With over 700 islands and islets to explore you’re going to need to rent a sailboat in Bahamas. There simply is no other way to appreciate this stunning setting.
In fact, 700 is simply the larger landmasses in this archipelago, estimates suggest there may be as many as 2,400 islets and cays! But, while the number of islands is fantastic, what will entice you is the beauty of the turquoise waters and the abundance of sea life just below the waves.
Choosing to rent a sailboat in the Bahamas means you can plot your own course and discover the islands in your own way. Having a skipper is an important consideration, the water’s here is very shallow, you don’t want to run ashore on the sandbanks! Even with the sophisticated GPS devices installed on modern boats, you’re only as good as the chart the GPS is referring to. As the seabed is constantly changing you may find that the boat is aground before you’re depth sounder has even gone off!
There are numerous coves, inlets, islets, and cays to explore but you’ll want to find some time to visit Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. You’ll find the colorful buildings in the older section of town reminiscent of any Caribbean destination. But, you’ll also find a host of buildings that reflect the British Colonial Empire that developed the islands over 150 years ago. It’s also fun to watch the cars, scooters, and jitneys, mixing with traditional horse and carts!
The harbor here separates the ‘mainland’ from Paradise Island where you’ll find a world of luxury awaiting cruise ship passengers and anyone else who wants to visit.
It s best to take a mooring as anchors don’t tend to hold well, especially in anything other than calm weather.
Head southeast from Nassau and you’ll find the Exuma Cays, this is a great spot to anchor in calm weather. This chain of tiny islands is home to a few villages with very friendly locals. The beaches are stunning, as is the marine life you’ll find just below the turquoise water. It’s worth noting that this area is a protected National Park, you need to respect this and enjoy without disturbing.
This is becoming a popular destination and you’ll find many mass picnics on the beach, organized by local tour companies. At the far end of the Exuma’s, you’ll find George Town, a modern town with all the amenities you could need and a harbor for mooring in.
To the East of this, you’ll find an array of islands to explore. It’s worth taking a look at Eleuthera which is covered in oranges and pineapples. You can also sail past Devil’s Backbone to get to the pink sand beaches of Harbour Island. Of course, the Devil’s backbone is a treacherous reef that needs expert guidance.
Head further south and you’ll find Cat Island and a more traditional way of Bahama life, the locals farm the rolling hills and there are plenty of fascinating cliffs, inlets, and stunning beaches.
If you have the time you can go further south and even to the east, you’ll find less-visited islands that are real gems, such as Rum Cay, although this is still recovering from hurricane damage. The further you go the more remote and dangerous the islands become. That’s because there is little shelter if you’re planning on anchoring. It is worth taking a look at Samana Cay, it’s believed to be where Christopher Columbus first anchored.
The Bahamas are challenging to sail, which is why we recommend you rent a sailboat in Bahamas with a skipper. The water is the clearest in the world and you won’t run out of impressive sights, including the third-largest barrier reef in the world and the forbidding Dean’s Blue Hole, which is one of the deepest blue holes in the world!
Check out and find the perfect sailboat for your Bahamas trip and talk to our first-class customer service team, they’ll help you navigate the hiring process and enjoy the experience of a lifetime.
