Exumas / Eleuthera Itinerary
We’ve extended the standard 7-day Exuma loop with a longer-range itinerary that includes Eleuthera—an island often missed due to distance but absolutely worth the jump for motor yacht charters. It’s a route best suited to faster motor yachts capable of longer legs and guests who want more than the standard white-sandbar cruise. Expect about 240 nautical miles total, with 1–2 days that push above 50 NM.
Exumas & Eleuthera Route Snapshot
Day 2: Highbourne → Norman’s Cay — Snorkel plane wreck, quiet creeks and flats
Day 3: Norman’s → Warderick Wells — Marine park, Boo Boo Hill, drift snorkel
Day 4: Warderick Wells → Staniel Cay — Thunderball Grotto, swimming pigs
Day 5: Staniel → South Eleuthera — Long run, offshore fishing, remote anchorages
Day 6: South → North Eleuthera — Glass Window Bridge, flats fishing
Day 7: North Eleuthera → Rose Island — Paddleboarding, quiet finale
Day 8: Rose Island → Nassau — Short return cruise, final breakfast
Day 1: Nassau to Highborne Cay
After boarding in Nassau, we recommend heading out straight away. Highbourne Cay is the perfect first stop: the 35 NM crossing gives the crew time to settle the boat, while you unwind and get your first look at the Exuma Bank’s clarity.
Once moored, you can ease into the trip—swim with the nurse sharks that linger near the marina, or relax on deck while your chef preps dinner. If you want to step ashore, Xuma Restaurant offers a proper meal in a polished setting.
For something more adventurous, we recommend diving the Austin Smith wreck, just offshore. This 90-foot Bahamian Defense Force cutter was intentionally sunk in 1995 and now sits upright in about 60 feet of water. It’s become an exceptional reef dive—sponges, sea fans, and large schools of jacks and snapper swirl around the structure. Conditions are usually clear with light current. It’s not often crowded, making it a great site for intermediate to experienced divers looking for something more than coral heads.
Sailing in Highborne Cay – Things to Know
- Highbourne Cay Marina and Resort charges for fuel, dockage, and power
Mooring in Highborne Cay – Things to Do
- Dive to the wreck of an old cutter (Austin Smith), down 60 feet
- Visit the Horseshoe Bay, an anchorage named after its shape
- Engage in scuba diving, swimming, and snorkeling
- Visit the marina restaurant Xuma
- Swim with or feed the nurse sharks around the marina
Day 2: Highbourne Cay to Norman’s Cay
This is a short, relaxed leg. Norman’s is quiet now, but it still carries the echoes of its smuggling past. The sunken plane wreck is the main draw—shallow enough to snorkel, sitting just off the beach.
We recommend a slow tender cruise through the nearby sandbars and creeks—especially around Wax Cay Cut. There’s often great light-tackle fishing here, and you’ll likely have it to yourself.
Day 3: Norman’s Cay to Warderick Wells Cay
You’ll enter the protected zone of the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park. No fishing or shell collecting here—this is about pristine nature.
We recommend hiking Boo Boo Hill for panoramic views and checking out the driftwood offerings left by other cruisers. The snorkeling off Emerald Rock is excellent—expect big schools of fish, healthy coral, and occasional reef sharks cruising past.
Day 4: Warderick Wells to Staniel Cay
A must-do for first-time visitors, and still fun the second time. Stop at Big Major Spot to see the swimming pigs, then head to Thunderball Grotto, featured in two of the James Bond movies.
We recommend timing it for slack tide—the current can be strong, but if you hit it right, the interior of the grotto lights up through holes in the ceiling, and the visibility is unbeatable. It’s one of the best snorkeling experiences in the region.
Day 5: Staniel Cay to South Eleuthera
This is your open-water day—long but rewarding. We suggest an early start and letting the crew handle the crossing while you relax. South Eleuthera has minimal development, excellent drop-offs for trolling or deep drops, and calm spots behind the cays to anchor overnight.
If you’re into fishing, this is the leg to do it—wahoo, tuna, mahi, even billfish depending on season.
Day 6: South Eleuthera to North Eleuthera
Run north along the coast with the Atlantic on one side, glassy inlets on the other. A stop at the Glass Window Bridge is worth it—this is one of the most dramatic visuals in the Bahamas, where deep Atlantic blue meets calm Exuma turquoise.
There’s also excellent flats fishing along this stretch if that’s on your list.
Day 7: North Eleuthera to Rose Island
A smooth return run sets you up at Rose Island for a final swim or beach walk. It’s just off Nassau but feels miles away. Great for paddleboards, snorkeling, or just an easy last night onboard.
Dinner on deck here is a great way to end the charter.
Day 8: Rose Island to Nassau
The sail back to Nassau is the longest and can take about 6 hours. But thankfully, there’s respite at the end as saying goodbye to the Bahamas and getting ready for your trip back home will be easier. The sail itself will be enthralling as you can sit back and enjoy the scenic beauty of the Bahamas archipelago at a meandering pace.
We recommend spending a few hours post anchor on the island and exploring local delicacies and concoctions. By sundown, head to the airport in a taxi.
Ready to Plan Your Dream Bahamas Yacht Charter?
At DMA Yachting, we don’t just list boats—we manage your entire charter experience with precision. Many of our brokers are former crew or lifelong sailors who’ve worked and sailed in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and beyond. We travel to the places we charter and attend numerous yearly yacht shows. That means we know the yachts, the crews, and the destinations firsthand.
We guide you from first contact to final docking, with no hand-offs and no scripted replies. You’ll get fast, honest advice, the right yacht options (including off-market listings), and full support throughout your trip. This is what we do—every day, for clients around the world.
