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SailChecker · The Art of Charter
Caribbean · Bahamas

Bahamas Sailing Itinerary

Bimini to the Exumas — 700 islands, gin-clear water, gentle trade winds

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Introduction

Imagine the perfect tropical destination holiday — palm trees over your sunbeds, cocktails in hand, crystal-clear light-blue water as far as you can see, and endless white sandy beaches. Add the finest snorkelling spots on earth and one of the largest protected marine parks in the world (the Exumas Land and Sea Park) and you have the Bahamas Sailing Itinerary.

Two hundred kilometres of island paradise, gentle winds, easy line-of-sight sailing — the Bahamas have always been every skipper's dream of a tropical getaway. Starting fifty miles off the Florida coast and then stretching for 700 islands, this is the cruising ground where Hemingway wrote Islands in the Stream and where today's charterers find sheltered anchorages within line-of-sight of the next island.

Our Bahamas itinerary starts in Nassau and runs south through the Exumas — Highbourne Cay, Allan's Cay, Warderick Wells, Shroud Cay, Norman's Cay — before a free-sail Friday back to base. Most charter fleets are based at Palm Cay, only 35 minutes south-east of Lyndon-Pindling Airport (NAS).

The Route

Your Bahamas Day by Day

  1. Day 1

    Nassau

    Arrive at the base, organise your provisioning, and settle the crew in. Nassau is the political and social centre of the Bahamas, but use it for provisions and air-entry then leave the cruise-ship traffic behind. Neighbouring Paradise Island is dominated by the huge Atlantis Royal Towers Hotel.

    SailChecker Tip

    Provision at the Solomon's Supercenter in Nassau before heading south — the cays have limited stores.

    Overnight: Palm Cay Marina, Nassau

  2. Day 2

    Highbourne Cay

    35 NM

    Wake early and head down to Highbourne Cay, a private island in the Northern Exumas. Dive in and explore the Bahamian sandbars and snorkelling reefs that the cay is famous for.

    Overnight: Highbourne Marina (16 slips, VHF 71)

  3. Day 3

    Allan's Cay

    5 NM

    Short hop south to Allan's Cay — home to a colony of Bahamian iguanas. Land on the beach (carefully; they're inquisitive) and snorkel the reef on the lee side.

    Overnight: Anchorage off Allan's Cay

  4. Day 4

    Warderick Wells Cay

    20 NM

    Head south to Warderick Wells, the heart of the Exumas Land and Sea Park and the headquarters of the organisation that protects this stretch of ocean. Take the dinghy ashore and walk the nature trails. We strongly recommend spending the whole day here — snorkelling, hiking, and swimming on the cay's 20 deserted beaches.

    SailChecker Tip

    Bring exact change for park moorings — payment goes in the small box on the beach.

    Overnight: Park moorings, Warderick Wells (book ahead on VHF)

  5. Day 5

    Shroud Cay

    8 NM

    A short sail to Shroud Cay (24°33.40'N 76°50.00'W). Take the dinghy to the north of the island and find the river entrance that gives you the impression of being on a tributary of the Amazon — mangrove-lined creeks alive with rays and reef sharks.

    Overnight: Park moorings, Shroud Cay

  6. Day 6

    Norman's Cay

    5 NM

    Lazy morning, then a short sail north (less than an hour) to Norman's Cay. The cay was once the operating base of Carlos Lehder, the Medellín cartel's air transport chief — you can dinghy to the wrecks of his drug-running planes and the ruins of his quarters on the south-west point.

    Overnight: Anchorage at Norman's Cay

  7. Day 7

    Free Sail back to Nassau

    30–40 NM

    Friday calls for last-minute stops. Choose between the pristine beaches at Highbourne Cay and Allan's Cay before making your way back up to Nassau. Finish your week at Paradise Island.

    Overnight: Palm Cay Marina, Nassau

Practical Details

Plan Your Bahamas Charter

Getting there

The Bahamas are served by frequent international flights. Fly to Nassau (NAS), Georgetown (GGT), or Staniel Cay (STA). Lyndon-Pindling Airport (Nassau) is only 35 minutes from Palm Cay marina. US residents can also check Bahamasair, Sky Bahamas, Flamingo Air, and Air Flight Charter for inter-island connections.

Weather

The best time for our Bahamas Sailing Itinerary is between September and May, when daytime averages are 21–24°C (70–75°F). Summer (June–August) climbs to 27–29°C (80–85°F). Night-time temperatures are generally comfortable. Hurricane season runs June through November; chartering is restricted accordingly.

Wind

Gentle easterly trade winds of around 15 knots blow year-round, making for predictable, easy passages on line-of-sight bearings between the cays.

Currency & language

Bahamian Dollar (B$) is pegged 1:1 to the US Dollar — US notes are accepted everywhere. English is the spoken language. Major Canadian and US banks have branches throughout the islands. UK and EU visitors do not require a visa for stays under 90 days.

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