Nassau Yacht Charter Guide

As the capital of the Bahamas Nassau is often the starting point for a charter to the Exumas, but is a destination in its own right and, as the original headquarters of Blackbeard himself, it has real Caribbean credentials. Giving you the best of both worlds, it is easy to spend a day lazing on an isolated white sand beach before a night sipping a cocktail at the hottest new bar and winning big at the Casino. With swathes of the surrounding reefs and ocean-protected marine reserves, you can experience the best of Nassau from your own private superyacht.

Best Time To Visit: For the most temperate weather, visit between November and April.

Key Cruising Areas: Paradise Island, just across the water from Nassau is a must-see, and the nearby islands on Atholl and Rose are beautiful, with areas used in the filming of the James Bond film Thunderball. Cruise around the coast of Nassau to reach many more beautiful beaches and national parks, with the nearby Exumas also within easy reach.

Don’t Miss: The Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. This epic resort island has high-end restaurants, casinos, and a 141-acre water park called Aquaventure that has beaches, lazy rivers and hair raising slides, and the world’s largest open-air marine habitat which is home to hundreds of different marine species.

Best Spots for Wining and Dining: For an immersive local dining experience visit the many creatively named seafood shacks that make up ‘Fish Fry’ district in Arawak Cay. Enjoy a private meal in Graycliff Restaurant’s wine cellar, or sample some of the plethoras of fine dining restaurants at Atlantis on Paradise Island, including Fish by José Andrés for a fresh and inventive take on seafood, and Nobu for world-class Japanese cuisine.

Best Local Dish: Try conch chowder and broiled fish, followed by a Bahamian steamed pudding known as Guava Duff and some locally distilled rum.

Local Culture: The city of Nassau hosts a local festival known as Junkanoo three times a year, on the 26th of December, 1st of January, and 10th of July locals will parade the streets in colourful handmade costumes, dancing to the sound of cowbells, drums and whistles.

Best Beach: Nassau offers some of the best beaches in the Bahamas and choosing a favorite is hard. Cabbage Beach on Paradise Island boasts two miles of perfect white sand, and Cable Bay is the spot for resort-style luxury, being the location of the exclusive Baha Mar, but the nearby Cave Beach offers something unique, a small strip of sand backed by impressive limestone caves.

IYC recommends: Clifton Heritage National Park has some attractions including ruins, caves, and nature trails, but none as spectacular as Ocean Atlas, the largest underwater sculpture in the world. Snorkel around this 18-foot statue of a Bahamian girl ‘holding up the ocean’ and admire the marine life that congregates around this artificial reef.