Exumas Yacht Charter — Your Private Escape, Perfectly Curated
Crystal-clear anchorages, iconic stops like Staniel Cay, and a crewed yacht tailored to your style — planned end-to-end by Bahamas charter specialists.
Why Charter the Exumas (and why it's different by yacht)
The Exumas don't feel like "just another Bahamas trip." The water flips from deep blue to luminous turquoise in minutes. Sandbars appear like they were staged for your arrival. And the best moments — snorkelling a sea cave, drifting over shallow flats, a chef-served lunch in a quiet anchorage — happen far from crowds and schedules.
The Exumas are built for yachting. Distances between cays are manageable, so you spend more time swimming, exploring, and enjoying the yacht — not sitting underway all day. You set the pace, and your captain adjusts around tides, weather, and what your group is loving most.
- Short cruising legs = more time in the water
- Private anchorages beyond day-trip routes
- Chef & crew service that makes it effortless
Where You'll Go: Iconic Stops in the Exuma Cays
Your route depends on your yacht, your pace, and your "musts." Many Exumas charters begin from Nassau/Paradise Island for convenient access to the northern cays, with longer itineraries reaching deeper into the chain.
Staniel Cay & Thunderball Grotto
Staniel Cay is the classic Exumas postcard brought to life — laid-back, beautiful, and close to legendary swim and snorkel sites. Thunderball Grotto is best enjoyed when tides and visibility line up, and your captain will time it for comfort and clarity.
Warderick Wells (Land & Sea Park)
Often described as the crown jewel of the park, Warderick Wells is where the Exumas show off: bright shallows, extraordinary visibility, and anchorages that feel untouched by time or crowds.
Compass Cay, Highbourne Cay & Hidden Beaches
These stops are made for sandbars, easy swims, and "how is this real?" moments. Your crew will also suggest lesser-known anchorages based on wind, swell, and your preferred vibe.
7-Day Exumas Yacht Charter Itinerary (Sample Route)
This is a flexible sample itinerary. Your captain and crew will refine it based on weather, tides, guest preferences, and the yacht's ideal cruising profile.
Arrive, settle in, and start cruising toward the northern Exumas. Highbourne is the ideal first night: calm waters, gorgeous beaches, and an easy welcome to island rhythm.
Best for: first swim, paddleboards, sunset deck dinner
Shroud Cay is pure adventure: winding mangrove creeks, shallow flats, and hidden beach landings that feel discovered for the first time.
Best for: tender exploration, sandbar picnic, kayaking, snorkelling
Arrive in one of the most beautiful protected areas in the Bahamas. Expect postcard water, pristine snorkel sessions, and a night sky that feels bigger out here.
Best for: reef time, viewpoints, slow luxury
This is your iconic Exumas day. Your captain will time Thunderball Grotto for the best visibility and comfort conditions.
Best for: sea caves, snorkelling, a lively cocktail hour onboard
Shallow-water paradise. Think luminous turquoise, soft sandbars, and effortless beach hopping throughout the day.
Best for: swimming all day, floating lunch, watersports
A more relaxed day with beautiful anchor options and that "secret getaway" feel. Let the crew spoil you for the penultimate evening.
Best for: chef tasting menu, onboard wellness, sunset cruise
Enjoy a final morning swim, then cruise back toward Nassau for disembarkation. We can help coordinate timing, transfers, and last-day preferences so departure feels seamless.
Best for: farewell toast, photo moments, zero stress
Choose Your Style: Motor Yacht or Catamaran
Motor Yachts
Ideal for guests who want more interior volume, a classic luxury layout, and efficient cruising. Many motor yachts are priced as a base rate plus expenses, managed via APA for fuel, food, dockage, and voyage costs — tracked and reconciled transparently.
Catamarans
A favourite for families and groups who love stability, easy water access, and a relaxed layout. Many catamarans are all-inclusive, making budgeting simple and predictable — one number, no surprises.
How Booking Works (Fast, Simple, Concierge-Level)
Share Your Details
Share your dates (or travel window), guest count, and style preferences. A window is fine — we'll work with it.
We Send a Shortlist
We send a curated shortlist with real availability — yachts that genuinely match your group, pace, and priorities.
Reserve & Personalise
Reserve the yacht, then personalise food, drinks, watersports, and experiences until the itinerary is exactly right.
Costs, Taxes & What's Typically Included
Pricing varies by yacht type, season, and inclusions. Here's what to know before you ask for a quote.
Bahamas Charter Taxes (What to Expect)
Many charters include up to 14% Bahamas charter tax. We confirm this clearly in your quote — no surprises after you've committed. Other potential add-ons include premium dockage, transfers, specialty beverages, and customary crew gratuity.
APA / Plus Expenses vs All-Inclusive
The two most common structures you'll encounter:
- Plus Expenses / APA — common for motor yachts. A 25–35% Advance Provisioning Allowance is held upfront to cover fuel, provisioning, marina fees, and voyage costs. Expenses are itemised and reconciled transparently. Any unused portion is refunded.
- All-Inclusive — common for many catamarans. Inclusions are defined upfront so you can budget confidently. Meals, standard beverages, and fuel are typically bundled in.
We'll clarify which structure applies to each yacht we recommend, before you make any decisions.
No-Surprises Quoting
- Availability confirmed before you decide — no phantom listings, no bait-and-switch.
- Clear inclusions and what's extra, spelled out in plain language in your quote.
- Concierge support from your first enquiry through to embarkation day.
Testimonials
See What Our Happy Customers Say
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“The itinerary was flawless—every day felt like a private postcard..”
Jessica M., Miami
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“Fast responses, clear pricing, and the crew was exceptional.”
Robert T., New York
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“We loved how everything was handled without back-and-forth.”
Elena G., London
Frequently Asked Questions About Exumas Yacht Charters
Planning an Exumas yacht charter often comes with questions about routes, starting points, pricing, inclusions, and the best yacht style for your trip. Below are answers to the questions we hear most often from guests considering a private crewed charter in the Exuma Cays.
Yes. Every Exumas yacht charter itinerary is tailored around your travel dates, preferred pace, yacht type, and must-see stops. Popular highlights often include Highbourne Cay, Shroud Cay, Warderick Wells, Staniel Cay, Thunderball Grotto, and Compass Cay, but your captain and crew will refine the route based on weather, tides, and what your group enjoys most.
Yes. Nassau and Paradise Island are among the most common starting points for Exumas yacht charters because they offer convenient international flight access, strong provisioning options, and a wide selection of crewed yachts. From Nassau, many itineraries cruise into the northern Exumas before continuing deeper into the island chain.
Yes, in some cases. While many Exumas yacht charters begin in Nassau, it is sometimes possible to start closer to the islands, such as around Great Exuma or Georgetown, depending on the yacht and your dates. Availability is usually more limited, and some yachts may require repositioning time or delivery fees, especially for one-way itineraries or shorter booking windows.
We usually recommend 5 to 7 nights for the best Exumas experience. A shorter trip can still be enjoyable, but a week gives you a better balance of iconic stops, relaxed cruising, time in the water, and flexibility around weather and tides.
Yes. Before your charter, we’ll provide a preference form so your crew can plan menus, provisioning, and beverage selections around your needs. Dietary restrictions, food allergies, and special preferences can usually be accommodated with advance notice.
The cost of an Exumas yacht charter depends on the yacht type, season, travel dates, and whether the rate is all-inclusive or plus expenses. Many catamarans offer more predictable all-inclusive pricing, while many motor yachts use a base rate plus APA to cover fuel, food, dockage, and voyage-related costs. We’ll always clarify taxes, inclusions, expected extras, and the overall pricing structure before you make any decision.
That depends on the yacht. Many catamarans include accommodation, crew, meals, standard beverages, and standard fuel usage. Many motor yachts are priced plus expenses, with voyage costs handled through APA. We’ll explain exactly what is included, what is extra, and which taxes or gratuities may apply before you book.
It depends on your travel style. Catamarans are popular in the Exumas for their stability, shallow draft, easy water access, and often all-inclusive pricing. Motor yachts are ideal for guests who want larger interiors, a more classic luxury layout, and often faster cruising between stops. We help match the yacht style to your group, budget, and priorities.
Get Your Exumas Charter Quote
What You'll Receive
- A curated shortlist matched to your dates, group size, and style
- Clear inclusions and expected extras — no surprises, ever
- Route suggestions tailored to your preferred pace and must-dos
- Fast, direct answers from a charter specialist who knows the Exumas
Let’s Plan It.
The Exumas are at their best when you experience them privately—on your schedule, with a crew that knows how to balance adventure and ease. Share your dates and the kind of escape you want, and we’ll reply with a curated set of options designed around your style, your pace, and the moments you want to bring home. Request your Exumas yacht charter quote today—and let’s start designing your week in turquoise.