Yacht Charter Nassau

Yacht Charter in Nassau

Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas and the main entry point for charter yachts arriving in the archipelago — a vibrant, colourful city of colonial architecture, duty-free shopping, world-class casinos, and an extraordinarily beautiful natural harbour that has been in use since the 17th century. Nassau sits on New Providence Island, the most densely populated island in the Bahamas, and its contrasts — the elegant historic downtown alongside the resort strip of Paradise Island; the traditional Bahamian neighbourhoods of Grant's Town and Grants Town alongside the luxury hotels of Cable Beach — reflect the broader tensions and dynamism of a small island nation that has transformed itself in a generation into one of the Caribbean's most visited destinations.

Downtown Nassau and the Historic Centre

Downtown Nassau preserves a remarkable collection of colonial-era architecture — pastel-coloured warehouses and merchants' houses from the 18th and 19th centuries that line Bay Street and the adjacent alleys. The Queen's Staircase, 66 steps carved by slaves from solid limestone in the late 18th century as an escape route from Fort Fincastle, is one of Nassau's most visited historic monuments. The Pirates of Nassau Museum, housed in a replica of a 17th-century pirate ship, tells the story of the golden age of piracy in the Caribbean when Nassau was the headquarters of Blackbeard, Anne Bonny, and Calico Jack. The Nassau Straw Market, rebuilt after a fire in the 1990s, sells locally made straw baskets, hats, and souvenirs.

Paradise Island and the Resort Scene

Paradise Island, connected to Nassau by two bridges, is home to the Atlantis Paradise Island resort — one of the largest resort complexes in the Caribbean, with its famous water park, aquarium, casino, and marina. The Paradise Island Marina is an excellent base for charter yachts exploring the Bahamas chain, with good provisioning, repair facilities, and easy access to the Nassau International Airport. The Nassau Harbour, between the two islands, is busy with ferry traffic, cruise ships, and water taxis, and the view from the harbour of the Paradise Island skyline and the Nassau waterfront is one of the most recognisable in the Caribbean.

Gateway to the Exumas

Nassau's most important function for charter sailors is as the gateway to the Out Islands — particularly the Exumas, the most popular sailing destination in the Bahamas. The passage from Nassau southeast through the Yellow Bank and into the Exuma chain takes about 12 to 16 hours in good conditions, and the rewards are enormous: the turquoise waters of the Exuma Bank, the swimming pigs of Big Major Cay, the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, and dozens of uninhabited islands and cays accessible only by boat. Nassau is also the provisioning stop for extended Bahamas cruising, with the best-stocked supermarkets and marine supplies in the archipelago.