Bahamas yacht charters
Rent a yacht in the Bahamas
TL;DR: The Bahamas is the easiest high-end charter ground to reach from the US East Coast: clear, shallow water, hundreds of cays, and charters that run from a single day out of Nassau to a week-long crossing through the Exumas. Crewed catamarans start around $20,000 a week; crewed motor yachts start around $50,000 plus expenses. One enquiry gets you a shortlist with real availability.
Vessel Vista is an independent charter guide. Enquiries go to our partner brokerage, and we may earn a referral fee if you book. It doesn't change your price. How this works.
Pick where you're starting from
Most Bahamas charters begin in one of four places, each with a different feel. Nassau has the most charter traffic and the easiest flights; Bimini is the shortest hop from South Florida; Abaco suits families who want island-hopping without open-water crossings; the Exumas are the long-range itinerary everyone eventually asks for, usually reached from Nassau.
Nassau yacht charter
Day trips and week-long escapes from the capital, with the widest choice of yachts.
Bimini yacht charter
A short crossing from Florida into gin-clear water, good for shorter trips.
Abaco yacht charter
Sheltered cays and settlements, well suited to families and first-time charterers.
Crewed catamaran or motor yacht
A crewed catamaran sits steady at anchor, draws less water, and is usually all-inclusive, which makes budgeting simpler. A crewed motor yacht moves faster between islands and carries more crew, more space and more water toys, with running costs charged through the APA. For a side-by-side comparison, see crewed yacht charters in the Bahamas.
What it actually costs
The listed weekly rate is rarely the full number. Expect to add an Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) of roughly 25–35% on plus-expenses terms, Bahamian taxes and cruising permit fees, and crew gratuity of 10–20%. The full breakdown, with worked examples at two price points, is in Bahamas yacht charter cost.
Best time to go
December through May is the main Bahamas charter season: dry, settled weather and consistent trade winds. Summer and early autumn bring higher humidity and a real hurricane risk, which is why most charter brokers steer first-time guests toward a winter or spring date.
How to book
Vessel Vista doesn't take bookings directly. Send one enquiry with your dates, guest count and budget range, and our partner brokerage checks live availability across its Bahamas fleet and replies with yachts that fit. See how it works for the full process.