7-Day Staniel Cay Crewed Catamaran Itinerary | 2026-2027
Charter a Luxury Crewed Catamaran in the Bahamas and Discover the Highlights of Staniel Cay, Hawksbill Cay, and Big Major Cay
Day 1: Guana Cay | Day 2: O'Brien's Cay | Day 3: Warderick Wells | Day 4: Whale Beach and Norman's Cay | Day 5: Shroud Cay and Hawksbill Cay | Day 6: Fowl Cay and Compass Cay | Day 7: Big Major Cay | Day 8: Staniel Cay
Charter a luxury crewed catamaran in the Bahamas, where a lifetime of islands invites you to indulge in desolate anchorages, stunning turquoise waters, and fresh, sizzling seafood right off the grill. Over the course of seven days, you will visit some of the Bahamas' top attractions, including Pig Beach to swim with the famous 4-legged beings that call Big Major Cay their home. While you hop between islands, your attentive crew will anticipate your every need, from preparing your yacht's top water toys for SeaBob excursions to shaking your favorite spirit over ice for the perfect sundowner experience.
With a shallow draft and twin hulls, a catamaran offers close anchoring to shore and extra stability that a monohull doesn't provide. You will gain access to islands and sandbars only accessible to catamarans, meaning no large crowds of tourists or cruise passengers. There are also ample living spaces on a catamaran to celebrate a romantic honeymoon vacation or reunite with long-distance family and friends for a Christmas and New Year's charter. Gather on the flybridge for a morning espresso service while watching the sunrise over Waderick Wells, then dive right in to explore vibrant reefs and snap incredible photos with your yacht's underwater camera.
With the Boatbookings team planning every detail, you are free to fully immerse yourself in the island lifestyle of the Bahamas. We will hold your hand from the time you place an enquiry to disembarkation, ensuring each moment on board is tailored to your exact needs and meets every expectation. For over twenty years, we have curated bespoke itineraries like this 7-day cruise from Staniel Cay. When you are ready to begin shaping your next trip, contact our charter experts for a personalized yacht proposal.
Day 1: Guana Cay
Welcome to the Bahamas, where you are officially on island time. Step on board your luxury crewed catamaran at noon on Staniel Cay and meet your fabulous crew who will spend the next eight days hosting your blissful Bahamian vacation. Soon you will set sail for Guana Cay for a day of leisurely swimming followed by your first dinner on board.
Sail to Guana Cay: After a brief safety orientation, make your way to the flybridge and settle into the plush cushions as your captain cruises to Guana Cay. Enjoy a chilled glass of prosecco as Staniel Cay fades from view and the idyllic waters unfold before you.
Swimming at Guana Cay: A swift scenic cruise brings you to Guana Cay, where you can dive right into the crystal-clear waters straight from the swim platform. With a mask and snorkel, search for starfish in the sands or grab a tube and embrace the freedom of life at sea.
Welcome Dinner on Board: As the sun sets, the aft deck of your catamaran becomes an intimate dining sanctuary, where your personal chef will craft a gourmet menu, featuring fresh Mahi served on a velvety bed of cauliflower puree.
Day 2: O'Brien's Cay
Step out of your cabins to stunning views of Guana Cay and the open water before you. As you enjoy a leisurely breakfast on the flybridge, your captain will begin the journey to O’Brien’s Cay for a day spent in the luminous shallows and hopping between the natural playgrounds of the Exumas.
Sail to O’Brien’s Cay: Cruise slowly through turquoise banks on your way to O’Brien’s Cay while you stretch out on the trampolines. With the wind on your back and the morning rays warming your skin, it promises to be a remarkable day.
Sandbar Hopping: Brilliant sandbars will come into view as you near O’Brien’s Cay. The surrounding shallows make for perfect conditions for snorkeling, paddleboarding, or kayaking. Alternatively, stroll along the shifting sandbars that stretch seemingly endlessly into the sea.
Snorkeling: Just offshore lies a vibrant reef system that houses colorful coral heads, tropical reef fish, and unbelievably clear waters. The calm conditions are great for both beginners and advanced swimmers. As you drift between coral clusters, look out for starfish peeking out from the sand.
Day 3: Warderick Wells
Day three of your luxury yacht charter welcomes you to the sunlit shores of Warderick Wells. Settle into your favorite spot on the yacht while your captain raises anchor. After a short sail, you will explore the trails, beaches, and marine life of this stunning Cay.
Sail to Warderick Wells: Enjoy a front row seat to the Bahamas as you make your way to Warderick Wells. The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park will soon come into view, and you will anchor in the cay’s famous horseshoe-shaped harbor, where emerald hills, turquoise water, and pristine beaches await.
Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park: As one of the most spectacular protected areas in the Bahamas, you can get lost in the natural beauty of the park. Take a tender ride along the coast in search of marine life or bring your towel and favorite book to a quiet spot on the sand.
Boo Boo Hill: The park contains many scenic walking trails; however, Boo Boo Hill offers its own unique opportunity to bring an offering to the island. Visitors can leave pieces of driftwood marked with boat or family names, then savor the panoramic views of the region.
Day 4: Whale Beach and Norman's Cay
As you sip your espresso and enjoy a leisurely breakfast, your captain will guide you to Norman’s Cay, stopping along the way at Whale Beach for a late-morning swim. Today, the shining coastline welcomes you to a day spent in the water and on the sand, embracing the kind of calm only the islands can offer.
Whale Beach: Step onto one of the most beautiful beaches in the Exumas: Whale Beach. This long stretch of powder-white sand sits along the coast of Waderick Wells and offers iridescent waters that roll serenely onto the shore. Enjoy beach walks, kayaking, or a private stretch of sand to soak up the sun.
Lunch at MacDuff’s Restaurant: For a laid-back seafood lunch, head to an island favorite. MacDuff’s invites you to spend the afternoon sampling their authentic Bahamian flavors before spending the rest of the afternoon cruising through the sandbanks of the Exumas.
Dinner on Board: After an unhurried day exploring Norman’s Cay, return to your private catamaran for hand-crafted drinks on the flybridge. After a toast to your blissful day, head to the aft deck for a decadent plate of wild mushroom risotto paired expertly with a bottle of white wine.
Day 5: Shroud Cay and Hawksbill Cay
Start the day with an early morning paddleboard experience and watch the sunrise from the water. Once back on board, dig into breakfast while your captain sets course for the Sunken Smuggler’s Plane Wreck. Today reveals many sides of the Exumas, from shoreline escapes to open water exploration.
Sunken Smuggler’s Plane Wreck: Believed to be the sunken plane of the famed drug smuggler, Pablo Escobar, this old wreck lies just below the surface and invites you to swim through its storied waters. Grab some snorkeling gear and watch out for passing sea turtles.
Visit the Washing Machine: For a unique Exumas experience, head to the “Washing Machine,” a natural phenomenon that occurs from the rushing tides. Here, gentle waves roll over the sand, creating a natural current akin to the swirling of a washing machine, perfect for floating or swimming in.
Visit Hawksbill Cay’s Beaches: After exploring all that Shroud Cay has to offer, head to Hawksbill Cay to spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing on one of the untouched beaches. The rest of the day is entirely yours to soak up the sun or get back in the water with an E-Foil or wakeboard.
Day 6: Fowl Cay and Compass Cay
Wake up on day six of your luxury yacht charter vacation to a full breakfast table and panoramic views of Hawksbill Cay. Soon, your captain will begin the journey to Compass Cay for a day defined by adventure. End the day back on board just in time for sunset cocktails and a gourmet dinner menu.
Water Sports on Fowl Cay: Before arriving at Compass Cay, stop at Fowl Cay, where the shimmering waters invite you to kiteboard, snorkel, or paddleboard between the shallow sandbanks. This area is known for its beautiful reefs and calm anchorages, making it the ideal spot to take in the surrounding scenery.
Swimming With Nurse Sharks: As one of the highlights in the Exumas, you cannot miss the opportunity to swim alongside the majestic nurse sharks of Compass Cay. Their gentle nature makes for a safe and memorable encounter, and your crew will be there to capture every second.
Dinner on Board: After an incredible day filled with thrilling marine life encounters and island exploration, step back on board your luxury yacht for aperitivos before savoring fresh muscles and prawns in a buttery, white wine sauce.
Day 7: Big Major Cay
Your last full day on charter brings you to Big Major Cay, home to some of The Exumas' most celebrated highlights. While your captain expertly steers the ship, relax on the flybridge with your loved ones and enjoy your morning espresso. Today promises one last day of Bahamian luxury and adventure.
Pig Beach: Step onto Big Major Cay to experience the Bahamas’s most famous attraction, also known as Pig Beach. Here, you can meet the island’s resident colony of pigs. Your crew will be standing by with the camera as you feed, pet, and swim alongside your new semi-aquatic friends.
Thunderball Grotto: After lunch, you will cruise to the iconic Thunderball Grotto, a spectacular marine cave made famous by the James Bond film, Thunderball. Grab a snorkel and mask and float through the shimmering waters where colorful schools of fish swim by.
Staniel Cay Yacht Club Beach Bar: Your final evening on board will be defined by sunset cocktails at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club Beach Bar, followed by a grand finale meal created by your private chef. Dine on the aft deck and enjoy Saltimbocca in a white wine sauce with mushrooms.
Day 8: Staniel Cay
Wake slowly on your final morning on board. After indulging in fresh berries and yoghurt parfaits, you are welcome to jump in the water for one last swim in the azure waters. In the late morning, your captain will begin the journey back to Staniel Cay for disembarkation at noon. You will leave feeling completely relaxed after a week of pampering, and maybe even feel inspired to begin planning your next trip to the Bahamas.
Alternative Charter Destinations: The BVI (British Virgin Islands) | The Windward Islands | Antigua | Grenada | Martinique | Spanish Virgin Islands | St. Barths | Anguilla | St. Martin/Sint Maarten | St. Lucia | St. Vincent and the Grenadines | US Virgin Islands
