Catamaran Charters in the Bahamas

Bahamas catamaran charters are on the rise as new luxury models join the fleet. The Bahamas has long been a motor-yacht destination because of its long distances, but modern catamarans are changing that.

Sunreef and Lagoon are leading the way, with 69-80 foot luxury catamarans that cruise at up to 15 knots. A crewed catamaran is a strong fit for a one-week Exuma Cays itinerary: snorkeling Pablo Escobar’s drug-smuggling plane at Norman’s Cay, exploring the James Bond Thunderball Grotto at Staniel Cay, and swimming with the pigs at Big Major’s Spot.

Why Charter a Catamaran in the Bahamas?

Shallow draft: Catamarans draw far less water than a motor yacht, so they can get into the skinny water the Exumas are known for: sandbar anchorages and cays a deeper-draft yacht has to skip.

More space per foot: A 70-foot catamaran feels roomier than an 85-foot motor yacht, because the beam spreads the living space across two hulls instead of stacking it.

Easy water access: Wide swim platforms and low decks make it easy to get in and out of the water all day, with no ladder-climbing between snorkel stops.

Water toys: Seabobs, SUPs, kayaks, and wakeboards as standard; the larger catamarans add jet skis, e-foils, and water slides.

Lower APA: Catamarans burn far less fuel than a comparable motor yacht, so your Advance Provisioning Allowance runs lower, so more of your budget goes to the trip, not the fuel bill.

Our Top Catamaran Picks

How Much Does a Bahamas Catamaran Charter Cost?

Bahamas catamaran charters run $40,000-$100,000+ for a one-week charter. Pricing model varies boat to boat: some charter all-inclusive, with food, drinks, and fuel bundled into the rate (look for the ALL INCLUDED tag below), others charter plus-expenses, with a 25-35% Advance Provisioning Allowance added on top. The Bahamas’ 14% charter tax is always added on top for plus-expenses charters; for all-inclusive it’s sometimes already folded into the rate, so confirm with your broker. Catamarans here also skew larger than a typical BVI cat, since the boat is your only base for a week in genuinely remote out-islands, bigger means faster and better stocked, which matters more here than in the BVI’s short hops between anchorages with a restaurant ashore most nights.

Full cost breakdown, including what drives the range →

Best Itinerary for Catamarans in the Bahamas

Most Bahamas catamaran charters start and end in Nassau, running a loop down to the Exumas and back, which means two of your seven days are spent getting to and from the good cruising grounds.

There’s a faster way in: Great Exuma has its own international airport at Georgetown, with direct flights from Miami. Starting there instead of Nassau puts you straight into the Exuma Cays on day one, and opens up southern out-islands like Conception Island and Long Island that most charter guests never see, simply because everyone defaults to Nassau. A handful of catamarans are based near Georgetown for exactly this reason, so it is worth asking your broker if one’s available for your dates before booking the standard Nassau loop.