Bahamas sailing charters: Exumas catamaran prices & best time

Sailboats anchored off the sandbars at Warderick Wells, Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. Photo: cogdogblog (Alan Levine), CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. All photo credits

Most Bahamas sailing charters leave from Palm Cay Marina in Nassau and head for the Exumas. December to May is the best season, with steady trade winds and dry weather. Shallow, very clear water and long cays, sailed out of Nassau. It suits catamarans especially well.

Looking for discounts? See the operator offers we checked by hand in This Week's Charter Deals #4.

What a week costs

Weekly charter fee for the whole boat, before extras. Charter prices change constantly. These are published ranges, not quotes.

Boat	Low season rate	High season rate	Source
Sailing catamaran, Leopard 42–50 ft, The Moorings (Palm Cay, Nassau)	$5,845–11,060	$12,425–26,600	^{[Virgin Island Sailing (broker)]}

Another broker gives typical Exumas base fees of $4,000–6,500 a week for a bareboat catamaran and $2,800–5,000 for a bareboat monohull. ^{[WI Yachts]}
The Moorings' Exumas extras: yacht damage insurance at $73–98 a night, a 4% Bahamas tax, and a skipper at $249 a day plus meals and gratuity. ^{[Virgin Island Sailing (broker)]}

When to go

The best season runs December to May, with constant trade winds and dry weather. ^{[WI Yachts]}

See every month for Bahamas at a glance in our free best time to sail calendar.

What you need: licence or skipper

For a bareboat you'll typically need an internationally recognised qualification, such as an ICC or ASA 104 (Bareboat Cruising). ^{[WI Yachts]}

Requirements vary by charter company. Always check with yours before you book.

Main charter bases

The Moorings: Palm Cay Marina, Nassau. ^{[Virgin Island Sailing (broker)]}

Compare other charter destinations

Before you book, read how to read a charter deal.

Sources

Virgin Island Sailing (broker), The Moorings Exumas, Bahamas – Bareboat Charter Rates (checked 20 Oct 2026)
WI Yachts, Exumas Yacht Charters (re-checked 26 Oct 2026)

Written by Maciej Chmura, a hobby sailor and the founder of Sailing Weekly.