Bahamas sailboat charter

Most people agree, that if you want a relaxing, quality vacation on the Caribbean Sea, the Bahamas are the ideal choice. Nassau and Freeport are both full of historical sights and teeming marketplaces. For a more active pastime, you can rent diving gear to explore coral reefs. Or discover uninhabited islands from aboard by boat.

Location of the Bahamas

The group of 690 islands and more than 2000 coral reefs lies southeastward from Florida in the Atlantic Ocean. Out of them, only 29 islands are inhabited. The average area of the reefs is four and a half square km. From south Cuba, and from north Florida will be the archipelago. The combined area of the Bahamas is 13939 km2 and the population of the country is 303 000. There is a parliamentary monarchy in the area and the official language is English. Nassau is the capital and largest city of the Bahamas. About 70% of the country’s total population lives here. It has its own harbour and international airport.

Can you rent a sailboat in the Bahamas- do I need a license? The requirements.

In the Bahamas, a license is not specifically required. You simply need to fill out a sailing resume and only charter a yacht that your experience permits. Before you confirm your sailing trip to the Bahamas, please send us your sailing experience, or a copy of your skipper licence and we will check it for you.If you do not have a skipper license, or experience it is also possible to rent a sailboat with a skipper

Sailboat charter in the Bahamas – the main ports

George Town

George Town can be found in the central-western part of Great Exuma. We can anchor practically anywhere around the town, as the area is well-protected. There are great anchorages in the centre, at Kidd’s Cove, and a little more to the south behind Crab Cay, at Red Shanks. There is a large port that belongs to Exuma Market in the centre; from here we can easily get to the central shops. They have a fuel station nearby that we can use. There are several yacht marinas in the area, for instance, February Point Marina and Marina Village Crab Cay. All of these marinas are relatively small and family-friendly. Exuma Cay Yacht Club can be found in the southern part of town. Here we can get fuel, access electricity, replenish our water and ice supplies, and they have shower cabins as well. There are also many restaurants and groceries in town.

Norman’s Cay

Norman’s Cay is one of the most fascinating islands of the Exumas, as the area is surrounded by an ancient coral reef. The conditions are suitable for all kinds of waterfront activities, but the place is also perfect for a relaxing afternoon. The remains of drug lord Carlos Lehder’s plane lie beneath the sea. It is a classic diving spot, as the plane is still intact, providing a home for tropical fish and corals. We can anchor at several parts of the island. Boats that are well-suited to strong waves may use the area between Battery Point and Norman’s Cut. As for vessels with a smaller draft, they can anchor near Boot Cay. We can find other anchorages on the southeastern side between the dock and the plane wreck. The area is well-protected against winds, and the depth of water is around 2 metres.

Highbourne Cay

Highbourne Cay is a small, private island between Nassau and Eleuthera. It’s a popular stop for boaters heading to Nassau. We can get water, ice fuel, food and all the essential supplies we need here. Its harbour is beautiful, well maintained and protected. Information about sailing in Exumas or yacht charter in Exumas.

Harbour Island

Harbour Island lies in the northern part of the Eleuthera archipelago and is a perfect place for those looking for diversity. There are great hiking opportunities in the district of the old dockyard. We can find a ruinous fort here that was built under the leadership of the legendary pirate Charles Wayne. The area near the beach is full of marvellous caves, the largest of which was converted to a prison in the 18th century. Today, it is one of the most popular spots to visit. Another reason that the tiny island is popular among visitors is the unique beaches covered with pink sand. There are two yacht ports on the island: Harbour Island Club & Marina and Valentines Marina. Both of them is a well-equipped port with fuel docks.

Rock Sound

Rock Sound is a large bay located south of Governor’s Harbour. It is a very friendly town with amazing shops and a wide variety of services. There are great anchorages in the area; however, none of them is completely protected. There are also two small free dinghy docks and an awesome beach near Wild Orchid. Davis Harbour Marina, which is the closest yacht marina, can be found in the southern part of the island. There are 24 anchorages here, and the depth of water is app. 2.5 metres. They offer shower cabins, laundry, fresh-water, ice, fuel and even boat maintenance on the dock. Information about sailing in Eleuthera, or Eleuthera boat rentals.

Blue Water Marina

Blue Water Marina is a great yacht marina in Bimini, providing full comfort to its guests.. We can refuel, replenish our water and ice supplies, use the showers and the laundry service and visit the amazing restaurant. They accommodate 36 boats, and the depth of water is app. 4 metres. We can choose from many diving, fishing and other watersport activities. Information about sailing in Bimini, or boat rental in Bimini.If you wish for an amazing holiday with sunshine and the stunning wonders of nature, visit the Bahamas, where you’ll find all of this. Organize an adventurous day for your kids, rent a yacht to become one of the pirates of the Caribbean.Find sailing routes in the Bahamas or choose another sailboat charter in the Caribbean

Beaches in the Bahamas

Picturesque beaches, gulfs, and lagoons with the gorgeous view of the sea and warm sunshine will all make your journey unforgettable.

Gulf of Goodman:

Goodman’s Bay Beach is a popular public beach in Cable Beach. This beach offers locals and tourists a variety of fitness activities and a number of water sports. It’s ideal for lovers of sailing. Besides sailboat rental you can rent a moped or banana boat. The sand is rougher compared to other beaches in Nassau, but the water is just as clean and refreshing. There are no restaurants, but in busy periods you can find hot dog stands and merchants selling soft drinks. Due to safety reasons, visiting the beach at night is not recommended.

Pink Sands beach:

Many people visit Harbour Island to view the famous Pink Sands beach. You shouldn’t believe every picture you see on the internet though. Some are left disappointed when they find out that the beach is not fully pink as some photos suggest. The unique mixture of coral, broken shells, miniature rocks, and calcium carbonate color the sand with pink fragments. It’s a long, wide beach. Calm waters surround it. It’s ideal for wedding ceremonies, sports, and yoga.

Junkanoo beach:

The Junkanoo is the only beach in the Bahamas that functions as a full-time party beach. This small but lively area has music, bathrooms, showers, and local dealers. The Tiki Bikini Hut restaurant on the shore serves cocktails in fresh coconut shells. The beach, within walking distance of Nassau’s city center, is popular among sailors primarily due to its nearness to the coastal port. The water is just as beautiful as most beaches in the Bahamas, but the sand is a bit rocky. Only 50 m from Junkanoo beach there’s Long Wharf Beach, which has a similar atmosphere but with less audience.

Main attractions in the Bahamas

The capital of the Bahamas, Nassau, is on New Providence Island in the business region of the country. Historically it was a pirate fortress. The House of Parliament and different judicial organizations are also here. There are kid-friendly sights on the Bahamas like the Atlantis, the water park of the Bahamas on Paradise Island. The Dolphin Encounters is a sea habitat with trained dolphins. Dolphins show diving tricks and give kisses to visitors. You can swim with them, take a photo together, or feed them.

The concept of piracy became popular through movies like The Pirates of the Caribbean. This era, however, is a critical period of Caribbean history. The “golden age of piracy” lasted from 1690 to 1720. It had a huge effect on the Bahamas, since the capital, Nassau, supplied the biggest pirate concentration out of every Caribbean island. Visitors of the Pirates of Nassau interactive Museum can view the weapons used by pirates and come to know the most popular pirate legends. This museum is an especially exciting program for children.

Bahamas Caribbean sailing routes & Caribbean sailing destinations Sailing destinations & Sailing routes

Sailing in the Bahamas
Bahamas sailing routes and catamaran tours

They are really meant to be the islands of sailors with a pleasant temperature, extensive [...]

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The climate diagrams are based on 30 years of hourly weather model simulations. They give good indications of typical climate patterns and expected conditions (temperature, precipitation, sunshine, and wind). The “mean daily maximum” (solid red line) shows temperature of an average day for every month for the Bahamas. Likewise, the “mean daily minimum” (solid blue line) shows the average minimum temperature.

The wind rose for Bahamas shows how many hours per year the wind blows from the indicated direction. The diagram for the Bahamas shows the days per month, during which the wind reaches a certain speed.

The country’s weather is dominated by a subtropical monsoon climate. The Bahamas really do not have an off-season. On the coast, the climate is generally sunny and pleasant year-round, influenced by the trade winds. Some months are rainy and others dry. Of course, temperatures vary by location. Even the rainy season (May through November) rarely offers challenges for visitors. Even the occasional tropical rainstorm is usually short-lived.

Summers may see temperatures from 26 °C to 32 °C and higher humidity. The average yearly medium heat is 28°C. The Caribbean region is characterized by the all year long hot and humid tropical climate. The weather is somewhat cool and dry from the middle of January to the middle of April. From the middle of June to the middle of November it’s usually hot, wet, and rainy. The low latitude, warm tropical Gulf Stream, and low elevation give the Bahamas a warm and winterless climate. sailing the Bahamas in December The low latitude, warm tropical Gulf Stream, and low elevation give the Bahamas a warm and winterless climate. sailing the Bahamas in December

Day 1. Harbour Island – Spanish Wells 18, 80 km (11, 68 nm), Day 2. Spanish Wells – Governor’s Harbour 77, 00 km (47, 85 nm), Day 3. Governor’s Harbour – Cape Eleuthera 40, 60 km (25, 22 nm), Day 4. Cape Eleuthera – Highbourne Cay 49, 70 km (30, 88 nm), Day 5. Highbourne Cay – Nassau 61, 30 km (38, 09 nm), Day 6. Nassau – Egg Island 62, 30 km (38, 71 nm), Day 7. Egg Island – Royal Island – Harbour Island 32, 60 km (20 nm)

Information about Eleuthera sailing

Day 1. George Town – Lee Stocking Island 42.15 km (26.19 nm), Day 2. Lee Stocking Island – Great Guana Cay 49.00 km (30.45 nm), Day 3. Great Guana Cay – Shroud Cay 64.00 km (39.77 nm), Day 4. Shroud Cay – Highbourne Cay 22.55 km (14.01 nm), Day 5. Highbourne Cay – Norman’s Cay 18.20 km (11.31 nm), Day 6. Norman’s Cay – Big Farmer’s Cay 92.80 km (57.67 nm), Day 7. Little Farmer’s Cay – Emerald Bay – George Town 51.45 km (31.97 nm)

Information about Exumas sailing

Day 1. Marsh Harbour – Little Harbour 24, 55 km (15, 25 nm), Day 2. Little Harbour – Abaco National Park – Sandy Point 97, 10 km (60, 34 nm), Day 3. Sandy Point – Wood Cay – Great Abaco 47, 96 km (29, 80 nm), Day 4. Great Abaco – Big Joe Downer Cay -Little Joe Downer Cay – South Riding Point 96, 70 km (60, 09 nm), Day 5. South Riding Point – Nunjack Cay – Green Turtle Cay 103, 35 km (64, 22 nm), Day 6. Green Turtle Cay – Treasure Cay – Man-O-War Cay / Guana Cay 28, 44 km (17, 67 nm), Day 7. Guana Cay – Pelican Cay Land & Sea Park – Elbow Cay – Marsh Harbour 53, 60 km (33, 30 nm).

Day 1. South Bimini, Bimini Sands Marina – Bimini, Bimini Big Game Club 2.00 km (1.24 nm), Day 2. North Bimini – Port Lucaya, Grand Bahama 112.90 km (70.16 nm), Day 3. Port Lucaya – Old Bahama Bay 47.80 km (29.70 nm), Day 4. Old Bahama Bay – Blue Water Marina, North Bimini 115.20 km (71.58 nm), Day 5. North Bimini – North Cat Cay 20.40 km (12.68 nm), Day 6. North Cat Cay – Gun Cay 4.00 km (2.49 nm), Day 7. Gun Cay – South Bimini 13.80 km (8.57 nm)

More about Bimini sailing

Sailing from Florida to Bahamas

Day 1. Miami – Port Royal 82, 63 km (51, 34 nm), Day 2. Port Royal – Gun Cay (Honeymoon Harbour) 13, 86 km (8, 61 nm), Day 3. Gun Cay – Ocean Cay 21, 53 km (13, 38 nm), Day 4. Ocean Cay – North Cat Cay (Honeymoon Harbour), Day 5. North Cat Cay – Bailey Town 17, 74 km (11, 02 nm), Day 6. Bailey Town – Alice Town 2, 39 km (1, 48 nm), Day 7. Alice Town – Miami 82, 95 km (51, 54 nm)

You can find more information about sailing from Florida to Bahamas, or the best caribbean sailing destinations