Boasting over 700 colourful islands, The Bahamas are an ideal destination for a yacht charter holiday. Whilst each island has its own unique charm, they all boast crystal-clear waters, stunning beaches, and a host of marine life, perfect for diving or snorkelling. Warm, gentle trade winds create optimum sailing conditions and have led to the Bahamas being considered a true sailor’s paradise.

With so much to do and so many islands to explore, there simply isn’t enough time to cover all that The Bahamas has to offer, so here are a few of our favourite destinations in this beautiful part of the world…

Nassau and Paradise Island

Nassau, on the island of New Providence, is the capital of The Bahamas and, along with neighbouring Paradise Island, is undoubtedly the place to go for lively clubs, casinos and restaurants. Full of personality, Nassau is home to pastel-coloured buildings, rum-loving locals and rhythmic percussions.

Just offshore, accessible via a bridge, is Paradise Island which is home to a championship golf course and the famous Atlantis Resort – an entertainment mecca boasting the largest waterpark in the Caribbean and the largest open-air marine habitat in the world.

The Exumas

Just 35 miles southeast of Nassau lie the Exumas, an archipelago of 365 islands and cays. In a change of pace from the capital, here you’ll find untouched white-sand beaches, as well as protected landscapes and wildlife. The islands are divided into three major areas, Great Exuma and Little Exuma – which are known for their laidback atmosphere – and the stunning Exuma Cays: a string of mostly uninhabited islands which act as a playground for the rich and famous.

Founded as the world’s first land-and-sea reserve in 1958, the protected Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park boasts 176-square-miles of crystal-clear water, perfect for diving and snorkelling. This ecological preserve and wildlife refuge is famous for its breath-taking marine environment.

The Exumas are also famous for some not-so-wild life in the form of domesticated swimming pigs! Visit Big Major Cay to feed these friendly animals who are so sociable they swim out to be fed when a boat arrives!

Bimini

Bimini consists of two main islands, North Bimini and South Bimini, which are connected by a shallow flat. Located just 50 miles from the United States, rumrunners stored their stashes here during the prohibition era, they also stored it on the S.S. Sapona which is now one of Bimini’s many shipwrecks. As well as acting as underwater museums, these shipwrecks attract a host of marine life making them perfect for diving and snorkelling.

In the waters just off of North Bimini, you’ll find The Bimini Road. This is a perfectly straight alignment of stones which stretches over 1,500 feet and is believed to be part of a road system of the Lost City of Atlantis.

Ashore, the Bimini Nature Trail on South Bimini offers the chance to witness a host of plants, birds, reptiles and other exotic animals in their natural habitat; and the mythical healing hole, the Fountain of Youth, is also situated within the island’s lush wilderness.

Andros Island

Andros Island is the largest island in The Bahamas at 2,300 square miles. It boasts a huge barrier reef – the world’s third largest –  which is 190-miles-long and extends more than 6,000 feet below the ocean.

With more than 50% being national park, this is the largest protected area in The Bahamas, and is perfect for those who enjoy the outdoors – from divers and snorkellers to bird watchers and fishers. In fact, many consider Andros the Bonefishing Capital of The World thanks to its vast areas of wetland which create channels perfect for bonefishing.

Andros is not as developed as some of the other islands in The Bahamas and therefore is perfect when you’re looking for some downtime. Its beaches are secluded, and its settlements are quaint and known for their local charm.

An abundance of magical islands and unique water activities make The Bahamas perfect for exploring by yacht. Discover our full list of charter yachts here.