Classic yachts bring a particular character to the Exumas. Their teak decks, varnished spars and traditional silhouettes belong in an anchorage that has changed little since the era when these vessels were new, and Shroud Cay, uninhabited and protected within the Exumas Land and Sea Park, offers exactly that setting. The classic charter fleet available for a Shroud Cay voyage numbers around eight published yachts, encompassing wooden schooners, gaff-rigged ketches and heritage motor yachts from the golden age of naval architecture. These are vessels with history: the kind that attract attention at anchor and invite stories from the skipper over dinner. Weekly rates for classic yacht charters in the Bahamas run from approximately 75,000 euros to 350,000 euros, reflecting the labour-intensive maintenance and high crew-to-guest ratios typical of heritage vessels. The advance provisioning allowance of around 30 percent covers food, drink, fuel, berthing and the Bahamian cruising permit. Most classic charter itineraries run from November through April, avoiding the hurricane season entirely. Shroud Cay rewards a slow, deliberate pace, and classic yachts are built for exactly that: dropping anchor early, launching the dinghy for an afternoon expedition, and staying until the tide decides otherwise. The island tidal creek, its undisturbed sandbars and its absence of development make it a fitting destination for yachts that predate most of the buildings currently visible on the Nassau skyline.
