Cruise Abaco, Captained and Bareboat Charters Abaco, Bahamas

The rates shown on the website are for sailings January through February. For sailings November 10th to December 16th and April 11th to July 22nd rates will be slightly higher as this is our “shoulder season”. For sailings December 17th through December 31st and March 1st through April 10th rates will reflect our peak holiday time periods. Please contact us with your preferred sailing dates and we will be happy to quote rates accordingly.

The Bahamian Government requires all non-vaccinated visitors to present a negative Covid-19 test taken no earlier than 3 days prior to arrival for entry into the Bahamas. Please refer to the following website for complete details: https://www.bahamas.com/tourism-reopening

You will fly into the Marsh Harbor Airport, and our base is about 15-20 minutes away from the airport. Delta Airlines offers direct service from Atlanta to Marsh Harbor, but only on certain days. You can check with airline carriers prominent from your departure city, however many guests find it more economical to break their airfare in Florida. Please check with the individual airlines you select to learn of any possible COVID 19 restrictions/testing they may require for boarding, and please check any requirements that may apply for your return home. Flight information can be found here, the link to our transportation page: Click Here

We require flight arrival information for every charter as if you are flying in on your charter arrival day we will arrange to have a special Cruise Abaco taxi to meet your flight. Please note taxi service is not included in your charter rate. If you wish, you may obtain your provisions on the way to our base the Abaco Beach Resort (Boat Harbour Marina) and your taxi will wait while you shop, however we suggest a more relaxed procedure which also may be more economical. We recommend you proceed directly to our base from the airport and advise your taxi driver we will contact him when you are ready to obtain your provisions. After you have dropped off your gear & any passengers that do not wish to shop, your taxi will then take you to obtain your provisions; Maxwell’s is the grocery store and Jimmy’s liquor for liquor. You taxi will be happy to wait while you shop however since taxi wait time is excessive ($20 per half hour) we suggest you get your taxi’s phone number and arrange to contact them for pick-up at Maxwell’s after you have completed your shopping. This way you can shop at your leisure and stop by Jimmy’s liquor on your way back to our base as the wait time there should be minimal.

Please be sure you select the designated “Cruise Abaco” taxi for your transfers from the airport to our base at Boat Harbour Marina. Rates from the Marsh Harbour airport to the Abaco Beach Resort will run $20 for 2 people, $3 per additional person, plus tip. Taxi service from our base to Maxwell’s will run approximately $10 each way plus tip. You may elect to have your taxi wait while you shop – wait time runs $20 for each half hour. A less expensive alternative is to arrange to contact your taxi for pick-up at Maxwell’s after you have completed your shopping and stop by the liquor on your way back to the base as the wait time should be minimal for this additional stop. Please note taxis do not accept credit cards so please be sure to have cash available for your taxi service.

Aside from our day trips we have a 4 night minimum for our charters. Please email us with your travel dates and boat preference (if any) and we will gladly provide a quote for you. Please note for 6 night charters, our pro-rating formula price works out to be higher for a 6 night charter than a 7 night charter, so the 7 night charter rates will apply as it will actually be less expensive.

We are closed during hurricane season August – October as are most of the bars, restaurants & other establishments in the area as this is considered off-season.

On your arrival day similar to a hotel the check-in is at 3pm; you will board and we will get you settled in and familiar with the boat which remains in the marina for the first night. You can relax and enjoy the facilities at our base, the Great Abaco Beach Resort.

The captain will join you the morning after your arrival day for your sailing adventure and will be with you the remaining days of your charter. He will be picked up at the end of each day wherever you are so you will have the boat to yourselves each evening, and he will return at whatever time you wish the following morning. At the end of the last sailing day he will return your boat back to our base, where you spend your last night at the marina. Check-out procedures begin at 8am on your departure day for a 10am departure from the boat. For more info Click Here

Our captains are always thrilled to share their passion for sailing with our guests! They will be delighted to show you how to take the helm and are always willing to teach as many aspects of sailing as you wish. You may learn as little or as much as you like all on an informal basis without ASA certifications and at no additional cost to you.

We offer private boat charters with ASA instruction and certification added to your private charter – the boat you charter is your classroom where you learn and obtain ASA certifications during your charter vacation. ASA 101, 103 & 104 can be completed in a 7 night charter with 6 days of instruction which will enable you to bareboat future sailing charters. ASA 114 will certify you to bareboat aboard a catamaran. If you wish to add ASA 114 we really recommend extending your charter an additional day as there is much study and materials to cover. Please note ASA prices will include all study materials and certifications. Here is the link for the various ASA courses and their cost (plus 4% tax): Click Here

Our captains are experts at incorporating lessons for students in addition to ensuring both students and non-students alike have a wonderful time during your charter. Their goal is to make sure everyone has a fantastic and memorable vacation!

We don’t require ASA certification to bareboat a charter, however we do need to ensure you have enough sailing experience to be able to comfortably operate the boat you wish to charter. For every bareboat charter we require you to submit an application from the following link on our website: Click Here If you wish to bareboat a catamaran please be sure to list your twin engine experience as we want to ensure that you are completely comfortable operating a large twin engine catamaran in and out of a dock and tight mooring field, etc.

We provide the option to have a captain on board during your first day to ensure you are completely comfortable with operating the boat for your charter at an additional cost of 300.00 plus 4% tax. Please note adding a captain for your first day will not impede your charter in any way – you will sail off to your first destination as usual and we will have a chase boat pick him up at the end of the day wherever you may be.

We require a 25% deposit to reserve your charter and the balance will be due 90 days prior to your arrival. Payments are processed through Paypal and we send an online invoice for payment to your email address – it is not necessary for you to be a Paypal member. You may use any credit card you wish for payment.

The mandatory hazard fee of $350 allows your damage deposit to be reduced to $4000 which will be processed 7 days prior to arrival. For charters longer than 7 nights the fee is $40 per additional night which will be outlined on your invoice. The $4000 damage deposit will be authorized on your credit card 7 days prior to sailing and will be released within 48 hours of your departure provided there is no damage.

You will have the boat to yourselves each night as well as use of the dinghy when the captain is not aboard, the damage deposit will cover this time period.

The non-refundable hazard fee outlined on your quote/invoice reduces your damage deposit to $4000 for your charter, regardless of charter length. The $4000 will be pre-authorized on the credit card of your choice 7 days prior to arrival, and will be released within 48 hours of your departure providing there is no damage. Should you prefer not to pay the hazard fee, your credit card will be authorized for the entire deductible amount for the particular boat you are chartering, which typically is around 2% of the full value of the boat. As most guests prefer to not have this large amount held on their credit card, we provide the option of paying the hazard fee to reduce this amount to $4000, instead of the full amount of the insurance deductible.

Taxi service is not included in your charter rate. You will receive the boat with full fuel, water and dingy gas and must return with same. In a week for a sailing vessel you will maybe spend $100 – $150 on fuel & water, and groceries are whatever you purchase. Dockage and moorings are extras; moorings run at most about $25 per night, dockage runs around $120 per night and of course anchoring is free. If you are on a captained charter, at the end of your charter if you feel your captain provided exceptional service during your trip it is customary to tip your captain. The amount is entirely a personal preference however as a guideline 10-20% is customary. As credit cards can’t be processed for this, cash is very much appreciated. See this website as a guide to gratuity in the charter industry: What to Tip Your Captain on a Private Boat Charter

The rate does not include food or provisions. We of course have fully galleys on the boats equipped with pots & pans and typically guests provision for the week on their arrival day. We do however, have a local company that can handle this for you at an additional cost, please contact us for the details.

After you have checked in with us we will arrange for a taxi for you to obtain your provisions; Maxwell’s is the grocery store and Jimmy’s Liquor for liquor.

We provide linens, towels, joy soap, a fresh sponge, garbage bags and two rolls of toilet paper per head. You will probably want to purchase paper towels, bar soap, aluminum foil, saran wrap etc. when you provision, and you will want to bring your own beach towels. There are typically minimum spices aboard (salt & pepper) that previous guests have purchased and we just leave them for the use of future guests, but if you want anything specific you can purchase that when you provision. We have a fully outfitted galley and a galley size refrigerator & freezer which should give you ample storage for your provisions.

There are several fantastic restaurants and bars at each settlement which you can visit – we can even recommend what menu items are the best at each spot!

We do not offer sleep aboard rates as this takes the boat and/or captain out of our fleet for the day and allows you an additional entire full day of sailing. We simply pro-rate the charter and add an additional night.

We find that plans are best made working with local weather, tides and conditions as well as what may be happening locally for entertainment, so we recommend waiting until your arrival to create your itinerary. Moorings are on a first-come-first-served basis and cannot be reserved in advance, however not finding one is rare as we are seldom crowded here in our island paradise. There are plenty of places to explore and lots of secluded anchorages which we can recommend. For bareboat charters, during check-in we will have a complete local knowledge chart briefing and we can do a trip plan for the week upon your arrival. We have charts and guide books aboard and VHF to contact us so we can help update the plan as the weather unfolds.

The atmosphere and attire is very casual here in our island paradise; typically bathing suits, shorts & t-shirts during the day and at best smart casual for evenings at restaurants and bars – nothing dressy is necessary anywhere.  You will want to bring plenty of sunscreen and a pair of sunglasses.  For sailings December through March we suggest bringing a pair of long pants and a windbreaker for possible cooler evenings.  Each boat is equipped with a first aid kit, a small flashlight and a pair of standard binoculars.  Please bring your own beach towels.  Please remember to bring your cell phone charger and any cables associated with any music device you may wish to bring.  Please note we recommend soft-sided luggage for your charter as we have no storage facilities at our base, and hard-sided luggage will only take up valuable space aboard the boat.

Should you wish further information about sailing in the Abacos we highly recommend Steve Dodge’s “The Cruising Guide to Abaco” as this is by far the best reference guide to the area. We will have the newest version aboard your boat for use during your charter however should you wish to purchase a guide in advance it is available at any bookstore or online venues such as Amazon or Ebay. We also recommend downloading the following applications on your cell phone for use during your charter: Navionics as a back-up navigational instrument, and either Anchor Pro, Anchor Alarm or Anchor! Drag alarms.

Our limits of navigation are Spanish Cay to North and Little Harbour to South. Please refer to Exhibit B on your charter contract, or visit our Abaco Islands Nautical Chart, the link is here: Click Here

We are lucky to have temperate weather year-round here in our island paradise! We are closed during hurricane season August – October as are most of the bars, restaurants & other establishments in the area as this is considered off-season. November is lovely as the water is still quite warm and the weather is usually gorgeous. Typically December through March evenings can have cooler temperatures so depending on your tolerance you may wish to bring a pair of long pants along with a light jacket. The temperatures are warmer during the remainder of our season. Average air and water temperatures year-round may be found here: Weather Link

We are unable to hold reservations until your charter is under deposit. Once your charter is under deposit we take both the boat (and captain if applicable) out of our inventory for the dates of your charter, subsequently denying availability of either to any other guests interested in that time period. As is outlined in our Charter contract, once your charter is under deposit, should you need to cancel your charter you would receive a full refund less Paypal fees and a $350 (plus 4% tax) cancellation penalty if we are able to re-sell your charter week. If we are unable to re-sell your charter week all monies paid at time of cancellation would be forfeited.

Currently the Bahamian government requires non-vaccinated guests to provide a negative COVID 19 test within 3 days of your arrival in the Bahamas. Should any guest test positive, that guest will be denied entry into the Bahamas. Should this occur we require you notify us immediately. You are encouraged to proceed with the charter for those guests who have tested negative or have been vaccinated, however should you elect to postpone the charter, upon receipt of a copy of the positive COVID 19 test we will allow date changes at no cost providing the boat you have reserved is available for your alternate travel dates. This policy will also apply in the unlikely event that the Bahamian or U.S. Government implements any further restrictive entry or exit requirements. Should you be unprepared at the time for rebooking your date, we will keep all monies paid towards the charter on account for one calendar year to be applied towards a future charter. We offer no refunds for this situation and strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance in case of this unforeseen circumstance.

We strongly recommend purchasing cancellation/trip insurance in case of any unforeseen circumstances that may occur. Although the insurance company you select is entirely your choice, we are happy to recommend Allianz Global Insurance as they are a well accredited company and have covered many of our guests in the past. Here is the link to obtain a quote, please enter our ACCAM number F204228 for discounted rates: Click Here

We encourage guests to purchase travel insurance to cover any loss due to cancellations from storms or hurricanes. If a guest hasn’t done so, please refer to our cancellation policy.

Please proceed directly to our base at the Abaco Beach Resort upon arrival. We will hold your luggage at our base so you can relax and have a leisurely lunch at the resort. After lunch we will arrange for a taxi for you to obtain your provisions, Maxwell’s is the grocery store and Jimmy’s liquor for liquor. With this timing you should arrive back to our base around 3pm for check-in and your provisions may be put directly aboard the boat.

We must have your flight information prior to your charter so we can arrange for a Cruise Abaco taxi to meet your flight. Once you have been picked up please ask your taxi driver to contact us on VHF channel 09 to alert us that you are on your way to our base. Please note for guests on connecting flights we recommend having on your person any important medications, sunglasses, a swimsuit and perhaps shorts and a t-shirt in case your luggage is temporarily misplaced or delayed.

At the end of your charter the boat returns back to Marsh Harbour where you will spend your last night at Boat Harbour Marina so you can relax and enjoy the facilities at our base, the Great Abaco Beach Resort. We can easily accommodate an early check-out for you the following morning, simply provide us with your flight schedule and we will plan accordingly.

Cell phone service is fairly good here but internet here can be sporadic – there are many free well-working wifi hot spots (one here at the base resort) in the various settlements that may suit your needs – between settlements whether free or a paid service, internet is somewhat spotty…so we don’t know that we would recommend paying for it – just take advantage of the free service throughout the Cays.  Verizon and AT&T phones seem to work the best here; please be sure you have an international service plan with your carrier during your time with us.  If you have either of these providers and wish access to wifi in between settlements you may use your phone as a portable hot spot should you need internet in these areas.  If you have a different provider and/or have the need for immediate internet access during your charter you may rent a modem to use for internet access during your charter; we recommend Aliv as they are currently the most reliable internet service for the Abacos.  Link to their website is here: https://www.bealiv.com/  

We don’t really offer dive trips and do not allow tanks onboard as they can cause damage. We offer lots of snorkeling opportunities at various places during your week however if you wish to dive, we have two great local dive shops that will conveniently come out to your boat providing all your gear, will take you on a dive and return you back to your boat. Please contact us for the details.

We have great fishing here in the Abacos! We offer fishing rods for rent and you will have a choice with our fishing gear; either a trolling rod that is suitable for catching grouper or snapper from the stern of the boat, or a spinning rod for casting while boat is at anchor. The gear will include one starter lure that is very popular locally.