Yachting in the Bahamas – a guide to the yachts and hops

Suddenly the Winter is over; most of the Alpine snow has all but turned to slush. Time to start thinking about summer holidays, and what better place to begin than the Bahamas! With year round consistent temperatures of 27 °C, refreshing Atlantic breezes, and hundreds of miles of white sandy beaches, the Bahamas is a unique paradise on earth. Across the island chain there are numerous beach resorts and hotels to choose from, and even a number of private islands to rent. But to truly experience the Bahamas and reach the most secluded and unspoilt islands, then a luxury yacht charter is the only way to travel! The Exuma Islands are in the lower Bahamas and remain an unspoilt idyllic retreat, only accessible by private yacht. These islands form a string of pearls that include a variety of natural harbours and secluded beaches that span over a hundred miles of clear blue water. The Exumas are the perfect setting for total relaxation, with distinct personalities and natural wonders. At one island there are even resident wild pigs that swim out to greet the arriving sailors when a yacht drops anchor (really they’re after a feed; not quite a tale of flying pigs, but pretty close!) Here’s a quick island hop of the three most popular yachting stops across the Exumas: 1. Staniel Cay is the cruising headquarters for the Exuma Cays. The island is well known for the friendliness of its people, its beautiful clear waters and its secluded beaches. Staniel Cay is a also a great location for bone, reef and deep-sea fishing, but it is perhaps best known as the location for the James Bond movies Thunderball and Never Say Never Again. The ‘Thunderball Grotto’ is one of the most outstanding snorkelling locations of the entire Bahamas and is not to be missed! 2. Warderick Wells is next and it is likely to provide memories that will last you a lifetime. Established as a Land and Sea Park in the mid 1980’s, Warderick Wells is a paradise to behold. It offers miles of hiking trails for walkers and its crystal clear waters offer the chance for some great snorkelling. 3. Head for Shroud Cay, an uninhabited island comprised of an archipelago of small cays and rocks surrounding a shallow mangrove salina. Owned by Exuma Park, Shroud Cay provides a unique nursery for a huge variety of wildlife, including sea turtles, conch and crawfish. Most of the waterways and creeks at Shroud Cay are only accessible by dinghy or waverunner and tourists should be careful to maintain a low speed when exploring the northern creek. And what about the yacht? M/Y CHILLS is the ideal choice… an 85ft Pacific Mariner motor yacht, with a shallow draft of only 5ft for getting in close to the beach. Accommodation comprises 4 luxury en-suite staterooms, and service is taken care of by the 4 crew members (including a private chef). Water sports is key to any Bahamian holiday, and here M/Y CHILLS does not disappoint – from 24ft deep-sea fishing tender and two Yamaha Waverunners; to sea scooters & paddleboards, wakeboards and water trampoline – this yacht has it all! M/Y CHILLS is available for private yacht charter in the Bahamas from $37,500 USD for up to 8 people, that’s less than $5k USD per head for a holiday of a lifetime! Daniel Barber is Director of AquaCruise Yacht Charter. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.