Rose Island
About forty minutes east of the harbour. A string of quiet beaches and shallow anchorages, and the most common half day destination we run. Good swimming, usually calm, and close enough that you are not spending the day travelling.
Explore, Nassau
Nassau Bahamas Guide
What Nassau is actually like as a charter base, written by the people who run boats out of it.
Nassau as a Starting Point
Nassau sits on the north side of New Providence, with Paradise Island directly across the harbour. Almost every charter we run begins here, and that is not an accident. The harbour is sheltered, the marinas are deep enough for large yachts, and within twenty minutes of leaving the dock you are in water clear enough to see the anchor on the bottom.
Most visitors see Nassau from a cruise ship or a resort, which gives a slightly misleading picture. From the water it is a working harbour with a lot of traffic, and the good swimming and snorkeling starts once you clear it. That is the part guests tend to remember.
If you are deciding between destinations, the honest summary is this: Nassau is the easiest place in the Bahamas to charter from, because the fleet is here, the fuel is here, and the flights land here. The Exumas are more beautiful, but you reach them from Nassau. See our Exumas guide for what that run involves.
On the Water
Where Charters Actually Go From Nassau
A day charter out of Nassau has a fairly small number of genuinely good destinations. These are the ones we use.
Green Cay and the Sandbars
Shallow sandbars that appear as the tide drops, with water you can stand in a long way from shore. Timing matters here, which is why the captain will often plan the day backwards from the tide rather than the clock.
Marinas and Boarding
Charters depart from marinas around Nassau harbour and Paradise Island. Which one you leave from depends on where the yacht is berthed rather than where you are staying, so we confirm the exact meeting point once the vessel is booked. In practice most hotels are fifteen to twenty five minutes from the docks.
Boarding is straightforward. Arrive at the agreed time, the crew will meet you on the dock, and you can bring what you need for the day. There is no lengthy check in process on a private charter, which is one of the main practical differences from a scheduled boat tour.
What to Bring
Sun protection, a hat, and a towel if you want your own. Soft bags rather than hard suitcases if you are staying aboard. Most yachts ask that you remove shoes on deck. Anything else, including snorkeling equipment, is normally on board already.
Weather and the Best Time to Charter
The Bahamas has a long usable season, but the water is not the same all year. December through to April is the driest and busiest period, with comfortable temperatures and the most reliable booking demand. The trade off is that this is also when the fleet is most committed, so dates need more notice.
May and June are quieter and often have the calmest water we see all year. July and August are hot and humid with short afternoon squalls that usually pass quickly. September and October are the least predictable months, and while charters do run, we are more cautious about committing to a long crossing then.
Wind matters more than rain. A grey day with light wind makes a better charter than a bright day with a strong north east breeze, because the wind is what makes the water uncomfortable. If the forecast is poor, the captain will suggest a sheltered route rather than pushing on with the original plan.
Practical Questions Before You Book
How long should a Nassau charter be?
Four to five hours covers Rose Island comfortably with time to swim. Six to eight hours opens up the sandbars and a second stop without rushing. Anything reaching the Exumas needs a full day at minimum, and realistically works better as a multi day charter.
Can we see the swimming pigs on a day trip from Nassau?
It is possible on a fast yacht, but it is a long day and most of it is spent travelling. We explain the real distances on our swimming pigs page before anyone books it expecting a short hop.
Is snorkeling included?
Snorkeling equipment is carried on most of our yachts, and reef stops are a standard part of a Nassau charter. Our snorkeling guide covers the sites and conditions in more detail.
Nassau Questions
Questions About Chartering From Nassau
Practical answers about the harbour, the marinas and where a Nassau charter can reach.
How far is Rose Island from Nassau?
Roughly forty minutes by boat from the harbour, depending on the vessel and conditions. It is the most common half day destination we run because you are not spending the day travelling to get there.
Where do charters depart from in Nassau?
From marinas around Nassau harbour and Paradise Island. Which one depends on where your yacht is berthed rather than where you are staying, so we confirm the exact meeting point once the vessel is booked.
How long does it take to get from my hotel to the marina?
Most Nassau and Paradise Island hotels are fifteen to twenty five minutes from the docks. Tell us where you are staying and we will advise on timing so you are not rushing.
Is there a check in process like a tour boat?
No. On a private charter the crew meet you on the dock at the agreed time and you board. There is no queue and no ticketing.
Can we reach the Exumas on a day charter from Nassau?
The northern Exumas yes, on a reasonably quick vessel. The middle Exumas, where Staniel Cay and the swimming pigs are, is around seventy five miles and makes for a very long day. See our Exumas guide for the honest distances.
What is there to see close to Nassau?
Rose Island, Green Cay and the sandbars that surface as the tide drops, plus reef stops in sheltered water. It is a small number of destinations but they are genuinely good ones.
Is the water clear right outside Nassau harbour?
The harbour itself is a working port and is not where you swim. Within about twenty minutes of leaving it the water changes noticeably, and that is where charters spend the day.
When is the best time of year to charter from Nassau?
December to April is the driest and busiest. May and June often have the calmest water of the year with fewer boats. September and October are the least predictable. Wind affects how a charter feels far more than rain does.
Does rain ruin a charter?
Usually not. A grey day with light wind makes a better charter than a bright day with a strong breeze, because wind is what makes the water uncomfortable. Squalls in summer tend to pass quickly.
What happens if the weather is bad on our date?
The captain will normally suggest a sheltered route rather than cancelling. If conditions genuinely prevent the charter running, we discuss rescheduling under the terms agreed at booking.
Can we snorkel on a Nassau day charter?
Yes, and reef stops are a standard part of the day rather than an extra. Snorkeling equipment is carried on most of our yachts. Our snorkeling guide covers the sites in more detail.
How long should a Nassau charter be?
Four to five hours covers Rose Island comfortably. Six to eight hours lets you add the sandbars and a second stop without rushing. Anything aiming at the Exumas needs a full day at minimum.
What should we bring on the day?
Sun protection, a hat, and a towel if you want your own. Most yachts ask that shoes come off on deck. Snorkeling equipment is normally already on board.
Planning a Charter Out of Nassau
Tell us your dates and how many guests you have, and we will tell you which yachts are genuinely free and what a sensible day out of Nassau looks like for your group.
We are based here, so the advice comes from running these routes rather than reading about them.
Winter and early spring dates are committed earliest.