With more than 700 islands and cays, The Bahamas offers an extraordinary cruising playground. Beyond the famous beaches and impossibly blue shallows, the archipelago rewards those who know when to follow the tides, where to discover extraordinary marine life and which island restaurants are worth a visit.
Forget the spa for an afternoon. Tucked into the northern end of Compass Cay in the Exumas, Rachel’s Bubble Bath is a natural swimming pool with a rather unusual party trick. As Atlantic swells break over the surrounding rocks, seawater cascades into the sheltered pool, creating a frothy, bubbling jacuzzi effect. Reached by tender and a short walk across the island, this natural wonder is best visited around high tide.
“It's great fun watching the waves spill over the rocks and turn the pool into a natural jacuzzi. Just make sure you time it with the tides.”
One of the most memorable experiences in the Exumas begins with a tender journey through the mangroves of Shroud Cay, an uninhabited island within the protected Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. Winding tidal creeks cut through dense green mangroves, eventually opening onto a spectacular Atlantic-facing beach. The attraction is the natural lazy river, where tidal currents can carry swimmers through the shallows when conditions are right.
A visit requires careful timing, which is where an experienced charter crew makes all the difference. The northern creek permits tenders at idle speed, while the island's other tidal creeks are off-limits to motorised vessels.
“Floating down the lazy river is a must. Staniel Cay Yacht Club and Highbourne Cay are lovely lunch stops, but nothing beats catching your own mahi-mahi and having the chef serve it fresh back on board.”
The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park is an underwater paradise, where decades of marine protection have allowed coral reefs and marine life to flourish. Snorkelling here is exceptional, with thriving populations of tropical fish, sea turtles and rays. Above the surface, the deserted beaches and sheltered anchorages of Warderick Wells offer another reason to spend a day exploring this extraordinary stretch of the Exumas.
“I'd always make time for Warderick Wells. The marine life is wonderful because the area has been protected for so many years. Even if you've snorkelled all over the Caribbean, it's worth getting into the water here.”
North of the Exumas, Harbour Island offers a different side of Bahamian life. Its celebrated Pink Sands Beach stretches for approximately three miles along the Atlantic coast, its distinctive rosy hue created by tiny fragments of marine organisms mixed with the sand. Beyond the beach, the pastel-coloured cottages, independent boutiques and waterfront restaurants of Dunmore Town make it well worth spending an afternoon ashore.
“I'd recommend allowing more than a week if you want to combine Eleuthera with the Exumas. Alternatively, it's a wonderful addition to an itinerary through the Berry Islands, with some excellent restaurants and beautiful beaches along the way.”
Located on Elbow Cay, the picturesque settlement is instantly recognisable by its red-and-white striped lighthouse, which has watched over the harbour since the 19th century. Beyond its colourful cottages and historic streets, the surrounding islands offer beautiful beaches, relaxed beach bars and countless opportunities to explore by tender. Spend the afternoon discovering little island hideaways, stop ashore for a drink or visit the sandy shores of nearby Tahiti Beach.
“Firefly is one of my favourite tables on Elbow Cay, with its waterfront setting and excellent local seafood. For sundowners, Abaco Inn has a spectacular position between the Atlantic and the Sea of Abaco.”
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With firsthand destination knowledge and access to an exceptional international charter fleet, the Camper & Nicholsons team can help guests discover the islands through the recommendations of brokers who know them personally. Plan your Bahamas yacht charter with Camper & Nicholsons.
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LOON
From $550,000 per week
2010 (2020) 67.50M 7 Cabins 12 Guests
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BLEU DE NIMES
From €490,000 per week
1980 (2020) 72.25M 13 Cabins 28 Guests
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C
From $390,000 per week
2021 (2026) 54.20M 7 Cabins 12 Guests
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LULUS
From $290,000 per week
2026 44.00M 5 Cabins 12 Guests
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NURI
From $210,000 per week
2021 40.51M 5 Cabins 12 Guests
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WHITE STAR
From $195,000 per week
2026 39.20M 5 Cabins 12 Guests
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GUILLEMOT
From $125,000 per week
2004 (2021) 43.00M 5 Cabins 10 Guests
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EVEXIAS I
From $120,000 per week
2024 32.85M 5 Cabins 8 Guests
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FAVOR
From $95,000 per week
2000 (2024) 38.74M 5 Cabins 10 Guests
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