7 Day Bahamas Yacht Charter Itinerary: The Exumas
From Nassau through the Exuma Cays: sandbars that appear at low tide, the swimming pigs of Big Major Cay, Thunderball Grotto and some of the clearest water on earth.
- Duration
- 7 Days / 6 Nights
- Departure
- Nassau, Bahamas
- Best season
- December to May
- Route
- 12 stops
- Ideal for
- Families, Beach lovers
In short
365 Cays of Sand and Sapphire
A 7 day Bahamas yacht charter usually runs from Nassau down the Exuma Cays and back, with stops at Highbourne Cay, Warderick Wells in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, Compass Cay and Staniel Cay. The water is shallow, so yachts with a draft under about three metres see the most. The best months are December to May. A crewed week typically costs around €49,000 plus expenses.
The Exumas are a chain of 365 cays running south from Nassau, surrounded by shallow water in every shade of blue. It is a destination built for a yacht: almost nothing here can be reached any other way.
This itinerary balances the famous stops, the swimming pigs, the nurse sharks and Thunderball Grotto, with empty sandbars and the protected reefs of the Land and Sea Park.
- Families
- Beach lovers
- Snorkelling
- Photographers
- Winter sun
Day by day
Your sample itinerary
Tides and weather shape every day in the Exumas, so your captain will fine tune the order of stops. Charters can also start in Staniel Cay or Georgetown by private flight to skip the first crossing.
- 01
Day 1
Nassau to Highbourne Cay
Embark in Nassau and cross the Yellow Bank to Highbourne Cay, the gateway to the Exumas. Stop at Allen's Cay on the way to meet the rock iguanas, then anchor in turquoise shallows for the night.
- Nassau embarkation
- Allen's Cay iguanas
- Highbourne Cay
- First swim in the Exumas
- 02
Day 2
Shroud Cay and Warderick Wells
Take the tender through the mangrove creeks of Shroud Cay to a deserted ocean beach, then continue to Warderick Wells, headquarters of the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park and one of the most beautiful anchorages in the Bahamas.
- Shroud Cay mangrove creek
- Exuma Land and Sea Park
- Boo Boo Hill
- Protected reefs
- 03
Day 3
Compass Cay and Pipe Creek
Swim with the friendly nurse sharks at Compass Cay marina and walk to the natural pool of Rachel's Bubble Bath. Spend the afternoon on the sandbars of Pipe Creek, which appear and vanish with the tide.
- Compass Cay nurse sharks
- Rachel's Bubble Bath
- Pipe Creek sandbars
- Paddleboarding
- 04
Day 4
Staniel Cay and Big Major Cay
Snorkel Thunderball Grotto, the cave made famous by James Bond, at slack tide. After lunch, visit the swimming pigs of Big Major Cay and go ashore for a drink at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club.
- Thunderball Grotto
- Swimming pigs
- Staniel Cay Yacht Club
- Sunset at anchor
- 05
Day 5
Black Point and the southern cays
A quieter day further south. Visit the settlement of Black Point, find a sandbar of your own for a beach lunch set up by the crew, and enjoy water toys in flat calm water.
- Black Point settlement
- Private sandbar lunch
- Water toys
- Stargazing
- 06
Day 6
Norman's Cay
Head back north to Norman's Cay to snorkel the sunken drug runner's plane in the lagoon and walk the long empty beach. A final dinner on deck under the stars.
- Sunken plane wreck
- Norman's Cay beach
- Lagoon snorkelling
- Farewell dinner
- 07
Day 7
Rose Island to Nassau
An early crossing back to New Providence with a last swim off Rose Island, then into Nassau for disembarkation around midday.
- Rose Island swim
- Brunch on board
- Nassau disembarkation
The charter
What is included
Every Navélia charter is private and fully crewed. You receive a written price before you book, and the yacht is confirmed with a 50% deposit. How charter pricing works
- Private yacht with captain and crew
- Soft drinks, water and towels
- Onboard chef on most yachts, provisions paid from the APA
- Fuel, food, wine, cruising permit and park fees paid from the APA (advance provisioning allowance), charged additionally
- Snorkelling gear and water toys carried on board
- Private flights to Staniel Cay can be arranged (additional cost)
the Bahamas week charter yachts and superyachts
Navélia books crewed multi day and weekly charters in the Bahamas, from 20 metre crewed yachts to 100 metre flagship superyachts, drawn live from a worldwide fleet of 1,300+ vessels. Every charter includes full crew; most weekly rates fall between €40,000 and €130,000, and flagship superyachts reach €3,000,000.
Questions
Planning this route
When is the best time for a Bahamas yacht charter?
December to May offers settled weather, low humidity and water around 25°C. June to August is hot and calm and suits water sports. The peak of the hurricane season, August to October, is best avoided.
How much does a yacht charter in the Bahamas cost?
A crewed week in the Caribbean typically costs around €49,000, with most yachts between €34,000 and €77,000 and superyachts from €150,000 to more than €500,000 per week. Bahamas charter tax and an advance provisioning allowance are charged additionally.
What size of yacht is best for the Exumas?
The Exumas are shallow, so yachts with a draft under about three metres reach the best anchorages. Larger superyachts anchor further out and use their tenders, which works well but adds distance.
Can I really swim with the pigs?
Yes. The pigs live on Big Major Cay next to Staniel Cay and swim out to visiting tenders. Arriving early by yacht means you often have the beach to yourself before the day boats arrive.
Make this route yours
Tell us your dates and group size. We reply with available yachts and a written price in about 10 minutes.
