Sailing and Yachting in the Bahamas

The Bahamas is known as one of the top destinations for sailors in the Caribbean. Not far from the eastern coast of Florida in the U.S., these beautiful islands are easy to reach.

The Abacos have been called by many the "Sailing Capital of the World," and the Bahamas are also considered to be one of the top places for inexperienced sailors. They are both close to the U.S. mainland, and full of plenty of ports and easy-to-find sites. There are a number of ways you can get out on the water, from chartering a boat for a day (or more) to hiring the services of a party boat.

Party Boats

If you are hosting an event in the Bahamas, such as a wedding, birthday party, or product launch, hiring a party boat is the way to go.  Party boats can be hired specifically to cater to these types of events, and provide everything from DJs and dance floors to elegant wine tastings.  Depending upon the service provider you choose, these boats can hold between 30 and 300 people.

Chartering

Most often chartered by the week from within or near the Caribbean, yachts can be chartered as bareboat, skippered bareboat, or crewed charter.

Bareboat is the option for the serious - and experienced - sailor. These rentals come with all of the equipment you'll need, but no crew. Bareboat rentals will require travelers to prove their qualifications. Travelers will often be given tutorials of the region that include known reefs and safe harbors. 

Two types of bareboat charters exist: voyage charters and demise charters.  A voyage charter is when the owner of the boat accompanies the charterer on his voyage, though steps back and allows the charterer to be in full control.  A demise charter, meanwhile, occurs when the charterer sets sail completely on his own, without the supervision of the owner.

Occasionally charter companies will decide that a prospective sailor isn't ready to take a yacht out on his or her own. They may insist that you travel with a skipper for at least the first few days of your journey. When this happens it is as though you had decided to charter a skippered bareboat yourself - the skipper will lend his knowledge and skill to your journey, and you are responsible for paying him a daily rate. 

Chartering a crewed yacht to sail to the Bahamas means you'll have a captain and full crew, including a cook. However, remember that the captain is the one in charge of both your and the yacht's safety during your travel. You will decide on the itinerary, but the captain may need to alter the route for safety purposes should weather or other obstacles come in the way.

Flotilla sailing is an option that exists for large groups of people in need of sailing together, but will take more than one boat.  In flotilla sailing, more than one boat is chartered, and the lead boat is captained by a hired sailor; someone who knows the region, and is very experienced in leading groups of boats.  The rest of the boats are skippered by members of your party.  Flotilla sailing is wonderful for large groups who are competent sailors, but lack experience sailing in international waters, or do not want to be completely in charge of the course.

Another important choice to be made is the type of boat to sail.  Yachts and catamarans are the most popular choices when it comes to sailing in the Bahamas.

Yachts are luxury crafts made up of a single hull.  They typically measure as small as 20 feet long, and can be as large as several hundred feet long.  Each style and size had its own name, such as dingies, which are small and used for day-long trips; pocket yachts, which are mid-sized vessels; and cruises, the largest in the yacht family.

Catamarans, unlike the yacht, have two hulls.  Catamarans move quickly and are easy to maneuver.  They are also designed so that passengers experience a more comfortable ride. 

Most charters also offer the option of having them provide food  for your journey. This can be more expensive than buying the food yourself, but also more convenient. Don't forget: You're in charge of feeding everyone on board, from yourselves to the skipper and crew.

Charter Brokers

The most important aspect of booking a crewed charter is your compatibility with the crew, and brokers are often the most convenient way to find a compatible crew. Brokers can also help travelers find rates on bareboat chaters. Like travel agents, brokers can provide quotes from different companies, but the owner pays for the broker's services - not the traveler.

Members of top charter broker trade organizations, American Yacht Charter Association (AYCA) and Charter Yacht Broker's Association (CYBA), include the following outfits.

In the Caribbean:

In Florida:

Sailing to the Bahamas

In order to dock your vessel in the Bahamas, you must clear Customs and Immigration in one of the country's Port of Entry. Freeport and Nassau are the two major ports in the Bahamas. As you sail into the port, make sure to fly your yellow quarantine flag to notify customs hat you have not yet been officially admitted into the country. Every passenger will need to provide proof of citizenship, a passport, and another form of photo identification before filling out an immigration card. This will allow them to step foot on Bahamian soil. Be prepared to pay entry fees of $150 to $300(USD) depending upon the length of your boat.  Included in the price is a cruising permit, a fishing permit, and departure tax. If you are traveling with more than four people, expect to pay an additional fee.

For more information on entry requirements, contact the Port Authority Department in Nassau at 242-322-1596 or 242-326-7354.

Travelers coming into the islands can enter through any of the following ports, listed by island or island group within the Bahamas:

Marinas

Day Rentals

If what you want is a day at sea, not an entire vacation at sea, day rentals make the most sense.   These rentals are ideal for those who want to tour the Bahamas off land, participate in water sports, and sail to secluded beaches for a private dip, or simply to sped the day relaxing as you sail around the islands. 

If you goal is to spend a few hours out on the water with less than five people, your best option would be to rent a waterski boat, but if you've got six people and want room to prepare a meal, a family cruiser would be a better option.  Runabouts have room enough that eight people can have space to sit, and a cruiser can seat up to 10 people, as well as provide room for them to sleep and eat. 

You can make your Bahamas vacation all the more memorable - and thrilling - when you set sail on a customized Bahamas charter trip.  Whether with a crew or on your own, on a catamaran or party boat, the options, like the seas, are endless.