Thinking of embarking on an island-hopping adventure in the Bahamas? This guide will help you explore your options and plan the perfect trip.
Why island-hop in the Bahamas?
With over 700 islands, the Bahamas is an unparalleled destination for island-hopping. The Exuma Cays, boasting more than 360 islands, are an excellent starting point. Seasoned travelers often return year after year, drawn by the endless discoveries these islands have to offer.
How to island hop in the Bahamas
Before diving into specific destinations, it’s important to choose the right method of travel. Your choice will depend on:
- How much time you have
- Your budget
- Your desired level of comfort and luxury
- The available transportation options
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The Bahamas are distributed over 5,358 square miles, so island-hopping by air, while often very costly, can be an option if you're looking to cover lots of ground.
Fly between islands
Flying is the fastest way to island-hop, but it’s not cheap, so plan your budget accordingly.
Local airlines like Titan Air, Staniel Air, Flamingo Air, and Bahamas Air provide scheduled flights between islands. For a more exclusive experience, consider private charters such as Tropic Ocean Airways, Graceful Wings, or Bahama Hoppers.
Keep in mind:
- Hotels are needed at each destination, so factor in lodging costs.
- Pack light—planes have strict weight limits.
If you’re a pilot, joining a flying club for an organized group trip can be a fun and unique way to explore.
Day tour boats can be private or can carry dozens of passengers from the same destination. They vary in size, speed and range, so ask your tour operator how long the trip is, approximately how many guests will be on board, and what the stops are before booking.
Take a day tour
For a quick and budget-conscious option, book a speedboat tour from Nassau or George Town in Great Exuma.
These day-long trips travel 60-70 miles over water each way and typically cover:
- Compass Cay: Swim with sharks.
- Big Majors or White Bay Cay: Visit the famous swimming pigs.
- Allen's Cay or Leaf Cay: Meet the Bahamas' native rock iguana.
- Other attractions: The tours from Nassau often swing by the sunken plane at Norman's Cay, and the tours from Great Exuma usually stop at a blow hole, blue hole or other pretty beach.
Day tours are highly weather-dependent, so keep your plans flexible.
Rent a boat
If you're staying on land, renting a small powerboat for the day or week allows you to explore the immediate area. This is a great option in places like the Abacos or Staniel Cay. It's also good for exploring Elizabeth Harbor in Great Exuma, though your range will depend on daylight and rental restrictions.
A crewed charter ensures everyone vacationing on board can leave their worries at home, and focus on relaxing and having fun. Evenings come with a new sunset view each day, and days are spent exploring nature and local settlements.
Weekly charters (our top recommendation)
If you want to make the most of your time in the Bahamas, charter a sailboat, catamaran, or motor yacht for the week. A live-aboard charter lets you cover more ground, exploring new destinations daily, offering scenic travel, plush accommodations, and the option of deep local knowledge and personalized service from a captain and crew, including chef.
Bareboat charter: For experienced boaters, the Abacos offer a relatively protected cruising ground with short distances between islands and plenty of civilization for shopping and eating out. Crewed-charter is also available, as well as a day-captain-only hybrid option.
Crewed charter: An all-inclusive option that allows your whole group to relax while exploring a variety of islands at your own pace. On crewed charters, everything is taken care of. The itinerary and menu are designed specifically to serve your group. Motor yachts and sailboats are available, and rates can range between $18k and $180k a week depending on the size of the boat, plus 14% Bahamas charter tax and a 10-20% crew gratuity.
Our sailing catamaran, Tahina, hosts private groups of up to 6 guests in three queen-size staterooms, each with an en-suite bathroom. Our prices include crew, food, beverages, fuel, water, and access to the snorkel gear, standup paddleboards, double kayak, floats, and water toys onboard.
On a weekly charter, you can island-hop to your heart's content—See a different island every day, or, if you find a place you love, stay awhile. We have a 40hp dinghy at our disposal too, so you've got a built-in runabout to head to shore or check out nearby areas once we drop anchor for the day.
On Tahina, after flights and a $30-50 airport taxi, once you book your charter, everything else is paid for unless you want to dine at a local restaurant along the way or pay admission to access a private marina or stay in a national park. No extra boat rental or car rental fees, grocery costs, hotel costs, fuel costs, excursion fees, etc. It's all included in your charter rate.
Tahina's guests are welcome to participate as much or as little in sailing as they like. We've hosted lifelong sailors who love to hoist the sails and take the wheel, sailing-curious guests who want to learn the ropes, and guests who prefer to chill out and leave the boat work to us.
The best part about a crewed charter, besides extensive local knowledge, is that no one gets stuck on dish duty, fixing broken boat parts, or figuring out what's for dinner when they're on vacation. That's what the crew is there for!
The Lady Francis and the Captain C are two of the many mailboats that ply the waters of the Bahamas, delivering goods to out-island settlements.
Mailboat travel
If you’re feeling intrepid and have time to spare, a mailboat trip offers a rare glimpse into the no-frills travel locals have relied on for generations to move people and essential goods to remote outposts. For shoestring travelers and backpackers, it’s one of the few "budget" options in a country where "budget travel" is scarce.
Planning is part of the adventure—online details are sparse, passenger berths are limited, bookings often require an in-person visit to the dockmaster, and schedules are notoriously unpredictable. Yet the journey will likely reward you with a captivating story or two from Bahamian travelers, unforgettable memories, and a craving for a well-deserved nap.
Pack snacks, water, and seasickness remedies to make the most of this authentic travel experience.
The Bahamas span over 5,358 square miles and comprise several island groups.
Where to island hop in the Bahamas
If you've got your own private boat or plane, the world is your oyster. Pick an island group or a few, and check it out.
After Nassau and Grand Bahama, the Abacos and Eleuthera are more developed and populated. The Exumas' 360 islands have four permanent settlements, and the Berry Islands, while convenient to the East Coast of the US, have even fewer.
Shallow draft boats (4.5-ft or less) can explore the Berry Islands and the Abacos easily, the Exumas are friendly for these and slightly deeper draft boats.
Cat Island, Long Island, the Jumentos, Andros, Ragged Island, and the islands further afield are the true out-islands. These are quiet places with sparse populations, small, simple yet friendly residents living in humble settlements, and limited supplies. It's best to stock up on critical supplies and bring them along with you, or learn the best ways to fly or ship them in before visiting if you plan to stay for awhile. Pay a visit to local shops and dining establishments to supplement your food and beverages or have a casual meal, and support local makers when you find them.
If you're staying on land and doing day tours or renting a day boat, the population centers of the Abacos, Eleuthera and Great Exuma are best.
For a bareboat charter, the Abacos are a great place to start your first island-hopping adventure.
And for crewed charter, the best area of the Bahamas to start island-hopping is the Exumas. It's an extensive cruising area with hundreds of islands and cays to explore, crystal clear water, and enough complexity in navigating currents, shallows and weather that it makes having a crew at your side to help you navigate it truly worthwhile. You can hop conveniently from George Town in Great Exuma north through vibrant sand bars and beaches toward the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park, visiting small out-island settlements, lively snorkel spots, pigs, turtles, sharks and iguanas along the way, or take the day-long sail from/to Nassau to the Exumas at the start and end of your trip and see the northern Exumas instead. A lot of boats start in Nassau, but we're partial to starting your charter in George Town, Great Exuma. Here's why.
If you've chartered the Exumas before and want to hop islands further afield, consider extending your itinerary and finding a crew who will take you to Long Island, Conception Island or the Jumentos. These destinations tend to involve more sailing and are more weather-dependent, but they're perfect for experienced travelers who want to slow down and get to know the true out-islands of the Bahamas.
Tahina operates Bahamas island-hopping charters from George Town, Great Exuma between mid-November and the end of May annually.
Check out our rates and calendar to get started.
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