Staniel Cay is, by wide agreement among yacht crews who work the Bahamas, the single most memorable stop for children in the entire island chain. The swimming pigs at Big Major Spot, 10 minutes by tender from the main anchorage, have become one of the Bahamas most talked-about wildlife encounters: wild Bahamian pigs wade into the water to greet approaching dinghies, and children who have never been interested in wildlife suddenly become enthusiastic. Thunderball Grotto, accessible by snorkel at slack water, adds an underwater adventure for older children. Family yachts chartered for a Staniel Cay voyage are fitted out for mixed-age groups, with multiple cabin configurations, children menus, dedicated cabin crew and watersports packages including paddleboards, kayaks and inflatable water toys. The family charter fleet numbers approximately 65 published yachts. Weekly rates range from around 50,000 euros for a compact family cruiser to 600,000 euros for a flagship motor yacht. The advance provisioning allowance of roughly 30 percent covers all meals, drinks, watersports equipment, marina fees at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club and the Bahamian cruising permit. High season for family charters is the Christmas holiday period and February half-term through April. Staniel Cay rewards families who book in advance and brief the chef carefully on dietary requirements; the provisioning run in Nassau is the last opportunity for a full shop before entering the Exumas proper.
