5 Experiences Not to Be Missed on a Bahamas Yacht Charter Vacation

1. Meet the Local Wildlife in Exuma

Travel South of Big Major Cay for something special you won’t find in any other part of the world. World renowned wild boars spend their days relaxing at ‘Pig Beach’ and taking a refreshing dip in the surrounding crystal blue, shallow waters. Families of friendly brown and pick boars roam the powder-soft white sands and rush to welcome any boats approaching the cay. A highlight for any family yacht charter vacation, Pig Island’s beauty and four-legged characters makes it a must for your charter itinerary.

You also can enjoy the rare chance to see a shark up close on a Bahamas yacht charter. Small, friendly and harmless - enjoy a unique underwater experience as you feed young nurse sharks in a safe and educational environment. Young and old can enjoy the thrill of being surrounded by a herd sharks as you learn about how they live from marine experts.

2. Celebrate Junkanoo Festival in Nassau

What better way to wake up in the early hours of Boxing Day than to a jostling blast of whistles, horns, goombay drums and cowbells parading down Bay Street as residents live up to the country’s motto of ‘It’s Better in the Bahamas!’ Bright costumes, busting moves and big noise celebrate the Bahamian way of life for the bi-annual Junkanoo Summer Festival.

With West African roots, Junkanoo is display of Caribbean art, culture, music and teamwork as neighbourhood teams compete for prizes. Blink (or sleep in) and you’ll miss the grand parade, so be sure to see the second run on New Year’s Day or the warm-up in the summer if your are on  a summer yacht charter vacation. The streets of Grand Bahama, Marsh Harbour, Abaco and Georgetown (Exuma) also come alive to celebrate the island's heritage in June and July. 

3. Have a Diving Adventure in Andros

Enjoy a dive like no other in the extraordinary underwater world of Andros Barrier Reef. Expert of beginner can both enjoy the spectacular marine life of the world’s longest barrier reef and second largest and most unexplored reef system in the Atlantic. Meet placid sea turtles, schools of fish of every colour, puffer fish, rays, dolphins and much more inhabit the wrecks, and caverns that inhabit the seabed. Special dives visiting the world’s only tidal freshwater blue holes and the Tongue of the Ocean wall will in live in the memory. True thrill-seekers can even enjoy the adrenaline-filled experience of getting up close and personal with local sharks on a dive.

With the Bahamas enjoys warm sea temperatures as high as 30° between July and September (when wetsuits aren’t even needed!) and a superyacht equipped with everything a scuba diver could wish for, what more could you want on a Bahamas yacht charter vacation? Perhaps a bite to eat? In that case, nearby the main Andros dive sites you can enjoy traditional Bahamian cuisine at local eateries surrounding Small Hope and refuel.

4. Enjoy 18 Holes in Paradise

You’ll find yourself rubbing shoulders with Bahamian golfing stars at Abaco golf club, located in the scattered islands of Abacos, a mere 150 miles to the east of Miami. Nestled on a peninsula, beside an idyllic powder soft beach, the prestigious golf club sits on Winding Bay. Offering an enchanting experience, holes here weave up and down; the Abaco Club is the brainchild of British entrepreneur and yachtsman Peter de Savary. Challenge yourself with the course’s hard and fast-running tee to green surfaces, elevated green sites and fiendish bunkers here. The secret is to stick to the fairway to avoid nearby tropical foliage and keep your fingers crossed you don’t find yourself standing next to your ball in one the deepest bunkers of the Caribbean!

Travel to the idyllic beach resort of Freeport for a real treat, Robert Trent Jones Track at Grand Lucayan Resort offer a classic Bahamian experience.  Imagine lush green lawns stretched over 382 acres towards powder-soft white sand and pristine waters, towered by coconut palms swaying in Caribbean breeze; this is a reality enjoying an engaging game of golf at one of the two courses at the Lucayan Resort. With no crowds and the perfect balance between luxury and authentic Bahamian culture, and only 57 bunkers to contend with, the course here is a must-visit.

5. Absorb the Bahamian Culture in Nassau 

Take a break from the vibrancy that runs through the streets and pristine beaches to delve into the islands' rich historical culture on your Bahamas yacht charter vacation. From enjoying the peace and tranquillity of the beautifully manicured Versailles Gardens of King Louis XIV, dotted with ancient statues, to climbing up to Fort Fincastle, to look over the stunning beauty of the dock full of selection of luxury yachts from the global charter fleet - the Bahamas offer great variety in landmarks to explore. The 18th century built fort of New Providence is one of two famous forts to see, with Fort Charlotte overlooking Nassau harbour.

Travel to Parliamentary Square in Nassau to admire the capital's parliamentary buildings, strikingly painted a bright shade of pink - a prime example of the character of the islands to be a part of on your Bahamas yacht charter vacation. At the square's centre sits a stone statue Queen Victoria, surrounded by stunning architecture of the court house and 18th century and palm trees, with Bahamas police in the smartest of attire. Nearby designer shopping and fine dining opportunities create the complete experience of a day enjoying the fascinating culture and history of Nassau.