Miami to Bahamas Yacht Charter

Miami Beach Marina

South Beach

The primary departure point for Miami to Bahamas crossings. Located at the southern tip of Miami Beach, adjacent to Government Cut and the open Atlantic. Vessels clear the Cut within minutes of departure and are in open water heading east toward the Bahamian Bank. The most requested marina for Bimini and Nassau crossings.

South Beach marina at the southern edge of Miami Beach, within walking distance of South Pointe Park and Ocean Drive. Direct access to Government Cut and the Florida Straits. Preferred by South Beach hotel guests for Bimini day trips and overnight crossings.

Watson Island deep-water marina on the MacArthur Causeway, between downtown Miami and Miami Beach. Accommodates vessels up to 500 feet with deep-water berths and direct bay access. A short transit south through Biscayne Bay reaches Government Cut and the open Atlantic for the Bahamas crossing.

Miami's largest marina in the sheltered waterfront neighborhood of Coconut Grove. The southern approach from Dinner Key takes vessels through the lower bay toward Government Cut and the Florida Straits. Popular for crossings heading toward Cat Cay and the southern Bimini chain.

At the Rickenbacker Causeway entrance, gateway to Key Biscayne and the southern approach to the Atlantic. Vessels from Rickenbacker transit south of Nixon Sandbar and exit through Cape Florida Channel for the crossing to Cat Cay and Bimini.

On the eastern shore of Key Biscayne with direct access to the Atlantic east of the island. Among the closest departure points to open water for crossings toward Cat Cay and the southern Bimini chain. No inner bay transit required from this marina.

Coconut Grove waterfront marina convenient for Brickell and South Miami guests departing on multi-day Bahamas charters. The bay transit from Bayshore Landing south to the open Atlantic passes through the sheltered lower bay.

The southernmost practical departure point in Miami, serving guests from South Miami and Homestead. The shortest transit to the open Atlantic for crossings to Cat Cay and the southern Bimini chain. One of the least congested departure points for early morning Gulf Stream departures.

Bimini is the closest point in the Bahamas to Miami, approximately 50 nautical miles east across the Gulf Stream. The crossing takes 4 to 6 hours depending on vessel speed and sea conditions. North Bimini has a main marina, restaurants, dive shops, and direct access to clear Bahamian flats with visibility of 30 to 50 feet. South Bimini offers protected anchorages and calmer water. Bimini is the most popular first stop for charters departing from Miami Beach Marina and Government Cut.

Nassau sits on New Providence Island approximately 185 nautical miles southeast of Miami. The crossing takes 8 to 12 hours on larger vessels. Nassau Harbour divides New Providence and Paradise Island and is one of the most recognizable anchorages in the Caribbean. Cable Beach extends along the northwest shore. Paradise Island offers quiet anchorages and beach access away from the cruise terminal. Nassau works best on a 3 to 4-day charter that allows one travel day each way and two full days in harbour.

The Exumas are a 365-island chain stretching 100 miles southeast of Nassau. Water clarity in the Exumas is widely considered the finest in the Atlantic, ranging from brilliant aquamarine in the shallows to deep cobalt in the Sound. Key stops include Staniel Cay Yacht Club, the swimming pigs of Big Major Cay, Thunderball Grotto, nurse shark shallows at Compass Cay, and Exuma Land and Sea Park. The Exumas require a minimum 5-day charter from Miami, with 7 days allowing a more relaxed pace.

The Berry Islands are a collection of approximately 30 cays and rocks approximately 150 nautical miles from Miami. Chub Cay at the southern end is the main port of entry. The Berry Islands are known for deep-sea fishing along the Tongue of the Ocean, private uninhabited anchorages, and the absence of weekend boat traffic that characterizes Bimini. A 3 to 4-day charter allows one full day crossing each way and two days exploring the anchorages.

Cat Cay is a private island approximately 55 nautical miles from Miami, slightly south of Bimini. The surrounding water and nearby sandbars are accessible on a day trip from Key Biscayne or Black Point Park. The crossing to Cat Cay is marginally shorter than to Bimini from the southern marinas. The water at the Cat Cay sandbars rivals any in the northern Bahamas for clarity.

Andros is the largest island in the Bahamas and one of the least developed. It sits approximately 160 nautical miles from Miami. The Andros Barrier Reef, the third largest in the world, runs along the eastern shore and is accessible to snorkelers and divers directly from the yacht. The Tongue of the Ocean off Andros drops to over 6,000 feet within a few miles of shore. Andros suits groups who prioritize diving, fishing, and nature over marinas and nightlife.