Bahamas · high season Dec–Apr
How much does a yacht charter in the Bahamas cost?
A yacht charter in the Bahamas costs $1,000 to $150,000+ per week in base rate, or $1,000 to $8,000 for a single day. Crewed catamarans run $10,000–$100,000 per week. Motor yachts span $20,000–$150,000. Charter tax is 14% — 10% VAT plus a 4% cruising and tourism fee — the highest rate among the Caribbean's major charter grounds. Yacht charters in the Bahamas run both day and week formats, unlike islands built purely around weekly bookings.
The Bahamas offers two charter hubs, Nassau and the Exumas, each with a different charter experience — Nassau charters stay close to downtown Nassau and the cruise-ship port, while Exumas charters anchor mostly at uninhabited cays. A yacht vacation in the Bahamas can run as a single day or a full week; either way, budget the 14% tax on top of the base rate. Published day-boat listings for Nassau run $672–$2,400 for a standard powerboat rental, in line with this site's day-rate band. High season runs December to April, same as the rest of the Caribbean; hurricane season, June to November, is the off-peak window with lower rates.
Bahamas — estimated total
$91,575
1 week · crewed catamaran · mid range
- Base $55,000 (60%)
- APA $19,250 (21%)
- Tax $7,700 (8%)
- Tip $9,625 (11%)
High season: Dec–Apr. Tax note: 14% = 10% VAT + 4% cruising/tourism fees.
Bahamas charter rates
| Format | Rate | APA | VAT | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full day (8 h) | $1,000–$8,000 | — | 14% | 17.5% |
| Half day (4 h) | $500–$4,000 | — | 14% | 17.5% |
| Sailing yacht, per week | $8,000–$30,000 | 35% (crewed) | 14% | 17.5% (crewed) |
| Catamaran, per week | $10,000–$100,000 | 35% (crewed) | 14% | 17.5% (crewed) |
| Motor yacht, per week | $20,000–$150,000 | 35% (crewed) | 14% | 17.5% (crewed) |
Tax note: 14% = 10% VAT + 4% cruising/tourism fees.
What a Bahamas charter really costs
The 14% tax is the number that separates the Bahamas from its tax-free neighbors. It is not a single VAT line — it is 10% VAT plus a 4% cruising and tourism fee, both charged on the base rate whether you book a crewed yacht or a bareboat. A mid-range $30,000 crewed catamaran picks up $4,200 in tax alone.
Full stack on that same boat: $30,000 base + 35% APA ($10,500) + 14% tax ($4,200) + 17.5% tip ($5,250) = $49,950 all-in. Charter the identical boat in the BVI instead and the tax line disappears — total drops to $45,750, a $4,200 saving from the embarkation island alone.
Day charters are the lower-commitment option: $1,000–$8,000 all-in for a full day, tax and tip included, no APA. Compare catamaran rates across the Caribbean in the catamaran cost guide or run any boat type through the calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a crewed catamaran cost in the Bahamas?
$10,000–$100,000 per week base. A mid-range $30,000 boat adds 35% APA ($10,500), 14% tax ($4,200) and a 17.5% tip ($5,250) for about $49,950 all-in.
What is the tax on a Bahamas yacht charter?
14% total — 10% VAT plus a 4% cruising and tourism fee, both charged on the base rate. That is the highest charter tax in the Caribbean; the BVI and St Barths charge 0%.
How much is a day charter in the Bahamas?
$1,000–$8,000 for a full day, all-in: tax and tip included, no APA. Nassau day-boat listings run $672–$2,400 for a standard powerboat rental.
Can you bareboat charter in the Bahamas?
Yes — bareboat sailing yachts start at $8,000 per week, plus 14% tax. No APA and no crew tip apply since there is no crew.
When is charter season in the Bahamas?
December to April. The Exumas and Nassau book solidly over the Christmas and New Year weeks, pricing at the top of every range. Hurricane season runs June to November and can affect late-summer availability, the same window that affects the wider Caribbean.