It’s no wonder thousands of vacationers come to the Bahamas every year: beautiful, sun-soaked beaches, clear water, and the palm-trees-warm-breeze aesthetic make these islands a top vacation destination. But many people head straight to Nassau’s large-scale resorts like Atlantis or Baha Mar without any idea of other options (i.e. charter a boat in the Bahamas)
It makes sense; an all-inclusive resort is an attractive prospect, with luxury amenities and pristine stretch of shore. But I’d like to argue for a different approach when it comes to vacationing in the Bahamas.
“Adventure charters” are becoming more popular. They’re owner-operated: the captain invites you on board and introduces you to the cruising lifestyle. A few days, a week, or even longer-term—whatever the duration, for me, this is the ultimate vacation.
Maybe I’ve lost you already, but before you dismiss this idea as ‘way out there,’ ‘too expensive’ or ‘not my thing’, let’s dive in a little deeper.
Below are 5 reasons to charter a boat in the Bahamas:
1. You’ll get a more authentic Bahamas experience
Resorts are beautiful, luxurious, and relaxing, but let’s face it: they’ve got nothing to do with real Bahamian culture. Getting outside of the resort bubble will show you the Bahamas at its most authentic; you can visit the local grocery stores, restaurants, and bars, even the neighborhoods. You might meet people you otherwise never would have, and you’ll get a taste of what these islands really have to offer.
2. It can be relatively inexpensive to charter a boat
Chartering a boat doesn’t necessarily mean chartering a luxury yacht, although if your budget allows for that, then go for it. But a lot of adventure charters are relatively inexpensive. If you’re prepared to pay an all-inclusive resort fee, you can probably justify a chartered boat. Typical costs sit between $3500–$6000 for the week.
3. It can still be all-inclusive
The all-inclusive factor is a huge draw of the large-scale resorts, but many boat charters offer the same set-up. You bring your bathing suit, maybe your camera and a book; the captain and crew will take care of everything else. And I mean everything: food, drinks, water toys, masks, snorkels, spear poles, fishing gear, etc.
Guests can talk it all through with the captain beforehand, including food preferences, allergies, and any activities high on your list.
4. More to see and do when you charter a boat
The Bahamas consists of about 700 islands—why would you want to see just one? Chartering a boat makes it much easier to island-hop and explore lesser-known places missing from the guide books. Because many islands are close together, you can easily move on to the next one, with no schlepping it back to your hotel at the end of the day.
And if you enjoy meeting new people while traveling, you’ll meet a lot more Bahamians than you would by spending the entire week by a resort pool.
5. It’s a great experience for couples or small groups
It’s true that chartering a boat is more expensive for one couple, but it’s a lot more manageable if you can split the cost with friends or family. With the more intimate setting and shared activities, this type of vacation can be a great bonding experience.
And the biggest plus? Unlike a shared house, the all-inclusive set-up means there’s no stress of grocery shopping, meal planning, and cooking for a large group. Just soak up the sun together and let the crew do their thing.
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So why charter a boat in the Bahamas? If you want an authentic cultural experience that’s relatively inexpensive, still all-inclusive yet beyond the resort walls, grab your closest friends or the family members you like best, and get ready for your best vacation yet. Somewhere just off one of those sugar-sand beaches, a captain and crew are waiting to show you what the Bahamas are really like.
Speaking of crew, I can’t help but recommend the crew we sailed with during our Bahamas adventure elopement and honeymoon: Team Sail La Vie, with Captain Steph.
You’ll also love: We climbed to the top of a lighthouse on our wedding day!
Spend a week with Captain Steph and her crew, and you’ll never want to leave the Caribbean. Not only is she the captain of a 46-foot catamaran, but she’s a 4-time pole spear world record holder, a spearfishing guide, and a free dive instructor. She’s incredibly knowledgeable, the kind of person you want taking you through unfamiliar waters. We had the time of our lives with her and her crew.
For more info on Captain Steph, check out her website or follow her on Instagram.
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