Abaco Yacht Charter

Whether you want to cruise by the cabin or charter bareboat, the Abacos in the Bahamas is a true vacation paradise, where you can discover over 130 miles of cays and islands.

What’s on this page

Highlights

Beach bars
Rich colonial history
World-class beaches

Bahamas yacht charter, Abaco

On your Abaco yacht charter enjoy the calm, electric-blue waters and warm breezes which lure visitors to this destination time and time again. Visit the Abaco Out Islands and you’ll experience idyllic locations largely unspoiled by crowds and tourism.

Fishing and diving are world-class in the Abaco Islands, and keen snorkelers should definitely head to the seven-mile beach of Great Guana Cay and the impressive Pelican Cays Land and Sea Park with its colorful coral reefs and underwater caves.

From our base at Conch Inn Marina on Great Abaco Island, you can easily sail to Treasure Cay, often voted one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Or call in at the small colonial townships Elbow Cay, making sure you don’t miss the island’s romantic and remote Tahiti Beach.

Green Turtle Cay and Man-O-War Cay are definitely a must-see on any Abaco yacht charter, as are the famous Bahamas swimming pigs at No Name Cay.

Whether you just want to relax on your Abacos yacht charter, or take part in the many activities available on the islands, you’re sure to have the perfect sailing vacation.

Choose charter type below to see available charters options

Bareboat

For experienced sailors, a bareboat charter is the perfect getaway.

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Skippered

Relax and leave all the sailing to a professional skipper.

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Easy crewed

The simplest, hassle-free way to charter a crewed private yacht.

Fully crewed

Your own private yacht for an all-inclusive luxury sailing vacation.

Cabin cruise

Reserve a private ensuite stateroom on a modern catamaran.

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SailShare

Low package rates for island-hopping aboard a sailing yacht.

Aqualodge

Get closer to nature on the perfect self-catering Caribbean vacation.

Motor Yachts

Cruise faster and see more on the perfect charter boat.

More about charter types

Things to do in the Abacos

Abaco sunset happy couple catamaran charter

Learn about Abacos

Visit Green Turtle Cay to see the Loyalist Memorial Sculpture Garden, which celebrates The Bahamas’ new beginning and its past. The sculptures are made by artist James Mastin.

Visit Hope Town’s lighthouse

Sail to Hope Town, one of the prettiest harbors in the Bahamas. Dominating the town is the well-photographed red and white striped lighthouse built in the 1860s – one of only three kerosene-lit manned lighthouses in the world, and still relied upon by sailors in the Bahamas.

Enjoy dinner at Green Turtle Club Resort & Marina

Enjoy the menu curated by Michael Howell, from gourmet dining to the full Abaco experience. Treat yourself to a cocktail in the Dollar Bar, which has been visited by many film stars.

Swim with the inquisitive pigs

Drop anchor at No Name Cay, dinghy to shore and visit the famous swimming pigs. These island-bound hogs welcome visitors by wading into the water to greet them – especially visitors who bring along some vegetable scraps from their lunch.

Snorkel at Pelican Cays Sea Park

For a daytime anchorage, head for the west side of Sandy Cay. From here you can dinghy to the reefs on the east side, which form part of the Pelican Cays Land and Sea Park with its protected coral and sea life. It’s one of the top things to do in Abaco, there are some small moorings for you to tie the dinghy to when diving or snorkeling this beautiful underwater area.

Weather insights

When is the best time to go to the Abacos?

The best time to visit the Bahamas is from December to April, when temperatures cool slightly to between 82-87ºF. It’s a great place to visit year-round as the temperatures are comfortable and rarely dip below 60°F.

The hottest months in the Bahamas are July and August, and the wettest months are May and June. The islands fall within the hurricane belt, so hurricanes may be a factor between June and November (the Atlantic hurricane season).

What are the sailing conditions in the Abacos?

Sailing conditions in the Bahamas include easterly winds between 10 and 15 knots and care is needed as the water can have shallow depths. The tidal range is up to 3.5ft.

Abaco happy friends sailing yacht charter

Sailing in the Abacos with Dream Yacht Charter

Abaco yacht charter

Take the helm and enjoy sailing in the Abacos to discover the charm of the unspoiled Bahamas Out Islands. Sail at your own pace on our cutting-edge catamarans and monohulls..

Find out more about our Abacos bareboat fleet

Skippered Abaco sailing charters

Can’t sail? Hire a skipper and enjoy relaxing while sailing in the Abacos. Your skipper will sail you and your guests while you make the most of the islands.

Find out more about our Abacos skippered charters

Abaco port sailing blue water yacht charter

Abacos sailing itinerary

Take a look at our Bahamas sailing vacation suggestion

Abacos 7 Days

Other Itineraries

7-day itinerary Abaco

Day 1

Elbow Cay is the most well-known of the small colonial townships on the outer cays and its famous 130-year-old lighthouse is visible for miles. Moorings can be reserved from Hope Town Marina and great bars and restaurants, such as Cap'n Jack’s and Harbour’s Edge. You can also come alongside Hope Town Marina or Lighthouse Marina to find fuel, water, ice and marina services. There are food markets, boutiques and the local dive shop. You can visit the small museum and then eat at one of the many restaurants surrounding the harbor. If you’re having lunch at the Hope Town Harbour Lodge beachside pool and restaurant, you can snorkel off their beach before or after your meal.

Day 2

About three miles south from the entrance to Hope Town in the White Sound, the Abaco Inn sits with its small stern-to docks – it is one of your best bets for dining out in Abaco. If the docks are full, try the nearby Sea Spray Marina where you can also find fuel, ice, water and a small restaurant at the marina. The navigable waters of White Sound are dredged and narrow, so there are no moorings available and anchoring is not possible.

Day 3

Tahiti Beach is a pleasant little lagoon anchorage with a white sand beach and coconut palm trees, which is protected from most winds except northerlies. Anchor in the lee of Tilloo Cay, just north of the Tilloo Bank, a deserted island with wild shores on the east side. It’s an open roadstead anchorage that is exposed to all winds, especially westerlies. From Tilloo Cay, you can dinghy over to Cracker P’s restaurant & bar, where they serve lunch and dinner.

Day 4

For a daytime anchorage, head for the west side of Sandy Cay. From here you’ll have dinghy access to the reefs on the east side, which form part of the Pelican Cays Sea Park with its protected coral and sea life. There are some small moorings for you to tie the dinghy to when diving or snorkeling this beautiful underwater area. Be aware it can be exposed to Atlantic weather and crosscurrents from the nearby North Bar Channel.

Day 5

Sail to Little Harbor, Great Abaco Island, where moorings are available from Pete’s Pub, or you can anchor. At mean low water there is only 3.5ft across the bar, so if you arrive too early to carry your draft, you can anchor on the west side of Tom Curry’s Point and await the rise of the tide. If you need to, you can spend the night at anchor here and be sheltered from most winds.

Day 6

Make your way to the historical township at Man-O-War Cay, which offers marina berths, moorings as well as anchorage sites. Man-O-War Marina’s berths and moorings are right on the town’s harbor, but they can also be reserved for you in the Eastern Harbor (sometimes known as American Harbor). You can’t anchor in the main harbor due to the amount of congestion and private moorings already there.

Day 7

Sail to Great Guana Cay, which has docking facilities in the bay facing southwest at the Grabbers Resort‘s small marina. With north and easterly winds, you can anchor in the bay, but use two anchors as the holding is soft and grassy. A better anchorage can be found just to the north of the resort anchoring behind Delia’s Cay. This cay also has a famous white sand beach that stretches for seven miles. Don’t forget to get in touch to book your next Dream Yacht Charter.

8-day itinerary Abaco

Day 1

Board at 5.30pm and overnight at the dock.

Day 2

Cruise toward Great Guana Cay, perfect for taking long beach walks, beach combing, snorkeling, diving or sunbathing – there is something for everyone.

Day 3

Just after breakfast, set sail for Treasure Cay – the sand is incredible.

Day 4

In the morning, head for Man-O-War Cay, a sleepy, prosperous settlement. Snorkeling can be found on the ocean side of the island.

Day 5

Make for Tahiti Beach and, if you charter a catamaran, its shallow draft means you can step off the boat and wade through azure waters straight onto the beach. After a swim, sail up to Hope Town.

Day 6

Get up early so you can sail down to the south of Abaco to find your own secluded island. Spend the day laying on the beach, snorkeling the reefs or diving. There’s nothing like having an island all to yourself. Spend your early evening drinking cocktails while watching the sunset in Little Harbor.

Day 7

After a delicious breakfast, head back towards Marsh Harbour to enjoy a last swim in the Sea of Abaco before heading back to our marina for dinner and celebrating a fantastic week by listening to local bands nearby.

Day 8

Head back to base to disembark. Don’t forget to get back in touch to book your next Dream Yacht Charter.

10-day itinerary Abaco

Day 1

Board at 5:30pm and overnight at the dock.

Day 2

After your briefing, cruise towards Great Guana Cay to stroll the long white sandy beach at Great Guana Cay, snorkel or dive (with extra charge) – there is something for everyone.

Day 3

Get up early and leave for the north and Spanish Cay. Arrive in the afternoon and explore the beaches and the sea views and sunset.

Day 4

In the morning, set sail to Green Turtle Cay. Visit the island by foot or bicycle and visit the local museum or the Memorial Sculpture Garden, which features bronze busts from Bahamian history.

Day 5

Head for Treasure Cay, the sand is incredible.

Day 6

Sail to Man-O-War, a sleepy, but prosperous and beautifully maintained settlement. Snorkeling can be found on the ocean side of the island.

Day 7

Enjoy the beautiful waters at Tahiti Beach before sailing up to Hope Town. Dominating the town is the well-photographed red and white striped lighthouse, which is one of only three kerosene lighted, manned lighthouses in the world and still relied upon by sailors in the Bahamas.

Day 8

Sail down to the south of Abaco to find your own secluded island. Spend the day laying on the beach or snorkeling the reefs with the sea life or going down deeper for those who want to dive (with extra charge). Spend your early evening drinking cocktails while watching the sunset in Little Harbor.

Day 9

Head back to base, stopping at Matt Lowe's Cay. Enjoy your last swim in the Sea of Abaco.

Day 10

Back to base to disembark. Don’t forget to get back in touch to book your next Dream Yacht Charter.

Useful information for an Abacos sailing charter

Where are the Abacos located?

The Abaco Islands are located in the northern Bahamas, about 175 miles from Florida’s east coast.

How to get to the Abacos from the US?

To get to the Abacos, fly to Leonard M. Thompson International Airport, also known as Marsh Harbour International Airport (MHH). There are a number of direct flights from Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.

We can arrange airport transfers on request and the airport is a 10-minute taxi ride away from your base for sailing in the Abacos.

What is the language spoken in the Abacos?

The language spoken in the Abacos is English, as well as Bahamian English.

What is the currency for the Abacos?

The currency in the Abacos is the Bahamian dollar (BSD). US dollars (USD) are also widely accepted.

What documents do I need for sailing in the Abacos?

The documents you need to enter the Bahamas include a US passport valid for the duration of your stay.

Talk to us to make sure you have the correct documents before you travel for your Abaco yacht charter.

How do I get around the Abacos?

Taxis are easy to find around the airports and marinas, but make sure you have some cash as they don’t take credit cards. On the Out Islands, taxis aren’t metered and fares should be agreed in advance. They can also be shared with residents in carpool arrangements.

What is the Wi-Fi like in the Abacos?

On your Abaco yacht charter you’ll find free Wi-Fi at our marina. Wi-Fi is also available in some marinas, cafes and restaurants.

What regulations are there in the Abacos?

Fishing regulations are strict. A fishing permit, issued at the time of inbound clearance and valid for three month, is included in the cruising permit fee.

Spearfishing is restricted to Hawaiian sling only. Spears, fish traps, nets (excluding landing nets) and spearguns are prohibited. No marine life at all may be captured in the national marine parks or reserve areas.

Visiting sailors are expected to do their best to cause as little damage as possible, both ashore and afloat. In particular, avoid anchoring in coral, which is easily destroyed. Mooring buoys have been installed at some locations and these should be used in preference to anchors.

Where can I find weather forecasts in the Abacos?

You can find Abacos weather forecasts on the WindFinder.com website. Cruisers Net broadcasts weather forecasts and tides each day on VHF channel 68 at 8:15am. Radio Abaco broadcasts weather forecasts every day at 6am and 6pm on 93.5FM.

What provisioning is there in the Abacos?

Check out our base guide for provisioning information.

What baggage can I take on my Abacos sailing vacation?

Please only take soft bags and not suitcases as they are too cumbersome on board.

What is the electrical current in the Abacos?

The electrical current in the Abacos is 120V (plug sockets A and B).

What is the dialing code for the Abacos?

The dialing code for the Abacos is +1 242.

Downloads

Base Guide Bareboat Abaco pdf 1.50 MB

Base Guide Cabin Abaco pdf 462.35 KB

Terms Conditions Crewed 1.pdf pdf 288.82 KB

Crew List Bareboat 11 doc 104.00 KB

Navigation Area Map Bareboat 26012016 pdf 131.63 KB

Sailing Resume Bareboat 1.doc doc 87.50 KB

Special Diets Cabin pdf 125.25 KB

The Country Of The Bahamas Bareboat 1.pdf pdf 44.61 KB

Available charter types

FAQ

See all our FAQs

Why should I book with Dream Yacht?

Dream Yacht Worldwide is now the world’s leading yacht charter company and offers you:

A diverse fleet of yachts with a wide variety of models and manufacturers to suit every type of sailor.
We have 40+ exciting destinations and we’re a pioneer in finding new sailing grounds.
You can be assured of our commitment to customer service excellence.
You’ll receive a warm and friendly welcome from our base teams who will share regional tips, recommendations and advice.
We’re also a trusted seller of new and used boats and an innovator in charter management options – sailing is our business.

What licenses do I need to hire a yacht and sail myself?

The skipper of a yacht has primary responsibility for the safety of the crew and yacht at all times. Many destinations require just relevant experience demonstrated by a sailing resume.

To charter in the Mediterranean, it is mandatory that you hold a sailing license recognized by the local port authorities for bareboat charters in Italy, Greece, Croatia, Spain, Malta, Montenegro and Turkey. Other destinations that require a license include Madagascar, Seychelles, Thailand, Brazil and Sweden. For Belize, the port authority will issue a certificate of competency and an application is made on arrival.

You must take your proof of competency and original certificate with you on your charter. We advise you to contact our team about your qualifications and destination requirements before booking.

By accepting the yacht contract you are confirming that you and/or members of your crew are capable and competent to sail the yacht in the conditions and cruising area of the charter. We reserve the right not to hand over the yacht if, after inspection, it is the opinion that the charterer is not, or may not be competent to be in charge of the vessel.

What is a skippered yacht charter?

A skippered yacht charter is when you rent one of our boats for you and your guests and a professional skipper sails it for you. No sailing experience is needed.

You will need to choose a yacht with a cabin for your skipper to sleep in as they are responsible for your yacht for the duration of your charter. We will find the skipper for you once you have found your perfect destination and yacht.

You will need to pay for your skipper’s food. You can invite the skipper to dine with you on board or out at a local restaurant.

What is the difference between crewed and by the cabin charters?

Our by the cabin charter charters offer exciting destination tours on a set itinerary crafted by our destination experts. You can book a double cabin and private bathroom and will share the boat with other guests who have booked the other available cabins. You will be looked after by a professional skipper and hostess with itineraries ranging from three to 11 nights. There is a set menu and included meals and drinks vary depending on location.

Can you tell me about your yachts?

Our super premier yachts are less than 12 months old from their first charter date, while premier yachts are less than three years old from their first charter date. Our yachts are well maintained and undergo regular, scheduled technical inspection.

In case of emergency, you can rely on our hotline, at any time, seven days a week. If you experience a technical failure affecting major and important parts of the yacht, we will repair the failure within four hours of receiving your call during working hours (8am to 5pm). If you lose more than four hours (during working hours), we will compensate you for one full day. If the repair takes more than one day, we will provide you with a similar boat or compensate you on a pro-rata basis. If restrictions to this guarantee apply in specific areas, this will be detailed during the charter check-in at the base.

Do I need insurance for my bareboat charter?

We highly recommend you arrange travel insurance in case you need to cancel for an unexpected reason to cover non-refundable deposits. Please make sure you have personal travel insurance that covers sailing.

We will insure the vessel throughout the charter with first-class insurers against all risks, to provide permission to charter as under contract terms and to cover third-party liability.

The following options are available in limited locations:

Security Deposit: This varies on the size of the boat and when the boat is returned without damage it is refunded.
Damage Waiver: The charterer agrees to pay a non-refundable damage waiver at the time of booking, as well as a reduced damage deposit on embarkation that is refundable upon completion of the charter should no damage occur.

Ever considered a Cabin Cruise?

As pioneers in the industry, Dream Yacht was one of the first to develop the Cabin Cruise concept. It’s an ideal choice for solo or couples travelers seeking relaxed adventure, exotic destinations, and unique local cultures in an intimate, social setting – in comfort at sea.

Find out more

Our promise

Private accommodations

Comfortable and private standard double cabins with ensuite bathroom

Curated itineraries

Experience world-class destinations, local culture and excursions with our expertly curated itineraries

Accessible

An affordable and intimate experience without the need to book an entire yacht or provide sailing qualifications

Vetted crew

Enjoy our professional crew with a strong local knowledge and friendly service

Full board meals

Enjoy fresh and delicious cuisine prepared and served daily

Choose your mood

Relax on deck socializing with fellow travelers, kayak or snorkel from your yacht, or enjoy exploring ashore

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What’s new?

Stay up to date with news and events or get some inspiration for your next yacht charter and pick up useful tips by reading our latest blogs.

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10 reasons to sail in the Abacos now

Available charter types