Yacht Charter Nassau

Yacht Charter Nassau

Yacht Charter In Nassau

On a Nassau yacht charter with Borrow a Boat you can explore most of the Bahamas. Whether a big game fishing boat rental at the Berry Islands, partying at one of the resorts or island-hopping Exuma, a Nassau sailing holiday is going to be an experience you never forget

The capital of the Bahamas, Nassau itself is a city built around fun. The Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island is a mecca for many tourists with its waterpark, casinos, hotels and bars that many visitors to Nassau never leave.

Downtown Nassau has its attractions too - the bars and restaurants are a great way to start your sailing holiday. Visit Old Town and see the Parliament Building, and shop at the Straw Market. Fill yourself with conch at Potters Cay and get down to Cable Beach for a foretaste of the fun to be had on your Bahamas boat charter.

The island is small and for many a starting and ending point of seeing the 'real Bahamas' with its cruise ship terminal and airport. On your Nassau sailing vacation you're likely to head down to the marina and ship out after a night - depending on what floats your boat.

Explore Nassau By Renting A Yacht

On your Bahamas yacht charter out of Nassau there are a variety of things you can do. Just off the coast of Nassau is Rose Island, a small low lying island that boaters love as it is closer to the essence of life in the Bahamas - laid back with grill barbecues and even an area inland full of hammocks to chill on!

To the north of Nassau are the Berry Islands that sit on a unique bit of underwater topography that invites all manner of big game fish in to feed. That means you could go down to the Berry Islands to catch a prize marlin on a sport fishing boat charter. There are is a marina up there and accommodation for people on a sport fishing holiday.

For those who don't necessarily wish to kill the fish they see, the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park out to the east of Nassau may appeal. This large marine reserve is kept for those who wish to go snorkeling and scuba diving on the coral reefs.

Exuma is laid back and relaxed. Norman's Cay and Allan's Cay are the essence of chill, and for those who want to stay awhile you can spend a couple of nights ashore on the exclusive private resort of Fowl Cay with its secluded beaches.

You can't explore the Bahamas without seeing the pink, pristine beaches of Eleuthera and Harbour Island. Sixty miles to the east of Nassau this is effectively a barrier island with a whopping 210 miles of coastline and three regional airports. For those seeking a breather from crowds you will find your spot!

How To Get To Nassau

Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS)

This has limited regular flights from London but a number of regular flights from the mainland USA. It is the biggest airport in the Bahamas. You can catch a bus or a yellow taxi on to your charter base.

Marinas In Nassau

There are three major marinas in Nassau with private yacht charter available.

Palm Cay Marina:

A major yacht charter hub with charter companies offering crewed and bareboat catamaran charter, sailing yacht charter, luxury yacht charter and motor yacht charter.

Berth Characteristics:

194 berths

Max Length 21m (70 Feet)

Max Draught 2.4m (8 Feet)

List of additional services: Shore power, water, WiFi, shower/WC, launderette, garbage disposal, cash machine, currency exchange, gym, supermarket, restaurant.

Nassau Yacht Haven:

An important yacht charter hub with charter companies offering crewed and bareboat charter sailing catamaran charters, sailing yacht charters, luxury yacht charter and motor yacht charters.

Berth Characteristics:

135 berths

Max Length 61m (200 Feet)

Max Draught 5.5 m (18 Feet)

List of additional services: Shore power, water, WiFi, shower/WC, launderette, garbage disposal, cash machine, currency exchange, supermarket, restaurant.

Bay Street Marina:

Capable of taking the largest yachts in the Bahamas, this is a yacht charter base with charter companies offering crewed and bareboat charter sailing catamaran, sailing yacht, luxury yacht and motor yacht rental.

Berth Characteristics:

120 berths

Max Length 152.4m (500 Feet)

Max Draught 6m (20 Feet)

List of additional services: Shore power, water, WiFi, shower/WC, launderette, garbage disposal, cash machine, currency exchange, supermarket, restaurant

Suggested Sailing Routes From Nassau

So, what do you want from a Bahamas yacht charter? Serious chill on a sandy beach? Snorkelling or scuba diving on a protected coral reef off your charter yacht? Catching big game? A boat charter out of Nassau can mean all these and more!

7 Days - Exuma and Eleuthera: Heading west on the Caribbean sea out of Nassau you can spend the first afternoon and evening on Rose Island before making the crossing to Harbour Island for the next evening. Eleuthera is a short sail south but you will have plenty of opportunities to explore and perhaps go snorkelling. After a half day's sail on to Exuma you can explore these cays, pausing at Norman's Cay and Allan's Cay. From here you will cross back to Nassau to prepare to hand over the boat and head home.

14 Days: On a 14 day Nassau yacht charter you can get as far SE as the salt and flamingo island of Inagua, island hopping through the Bahamas and pausing at places like Eleuthera, Cat Island, Crooked Island, Long Island and Exuma as you explore this fascinating yet extremely chilled part of the world. Get a taste for the local wilderness at West Side National Park close to Andros, before exploring Grand Bahama and then heading back to Nassau.

Best Times To Hire A Yacht In Nassau

Unlike Europe, the sailing season in the Bahamas runs from November to May - perfect for a dose of winter sun. The NE Trades are settled and you will encounter weather between 25-35 degrees C.

Within this period, March and April after the winter northerlies have passed are cooler yet the sailing is just as fun as the rest of the year.

For those who want to try something a little outside their comfort zone, August and September are said to be the very best sailing months of all.

There's a problem with this - many yacht charter fleets will not be in the area thanks to hurricane season that runs between July and November. If booked and a hurricane is on its way your holiday will be cancelled. There is no minimising the danger of being in the region in a hurricane - there is no high ground and with the general trend for ever fiercer storms, it is not an experience to even risk being around for.

The Climate

North East Trade Winds: These are regular and can get up to F6 at times, but steady and predictable.

FAQs:

What should I consider when hiring a Yacht or Boat?

The main points to consider are what is your budget, have you got the necessary sailing experience and qualifications to manage the boat if it's not going to have a skipper, whom you are taking sailing, where exactly you wish to go and what will the weather be like on the proposed dates of your trip.

What are the Marinas in Nassau?

There are three main marinas in Nassau, all of which are quite small. Palm Cay Marina is the largest but takes boats up to 70 feet. The smallest is Bay Street Marina and this takes mega yachts of up to 500 feet. Nassau Yacht Haven handles vessels of up to 200 feet. All are very well appointed with bars, restaurants and the facilities you'd expect for a primarily American clientele.

When are the best times to hire a boat in Nassau?

Nassau is in the northern Tropics and this means blissful trade winds and comfortable temperatures year round. The cooler part of the year from November to May is better for yacht charters simply because the hurricane season coincides with the hotter and wetter part of the year. As ever, if serious chill is the name of the game, then come out outside of school holidays.

Do you have to pay a deposit when hiring a Yacht in Nassau?

You will typically pay 50% up front on booking the yacht hire and the balance on arrival. You will either pay a security deposit with your credit card on departure or can get insurance covering damage in advance. In some cases (such as the recent Covid situation) charter companies may be more flexible but this depends on the individual charter companies themselves.

What happens if my Yacht breaks down?

If you are at sea and in danger, call MAYDAY on VHF Ch16 or ring the coast guard on your phone if you have reception. If you have a mechanical fault and can make it to or are on a mooring you will be able to phone a help line number given by the boat charter company.

What should I think of before I hire a Yacht or Boat in Nassau?

You should consider do you have the experience to handle the yacht charter or boat hire before you book and where do you want to go along with what the weather will be like. Dress for warm weather but do have something for tropical rains - light but waterproof.

What Qualifications Do I need to hire a boat or yacht?

If you want to sail without a skipper then you will need relevant qualifications like RYA Day Skipper/International Certificate of Competence (ICC)/ASA 104 Bareboat certificate or the US Sailing Certificate. For small 'day boats' or if you choose to have a skipper on board your yacht charter you typically don't require licences.