JS
Joshua S.
2 hours ago
Amazing yacht rental experience. Ben was great on board, helpful, friendly and on top of everything. Everything went perfect, and the jet skis were superior. Will definitely be back.
A Single Day in the Bahamas by Private Yacht
Bahamas Day Yacht Charter
A private day yacht charter across the Gulf Stream to Bimini's turquoise sandbars or Nassau and back the same evening. Captain, crew, and customs coordination on every crossing.
Captain and crew on every crossing. Customs coordination included.
AS SEEN IN
PRIVATE BAHAMAS DAY CHARTERS FROM SOUTH FLORIDA
A Bahamas Day Trip by Private Yacht
Crown Yachts is a South Florida operator running private, crewed charters from Miami and Fort Lauderdale. On a Bahamas day charter the realistic reach is one island: Bimini, roughly 50 miles east across the Gulf Stream and the only Bahamian island close enough to visit and return the same day. A fast motor yacht covers the crossing in about 2 to 3 hours each way, which is what makes the round trip possible inside a single day.
Every day yacht charter Bahamas booking is fully private and fully crewed. The captain manages the crossing, the weather window, customs clearance at the port of entry, and all navigation. Your group spends the middle of the day at Honeymoon Harbour with the friendly stingrays at Gun Cay, snorkeling the SS Sapona wreck, or relaxing on the North Bimini flats, then cruises home the same evening. It is the easiest first taste of the islands.
The farther islands, Nassau, the Berry Islands, Eleuthera, and the Exumas, sit too far out for a same-day trip from Florida. Each one day-charters beautifully once your group is already based in the islands on a multi-day Bahamas charter. A private day charter Bahamas crossing is quoted per trip. Share your date and group size via WhatsApp and we build the quote.
Bahamas Day Fleet
Yachts for a Bahamas Day Charter
Private charter yachts fast enough for a same-day Bimini crossing from Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Captain and crew on every booking. A quicker vessel is ideal so the round trip fits comfortably inside a single day.
WHAT TO EXPECT
How a Bahamas Day Charter Works
A Bahamas day charter is the easiest way to reach the islands from South Florida. Here is what every same-day crossing includes, from the marina in Florida to the sandbars off Bimini and back.
PLAN YOUR DAYONE ISLAND IN A DAY
Bimini Is the Only Island Realistically Day-Trippable from South Florida
A Bahamas day charter out of Miami or Fort Lauderdale means one destination: Bimini, the closest Bahamian island, roughly 50 miles east across the Gulf Stream. On a fast motor yacht the crossing runs about 2 to 3 hours each way, which is what makes the round trip fit inside a single day. The farther islands sit too far out for a same-day return. See the shortest route on the Miami to Bimini page.
MORNING OUT, EVENING BACK
Depart Early, Spend the Day on the Flats, Cruise Home the Same Evening
A Bahamas boat day trip departs South Florida early in the morning, clears customs at the North Bimini port of entry, and spends the middle of the day at anchor on the sandbars and flats. A late afternoon departure gets your group back to the Florida dock the same evening. It is the easiest first taste of the islands, and the full round trip is covered on the Bahamas day trip from Miami page.
COMPLETELY PRIVATE
One Group, One Vessel, No Other Passengers
Every private day charter Bahamas booking is exclusive to your group. No shared passengers, no group tour format, no other guests at the marina or on board. The vessel, the captain, and the crew belong to your party for the entire crossing and the day on the water.
CAPTAIN HANDLES EVERYTHING
Customs, Cruising Permit, and Navigation Managed by the Crew
Passengers carry only a valid passport. The captain handles the Bahamian cruising permit, vessel documentation, customs clearance at the official port of entry, and all navigation across the Gulf Stream. Every part of the day yacht charter Bahamas crossing is managed by the crew from the dock in Florida to the anchorage and back.
DAY-CHARTER THE FARTHER ISLANDS
Nassau, the Exumas, and Eleuthera Day-Charter Once You Are in the Islands
Nassau, the Exumas, Eleuthera, and the Berry Islands are too far for a day trip out of Florida, but each is easy to day-charter once your group is already based in the islands. On a multi-day Bahamas yacht charter the vessel becomes your floating base, and each day is its own short island hop to a new sandbar, cay, or beach.
ADD-ONS PRE-LOADED
Chef, Bar, and Watersports Ready Before You Board
A private chef, an open bar package, watersports gear, and celebration decoration are all coordinated and loaded before your group boards for the day. Nothing to organize on the water. Every provisioning and setup detail is handled at the Florida marina before departure.
DEPARTURE POINTS
Miami and Fort Lauderdale Day-Charter Departures
A Bahamas day cruise departs from deep-water marinas in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. We assign the departure point closest to where your group is staying for the shortest run to the crossing.
Select a marina to see the location
Miami Beach Marina
South Beach, Miami
The primary Miami departure point for a Bahamas day charter. At the southern tip of Miami Beach beside Government Cut, vessels clear the channel within minutes and are in open water heading east toward Bimini. The most requested marina for a Bahamas boat day trip.
A Watson Island deep-water marina on the MacArthur Causeway between downtown Miami and Miami Beach. It accommodates larger vessels with deep-water berths, and a short transit south reaches Government Cut and the open Atlantic for the day crossing to the islands.
On the eastern shore of Key Biscayne with direct Atlantic access east of the island. One of the closest Miami departure points to open water, cutting the run out toward Cat Cay and Bimini for a day trip with no inner bay transit required.
The best-known marina in Fort Lauderdale, on Seabreeze Boulevard at Fort Lauderdale Beach. From Bahia Mar the yacht clears Port Everglades and heads straight across the Gulf Stream, a popular Fort Lauderdale start for a Bahamas day cruise.
A deep-water mega-yacht marina on the Intracoastal at the 17th Street Causeway near Rio Vista, minutes from the Port Everglades inlet. A natural Fort Lauderdale departure for larger vessels making the day crossing to Bimini.
On the Intracoastal at the foot of the Las Olas bridge, minutes from the Las Olas district and a short run south to the Port Everglades inlet. A central Fort Lauderdale departure for guests near the beach who want a day yacht charter Bahamas crossing.
View Miami Beach yacht charters- Miami Beach MarinaSouth Beach, MiamiThe primary Miami departure point for a Bahamas day charter. At the southern tip of Miami Beach beside Government Cut, vessels clear the channel within minutes and are in open water heading east toward Bimini. The most requested marina for a Bahamas boat day trip.Miami Beach yacht charters
- Island Gardens Deep HarbourWatson Island, MiamiA Watson Island deep-water marina on the MacArthur Causeway between downtown Miami and Miami Beach. It accommodates larger vessels with deep-water berths, and a short transit south reaches Government Cut and the open Atlantic for the day crossing to the islands.Downtown Miami yacht charters
- Crandon Park MarinaKey Biscayne, MiamiOn the eastern shore of Key Biscayne with direct Atlantic access east of the island. One of the closest Miami departure points to open water, cutting the run out toward Cat Cay and Bimini for a day trip with no inner bay transit required.Key Biscayne yacht charters
- Bahia Mar Yachting CenterFort Lauderdale BeachThe best-known marina in Fort Lauderdale, on Seabreeze Boulevard at Fort Lauderdale Beach. From Bahia Mar the yacht clears Port Everglades and heads straight across the Gulf Stream, a popular Fort Lauderdale start for a Bahamas day cruise.Harbor Beach yacht charters
- Pier Sixty-Six Marina17th Street, Fort LauderdaleA deep-water mega-yacht marina on the Intracoastal at the 17th Street Causeway near Rio Vista, minutes from the Port Everglades inlet. A natural Fort Lauderdale departure for larger vessels making the day crossing to Bimini.Rio Vista yacht charters
- Las Olas MarinaLas Olas, Fort LauderdaleOn the Intracoastal at the foot of the Las Olas bridge, minutes from the Las Olas district and a short run south to the Port Everglades inlet. A central Fort Lauderdale departure for guests near the beach who want a day yacht charter Bahamas crossing.Las Olas yacht charters
BOOKING PROCESS
How to Plan a Bahamas Day Charter
01
Share Your Date and Group Size
Contact us via WhatsApp with your preferred date and how many guests will be aboard. We respond with available vessels and a recommendation on whether a single-day Bimini crossing fits your plans or whether the islands you have in mind call for a longer trip.
02
Receive a Fast-Vessel Shortlist
A Bahamas day charter needs a vessel quick enough for the round trip in one day. We send a curated shortlist from the Pershing GTX 116, Azimut 105, and Lazzara LSX 75 matched to your group size, each with the speed and range to reach Bimini and return the same evening.
03
Choose Your Departure Marina and Stops
We confirm the departure marina closest to where your group is staying in Miami or Fort Lauderdale, then plan the day around the stingray sandbar at Gun Cay, the SS Sapona wreck, and the North Bimini flats. The itinerary is built around your group and the daylight you have.
04
Arrange Catering, Add-Ons, and Documentation
We coordinate provisioning, a private chef, an open bar package, and any celebration setup for the day. Every passenger receives the passport and entry checklist at this stage so nothing is missed on the morning of the crossing.
05
Confirm with a Deposit
Secure the vessel and date with a deposit. You receive a full confirmation covering the marina address, boarding time, captain contact, and everything included on the day. The captain monitors the marine forecast and confirms the exact departure window ahead of the crossing.
06
Board Early and Cross to the Islands
Most day charters depart at first light to make the most of the daylight in the Bahamas. The captain and crew are aboard before you arrive, every add-on is ready, and the vessel clears the inlet and heads east across the Gulf Stream. You spend the day on the flats and cruise home the same evening.
WHERE YOU WILL GO
Where a Bahamas Day Charter Goes
Bimini and the nearby Gun Cay and Cat Cay sandbars are the spots reachable on a day trip from Florida. Nassau and the Exumas day-charter once your group is already based in the islands.
Select a spot to see where it is
North Bimini & Alice Town
Day Trip from FloridaNorth Bimini is the closest Bahamian island to South Florida and the natural anchor for any Bahamas day trip. Alice Town runs along the King's Highway with waterfront bars and dive shops, and the harbour is the official port of entry where the captain clears customs on arrival. Full detail is on the Bimini yacht charter page.
Honeymoon Harbour at Gun Cay, just south of Bimini, is the single most requested stop on a Bahamas boat day trip. The shallow sandbar is home to friendly southern stingrays that glide up to swimmers in ankle-deep, crystal-clear water. It is the highlight of most day yacht charter Bahamas itineraries and one of the most photographed sandbars in the northern islands.
Cat Cay sits a little south of Bimini, roughly 55 miles from South Florida and within reach on a day charter from the southern Miami and Key Biscayne marinas. The surrounding sandbars and shallows rival any water in the northern Bahamas for clarity, making the Cat Cay flats a quieter alternative to the Gun Cay stingray sandbar on a private day charter Bahamas run.
The SS Sapona is a concrete-hulled cargo ship grounded in shallow water south of Bimini since a 1926 hurricane. The wreck sits partly above the surface, making it an easy and dramatic snorkel for all abilities and a favorite add-on stop on a Bahamas day cruise. Schools of fish shelter inside the hull, and the clear, shallow water around it makes it one of the best beginner snorkel sites in the islands.
Nassau is too far out for a day trip from Florida, but once your group is based in the islands it day-charters easily. From a Nassau anchorage a short run reaches Rose Island, the Paradise Island beaches, and the sandbars off the eastern harbour. Nassau works as one leg of a multi-day Bahamas charter rather than a same-day crossing.
The Exumas are a 365-cay chain with the clearest water in the Atlantic. They sit far beyond a Florida day trip, but once your vessel is anchored in the chain each day becomes a short island hop to the swimming pigs at Big Major Cay, Thunderball Grotto, and Staniel Cay. The Exumas are the classic reason to turn a day charter idea into a longer Bahamas boat rental.
- North Bimini & Alice TownDay Trip from FloridaNorth Bimini is the closest Bahamian island to South Florida and the natural anchor for any Bahamas day trip. Alice Town runs along the King's Highway with waterfront bars and dive shops, and the harbour is the official port of entry where the captain clears customs on arrival. Full detail is on the Bimini yacht charter page.
- Honeymoon Harbour, Gun CayStingray SandbarHoneymoon Harbour at Gun Cay, just south of Bimini, is the single most requested stop on a Bahamas boat day trip. The shallow sandbar is home to friendly southern stingrays that glide up to swimmers in ankle-deep, crystal-clear water. It is the highlight of most day yacht charter Bahamas itineraries and one of the most photographed sandbars in the northern islands.
- Cat Cay SandbarsDay Trip from FloridaCat Cay sits a little south of Bimini, roughly 55 miles from South Florida and within reach on a day charter from the southern Miami and Key Biscayne marinas. The surrounding sandbars and shallows rival any water in the northern Bahamas for clarity, making the Cat Cay flats a quieter alternative to the Gun Cay stingray sandbar on a private day charter Bahamas run.
- SS Sapona ShipwreckSnorkel StopThe SS Sapona is a concrete-hulled cargo ship grounded in shallow water south of Bimini since a 1926 hurricane. The wreck sits partly above the surface, making it an easy and dramatic snorkel for all abilities and a favorite add-on stop on a Bahamas day cruise. Schools of fish shelter inside the hull, and the clear, shallow water around it makes it one of the best beginner snorkel sites in the islands.
- Nassau & Paradise IslandDay-Charter from the IslandsNassau is too far out for a day trip from Florida, but once your group is based in the islands it day-charters easily. From a Nassau anchorage a short run reaches Rose Island, the Paradise Island beaches, and the sandbars off the eastern harbour. Nassau works as one leg of a multi-day Bahamas charter rather than a same-day crossing.
- Exumas Island HopsDay-Charter from the IslandsThe Exumas are a 365-cay chain with the clearest water in the Atlantic. They sit far beyond a Florida day trip, but once your vessel is anchored in the chain each day becomes a short island hop to the swimming pigs at Big Major Cay, Thunderball Grotto, and Staniel Cay. The Exumas are the classic reason to turn a day charter idea into a longer Bahamas boat rental.
PLAN YOUR BAHAMAS DAY
Ready for a Bahamas Day Charter?
Tell us your date and how many guests. We recommend a fast vessel, build the Bimini itinerary, and quote the day. Everything from the Florida marina to the sandbar and back is handled.
MESSAGE ON WHATSAPPBAHAMAS DAY CHARTER
A Day in the Bahamas: Sandbars, Stingrays, and the Same-Day Return
Crown Yachts runs private, crewed Bahamas day charters from Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Every booking is fully private, fully crewed, and managed from first inquiry to the anchorage off Bimini and back.
Day Yacht Charter Bahamas: Bimini Is the One Island You Can Do in a Day
50 miles from Florida, a 2 to 3-hour crossing each way
From South Florida, only Bimini is close enough to visit and return the same day. It sits about 50 miles east of Miami and Fort Lauderdale, a 2 to 3-hour run across the Gulf Stream, so a Bahamas boat day trip fits inside a single day. Crown Yachts operates private yachts quick enough for the round trip, departing from Miami Beach Marina or the nearest marina to your group. See the shortest route on the Miami to Bimini page.
Private Day Charter Bahamas: Honeymoon Harbour and the Stingrays
The most requested day on the water
A day boat rental Bahamas crossing departs Florida in the morning and anchors at Honeymoon Harbour off Gun Cay, where friendly southern stingrays glide across the shallow sandbar. From there the day can add the SS Sapona shipwreck snorkel, a swim on the North Bimini flats, or the Cat Cay sandbars before the evening return. Add a private chef and open bar service loaded before departure.
Bahamas Day Cruise: The Crew Handles Customs, You Carry a Passport
Entry into the Bahamas managed from the dock in Florida
Even on a single-day crossing, entering the Bahamas by private vessel requires a cruising permit, vessel documentation, and customs clearance at the port of entry. On every Crown Yachts day charter the captain handles all of it. Passengers carry only a valid US passport with at least six months of validity. The captain coordinates the arrival, presents the documentation, and manages the return clearance, so nothing about the international crossing falls to you. The full round trip is detailed on the Bahamas day trip from Miami page.
Bahamas Day Trip: The First Step to a Longer Island Voyage
Where the farther islands become day-charterable
Nassau, the Berry Islands, Eleuthera, and the Exumas sit beyond a day trip from Florida, but they day-charter easily once your vessel is based in the islands. Many groups start with a day crossing to Bimini and decide to keep going, turning the day into a multi-day Bahamas charter or a longer Bahamas boat rental. Crown Yachts coordinates the vessel, the route, the provisioning, and the crew service at every stop. See the full range on the Bahamas charters hub.
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FAQ
Bahamas Day Charter FAQ
- What is a Bahamas day charter?
- A Bahamas day charter is a private, crewed yacht trip that crosses to the islands and returns the same day. From South Florida the only realistically day-trippable island is Bimini, roughly 50 miles east across the Gulf Stream, reached in about 2 to 3 hours by fast motor yacht. The farther islands like Nassau and the Exumas are day-charterable once you are already based in the islands on a multi-day trip.
- Can I do a Bahamas day trip from Miami on a private yacht?
- Yes. A Bahamas day trip from Miami crosses to Bimini in the morning, spends the middle of the day at Honeymoon Harbour, the SS Sapona wreck, and the North Bimini flats, then returns the same evening. A faster vessel is recommended so the round trip fits comfortably in one day. The Miami departure and round trip are covered in full on the Bahamas day trip from Miami page.
- Do I need a passport for a Bahamas day charter?
- Yes. Every guest needs a valid US passport to enter the Bahamas by private vessel, including on a single-day crossing. We recommend at least six months of validity remaining on the passport. The captain handles the Bahamian cruising permit and clears customs at the official port of entry on arrival, so all you need to carry is the passport itself.
- Which Bahamas islands can you reach on a day charter?
- From South Florida, Bimini and the nearby Gun Cay and Cat Cay sandbars are the only spots reachable on a day trip, all within roughly 50 to 55 miles. Nassau, the Berry Islands, Eleuthera, and the Exumas sit too far out for a same-day return, but each day-charters easily once your group is based in the islands. Those farther crossings are covered on the Bahamas charters hub.
- How much does a Bahamas day charter cost?
- A day boat rental Bahamas crossing is quoted per trip rather than at a fixed rate, because the total depends on the vessel, the group size, and the add-ons. A faster vessel, a private chef, and an open bar all factor in. Share your date and group size via WhatsApp and we build a quote tailored to your day. Browse the fleet.
- Can I do a day yacht charter to Nassau?
- Bimini is the classic Bahamas day yacht charter, the closest island to South Florida and easily reached and back in one day. A day yacht charter to Nassau is a bigger ask at around 185 nautical miles each way, workable only on a fast yacht in calm conditions, so most guests set on Nassau choose an overnight instead. For a relaxed single day on the water, a Bahamas yacht day charter to Bimini's sandbars is the easiest option.
- Where do Bahamas day charters depart from?
- Bahamas day charters depart from deep-water marinas in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. In Miami the most popular start is Miami Beach Marina beside Government Cut, along with Island Gardens Deep Harbour and Crandon Park on Key Biscayne. In Fort Lauderdale, Bahia Mar, Pier Sixty-Six, and Las Olas Marina all sit minutes from the Port Everglades inlet. We assign the departure point closest to where you are staying for the shortest run to the crossing.
- What can you do on a Bahamas boat day trip?
- A Bahamas boat day trip centers on the water. The most requested stop is Honeymoon Harbour at Gun Cay, where friendly southern stingrays glide across a shallow sandbar. From there the day can add the SS Sapona shipwreck snorkel, a swim on the North Bimini flats, or a fishing run off the drop-off. A Bimini yacht charter page lists every stop that fits inside a single day.
- How is this different from the Bahamas day trip from Miami page?
- This page covers Bahamas day charters generally, the format, the honest reach from South Florida, and how the farther islands day-charter once you are in them. The Bahamas day trip from Miami page is focused specifically on the Miami departure and the same-day round trip across the Gulf Stream. If you are set on leaving from Miami and returning that evening, start there.
- Can a day charter turn into a multi-day Bahamas trip?
- Yes. Many groups start with a day crossing to Bimini and decide to stay aboard. Because Bimini is the natural first stop, the same vessel can continue to Cat Cay, the Berry Islands, Nassau, and the Exumas. See how the longer routes work on the multi-day Bahamas yacht charter and Bahamas boat rental pages.
- What is the best time of year for a Bahamas day charter?
- A Bahamas day charter runs year-round. Late fall through spring generally brings the calmest seas and the most reliable Gulf Stream crossings, which suits day trips well. Summer brings warm, clear water and long days. The captain always makes the final call on crossing conditions and selects the departure window with the smoothest water for the day.
Ready for a Private Yacht Day in the Bahamas?
The closest islands, reachable in a single day. Tell us your date and group size, and we recommend a fast vessel, build the Bimini itinerary, and handle everything from the Florida marina to the sandbar and back.
Captain and crew on every crossing 50 miles from South Florida Out and back the same day 5.0 Google rating
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