The Bahamas comprises 700 islands and cays; providing some of the best sailing grounds in the world for exploring a tropical paradise. A tropical climate allows for comfortable sailing all year round with temperatures ranging from 70-75F (21-24C) December to February and 80-85F (27-29C) the rest of the year.
The islands are protected by reefs, so the sailing is generally calm. The main islands have the 10 best marinas in the Bahamas, providing services to yachts and access to resort facilities, so you can provision for a trip to explore the surrounding islands, beaches, turquoise waters; and indulge in snorkeling, kayaking, and diving for a closer look at the reef wildlife.
Major islands are the Abacos, Bimini, Grand Bahama, Paradise Island, Berry Islands, Cat Island, Andros, Eleuthera and Harbour Island, Ragged Island, Long Island and Exuma.
1.Abaco Beach Resort & Boat Harbour Marina
The Abacos is a 120-mile long chain of islands with Great Abaco and Little Abaco being considered the mainland. The Abaco Marina is in Marsh Harbour on Great Abaco.
As part of the resort the marina offers full services to yachts; being the largest and most fully equipped marina in the Bahamas.
With access to some of the best beaches in the world, sheltered bays and the calm waters of the Sea of Abaco this area is commonly called the ‘boating capital of the world’!
Marina has 198 all year-round slips, customs, 24-hour security, The Internet, fuelling and electricity services.
2.Resorts World
Marina complex caters for mega-yachts up to 180 feet and smaller yachts (up to 128 feet) in the Fisherman’s Village Marina.
Onshore facilities include; restaurants, shopping, amenities, fitness center, administration block, sports bar, restroom and shower facilities and a casino.
Bimini actually comprises two islands (North and South) and is only 50 miles from Florida, USA. Well known as a favorite escape for Ernest Hemingway.
For a touch of history and mystery visit the Bimini Road; believed to be remains of the Lost City of Atlantis!
3.Bimini Big Game Club
The Bimini Islands are a popular area with fisherman and scuba divers. The marina features 75 slips catering for yachts up to 75 feet. Wi-Fi, cable TV electricity, and water are available at the marina.
Other facilities include a dive and water sports center, restaurant, games, BBQ area, swimming pool, shops and golf cart rental.
Within walking distance of the resort area bank, medical facilities, grocery store, laundry facilities and a beach.
4.Old Bahama Bay Resort & Yacht Harbour
Grand Bahama Island boasts one of the world’s largest underwater cave systems and three national parks, plus the endless beaches and beautiful blue waters.
This marina is full-service with 72 slips (up to 120 feet) and the only marina accessible at night as a point of entry to the Bahamas (red and green entry lights on jetty ends).
Marina participates in the shark-free initiative to protect sharks from being fished. On-site Bahamian Customs and Immigration.
Amenities include water, electricity, ice, fuel, TV and Internet, laundry, showers, BBQ area and access to all resort facilities with 24-hour security patrols.
5.Atlantis Resort
The 63 mega-yacht slips of the marina can be accessed directly from Nassau Harbour. Tie-up assistance is provided along with power, water, laundry and dry cleaning facilities; even 24-hour room service to yachts.
As guests of the marina, you have access to the full resort facilities. Rates vary and have a 50-foot minimum charge; water and electricity are charged by usage.
There are a huge variety of activities and facilities at this luxury resort. A must visit is the water park with 11 pools and 9 slides; including the ‘Leap of Faith’, an almost vertical 60 foot drop down a Mayan temple, into a clear tunnel, through a shark-filled lagoon!
6.Great Harbour Cay Yacht Club & Marina
The Berry Islands are made up of 30 cays; the majority of which are uninhabited. The cays provide miles of swim ashore beaches, dive sites and opportunities for hiking and wildlife watching.
The marina itself has 65 slips (catering for yachts up to 130 feet) and is known as “Hurricane Hole’ one of the most protected marinas in the Bahamas.
Facilities include power, water, ice, showers, laundry, restaurants, stores and car rental.
7.Treasure Cay Hotel Resort & Marina
Treasure Cay Marina is one of only a few deep water marinas and caters for 150 yachts.
Facilities include; water, electricity, internet and cable, showers and laundry, retail options include a grocery store and there is entertainment at the resort on the weekends.
A great location to explore the Abacos chain of islands and beaches.
8.Hawk’s Nest Resort & Marina
A small 28 slips marina providing water, power, fuel, showers, and ice for visitors. Marina guests are welcome at the resort hotel, pool, clubhouse, and bar.
The resort has a PADI dive center. Cat Island is named after the infamous pirate Arthur Catt and is also considered the birthplace of the indigenous ‘rake and scrape’ music.
9.Staniel Cay Yacht Club
The Exumas are an archipelago of 365 cays and islands where nature outnumbers the people; discover footprint-free beaches (some of them the famous pink sand formed from tiny microscopic shelled animals known as Foraminifera) and the swimming pigs on the uninhabited island of Big Major Cay!
The yacht club has 18 slips and can cater for yachts up to 185 feet. Facilities include; fuel, electricity, fresh water, ice, bait Internet, a trash service and more!
10.Valentine’s Resort & Marina
Valentine’s Resort is one of the newest resorts in the Bahamas. The marina features over 50 slips catering for yachts up to 160 feet. All facilities you would expect of a new resort include; water, electricity, fuel, Internet, cable, ice and more.
As marina guests, you have access to dining, nightlife, shops, and activities at the resort. Harbour Island was once the capital of the Bahamas and is famous for its pink sand beaches.
Pink sand beaches are also found along 35 miles of Eleuthera Island (Atlantic Ocean side) and Exuma Island (Caribbean Seaside)
Conclusion
The Bahamas are a unique and beautiful destination for sailing and exploring. The shallow, crystal clear waters provide amazing opportunities to explore the wildlife of the third largest reef in the world, with visibility over 200 feet. A true tropical paradise of beaches, lush vegetation, and turquoise waters; with wildlife, history, and culture to explore.
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Have you already tried one of these beautiful marinas in the Bahamas? Please feel free to share your experiences in the comments below.
Daniella has been passionate about travel, the sea, and nature for many years. As a child, she frequently traveled throughout the Mediterranean and continued with her journeys throughout her adult life.
Her experiences have created the desire within her to share her love for traveling with other passionate and adventurers who want to discover beautiful horizons and new cultures.
A detailed and very comprehensive coverage of the marinas in the Bahamas. Looking through the rest of your site you seem to be very knowledgable on the subject.
If we were to head off a little closer to home (UK) then where would you suggest for the best sailing charter? I am a reasonably experienced and confident sailor but without any qualifications, so a group would probably be a good idea.
Hi Roger,
I would suggest you to check at Sunsail, it is a reliable Charter company and they have well-maintained boats. If you don’t possess any certification, then yes, you’ll need to hire a skipper, which is fun and you can enjoy fully your sailing Holliday!
There are other alternatives like, rent a cabin with other passengers, crewed yacht, which is more expensive, have a nice flotilla with other boats or make a nice sailing tour.
I hope it helped and please, don’t hesitate to contact me for more information, I’ll be more than happy to assist:)
Thank you for the comment and wish you a great day!
Hey it is clearly visible that you have a very good knowledge on this topic. You must have spent a lot time in collecting all the details about these beaches and islands that are present in Bahamas. I had never visited this place till now, but now after reading this article i am very interested in visiting this place in future.
Hi Sundar,
The time doesn’t matter to me as long as Love what I do:)
The Bahamas is a beautiful destination, in fact it’s a real paridise!
Thank you for passing by and wish you to sail soon!
Daniella
What an amazing article you have written. So enticing and inviting to venture out into the oceans of the world.
Although I am not familiar with this profession your detailed article was easy to follow for a novice like me. The top 10 destinations you wrote of sound amazing. I almost wanted to pack my bags whilst reading about all the benefits and highlights. Excellent reading, bookmarked!
Ethan
Hi Ethan,
I am glad you like my article and thank you for having bookmarked my website:)
A very beautiful website and the pictures, they make me want to visit the Bahamas right now! I have been married for 12 years, I am 33, and I have never traveled to leave the U.S. Looks like the Bahamas would be a good place to start. I have always admired Yachts and yachting, it looks cool and relaxing, and rich! Life goals I tell you. I’ll bookmark this site so that I can come back to research further as I plan my trip. Thank you!
Christian,
It’s never too late, indeed the Bahamas is wonderful place for a start:)
Thank you for the having boobmarked my website and for the comment!
Wish you a a nice day
I love your site, but it makes me feel like going on holiday.
Did you take these stunning pictures Daniella? I love the one with the pig swimming in the sea.
I would love to visit the lost city of Atlantis, so the most appealing place to me looks like Bimimi Road. I think that must be extremely interesting.
Hi Michelle,
I am glad you like my website:)
I never been to Bimini, but my friends were there last year and they enjoyed so much! They came back with a big smile on their face:)
Thank you very much for the comment and wish you to sail soon!
When the water looks so clear that it resembles a POOL! Such gorgeous sites these are. Whenever I hear of people talking about the Bahamas, compliments tend to be about the nature of the region as well as the quality of service they experience in their travels as a tourist. One would think I had plenty of experience chartering, seeing as I live in pretty much a port city popular for sailing. Mostly fishing though. I would love to go on a cruise at least once in my life.
Also, how would you recommend experiencing the Bahamas for the first time: as a tourist getting a feel for a new area or as a traveler among local culture?
Hi there,
Yes, the Bahamas is gorgeous, and the water is even clearer than a pool!
If you’ve never been to the Bahamas, then I wish you to do so very soon, it is a real paradise!
I have some good articles about the Bahamas to read in the following links:
Best time to sail in the Bahamas
Where to sail in the Bahamas. I hope these articles will give you an idea about the Bahamas.
Thank you for the comment and wish you a wonderful day!