The Best Bahamas Yacht Charter Destinations, According to Yacht Experts

With more than 700 islands strewn like jewels across translucent turquoise water, the Bahamas provide an idyllic setting for a yacht charter just a short flight from many cities in the U.S. One of the country’s most captivating aspects for a luxury sailing excursion is its many secluded islands, where running into crowds is unheard of. You might discover hidden coves and leap into crystal-clear lagoons with not another soul around.

The question isn’t whether to go, it’s which destinations are best to visit. 

No matter which islands are on your itinerary in the Bahamas, you’ll discover plenty of postcard-perfect scenes, including white sandy beaches and even stretches with pink hues made even more dazzling against the brilliant blue of the water. But when it comes to narrowing down your itinerary, these are some of the top islands to consider for a truly unforgettable trip, whether seeking lots of action and adventure, total tranquility, or a mix of both. 

Andros 

Andros is the largest island in the Bahamas and its least populated “Out Island.” An unspoiled paradise, it’s home to five national parks, including West Side National Park which covers 2,3434 square miles, with mangroves, tidal flats, and critical habitat for endangered species like the West Indian Flamingo. Parrots and hummingbirds are just two of the more than 200 types of birds that await avid birders. 

Visitors to Andros can also take advantage of world-class bonefishing, snorkeling, and diving. 

While exploring the 100-mile-long Andros Barrier Reef, discover vibrant coral, a variety of sea turtles, Caribbean reef sharks, and more than 164 species of fish. The island is also renowned for its many underwater caves that include blue holes, like those you’ll find in Blue Holes National Park. 

Eleuthera 

Eleuthera is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to the busier destinations like Harbour Island and Nassau, as Beach.com recently reported. The magnificent pink sandy beaches that stretch for miles along its coastline are among its biggest draws. One side faces the waves of the Atlantic, attracting surfers, while the other is lapped by calm Caribbean waters. Snorkeling and diving is easily accessible and goes beyond the many marine creatures, complete with shipwrecks in shallower water for non-divers. 

“Eleuthera’s Glass Window Bridge is one of the most dramatic natural phenomena I’ve witnessed from the water,” says Mokhtar Jabli, Founder and CEO of the Nightfall Group. “You’re watching two oceans collide in real time.” The Glass Window Bridge that links North Eleuthera to the rest of the island, is a must-see for yachters and visitors of all types. This is where the island dramatically narrows to a thin strand, straddling the divide between the Bight of Eleuthera with its tranquil turquoise shoals and the deep blue Atlantic. The stark contrast between the two makes it one of the top photo ops in the region. 

“One of the most magical experiences in Eleuthera is cruising around Current Cut and Cut Cay,” says Carolita Urrestarazu, Head of Business Development at Nuba Travel USA. “You can drift with the tidal current through a narrow channel that feels like a river pulling you out to sea, float over crystal-clear water filled with turtles, and explore hidden lagoons.” Eleuthera is also a place where one can explore historic villages and soak up the laid-back pace of island life. Governor’s Harbour is the capital, known for its 19th-century architecture, while Spanish Wells is a New England-style fishing village, providing a glimpse into the island’s Loyalist past.

The Abacos

Sometimes referred to as the “top of the Bahamas,” the Abaco Islands span 120 miles across the Sea of Abaco, a world apart from bustling Nassau. Its largest island is Great Abaco, the main embarkation point for yacht charters through the archipelago. It’s considered the “mainland,” with two international airports. Marsh Harbour is the most significant settlement with plenty of bars and restaurants, as well as being home to the Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour Marina. It’s one of the largest in the island nation, with nearly 200 slips while providing guests with access to pools, a white sandy beach, water sports, and more. 

To really experience the Abacos, you need to venture beyond Great Abaco (and Little Abaco). There are uninhabited cays and tiny islands to explore, like Elbow Cay, where you can see one of the most famous lighthouses in the Bahamas, Elbow Reef, striped like a candy cane. It’s also home to Hope Town, which has only two narrow streets lined with pastel-painted homes that have the classic white picket fences. Great Guana Cay, renowned for fishing, and Man-O-War Cay, with a long tradition of boat building, are just two of the other highlights.

Long Island

An 80-mile-long island with electric blue waters and lush greenery, Long Island is a secluded, under-the-radar charmer where one can ease into island time and enjoy a wide range of activities. There are countless spectacular beaches to relax on, from Cape Santa Maria and Stella Maris to the Love Beaches. Cape Santa Maria stretches for four miles and has been named among the world’s best, with powdery white sands and calm cobalt waters. 

Visitors can also hit the trails, tracing the island’s rugged coastline, and explore caves, like Hamilton’s, with stalactites, stalagmites, and a fresh underwater spring. Dean’s Blue Hole is another top attraction, where one can swim, snorkel, or dive. It’s highly popular for freediving competitions as one of the deepest on the planet at 663 feet, and from above, it looks like a perfect circle. 

The Exumas

The Exuma Cays are a chain of 365 islands and cays with a rich underwater world that includes caves popular for snorkeling that were featured in James Bond films, plane wrecks for divers, and colorful reefs inhabited by a wealth of marine life. “The Exumas are the crown jewel of every Miami-to-Bahamas charter we run,” says Jabli. “The moment clients drift into Thunderball Grotto or drop anchor off Pig Beach, they understand why the Bahamas can’t be replicated anywhere else in the world.”

One of its top spots to visit is Big Major Cay, home to the famous swimming pigs. Accessible only by boat, visitors can swim in the clear aquamarine waters right alongside the friendly creatures. Staniel Cay is the hub of the central Exumas, with some of the most well-known snorkeling caves like Thunderball Grotto. Spotlighted in the 1965 Bond movie “Thunderball,” it was also featured in Tom Hanks’ “Splash” and “Into the Blue,” starring Jessica Alba and Paul Walker. Other highlights include Compass Cay with its docile nurse sharks and Shroud Cay, where visitors can kayak through the mangrove creeks.

Bimini

The small island of Bimini is known for its rich history of rum running during the Prohibition era. It also attracts anglers from across the globe for its big game fish such as tuna, wahoo, and marlin. There are many outstanding snorkeling and diving sites too, including Bimini Road, the mysterious underwater limestone rock formation that some believe may be the legendary lost city of Atlantis. The SS Sapona Shipwreck was once used as a rum runner (and transporter during World War I), but it now serves as an artificial reef that can be explored by snorkelers and divers. 

Visiting on a yacht means you’ll be able to visit more secluded beaches in the Bimini island group that are otherwise inaccessible to larger vessels like those big cruise ships. Gun Cay is well worth a visit for swimming with stingrays and diving with hammerhead sharks at Honeymoon Harbour. 

Cat Island

One of the least frequently and most beautiful of the “Out Islands,” Cat Island is home to the country’s highest point, Mount Alvernia, at over 200 feet. Also known as Como Hill, from the top one can visit a medieval-style monastery and take in a stunning panoramic view. This remote island has barely been touched by tourism, making it ideal for yachters who want to explore unchartered territory while enjoying the ultimate in tranquility. Retaining its unique and authentic island flavor, visitors can also experience rich traditions like Obeah religious practices and ripsaw music. There are also historic sites to explore, from plantation ruins and churches to the Griffin Bat Cave, once used as a hideout for slaves. 

Cat Island also boasts a long, eight-mile span of pink sands, and a lake called the “Boiling Hole” where legend tells a sea monster causes its mysterious bubbles and bursts. Rays and sharks can be seen here, along with a variety of bird species inhabiting the mangroves that surround it.

The Berry Islands

The so-called “Fish Bowl of the Bahamas,” the Berry Islands provide a quiet “off-the-grid” kind of experience with no sprawling resorts or big cruise ports. One of the country’s best-kept secrets, this island group is primarily known among anglers and boaters, made up of 30 islands with some of the most beautiful beaches in the Bahamas. Great Harbour Cay is home to miles and miles of soft, chalk-white sands lapped by shallow, brilliant blue waters, providing excellent snorkeling and diving. The uninhabited cays have beaches that one can enjoy all to themselves. 

Chub Cay is a must-visit for anglers, known as the Billfish Capital of the Bahamas, but it also offers the chance to catch wahoo, mahi-mahi, tuna, and marlin in the deep water just offshore. At the Chub Cay Wall, divers can explore underwater caves. Nearby is the Mama Rhoda reef with spectacular coral formations. Hoffman’s Cay has a blue hole that’s just 20 feet deep, suitable for divers of all levels.

Acklins & Crooked Islands

Located in the western Atlantic in the southern Bahamas, the Acklins & Crooked Islands are part of a larger group of cays and islands surrounding the Bight of Acklins, a large, shallow lagoon. Crooked Island has little tourist development but it’s home to the administrative hub, Colonial Hill. Very little has changed here since Columbus sailed through the Crooked Island Passage. You will find miles and miles of unspoiled, white powdery sands, bat caves, coral gardens, fortifications, ancient churches, and the remnants of cotton plantations. The lagoon is a top spot for birdwatching, kayaking, and bone fishing.

At the southernmost tip of Acklins is historic Castle Island Lighthouse, providing a glimpse into maritime history and picturesque views. Pompey Beach is popular for collecting shells and snorkeling just offshore. Plana Cays is another spot worth visiting as a protected ecological reserve serving as a critical refuge for rare and endemic species like the once-thought-extinct Bahamian Hut and the Bahamian rock iguana.

Paradise Island

For those who want access to a long list of attractions and activities, shops, and restaurants, Paradise Island is a premier yachting hub home to the famous Atlantis Resort and exceptional marinas like the Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina and Atlantis Marina. The many facilities at Atlantis Bahamas can be enjoyed by yachters by purchasing a day pass in advance, providing access to the Aquaventure waterpark, swimming pools, beaches, and more. 

“The Atlantis Marina, located just off Nassau Harbour, features 63 slips and can accommodate vessels up to approximately 250 feet, making it one of the Caribbean’s premier marinas for private yachts,” says Ann-Sofi Gustafsson, VP of Leisure Sales at Atlantis Paradise Island. “Sunsets are like no other at the Atlantis Marina overlooking Nassau Harbour—a sundowner is a must as you take in the most glorious sky and colors.”

“Paradise Island is where we dock clients who want the full-spectrum Bahamas experience—world-class marina facilities at Atlantis, private beach access, and fine dining steps from the yacht,” adds Jabli. “For families especially, Paradise Island is one of the top destinations in the Bahamas to satisfy everyone.”

Nassau & New Providence

Nassau serves as the operational anchor for many Bahamas charters, with world-class marina infrastructure at Nassau Harbour and Cable Beach making it the ideal staging point before pushing further into the archipelago. Baha Mar gives charter clients access to multiple beach clubs, trendy dining options, spa treatments, and a casino, all located minutes from the dock. For those seeking an even more elevated shoreside experience, the Albany Marina on New Providence’s southwest coast is in a class of its own. 

“The Albany Marina is among the most sophisticated superyacht facilities in the entire Caribbean basin, with slips accommodating vessels up to 250 feet, impeccable dock service, and a level of security and discretion that high-net-worth clients genuinely require,” says Jabli. “What sets Albany apart from other premium marinas is the ecosystem around it—a private beach club, world-class dining, and a residential community that means your clients’ shoreside experience matches the standard of the yacht itself.”