The Bahamas ranks among the world best family charter destinations, and the reasons are obvious from the moment the anchor goes down. Turquoise shallow water at virtually every anchorage, snorkelling on living coral reefs, swimming with nurse sharks in the Exumas, encountering the famous swimming pigs of Big Major Cay: these are experiences that change the way children think about the ocean. A crewed family charter yacht provides the space, the flexibility and the crew expertise to make it all work smoothly.
The Bahamas family charter fleet covers more than 65 vessels suited to groups travelling with children, from 20-metre sailing catamarans with four cabins to 60-metre motor yachts with water slides and dedicated kids areas. Family charter yachts are selected for shallow draft, stable platforms, generous exterior deck space and water toy packages that go well beyond the basics. Crew on family-rated yachts are chosen partly for their patience with younger guests and their ability to adapt meals and activities to different age groups.
Weekly family charter rates in the Bahamas range from around 50,000 euros for a well-equipped 30-metre motor yacht to 500,000 euros for a large superyacht. The advance provisioning allowance, typically 30 percent of the base rate, covers food, beverages, water toy fuel and any additional equipment. Families often extend the allowance slightly to cover excursions to the swimming pigs, shark dives in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park and island day trips. Rates are competitive from September through November.
For families, a Bahamas charter week practically writes itself. Nassau offers Atlantis water park and a city day for older children who want something beyond the boat. The Exumas are the heart of the family itinerary: Thunderball Grotto for snorkelling, Staniel Cay for the swimming pigs, the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park for nurse sharks and reef fish. Harbour Island with its pink sand beach rounds off the week for families returning via Eleuthera.
