Take Your Family or Group on Multi-Day Sailing Charters in the Bahamas
If you’ve planned a trip in the Bahamas and now find yourself needing ideas for unforgettable activities, then you’ve come to the right place.
You’re sure to get your share of sun, sand and warm water, but have you considered sailing across miles and miles of the most crystal clear waters aboard a beautiful 44’ yacht with your family, friends or college group?
Kiskeedee Sailing offers amazing weeklong adventures aboard a chartered yacht for groups, which could be just what your trip is missing.
Flying over the Bahamas, you can only look down from thousands of feet above at the incredible stretches of coral lining the floor of the Atlantic Ocean. From a charter boat, you get to see it up close and personal. With more than 700 individual islands to explore, chartering a private yacht to cruise the Bahamas is the only way to go.
See the Bahamas Firsthand
On a commercial cruise ship, you will stop at ports along the way but you will never get to see nearly as much of the natural beauty of the Bahamas as you would on a sailing charter. There is so much more to explore than just the immaculate white sandy beaches.
The Bahamas is full of lagoons and coral reefs that encircle crystal clear waters where you can snorkel and catch a real live glimpse of some of the most fascinating sea creatures on the planet. When you are on a chartered yacht, you can stop off at the many different cays that tattoo the islands, as well.
Another thing you get firsthand on a chartered sailing trip in the Bahamas is a taste of the culture and cuisine. When you are able to stop at many different points of interest, you have more opportunities to find local restaurants and eateries that serve traditional food of a quality on par with some of the most expensive high end restaurants.
We embark from the popular Conch Inn Marina in Marsh Harbour where you’ll notice lots and lots of private yacht charters, catamarans, and motorboats. From there, we take you and your group on an excursion unlike any other, visiting as many of the fantastic features of the islands as possible – learning, playing, and relaxing all along the way.
History Comes Alive Sailing in the Bahamas
Everyone knows about the Bahamas as a vacation destination but the islands also contain a lot of history – history that will also interest American history buffs. For instance, before making it to Florida, Christopher Columbus landed in the Bahamas (a short one hour flight from Florida or two hours from New York), on now what is known as San Salvador.
Like on the mainland, the native peoples were enslaved and basically wiped out by the time of the American Revolutionary War. Some Americans who sided with the British eventually took refuge in the Bahamas on the Great and Little Abaco Islands.
What to Expect on a Bahamas Yacht Charter
If you’ve never chartered a boat in the Bahamas before, you need to know what to expect. First thing you want to do is to try to avoid hurricane season when planning a trip to the islands. Ideally you want to plan to visit the Bahamas sometime between November and July. Temps hang around the low to mid 70s in winter and early spring and only get as high as around 85 in the middle of summer.
That’s perfect seafaring weather which is why the Abaco Islands are so popular for yacht charters. Besides having a skilled navigator and sailor guiding the trip, the beauty of chartering a yacht is that you’ll get to see more of the hidden treasures on the dozens and dozens of islands and cays you’ll explore.
At each stop, you are given time to get out and eat, swim, snorkel, go shopping, grab a drink, etc. When you’ve had your fill, you hop on board and check out the next destination. On a commercial cruise, you are on someone else’s schedule. On a chartered yacht, your group decides where you want to go and for how long.
Cruising with Us on the Kiskeedee!
When you charter with us, we’ll cruise the Bahamas on our 44’ dual mast ketch rig that we call the Kiskeedee. It’s a sturdy boat that we maintain in tip-top shape. It is even U.S. Coastguard documented and sails like a champ.
Outside, you have plenty of deck space for dolphin watching, sun-bathing, and soaking in the scenery as the wind fills the sails. If it starts to rain or the sun gets to be too much, there is a hardtop dodger and awning to cover the cockpit, which doubles as an outdoor dining area. Inside we have a comfortable salon and three double cabins (two available for you and your guests, one for the crew).
The sitting area is quite large with cushioned seats for everyone. Guests have their own head with shower and on deck you can rinse off with the solar-heated shower. No air conditioning inside, but you don’t need it. Turn on the fans, open the many hatches, and let that gorgeous aerating 70 degree ocean air flow through the cabin.
We come prepared for entertainment. On board we provide a flat screen TV with a wide selection of DVDs to choose from. We have a CD/iPod/Radio player connected to outdoor speakers. You have access to the kayak that we keep on board for our guests as well as snorkeling gear. Our 11’ dingy powered with a 15hp outboard motor serves as our “automobile” for the week as we ferry you in to visit the islands and coral reefs.
Let Us Do the Work While You Relax
There are many companies offering yacht charters in the Bahamas, but for ultimate relaxation you want to choose a crewed sailing yacht charter. With a bare-boat charter, you would do all the provisioning, navigation, meal preparation, cleaning and sailing the boat. With us as your crew on Kiskeedee, you can sit back and relax or participate as much as you choose. If you are a seasoned sailor, feel free to hoist the sails and take the helm. For beginner sailors, we are happy to show you the ropes.
While on board, you will be treated to freshly prepared meals cooked in the French-style. Delicious home-made food is an important part of our crewed sailing charters and many of our guests remark upon how well they dined aboard Kiskeedee. From our home-made breads and other baked goods to succulent stews and freshly grilled meats and seafood, we will spoil your tastebuds. The day begins with freshly brewed coffee. Meals are served at your leisure and we always include a cocktail and snacks as we watch the brilliant sunsets over the Sea of Abaco.
Meet the Crew from Kiskeedee!
Before you book a charter, you definitely want to learn about the crew. Experience is a must and the type of experience matters. Sailing the Kiskeedee with us guarantees you that you will be piloted by a team with a combined 50+ years of sailing experience.
For over 20 years, we have been sailing the Bahamas together, learning every nook and cranny of the Abaco Island chain. Before choosing to spend the last two decades exclusively chartering our yacht in the Bahamas and in Florida, we chartered trips around the Islands of Thailand and Malaysia.
We’ve charted courses through the Indian Ocean, the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, and the Caribbean Seas. Safety is our number one priority and we ensure that our guests never have to worry about getting to and from their destination safely. During the summer months we captain the Kiskeedee as part of the Bahamas High Adventure Sea Base Sailing Camp and love every minute of it, teaching sailing while thrilling our guests with the marvelous scenery and ocean life of the region.
Island Hopping in the Abacos
After 20 years cruising around the Abaco Islands, we know exactly what our guests want to see. We know where all of the best sights are and have narrowed it down to some of the most spectacular islands, beaches, reefs, local towns, bars, eateries, and cays out of Marsh Harbour and along the Abaco Island chain in the Bahamas.
Our charters depart from Marsh Harbour, with direct flights from several Florida cities as well as connecting flights via many major US cities as well as Nassau. Once our guests are on board, we set out for the Sea of Abaco and the multitude of Abaco Cays. We’re talking 62 miles of spectacular sun-kissed waters to sail and we cover at least 30 miles of it in a week!
Snorkelers are going to be in heaven at practically every stop. The waters here are as clear as you’ll find them anywhere in the Bahamas and we’ve built an itinerary so solid yet flexible that you don’t have to miss a thing!
Our Recommended Itinerary for Your Bahamas Yacht Charter
Explore the Coral Reefs and Marine Life of Fowl Cay National Marine Preserve
Our goal is to visit a different island every day of your weeklong trip. We spend the nights at anchor in the harbours and coves best protected from the prevailing winds. One of our favorite places to stop is the Fowl Cay National Marine Preserve. This is where our explorers love to get out and get into the water. Established just six years ago, this preserve protects over 2,300 acres of coral reef that’s full of rare ocean life. We will guide you to the secret cave where you can see the memorial to one of the original keepers of the reef.
Dine at the Island Famous Great Guana Cay and Nippers Beach Bar and Resort
The Great Guana Cay hosts a funky settlement town but it is best known for its pristine beachfront. Of its nine miles of geography, all but three miles of it is beachfront. One thing you’ll find on Great Guana Cay is fun and good food at Nippers Beach Bar and Grill, ranked #1 on TripAdvisor for its American cuisine and seafood. Nippers Beach Bar and Grill is renowned for its Sunday pig roast where you can eat your fill and dance the afternoon away to island music while enjoying the amazing view over the turquoise Atlantic Ocean. The Bar also overlooks one of Abaco’s famous coral reefs that you can swim to right from the beach. Here you may spot turtles, rays, sharks and every kind of reef fish.
Learn the Intriguing History of the Lighthouse at Hope Town
People come from all around to tour the 150 year old candy-striped lighthouse at Hope Town on Elbow Cay. The lighthouse is the last manually operated beacon in the world. A climb to the top will reward the visitor with 360 degree views over the Abaco islands. History buffs will be thrilled to see the kerosene burning apparatus up close and learn about the lighthouse’s British origins. When you visit Elbow Cay, you will also be charmed by Hope Town, one of Abaco’s most picturesque villages. Of course, there are beaches and colorful coral reefs to see but you can also get out and explore Elbow Cay by bicycle. Hope Town is a great place to do your shopping and to get an authentic taste of genuine local foods.
Shop Local Artisan Boutiques on the Alcohol-Free Man-O-War Cay
Very un-Island-like, Man-O-War Cay is a dry town so you won’t find any pubs or bars to stop in to get a drink. What you will find is a traditional boat building community that harkens back to the 1800s. It’s a sparsely populated island with few dining options but there are plenty of local artisans selling craftworks you won’t find anywhere else. There is even a charming museum and coffee shop to give visitors a better idea about the island’s history.
Dive One of the Abaco’s best Places for Snorkeling at Sandy Cay National Preserve
Snorkeling Online Magazine ranked Sandy Cay National Preserve among the best places in the Abacos for snorkeling. Sandy Cay can only be reached by boat. Snorkelers will spy more Elkhorn coral here than anywhere else. The wealth of animal life living in the waters along Sandy Cay attracts snorkelers of all kinds hoping to catch a glimpse of majestic spotted eagle rays, seaturtles, sharks and fish of all kinds and colors.
Sunbathe and Relax on the White Sands of Treasure Cay
Think of Treasure Cay as the quintessential image of a white sandy beach. It’s practically vacant with nothing but the lightest, softest white sands abutting crystal blue sparkling waters. It is rated as one of the top 10 beaches in the Caribbean. This is the perfect place to just relax and enjoy the view, grab a bite at the Coco Beach Bar and Grill, or rent a cabana and have a picnic.
Stop by Little Harbour – a Real Live Treasure Island – for History and a Brew
The first inhabitants to settle Little Harbour came to this area back in the early 1950’s in an effort to escape the modern world. Like on a real life Treasure Island, the Johnston family shed the comforts of the then modern world and decided to live in a cave while they built their own island hut. The family memorialized their lives in a book. All of the beauty that drew the Johnstons to set up their lives in such a remote island paradise still exists as do the caves where they once lived. Pete’s Pub is the place to be in Little Harbour and draws crowds from all over the Abacos for a taste of the fresh fish and cold brews. You can also visit the unique working bronze foundry.
Laze Away on Bewitching Tahiti Beach
Tahiti Beach is the perfect spot to laze away an afternoon. The white sandbar is a perfect place for splashing around in the shallow turquoise water, especially if you have kids on board. Ranked one of the best beaches in the Bahamas, Tahiti Beach is very much like Treasure Cay with white sandy beaches and stunning blue waters. For the partygoers in your group Tahiti Beach is just a hop, skip, and a jump from the bars on Lubbers Quarters and is also close to the popular and delicious Firefly restaurant.
A Learning Adventure for College Students, Youth Groups & More
Whether you are part of a college outdoor pursuits program, a youth group, a Boy Scout troop, or just a group of friends or families looking for a life-changing weeklong adventure, our group sailing charters are perfect for individual groups. We are highly educated about the area, providing the perfect outing for students – blending learning with fun and adventure.
Our student groups learn about the nature around them but also learn how to sail and live aboard a 44′ sailing yacht! For six days and five nights, you can charter one boat for a 6 – 8 person group or charter two or three boats for groups of up to 24 people. As members of the crew, participants will take part in sailing the boat, navigation, preparing meals, and other activities needed to run the boat, learning skills that will last them a lifetime.
We do have requirements for our youth and college groups. College aged participants must be at least 18 years old and in good shape – running a yacht can be physically demanding. For youth groups, the minimum age for participants is 14 and at least one adult must accompany the group. There will be lots of water adventures so being able to swim is a must.
What to Expect on Board this Bahamas Yacht Charter
You will embark on a real sailing adventure in the Abaco Islands of the Bahamas. You will be sleeping on board each night. With a group of up to 8 on each sailboat, bunks will not be available for everyone. Sleeping under the stars at night in the cockpit or up on deck will be a highlight of your sailing adventure. On a group sailing trip, your group will also be participating in meal planning and preparation with help from the captain and mate. The boat will be stocked with a large variety of fresh ingredients for making tasty meals on board. The captain will also prepare some of her favorite menus and local favorites such as freshly caught conch and fish. Your days will be full with sailing to a new destination each day, stops for swimming and snorkeling, fishing for the local catch and visiting the local settlements on the Abaco cays.
Preparing for Your Bahamas Yacht Charter
If you’ve never been in the Bahamas, you should know that they have their own currency; the Bahamian dollar, which is basically the same as a U.S. dollar. You can spend a dollar in the Bahamas no problem but you can’t use your Bahamian dollars in the U.S. so make sure you exchange them back before you come home.
Any time you take a sailing charter, know your limitations. A trip like this one where we’ll be snorkeling and diving or working out in the sun on deck can be dangerous if you have certain medical conditions. Don’t be a hero – always be up front about any medical considerations that have to be made and whether or not a trip like this is advisable.
Book Your Group Yacht Charter in the Bahamas!
Are you ready to book your sailing charter in the Bahamas?
Simply book your college student or youth group outdoor sailing adventure here. If you want to take a select group of friends and family with you, reserve your charter to the Bahamas with Kiskeedee Sailing now!
