Yacht charter from Miami to the Bahamas: what it costs, the fees, and how long it takes
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A private yacht charter from Miami to the Bahamas costs about $8,000 to $20,000 for a 2 to 3 day trip to Bimini, $20,000 to $50,000 for 4 to 5 days to Nassau, and $30,000 to $80,000+ for 5 to 7 days in the Exumas, based on 2026 itinerary prices published in Miami. Bimini is about 50 nautical miles from Miami, a crossing of 2.5 to 4 hours on most yachts.
On top come Bahamian fees set by the government: a cruising permit by yacht length, a $30 departure tax for each person beyond the first three, and on charters in Bahamian waters a 10% VAT plus a 4% charter fee.
On this page
Miami to Bahamas yacht charter prices
| Itinerary | Length | Distance from Miami | Published price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bimini weekend | 2–3 days | about 50 miles | $8,000–20,000 |
| Nassau and Paradise Island | 4–5 days | about 185 miles | $20,000–50,000 |
| Exumas (swimming pigs, Thunderball Grotto) | 5–7 days | 250+ miles | $30,000–80,000+ |
| Any multi-day trip, 70 ft and up | per day | — | from $7,500 a day, all-in (Miami Yacht Connect) |
Sources: YATR Miami to Bahamas ("starting from" ranges) and Miami Yacht Connect (April 29, 2026). Checked October 15, 2026. Ask whether your quote includes the Bahamian fees below, food, drinks and crew gratuity (see our yacht crew tipping guide).
Official Bahamas fees for a visiting yacht
From the Government of The Bahamas' boating regulations:
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| 30-day cruising permit, up to 30 ft | $150 |
| 30-day cruising permit, 30 to 50 ft | $250 |
| 30-day cruising permit, 50 to 100 ft | $350 |
| 30-day cruising permit, over 100 ft | $600 |
| Departure tax | Covered by the permit for up to 3 people; $30 per additional person, per visit |
| Fishing permit (optional, 30 days) | $100 up to 50 ft; $300 over 50 ft |
| Anchorage fee (only if not docking at a marina, 30 days) | $50 to $200 by length |
| VAT on charters in Bahamian waters | 10% of the charter value |
| Charter fee | 4% (still due alongside VAT) |
Checked October 15, 2026. The cruising permit can be applied for and paid online.
Worked example: a 60 ft yacht with 12 people aboard on a $15,000 Bimini weekend. Cruising permit $350, plus departure tax for 9 extra people (9 × $30 = $270) = $620 in permit and departure fees. If the 10% VAT and 4% charter fee are charged on the full $15,000, that adds $2,100. Our calculation from the official rates; how the charter taxes apply to your trip depends on the operator, so ask whether they are in your quote.
Crossing time, season and paperwork
- Crossing. YATR puts Bimini about 50 nautical miles east of Miami, with most yachts crossing in under 4 hours (2.5 to 4 hours). The Gulf Stream runs between the two, so not every yacht makes the trip: YATR uses ocean-rated yachts for the crossing.
- Best months. YATR says seas are typically calmest from November to May, with March and April the most favourable. Summer trips are possible but need flexible departure days.
- Passports. Every guest needs a valid passport. YATR says your captain handles customs clearance and the cruising permit on arrival in Bimini, Nassau or George Town.
- Coming home. The yacht must clear U.S. customs on return; ask your captain how and where that will happen and what each guest needs.
- Guests. U.S. Coast Guard passenger rules still apply: more than six passengers for hire require a Certificate of Inspection, and bareboat charters are limited to 12 passengers plus the charterer (U.S. Coast Guard).
Day trip or multi-day?
A same-day Miami to Bimini round trip means 5 to 8 hours of crossing for a few hours on the island, and the cruising permit and fees cost the same as for a weekend. Most published itineraries start at 2 days for that reason. If you only have a day, a Biscayne Bay or Key Biscayne charter from Miami is better value: see Miami yacht rental prices.
Leaving from further north? See Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas. For a full week aboard, see how much it costs to rent a yacht for a week.
Ways to keep the cost down
- Go to Bimini, not the Exumas, for a first trip: shorter crossing, fewer days.
- Travel November to May on weekdays, when the crossing is calmer and demand is lower.
- Fill the cabins. The price is per yacht, so per-person cost falls as you add guests (within the legal limit).
- Get the fees in writing: cruising permit, departure tax, VAT and charter fee, fuel, dockage, gratuity.
FAQ
How much does it cost to charter a yacht from Miami to the Bahamas?
Published 2026 itinerary prices from Miami start at about $8,000 to $20,000 for 2 to 3 days to Bimini, $20,000 to $50,000 for 4 to 5 days to Nassau, and $30,000 to $80,000+ for 5 to 7 days in the Exumas. Miami Yacht Connect lists multi-day Bahamas trips on 70 ft and larger yachts from $7,500 a day.
Can you take a yacht from Miami to the Bahamas?
Yes. Bimini is about 50 nautical miles from Miami, a crossing of 2.5 to 4 hours on most yachts. You need an ocean-capable yacht and captain, a passport for every guest, and a Bahamas cruising permit, which the captain usually arranges.
How much does a boat trip from Miami to the Bahamas cost?
On a private charter, from about $8,000 for a short Bimini trip, plus Bahamian government fees: a cruising permit of $150 to $600 by yacht length, $30 departure tax per person beyond three, and 10% VAT plus a 4% charter fee on charters in Bahamian waters.
What is the best time to sail from Miami to the Bahamas?
November to May, according to YATR, with March and April the most favourable. Summer crossings are possible but depend on weather windows, so keep your dates flexible.
Sources
Pages we used for the figures in this guide, last checked Oct 15, 2026. Operator and marketplace price lists are their own published figures; rules and fees come from official government sources.
- YATR: Miami to Bahamas yacht charter (itineraries, prices, crossing, season)
- Miami Yacht Connect: Miami yacht rental cost 2026 (multi-day Bahamas from $7,500 a day)
- The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism: Boating regulations and fees (cruising permits, departure tax, charter VAT)
- U.S. Coast Guard: Illegal charter press release (passenger-for-hire rules), May 8, 2025
Prices on this page are estimates from published sources, not quotes or offers. Yacht prices change with the season, the day of the week, the yacht and availability; only the booking confirmation from the operator or booking platform is binding. Rules and taxes shown are general information, not legal or tax advice.