One of the benefits of a private yacht charter vacation is that the itinerary for your vacation can be customized personally for you based on the interests and activities your group desires.  This article will outline the hot spots to have in the itinerary for your private yacht term charter through the Exuma Islands. After connecting and working with a High Seas Yachting charter broker, you will receive the details of the charter itinerary. When you arrive at the yacht and board in Nassau, then you will cast off from the dock to make your first stop at Allan’s Cay. Afterward, the course of the charter will travel through Norman’s Cay, Shroud Cay, Warderick Walls, Compass Cay, Staniel Cay, and Sampson Cay. You can be sure that our charter broker will work with the Captain aboard the yacht you select and the charter representatives to ensure your custom itinerary creates unforgettable experiences during your private yacht charter. 

The Exuma islands are the historic home of the Lucayan Natives, who were captured and enslaved in the 16th century, leaving the islands uninhabited until the 18th century. In the intervening period, the Exumas provided many hideouts and stashes for pirates, such as Captain Kidd, a pirate who favored Elizabeth Harbor as his hideout. Over 360 islands and cays build the Exuma Island chain, the largest of which is Great Exuma. The Exuma Islands are a popular spot for snorkeling, spearfishing, diving, fishing, private yachting, sailing, and charters. They are surrounded by countless world-class beaches and an abundance of private coves, beautiful reefs, vast ledges, remarkable blue holes, and caves for snorkeling, spearfishing, diving, and fishing. Let’s not forget the extensive mangroves and flats to fly fishing for the elusive bonefish. 

Allan’s Cay

Whether you coordinated with one of our charter brokers to set up private flight details or you have booked commercially. You will touchdown in Nassau, where you will be connected with the captain to find your yacht at one of the local marinas. Once aboard, your crew will welcome you and provide a brief orientation before heading to the Exumas. The yacht’s course will cross 30 nautical miles of the beautiful Bahama blue water known for its abundance of coral heads, named the Yellow Banks. 

Allan’s Cay can also be called “Iguana Island” because as you approach the beach, there will be Bahamian iguanas racing each other to be the first one in line. This is where you are given grapes to place on a stick to feed the iguanas. Another experience would be to take a short cruise to the “Horseshoe Bay,” Highbourne Cay, home of the beautiful reef, “Octupus’ Garden,” and its exclusive deserted beaches. Your private yacht will be in a quaint, safe harbor on the hook (at anchor). Being safe and full of beauty, you can enjoy kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkeling, and foil boarding. Take your dinghy or private yacht tender to explore the harbor and its beaches, visit the amenities of the private marina, and take the island in from a beach hammock.  Ease over to grab a drink at Xuma Beach Bar or head up to the hilltop above the marina and find 360-degree views of the Exuma chain from your table at Xuma’s Restaurant and Bar of Highbourne Cay. 

Norman’s Cay

Norman’s Cay is a chain of islands southeast of Nassau that is a small Bahamian island in the Exumas. Known for drug being the headquarters of the smuggling operation from 1978 to 1982. Lead by the drug lord, Carlos Lehder, the co-founder of Medellin Cartel. Which has resulted in some of the attraction to visit. 

Easily cruise on the Exuma Sound, trolling for wahoo, to the southern end of Norman’s Cay, where you can explore a sunken drug plane surrounded by vibrant coral reefs that is home to some of the gorgeous marine life. Stop and snorkel or Scuba dive  Hammerhead Gulch. 

In the northern area of Norman’s Cay, find a beautiful secluded anchorage with deserted beaches, flats, lagoons and endless exploration await you. Go to “Twinkie Beach” to walk the baches filled with seashells to collect and find ruins of the island’s past and take a picture with the lone palm tree. 

Shroud Cay

Like most of the Bahamas, Shroud Cay is blessed with incredible weather year-round (70s in winter, and 80s in summer). Highly secluded cay engulfed by beautiful water, in pristine condition where crowds are seldomly found. Shroud Cay is uninhabited and unconnected to other Exumas islands by ferry. Roughly 43 nautical miles from Nassau and just 10 nautical miles from Norman’s Cay, Shroud is a popular destination for yacht charter out of Nassau. The best way to visit and experience Shroud Cay is by a private yacht charter. The cay has 10 moorings, which can accommodate yachts up to 150-feet.

In terms of amenities, there are none outside of the mooring field. However, where it lacks in facilities, it makes up for in the natural beauty. Cut by several salt marshes and mangrove creeks, it is a perfect spot for tender rides, relaxed paddle boarding and glass bottom kayaking. Take it to the island and reach the top of “Camp Driftwood” the site of a DEA reconnaissance perch that had a view of Norman’s Cay, and/or cruise to Hawksbill Cay, toss the hook and experience the pearl beaches and the unique trail to explore the ruins of a Loyalist plantation from the 1700s. 

Compass Cay

Compass Cay is an island in The Bahamas, renown for the population of nurse sharks and recognized for its naturally-protected harbor. Located in the Exuma district, the island has developed an established beach lodge and marina. Go south and explore the incredible natural cathedral ceiling built of stalactites and stalagmites found in the grottos and caves of at Rocky Dundas’s ancient Lucayan burial grounds. 

There is a unique area of water on the north end of Compass Cay called Rachel’s Bubble Bath. It is a natural whirlpool that can be flat calm or a raging bubbling bath depending on the tide. Find gorgeous moonlight anchorage for the night near Fowl Cay and enjoy the crescent-shaped beach.

Staniel Cay

Explore this charming out-island settlement named Staniel Cay with its renown yacht club. Enjoy the festive atmosphere at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club sharing your travels with other captains, crew, and guests from other private charters. Take the time to meet the locals and hear how about the island, the stories of their heritage and learn about how the former drug trade affected the island back in the 1980’s. Staniel cay is made up of two cays that are separated by a mangrove creek with a salt pond at the north end. Less than 120 people live on the island in a small village on the western shore. The village has residential housing, restaurants, bars, a church, a police station, a post office, a library, small retail stores, and marine supply shops. Private chartered and scheduled flights are available from the airport or via seaplane to and from Nassau, which our team can accommodate you to get you appropriately scheduled. Being that a good portion of private yacht charters in the Exuma’s either start from or end in Staniel Cay. Making it one of the locations on a trip that is a must do in any itinerary. You wont want to miss visiting and snorkeling the famous “Thunderball Grotto”. Known for the vibrant heads of coral and reef fish that defines an underwater aquarium. This was a spot that attracted the interest of the James Bond film makers and was a location where many underwater scenes were shot. Acting as a cherry on top, dont forget to climb up above the cave to tempt yourself with the thrill to jump through the hole landing inside the underwater aquarium. 

Conclusion

There is much more to do and see in the Exuma Islands than this brief sample itinerary includes. There are many options available to you, and whether you have just a few days or a few weeks, we will customize your luxury yacht charter itinerary based on the specific desires and preferences of your guests. 

When that exciting day comes to plan your private yacht charter, you make sure to reach out to High Seas Yachting to speak with one of our brokers. We are ready to dedicate ourselves to save time and costly mistaikes. Serving you and assuring you will have an unforgettable yacht charter experience.