Bahamas Yacht Charter

The Bahamas is one of the great places to yacht charter. The Bahamas are made up of more than 700 islands and countless (over 2400) cays to explore and is rimed by one of the world's great barrier reefs. This impressive reef system surrounds the reef-and-key sheltered waters, providing 100 miles of relaxed cruising in the relatively shallow safety of The Sea of Abaco. The Bahamian island chain begins with Bimini, just 45 miles from Miami, stretching all the way to the Turks, 500 miles to the southwest. The Bahamas is a brilliant charter location that has either excitement or serenity, depending on your mood, and is also within easy access for both American and European yacht charter vacations.

This is where Christopher Columbus arrived in 1492 and has in earlier days been an area sailed by swashbuckling pirates and privateers looking for places to bury their plunder in the many secluded anchorages. In many places little has changed since these early days and the Bahamas still features exceptional sailing on the warm Gulf Stream, turquoise waters and moderate winds.

The Arawak people originally settled the Bahamas. The islanders are well known for their laid-back friendliness and hospitality, to this day. Before or after your yacht charter, inland you can see the Sunbury Plantation House which is a great Jacobean mansion that was built in the days when sugar was king and a cottage was the size of a castle. Also you can whet your whistle at the well-known Mount Gay Rum Distillery, where you can sample the many varieties of the island's most famous libation.

When it comes to natural wonder the Barbados has plenty to offer. You can explore Harrison's Cave, a unique phenomenon of nature, where colossal stalactites hang from the ceilings, stalagmites thrust up from the ground, and streams of crystal-clear water drop from breathtaking falls into emerald green pools. At Orchid World, the meandering paths are abundant with Phalaenopsis, Cattlyeas and Dendrobium orchids, while Andromeda Gardens showcases some of the island's rarest tropical ferns, heliconias and cacti. At Whim Gully, examine closely the bearded fig tree from which the island is believed to get its name.

Nassau, a bustling town on New Providence Island and the capital of the Bahamas is the place to yacht charter if you like action and great nightlife. It has an enviable array of restaurants, glitzy casinos, and sophisticated hotels. Nassau is a also a great base for your yacht charter with its ideal beaches, Atlantis, the mega-resort and marina, traditional British Colonial architecture and Paradise Island.

Paradise Island is connected to New Providence by two bridges and has marina facilities. Eleuthera is a 100-mile narrow island with late-1700s architecture and famous pineapple plantations. Harbour Island, Eleuthera's neighbour, is styled in Georgian architecture and the Spanish Wells community in the north is known for good fishing. Southeast of Eleuthera lies Cat Island - the "high land" of the Bahamas. Eluthera is also a popular bareboat yacht charter vacation destination and features high cliffs and a obvious link into a long past civilization. The Exumas, which straddle the Tropic of Cancer, are recognized as the sailing and yacht charter capital of the Bahamas, with 365 cays that appeal greatly to sailors.

The types of yacht charter available in Bahamas are all the main types including motor, sailing, bareboat charter, skippered, crewed yachts, catamaran, power boat, sailboat, luxury yachts and super yacht charter. The Bahamas yachting season can be year round!