, visit the island's main village, New Plymouth, and its colonial houses with their unique architecture... A real little paradise!
• Dean's Blue Hole: Located onthe island of Long Island, Dean's Blue Hole is a spectacular blue hole over 200 meters deep, making it the second deepest in the world after the Dragon Hole in southern China. You can go snorkeling, scuba diving or just swim there. The site is hauled in by a magnificent cliff and a superb beach, easily accessible on board a yacht charter in the Bahamas. This stopover guarantees you an exceptional swim!
• Pink Sand Beach: Located onHarbor Island, Pink Sand Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Bahamas, and even in the world. The special feature of this beach is that it has pink sand! Don't miss out on the chance to discover this unique beach and take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean, thanks to a yacht charter in the Bahamas
• Pig Beach: Do you dream of swimming with pigs? Well, onthe island of Pig Beach it's possible! Also called Big Major Cay, this island is uninhabited by humans... but populated by... wild pigs! The arrival of these pigs on the island is a mystery to all and there is no shortage of legends: the most likely is that after a shipwreck, the pirates abandoned the pigs on the island and never ate them. During your stopover, you can feed the pigs and swim with them if they are not lounging in the warm sand.
• Elbow Cay: Located in the Abacos Islands, Elbow Cay is home to the picturesque village of Hope Town, which will seduce you with its old colonial houses in pastel colors and its pedestrian-only alleys. From your yacht charter in the Bahamas, admire the Elbow Reef Lighthouse, the iconic lighthouse with red and white stripes, and reach Tahiti Beach with its transparent waters and extremely soft sand.

When to sail in the Bahamas?

There are two main seasons in the Bahamas: the dry season from December to April and the wet season from May to November. In the dry season, it rarely rains and the water temperature is around 25°C. In the wet season it often rains, but this usually happens in the evening or at night. Temperatures are warmer and the water is around 29°C. You can therefore visit the Bahamas all year round, avoiding September and October because of the cyclones.

here is an average of the temperatures encountered in recent years in the Bahamas:

During your yacht charter in the Bahamas, you will be able to enjoy very pleasant sailing conditions: it is a suitable destination for family vacations and beginner sailors. If you do not opt for a cruise with a professional skipper, you will need to be vigilant about the tides at anchorages, as the waters are sometimes very shallow. The Bahamas are full of treasures and protected ecosystems: navigation is therefore prohibited or restricted in certain places. With regular winds of between 10 and 15 knots, a pleasant climate and warm water temperatures, discovering the Bahamas by catamaran is a real pleasure for boaters!

Useful information for your yacht charter in the Bahamas

Which currency should I use in the Bahamas?

The official currency of the Bahamas is the Bahamian dollar (BSD). However, the US dollar (USD) is also widely accepted at par with the Bahamian dollar in most places.

How do I get to the Bahamas?

Obviously, from France, you only have one option: flying. To get to Nassau (the Bahamian capital), you can fly from Paris or Nice with companies such as British Airways, Air France or Air Canada with a stopover in London (Heathrow), Atlanta or Toronto.

What are the main departure points for the Bahamas?

There is currently only one departure point in the Bahamas: Nassau, from where you can reach the Exumas archipelago or Eleuthera Island.

What are the prices of berths in ports or moorings in the Bahamas?

There are few ports in the Bahamas. In fact, many of the islands are wild or very sparsely inhabited. You will therefore be at anchor in the sand most of the time, which is safe. In some places, anchoring is prohibited and you will then have access to free buoys. At Exuma Land and Sea Park, the price of one night at a buoy will cost you $35 for a 40-foot boat.

Does a cruise to the Bahamas involve long sailing times?

Except for the trip from Nassau to Eleuthera or the Exumas archipelago, the trips in the Bahamas are very short and very visual. You will sail between the islands and islets in the Exumas archipelago or between the white sandy beaches in Eleuthera.

How do I finalize the booking of my boat in the Bahamas?

As soon as we receive your charter request, an advisor will contact you to discuss your cruise plans. They will then email you a list of suggested yachts tailored to your needs. Once you have selected the yacht of your choice, you can pay a deposit via your customer area to confirm the charter and book the yacht.

The documents required to rent a boat without a skipper in the Bahamas

A boat license is not compulsory to sail in the Bahamas. You will only be asked to fill in your nautical CV, providing proof of previous experience on a similar unit or of having completed skipper training courses on this type of boat.