Grand Bahama yacht charter
Grand Bahama lies about 55 nautical miles from Palm Beach: an easy first crossing to the Bahamas, with marinas, caves, quiet beaches and a gateway to the Abacos.
Get My ShortlistCall 1-561-463-6840An easy crossing from South Florida
West End, at Grand Bahama’s western tip, is about 55 nautical miles from Palm Beach and a Bahamas port of entry. Charters from Palm Beach or Fort Lauderdale often stop in Grand Bahama before continuing to the Abacos. Highlights include Port Lucaya, Peterson Cay and Lucayan National Park. Crewed catamarans start around $20,000 a week; motor yachts are quoted plus expenses, and the yacht must be permitted to carry guests between Florida and the Bahamas.
A relaxed first stop from Florida
Grand Bahama is the closest major Bahamian island to Palm Beach, our home port. West End and Port Lucaya have marinas, the island has an international airport at Freeport, and the south shore is lined with long, quiet beaches.
For guests coming from Palm Beach, Jupiter or Fort Lauderdale, it is the most natural way to begin a Bahamas charter, and it leads on to the Little Bahama Bank and the Abacos.
Grand Bahama highlights by yacht
Port of entry
Clear customs on arrival and enjoy the island’s western beaches.
Port Lucaya
A marina village with restaurants and easy access to the island’s south shore.
Peterson Cay
A tiny national park cay with reef snorkelling just offshore.
Lucayan National Park
Underwater cave systems, mangrove trails and Gold Rock Beach at low tide.
A sample week: Palm Beach, Grand Bahama and the Abacos
Palm Beach to West End
Cross the Gulf Stream in the morning weather window and clear customs at West End.
West End to Port Lucaya
Cruise the south shore; dinner ashore at Port Lucaya.
Peterson Cay and Lucayan National Park
Snorkel Peterson Cay, then explore the park’s caves and Gold Rock Beach.
Grand Bahama to the Abacos
Cruise east to the Abacos and anchor off a quiet cay.
The Abacos
Hope Town’s lighthouse and Elbow Cay’s beaches; see our Abaco guide.
Abacos to Grand Bahama
Head back west with a beach stop on the way.
Grand Bahama to Palm Beach
Cross back to Florida and report your arrival to U.S. Customs.
What a Grand Bahama yacht charter costs
| Yacht type | Typical weekly fee | How it is priced |
|---|---|---|
| Crewed catamaran, 45–60 ft | $20,000–$40,000 | Often all-inclusive |
| Luxury catamaran, 60–80 ft | $40,000–$90,000+ | All-inclusive or plus expenses |
| Motor yacht, 75–100 ft | $60,000–$120,000 | Plus APA of 25–35% |
| Superyacht, 100 ft+ | $150,000–$500,000+ | Plus APA of 25–35% |
Charters starting in Florida require a yacht permitted to carry guests between the U.S. and the Bahamas; we shortlist only yachts that can legally do the route.
Add Bahamas charter taxes (10% VAT plus a 4% charter fee, about 14% in total) and a crew gratuity of 15–20%. Our Bahamas charter cost guide walks through all-in examples.
Ranges are our own guide and vary with yacht, season and availability.
Planning a crossing from Palm Beach?
Tell us your dates, group and the kind of week you have in mind. Within one business day we reply with yachts that are genuinely available, with every cost set out in advance. There is no fee to you: the yacht pays our commission.
Get My ShortlistCall 1-561-463-6840Your brokers
Hansel Sneed
Founder and Yacht Charter BrokerHansel founded Sneed Charters in 1992 and has spent more than three decades matching families, couples and companies with crewed yachts across the Bahamas, Florida and the Caribbean.
Adrian Sneed
Yacht Charter BrokerAdrian handles day-to-day charter planning, from Nassau day charters to week-long journeys through the Exumas and the Abacos, and works directly with captains and owners on availability, relocation and pricing.
Grand Bahama yacht charter FAQs
About 55 nautical miles to West End, a few hours by motor yacht in good weather.
West End and Port Lucaya are Bahamas ports of entry. On return to Florida, guests report their arrival to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Yes. It is the natural route from Palm Beach to the Abacos, and a week allows time in both.
Yes. Calm south-shore anchorages, easy snorkelling at Peterson Cay and the caves of Lucayan National Park make it a good family choice.
Yes. Grand Bahama International Airport in Freeport has flights from Florida and other U.S. cities.