The Bahamas
Seven hundred islands of blinding turquoise calm.
The Bahamas is not just a destination; it is a lesson in the color blue. Comprising 700 islands and cays, this archipelago offers a spectrum of cyan so electric it looks Photoshopped. The cruising grounds are defined by shallow, gin-clear banks that allow you to spot starfish on the bottom from the flybridge. It is a region of stark contrasts: you can spend Friday night playing baccarat in a tuxedo on Paradise Island and Saturday morning feeding iguanas on a deserted cay where the only footprints are your own.
The Best of the Bahamas
Staniel Cay Yacht Club
Staniel Cay, Exumas
The beating heart of the Exumas since 1956. This marina and bar is where Jimmy Buffett once held court and where every yacht captain eventually ends up. The walls are plastered with burgees from visiting vessels, and the atmosphere is a perfect cocktail of salt spray, rum, and maritime history.
Sip Sip
Harbour Island (Pink Sand Beach)
The ultimate “ladies who lunch” destination. Perched on a dune overlooking the famous pink sands, this open-air spot is strictly lunch-only and famous for its lobster quesadillas. It is the place to see fashion editors and celebrities letting their hair down over spicy margaritas.
Big Major Cay (Pig Beach)
The Exumas
A surreal, slightly comical spectacle of feral pigs paddling out to greet the tender. While Instagram has made them famous, seeing a 300-pound sow doggy-paddle through crystal-clear water remains a bizarre, bucket-list experience. Bring carrots, watch your fingers, and prepare for chaos.
Thunderball Grotto
Near Staniel Cay
A hollowed-out limestone rock made famous by the 1965 James Bond film. From the outside, it looks like nothing; dive underwater to enter, and you emerge into a cathedral-like cavern illuminated by skylights in the rock ceiling, teeming with sergeant major fish.
Chat 'n' Chill
Stocking Island, Exumas
The definitive Sunday barefoot beach bar. Accessible only by boat, it sits on a beach of blinding white sand. Order a fresh conch salad—chopped right in front of you—and feed the stingrays that circle the shallows like friendly puppies looking for scraps.
Compass Cay Marina
Compass Cay, Exumas
Famous for its resident nurse sharks. These docile bottom-feeders congregate on the submerged swim platform at high tide. Guests can stand waist-deep in the water as dozens of sharks glide around them—a thrill that feels dangerous but is actually quite serene.
Destination Brief
Best Time to Charter
December to April (Peak); May to July (Warm, calm waters).
Languages spoken in that location
English
Cruising Style in that location
Shallow draft cruising (catamarans and specific motor yachts) is preferred due to the shallow banks.
Currency used in that location
Bahamian Dollar (BSD), pegged 1:1 with the USD. Note: US Dollars are accepted everywhere.
Getting There
Fly into Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) in Nassau or Marsh Harbour (MHH) for the Abacos.
Amazing Itineraries
FAQs
Q: Can we start our charter directly in the Exumas to avoid the crossing?
A: Yes, and for many guests, this is the preferred option. You can fly via private charter or scheduled commuter flight into Staniel Cay (TYM) or Georgetown (GGT). Boarding the yacht here allows you to skip the 40-mile open water crossing from Nassau and drop anchor immediately in the pristine “blue water” zone.
Q: Is the Bahamas suitable for young children?
A: It is perhaps the most family-friendly destination in the Caribbean. The geography is defined by sandbars and shallow waters that function like giant, warm wading pools. Unlike volcanic islands with deep drop-offs and surf, the Exumas offer calm, protected “swimming pool” conditions that are perfect for toddlers and confident swimmers alike.
Q: Are the swimming pigs safe?
A: Generally, yes, but they are wild animals motivated by food. They can get aggressive if they think you are withholding a snack. The “insider” tip is to feed them from the boat or while standing in the water, but do not tease them. And never, ever feed them on the sand it ingests sand which is bad for their health.
Q: Is the water really that blue?
A: It is actually bluer. The unique combination of white limestone sand and shallow depth creates a refraction of light found almost nowhere else on earth. Astronauts have famously stated that the Bahamas is the most recognizable and beautiful place on Earth to view from space.
Latest Destination Blogs
Charter Guides, Destinations
Lifestyle
Charter Guides
Yachting Tips
Yachting Tips
Industry News
Charter Guides, Destinations
Lifestyle
Charter Guides