Know the month you would like to travel? Then our charter experts can give you some incredible options on destinations and the right yachts to take you there.Edmiston creates a bespoke itinerary to meet your needs.
Though not technically part of the Caribbean, the Bahamas, which trickle down into the Atlantic from the tip of Florida, have all the Eden-esque features of their neighbouring isles: sugar-white sands, turquoise seas, and a vibe so laid-back you need to give way to wild iguanas. On a boat charter in the Bahamas you can spend endless days hopping between the 700 subtropical islands, drop anchor by secluded cays, dive amid the world’s third largest barrier reef or pull into a luxurious resort for a round of championship golf with jaw-dropping views.
A paradise world of mangroves, lagoons, pink sandy beaches, swimming pigs and pineapple fields, the Bahamas is the stuff of yacht charter dreams.
For the sheer variety of lively clubs, casinos and restaurants, Nassau and the connecting Paradise Island win hands down. The Cove at Atlantis has several fine-dining options, from Japanese cuisine at the acclaimed Nobu restaurant to Tuscany meets the Caribbean in Casa D’Angelo, and you can dance the night away afterwards at Aura club.
Harbour Island is home to some of the best restaurants in the Bahamas, including the beach-fronted Coral Sands restaurant and the Hamptons-style exclusivity of The Dunmore.
For a less touristy, more authentic atmosphere, try the ramshackle Miss Emily’s Blue Bee Bar on Green Turtle Cay, where you can sample the Goombay Smash, a drink so tasty it’s unofficially been named the ‘taste of the Bahamas’.
The Andros Barrier Reef – the world’s third largest – provides underwater adventure for any diver looking for a challenge. If you’re more of a beach person, on your Bahamas yacht charter set sail for Eleuthera and Harbour Island and wiggle your toes in the warm pink sand. Swim with pigs in the Exumas or explore the mangrove trails in Lucayan National Park.
Go on the trail of Christopher Columbus, in San Salvador, the island that marked the explorer’s arrival in the ‘New World’ or pull into Lyford Cay, the most exclusive harbour in the Bahamas, a place brimming with old-world charm, an 18-hole golf course, and VIP areas.
Savour your Bahama Mama rum drinks in your sundeck’s hot tub, enjoy a family fish fry on the beach or tap your feet to some traditional rake ‘n’ scrape on Cat Island. On a Bahamas yacht charter, there are a thousand ways to take it easy.
The Abacos are the perfect place to try out your yacht’s water toys: try a spot of short sailing, dive into the turquoise waters of the Sea of Abaco or get out your fishing rod and scope out the abundance of bonefish, tuna and marlin just a short distance from the shore
If angling isn’t for you, observe marine life up close at Sandy Cay and Pelican Cay National Land and Sea Park. At the end of the day, sit back on one of the long sandy beaches with cocktail in hand and let your worries sink below the horizon, along with the setting sun.
The island of Bimini sits at the edge of a sheer underwater cliff that drops thousands of feet into the deep, and the Gulf Stream that rushes north past the island warms and feeds its coral reefs and serves as an underwater highway for everything from marlin to mantas and dolphins to sea turtles.
For some land-based downtime, hike the Bimini Nature Trail on the south side of the island, and no visit to Bimini is complete without a trip to its mythical healing hole, the Fountain of Youth, whose sacred waters are said to protect you from old age and guarantee everlasting riches.
The claw-shaped island of Eleuthera (Greek for “freedom”) is a private tropical paradise, home to rolling hills, rustic architecture, and gorgeous beaches. It's pink and white beaches stretch the coast, dotted with quaint, friendly fishing villages. Eleuthera moves at a much slower pace than other Bahamian islands and has an unshakeable reputation for being one of the friendliest places in the world.
Visit the Hatchet Bay Caves, one of the largest systems of caves in the Caribbean and the most extensive discovered on Eleuthera with over a mile of twisting passages, rumoured to have sheltered pirates and buccaneers centuries ago. This cave is also home to unique species of crustacea, including the ostracods and copepods, which can be found nowhere else on earth.
For a charming retreat that offers history, culture and a warm, friendly atmosphere, head to Grand Bahama. Begin with a stroll through sun-filled streets lined with market stalls selling traditional straw crafts, art galleries and charming gift shops. When you’ve worked up an appetite, take a seat at a seaside restaurant for lunch and try the famed conch, a Bahamian national dish.
There are so many ways to take in the natural beauty of this island, from lazing on the white sands of Xanadu beach to swimming with dolphins. Enjoy a round of golf with breathtaking views of the Atlantic on one of three amazing 18-hole courses. The second-largest city in The Bahamas, Freeport, has secluded beaches, incredible food and plenty of shopping opportunities.
Known for its long pink sand beaches lapped by crystal-clear waters, Harbour Island is a dream-like Bahamian hideaway with superb lunch spots, colourful reefs for snorkelling and tiny roads only wide enough for golf carts. Be sure to stop off in Dunmore Town for an idyllic trip into the past, with beautifully built wooden houses over a century old lining the streets.
If you’re an experienced diver up for an adventure, get into your scuba gear and dive the Current Cut, one of the top dive sites in the world. The water moves at speeds of up to ten knots with the dive lasting around ten minutes on average, which is sure to be an exhilarating journey into the depths.
Spend the day on this private 80-mile long island – one of the most picturesque in the Bahamas – relaxing or collecting colourful shells on the many pink and white secluded beaches and natural pools or take a dive into the unknown
Dean’s Blue Hole is over 600 feet deep, making it a must for even the most seasoned deep-sea and free divers. Even if you don’t fancy a dip, the bright turquoise water fading into the deep black abyss is a must-see.
An addictive mix of glitzy casinos, high-end duty-free shopping and quiet, shady lanes, Nassau, home to two- thirds of all Bahamians, has a 24/7 buzz. Just across the bridge you'll find Paradise Island, home to an entertainment mecca and the largest water park in the Caribbean. Nassau being the capital makes it the busiest island in the Bahamas.
While the hustle and bustle of cruise ships around the Atlantis Resort isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, you won’t have to travel far to find a quiet place to sit with an ocean view, where the only noise you’ll hear is the sound of the waves rolling in. Nassau is home to spectacular natural vegetation including poinsettias, purple bougainvillea and scarlet poinciana trees.
The Exumas archipelago consists of 365 islands and cays – a collection of jewels scattered through the turqoise Atlantic. Visit Big Major Cay to feed the friendly swimming pigs, the Land and Sea Park to scope out bird sanctuaries and mangroves, Allen’s Cay to see the iguanas, or get out your yacht’s snorkelling gear and take advantage of the countless reefs and grottos.
If you feel like relaxing, chill out on one of the many private beaches on a stretch of unspoiled stretch of powder-white sand, or lose yourself in an intimate deep-tissue massage at the sophisticated SeaStar Spa in George Town, followed by some authentic Caribbean seafood and a rum punch at the Tropic Breeze Beach Bar & Grill.
The Bahamas enjoys a warm climate year-round, but with hurricane season from June to November, the main charter season runs from December to May. During this period temperatures range from 70-75°F (21-24°C). Bahamas yacht charters over Christmas and New Year are incredibly popular with guests who want to enjoy the festivities of the annual Junkanoo – a energetic festival akin to Rio Carnival or Mardis Gras.
What is the currency of The Bahamas?
The currency of the Bahamas is the Bahamian Dollar, but its value is the same as the US Dollar, so they are accepted throughout the islands too. It’s worth noting that if you pay in Bahamian Dollars you will likely get change in Bahamian Dollars and vice versa with US Dollars.
Language spoken in the Bahamas
The official language of the Bahamas is English, which is widely spoken, though the island country has a unique dialect so you will notice some differences in Bahamian English, while the Haitian population speak Haitian Creole.
Time zone in the Bahamas
The Bahamas is on Eastern Daylight Time and it also observes Daylight Saving Time, so from November to early March it is five hours behind GMT and from early March to October it is four hours behind GMT.
Know the month you would like to travel? Then our charter experts can give you some incredible options on destinations and the right yachts to take you there.Edmiston creates a bespoke itinerary to meet your needs.
