Miami, the Keys and the Exumas

Yacht charter in Florida and the Bahamas

The Bahamas and South Florida each make for a winter charter, with the Bahamas at their best from December to April. One week runs from Nassau through the Exumas, the other down the Keys from Fort Lauderdale to Key West.

Charter season: December to April
From Miami: 50 nm to Bimini
Embarkation ports: Nassau, Miami, Fort Lauderdale

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A white sand beach and a boat from the air in the Bahamas

Cruising in Florida and the Bahamas

The Bahamas offer more than 700 islands and cays. Their shallow banks and protected waters lend themselves to cruising from island to island. Nassau is the natural starting point, and its marinas at Lyford Cay and Albany comfortably accommodate superyachts. In the Exumas, the Land and Sea Park has been a no-take reserve since 1986. The swimming pigs of Big Major Cay can only be reached by sea.

In Florida, Fort Lauderdale and Miami are home to the leading superyacht marinas. One Island Park in Miami Beach accommodates yachts of up to 244 metres. To the south, the cruise follows the island chain of the Florida Keys. Islamorada is the call for fishing and Looe Key for snorkelling. The 2 cruising grounds sit close together, with Bimini 50 nm from Miami across the Gulf Stream.

Where to go

Nassau and Paradise Island
Most crewed yachts in the Bahamas are based in Nassau. The marinas at Lyford Cay and Albany accommodate superyachts. Junkanoo fills downtown Nassau on Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park
The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park has been a no-take reserve since 1986. Lying 40 nm from Paradise Island, Warderick Wells Cay is the park's first call on a sample week from Nassau.
Staniel Cay and Big Major Cay
Big Major Cay is known for its swimming pigs. From Staniel Cay, the tender takes guests to Thunderball Grotto. A James Bond film was shot there.
Harbour Island
Harbour Island is known for its pink-sand beaches, one of the signature images of the Bahamas. On the island, golf buggies replace cars.
The Abacos
The Abaco Islands are often referred to as the boating capital of the Bahamas. Marlin, tuna and wahoo are regularly found offshore. A charter can start in Marsh Harbour on Great Abaco Island.
Florida Keys
The Florida Keys form a chain of islands south of the mainland. Lying 20 nm south of Miami, Elliott Key is a natural first snorkelling stop. The run down the Keys ends in Key West.

When to go to Florida and the Bahamas

Janpeak season
Febpeak season
Marpeak season
Aprpeak season
Mayshoulder season
Junoff season
Juloff season
Augoff season
Sepoff season
Octoff season
Novshoulder season
Decpeak season

The Bahamas season opens in November and peaks from December to April, when conditions are at their most stable for cruising. The dry season lasts from December to May. In South Florida and the Keys, December to March are the ideal months to charter.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November. Summer also brings higher humidity and less predictable weather.

A week in the Bahamas and Florida: 2 itineraries, day by day

Each cruising ground has its own sample week, which the captain adjusts to the wind and weather of the day.

Nassau and the Exumas

A 7-day round trip from Nassau through the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park.

Day 1
Nassau, Paradise Island
Arrival at Lynden Pindling International Airport and embarkation at Atlantis Marina on Paradise Island.
Day 2
Warderick Wells Cay
First call within the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park.
40 nm from the previous stop
Day 3
Staniel Cay
A stop at Big Major's Spot, then Thunderball Grotto by tender.
20 nm from the previous stop
Day 4
Compass Cay
A swim with the island's resident nurse sharks.
10 nm from the previous stop
Day 5
Shroud Cay
Rachel's Bubble Bath, then the mangroves of Shroud Cay by tender.
30 nm from the previous stop
Day 6
Highbourne Cay
A call at Highbourne Cay and its underwater wall facing Exuma Sound.
20 nm from the previous stop
Day 7
Nassau
Back to Nassau for disembarkation.

Fort Lauderdale to Key West

7 days in Florida, from Fort Lauderdale to Key West via Biscayne Bay and the Keys.

Day 1
Fort Lauderdale
Embarkation in Fort Lauderdale, a leading superyacht hub.
Day 2
Miami
A call in Miami, where One Island Park and Island Gardens welcome superyachts.
25 nm from the previous stop
Day 3
Elliott Key
Biscayne Bay and a first snorkelling stop at Elliott Key.
20 nm from the previous stop
Day 4
Key Largo
The run down the Keys begins at Key Largo.
27 nm from the previous stop
Day 5
Islamorada
A day given over to fishing at Islamorada.
15 nm from the previous stop
Day 6
Newfound Harbor
The longest passage of the week takes in Duck Key and Hawk's Cay.
52 nm from the previous stop
Day 7
Key West
Snorkelling at Looe Key before arriving in Key West for disembarkation.
25 nm from the previous stop

Cruising distances

Miami to Bimini	50 nm
Paradise Island to Warderick Wells Cay	40 nm
Warderick Wells Cay to Staniel Cay	20 nm
Fort Lauderdale to Miami	25 nm
Miami to Elliott Key	20 nm
Islamorada to Newfound Harbor	52 nm

Good to know

The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park is a no-take reserve, and its moorings cannot be reserved.

Within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, the captain navigates and anchors clear of coral and seagrass.

Yachts in the Bahamas

The yachts shown here cruise the Bahamas and the Caribbean in winter, and we source the right yacht for Florida on request. Our broker will confirm availability and the itinerary for each charter.

Loon

67.5 m13 guestsIcon Yachts

From €550,000 per week

Calex

67 m12 guestsBenetti Yachts

From €680,000 per week

Triumph

65.4 m12 guestsBenetti Yachts

From €650,000 per week

Lemon Tree

61.5 m14 guestsSanlorenzo

From €485,000 per week

Entourage

60 m12 guestsAmels

From €485,000 per week

Come Together

60 m14 guestsAmels

From €490,000 per week

Illusion V

58 m12 guestsBenetti Yachts

From €350,000 per week

Frequently asked questions

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When is the best time for a Bahamas yacht charter?

The Bahamas season opens in November and peaks from December to April, when conditions are at their most stable for cruising. In South Florida and the Keys, December to March are the ideal months. The hurricane season runs from June to November.

How many days should I plan in the Bahamas?

Most Bahamas charters last between 7 and 10 days. A week allows time to explore the Exumas at a relaxed pace, from Nassau down to Staniel Cay and Compass Cay.

Where do Exumas charters start?

Most crewed yachts in the Bahamas are based in Nassau, served by Lynden Pindling International Airport. Embarkation can take place at Atlantis Marina on Paradise Island. A charter can also end in the heart of the Exumas, with a flight out from Staniel Cay Airport.

Can I cruise to the Bahamas from Miami?

Yes. Bimini lies 50 nm from Miami across the Gulf Stream. The captain chooses the day of the crossing according to the forecast.

Where are the swimming pigs?

The swimming pigs live on Big Major Cay in the Exumas and can only be reached by sea. On the sample week from Nassau, the stop at Big Major's Spot comes before Thunderball Grotto on the Staniel Cay day.