4 Days, 3 Nights Sailing Catamaran Experience in the Exumas, Bahamas

The best part of this Exumas sailing trip is simple: you do not visit the Bahamas from one crowded resort. You wake up on the water, move with the weather, and reach reefs, sandbars, quiet beaches, caves, and small islands by catamaran. Captain Glenn Wakefield charts the route, while your group has the whole boat to itself.

I like the private format, especially for families or friends who want their own pace. I also like the sheer amount of gear included: scuba equipment and compressor, snorkeling kit, paddleboards, kayaks, fishing gear, an underwater wing, and a dinghy for shore trips. The main consideration is cost. At $7,000 per group of up to six, this is a major holiday purchase, and food and drinks cost extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Three en-suite bedrooms: The catamaran sleeps up to six guests, with a private bathroom for each room.
• Captain Glenn sets the course: Your route can change with wind and sea conditions, so flexibility is part of the sailing experience.
• Water sports are included: Snorkeling, scuba, paddleboards, kayaks, fishing gear, towels, shade, and other equipment are available on board.
• Start from the Exumas or Nassau: The advertised route allows flexible departure planning, though the listed meeting point is Staniel Cay Yacht Club.
• Four days gives you a real taste of boat life: You have time for several island stops, water activities, quiet evenings, and unhurried mornings.
• Bring a food budget: The kitchen, refrigerator, freezer, and outdoor barbecue are available, but meals and drinks are not part of the base price.

A private catamaran instead of a resort

The Exumas are famous for clear water, pale beaches, reefs, sandbars, and scattered islands. A resort gives you a fixed room and a fixed view. This trip gives you a floating base that can shift from one anchorage to another.

That difference matters. You may spend one part of the day snorkeling near a reef, then use the dinghy to explore a mangrove creek, paddle to a small islet, or stop at a beach that is difficult to reach from land. The boat itself becomes your accommodation, transport, shaded lounge, and water-sports station.

This is not a large group cruise. Your group receives the entire yacht, including up to three full guest bedrooms and three en-suite bathrooms. For six adults, that private space is a major benefit. You can spread out, eat together, take a quiet break, or decide that not everyone needs to do the same activity at the same time.

The catamaran is described as new, with generous outdoor living space. That is important in the Bahamas, where you will likely spend much of your day outside. The boat has a full kitchen, refrigerator, freezer, and barbecue, so you have more independence than you would on a standard day boat.

Still, boat life is not resort life. You share a compact vessel, follow the captain’s safety instructions, and accept that weather can affect the route. The private arrangement gives you freedom, but it does not give you total control over wind, waves, or anchoring conditions.

How the four days can unfold

The exact itinerary is flexible, and that is one of the trip’s selling points. Captain Glenn charts the course rather than taking every group through a rigid sequence of stops. The route can include reefs, caves, private beaches, sandbars, small islands, mangrove rivers, and shore walks.

You should think of the schedule as a collection of possible experiences rather than a guaranteed checklist. A four-day trip may include more time under sail and fewer stops than a longer charter. Wind direction and sea conditions can also require a change of plan. That is not a flaw in a sailing holiday. It is part of traveling by water.

Day one: Settle in at Staniel Cay

The stated meeting point is Staniel Cay Yacht Club on Main Street, Staniel Cay. The listed operating hours cover every day, and the trip ends back at the meeting point. The description also allows departure from Nassau, so confirm the exact embarkation point and timing before paying. Availability must be checked because the yacht is listed on several platforms and direct.

Your first hours are likely to involve boarding, settling into your cabin, meeting Captain Glenn, and learning how the boat works. This is also the time to discuss priorities. Tell him if your group wants more snorkeling, more quiet beach time, scuba, fishing, mangrove exploring, or informal sailing instruction.

The first day matters because it sets the rhythm for the rest of the trip. If you have never stayed on a catamaran, you will need a little time to learn where personal items go, how the shared spaces work, and how to move safely around the boat. The wide layout of a catamaran can make this easier than life on a narrow monohull, but it is still a working boat.

Day two: Reefs, caves, and sandbars

The second day is when the water activities can take center stage. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the boat also carries scuba gear, tanks, and a compressor. Scuba use should be discussed with the captain in advance, particularly if members of your group have different experience levels or do not all want the same schedule.

The Exumas are well suited to a trip built around short stops. You might swim from the rear floating beach, paddleboard in calm water, kayak near a small island, or take the dinghy through mangrove channels. The included gear saves you from arranging separate rentals for each activity, and it lets you decide on the spot how active you want to be.

Sandbars are another strong part of the experience. They give you a chance to get off the boat without committing to a long shore visit. Pack sun protection and keep an eye on the time, because open sand offers little natural shade. Beach towels and shade are provided on the boat, which makes transitions easier.

Caves and small islands add variety. They turn a day of swimming into a day of exploring, though the exact places depend on the route. If your group has its heart set on one specific site, ask about it before booking rather than assuming it is included.

Day three: A slower island day

A good sailing holiday needs a day with less rushing. By the third day, you may prefer a quiet cove, a private beach, or an easy paddle instead of another packed schedule. The boat has enough space for this balance, with outdoor areas for shared meals and shaded places to rest.

The dinghy opens up options that the main catamaran cannot reach. You can use it to visit shore, travel through mangrove rivers, or investigate tiny islets. Fishing gear is also available, although the supplied information does not promise a particular catch or fishing location. Treat it as an optional activity, not the main reason to book.

Informal sailing lessons are available if you want them. This is a nice touch for curious first-time sailors. You can learn how the captain reads the wind, handles the boat, and chooses a route without turning the holiday into a formal course.

The sailing itself is part of the attraction. At times, you will be moving between stops rather than swimming or walking. That travel time can be peaceful, but anyone who wants nonstop activity should understand that a catamaran trip includes periods of sitting, watching the sea, and waiting for the next anchorage.

Day four: One last swim and return

The final day gives you time for one more water activity or shore stop before returning to the meeting point. Use this day for the activity your group enjoyed most. If snorkeling was the favorite, ask for another reef stop. If the best moments were quiet, choose a calm anchorage and enjoy the boat.

The trip ends back at the meeting point. Since no transfer service is described, plan your arrival and onward transport around the confirmed return time. A private charter can sometimes adjust its pace, but do not assume that a late change will be possible.

What is included on the yacht

The equipment list is unusually broad for a private catamaran stay. You receive snorkeling and scuba equipment, plus tanks and a compressor for scuba use. The boat also carries paddleboards, kayaks, an underwater wing, swimming and diving equipment, beach towels, shade, and fishing gear.

This list has real value. Separate equipment rentals can become expensive and inconvenient, particularly for a family or group of six. Here, you can try several activities without arranging a new operator at every stop.

The underwater wing is a more unusual feature. It offers another way to use the boat’s water-sports setup, but ask Captain Glenn how it is operated and who can use it. The same applies to scuba gear. Equipment is provided, but your group remains responsible for following instructions and staying within its abilities.

The catamaran also has a full kitchen, refrigerator, freezer, and outdoor barbecue. Food and drinks are not included, but meals can be arranged for an additional cost. If you prefer to prepare your own food, confirm what provisioning help is available before the trip. A boat kitchen gives you flexibility, but you still need a sensible plan for shopping, storage, and drinking water.

Captain Glenn and the private guide experience

Captain Glenn Wakefield is responsible for navigation, route planning, and the practical running of the yacht. The experience is not just a boat rental where you are left to make every decision. He also acts as a guide, taking groups to snorkeling and scuba sites, beaches, caves, islands, and other stops.

The strongest praise centers on his ability to create an active but comfortable trip. He is described as a skilled sailor who shares his experience, offers route choices, and helps first-time sailors feel safe on board. That matters in the Exumas, where local knowledge can shape the quality of a day on the water.

The captain’s role also means you should communicate well. Before departure, explain your group’s fitness levels, water experience, food preferences, and preferred pace. A couple seeking quiet time needs a different plan from a family hoping to keep children busy from breakfast to sunset.

The private format gives Captain Glenn room to tailor the day. It also means your group’s personalities will shape the atmosphere. Six close friends may love the shared routine. Six people who rarely spend time together in a small space should think carefully before booking.

Price, food, and the real value

The price is $7,000 for the group, up to six people. At full occupancy, that works out to about $1,167 per person for four days and three nights, before food and drinks. That is not a budget excursion, but the comparison should be made against a private yacht charter with accommodation, a captain, transport between islands, and a large collection of water equipment.

The value improves if six people share the cost and use the boat’s full setup. Three en-suite bedrooms also reduce the need to compromise on sleeping arrangements. For a couple, however, the price per person is much higher, even though you still receive the entire yacht.

Food is the largest extra to plan for. You can request food and drink arrangements for an added fee, or use the kitchen, refrigerator, freezer, and barbecue. Ask for the added cost before booking so the final budget is clear.

The trip is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of 189 days. That suggests you should not treat it as a last-minute option. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, but the provider asks you to check availability before reserving.

The cancellation rule is strict: the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. Make sure your dates, group size, departure point, and food plans are settled before you commit.

Who will enjoy this sailing holiday

I would recommend this trip most strongly to families, couples traveling with friends, and small groups who want privacy and variety. It works especially well for people who would rather swim, paddle, snorkel, and explore than spend every day at a resort pool.

First-time sailors can enjoy it too. Informal lessons are available, and the captain handles the course. You do not need to know how to sail to appreciate a catamaran holiday, though you should be comfortable with a flexible schedule and shared boat routines.

This is less suitable for anyone who wants a fixed hotel room, a formal daily program, or guaranteed access to one specific attraction. It is also a poor match if members of your group dislike being around water for long periods or cannot agree on how active the days should be.

The trip can be as energetic or restful as your group chooses. Past routes have included snorkeling, scuba, kite surfing, paddleboarding, island walks, mangrove rides, swimming with sharks and rays, and quiet evenings with drinks as the sun goes down. Not every activity is guaranteed on every four-day route, but the boat gives you plenty of ways to fill the hours.

Should you book the Exumas catamaran?

Book it if you want the Bahamas as a moving, water-based holiday rather than a resort destination. The strongest reasons are the private yacht, three en-suite bedrooms, Captain Glenn’s route planning, and the included equipment for snorkeling, scuba, paddling, fishing, and shore exploring.

Think twice if $7,000 is already stretching your budget, because meals, drinks, and any personal travel costs come on top. Also confirm whether your departure will be from Staniel Cay or Nassau, then verify availability before making the non-refundable payment.

For the right group, four days and three nights offer a practical introduction to the sailing lifestyle. If you can stay longer, the provider also offers trips from four to seven nights and longer options, giving you more time for islands, reefs, and shore stops. The short trip is enough to test the idea, but a longer charter may offer better value for anyone already certain that life on the water suits them.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran experience?

The advertised experience lasts four days and three nights. The same sailing program can be arranged for trips from three to 15 days, depending on the option selected.

How much does the four-day trip cost?

The price is $7,000 per group of up to six people. Food and drinks are not included.

Where does the trip begin?

The listed meeting point is Staniel Cay Yacht Club on Main Street, Staniel Cay, The Bahamas. The experience description also allows flexible departure from either Staniel Cay or Nassau, so confirm the exact starting point before booking.

Where does the trip end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can sleep on the catamaran?

The catamaran has up to three full en-suite bedrooms and can comfortably sleep up to six guests. Children may allow for additional sleeping capacity, according to the supplied information.

Is the experience private?

Yes. The entire yacht is reserved for your group, and no other group participates in the activity.

Are snorkeling and scuba equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling and scuba equipment are included. The yacht also has scuba tanks and a compressor.

What other water equipment is provided?

The boat includes paddleboards, kayaks, an underwater wing, swimming and scuba equipment, fishing gear, beach towels, and shade.

Are meals and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are extra, but they can be arranged upon request. The yacht has a full kitchen, refrigerator, freezer, and outdoor barbecue for guest use.