Chartering a yacht in The Bahamas – Exumas
Within the Bahamas, the Exumas are an archipelago of 365 islands. With sapphire blue waters the Exumas are an exotic collection of dreamy havens. It is a tropical paradise with footprint free beaches and natural wonders. Nature outnumbers man and coastlines remain flawless. The Exumas truly are the ultimate escape! The islands are not greatly developed so don’t expect to many busy beach bars or vibrant night-life.
Here’s a possible itinerary which of course can be modified as desired. Whether you are looking to beach comb, snorkel, hike, explore caves, offshore fish for wahoo, mahi and tuna, fly fish the flats for bonefish or just relax your yacht crew will ensure you have a fantastic vacation.
Here are just some of the places you could visit in a one-week charter:
Shroud Cay
Shroud Cay is wonderful to explore. It’s in the Exuma Land and Sea Park, an uninhabited archipelago of cays and rocks surrounding a shallow mangrove salina. Take the dinghy, kayaks or paddleboards and explore creeks that meander through the mangroves and go all the way to the most picturesque secluded beaches. The creeks are filled with turtles, sharks and bonefish and beautiful tropical birds are everywhere. It is truly a magical adventure!
Hawkesbill Cay
Hawksbill Cay is just south of Shroud Cay and is also in the Exuma Land and Sea Park. It has some incredible trails that can take you up to a point where you can overlook the bay where we anchor. Snorkeling is pristine and sunsets are awe-inspiring!
Warderick Wells
Warderick Wells is headquarters to the Exuma Land and Sea Park. There are lots of incredible snorkeling spots with amazing sea life and brightly colored coral. At the south end of the island is a snorkel spot with fascinating formations called stromolites. These formations are rare in today’s oceans. Stromolites are living relatives of the Earth’s oldest reefs. There are also several hiking options including a trip to the Pirates Lair.
Cambridge Cay
Cambridge Cay is on the southern boundary of the Exuma Land and Sea Park and northern end of Pipe Creek. There are great trails for exploring the island. One of the best hikes in the Exumas takes you to the other side of the island and then up along a ridgeline with breathtaking views of both the Exuma Sound and Bahamas Bank. The grass flat on Cambridge Cay is a natural feeding area for sea turtles.
Pipe Creek
Pipe Creek is a beautiful winding passage that runs through the small islands between Compass Cay and Staniel Cay. There are incredible spots for snorkeling such as a Coral Garden, a sunken airplane and Rocky Dundas, which are two looming cays with caves that have stalactite and stalagmite formations. There is also a magically beautiful sand bar at low tide with lots of seashells and sand dollars. And a trip to Pipe Creek wouldn’t be the same without a visit to Rachael’s Bubble Bath.
Staniel Cay
Staniel Cay, just outside of the southern boundary of Pipe Creek, is where the action is! It is inhabited by a small Bahamian village and the Staniel Cay Yacht Club which has a fun bar and wonderful restaurant. From Staniel Cay visit the famous swimming pigs on nearby Big Major Cay, snorkel in the amazing and colourful Thunderball Grotto which was featured in a James Bond movie and maybe even try your hand at fly fishing for the elusive gray ghosts – bonefish!
Itinerary suggested by the crew of the power cat Giovannino, based in the Bahamas.