Reviewed · EXUMA ISLAND HOPPING

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

5.0 · 20 reviews Operated by Sailing SummerCamp with Glenn Wakefield · Bookable on Viator
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The best part of this Exumas trip is that your hotel moves with you. Instead of returning to one crowded resort each evening, you can wake near a private beach, paddle through mangroves, snorkel a reef, or head ashore by dinghy. Captain Glenn handles the sailing and route, leaving you to settle into island time.

I like the generous setup: three bedrooms with private bathrooms, plus a full kitchen, fridge, freezer, and outdoor grill. I also like the choice of activities, from paddleboards and kayaks to scuba equipment, fishing gear, sandbars, and informal sailing lessons. The main catch is the price, $7,000 per group of up to six, with food and drinks extra, so this makes the most sense for a family or close-knit group sharing the cost.

Key points to know before booking

4 Days, 3 Nights Sailing Catamaran Experience in the Exumas, Bahamas - Key points to know before booking

  • Your own private catamaran: The entire yacht is reserved for your group, with room for up to six people in three en-suite bedrooms.
  • Captain Glenn plans the route: You can discuss your interests, but weather and sea conditions may require a change of course.
  • Staniel Cay or Nassau departures: The listed meeting point is Staniel Cay Yacht Club, while the operator also offers flexible departure arrangements from Nassau.
  • Water equipment is included: Snorkeling and scuba gear, paddleboards, kayaks, a dinghy, fishing gear, beach towels, shade, and an underwater wing are available.
  • Food costs extra: The full kitchen, fridge, freezer, and outdoor BBQ give you options, but meals and drinks are not part of the base price.
  • Book early and confirm first: The experience is often reserved well ahead, and availability must be confirmed before booking.

Four days of island life from the water

4 Days, 3 Nights Sailing Catamaran Experience in the Exumas, Bahamas - Four days of island life from the water

This is not a sightseeing cruise with a fixed line-up of stops. It is a small sailing holiday built around the catamaran, the weather, and the kind of day you want.

A typical four-day, three-night rhythm might include a morning swim, a short sail to another anchorage, time with the paddleboards or kayaks, and a shore trip by dinghy. You might spend part of an afternoon on a sandbar or at a private beach, then return to the boat for a shaded rest and sunset drinks. The exact route is not promised, and that is both the appeal and the practical limitation.

You have the whole yacht to yourselves, so you are not following a group flag or sharing a boat with strangers. That matters in the Exumas, where the pleasure often comes from stopping when a cove, reef, or small island looks inviting.

The experience is listed for four days and three nights, though longer trips of three to 15 days may also be arranged. The operator’s longer sailing trips are especially relevant if you dislike rushing. Four days gives you a useful taste of life aboard, but extra nights allow more islands, shore visits, and time for the weather to shape the plan.

What the catamaran is like for six people

The catamaran has up to three full bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. That is a major advantage for a group of six. You are not arranging bathroom schedules around one small shared space, and you can retreat to your cabin when the sun, wind, or social time becomes too much.

The boat also offers plenty of outdoor living space, along with shade. That combination matters more than glossy photos suggest. You will spend much of the day outside, but the ability to get out of direct sun makes a long sailing day far more comfortable.

Inside, the full kitchen includes a fridge and freezer. An outdoor BBQ is also available. Since food and drinks are not included, you can use that setup to prepare your own supplies, or ask about arranging food and drinks for an additional fee.

The listing describes the catamaran as new and suitable for families, couples, or friends. It can sleep up to six adults, with the possibility of accommodating more children. For comfort, I would treat six as the sensible maximum for a four-day stay, especially if everyone wants personal space and room for bags.

Staniel Cay, Nassau, and the first practical decision

4 Days, 3 Nights Sailing Catamaran Experience in the Exumas, Bahamas - Staniel Cay, Nassau, and the first practical decision

The stated meeting point is Staniel Cay Yacht Club on Main Street in Staniel Cay. The tour also allows flexible departures from Staniel Cay or Nassau, so you should confirm the exact starting point before paying.

That choice affects the shape of your trip. Starting in Staniel Cay places you closer to the Exumas sailing area. Starting in Nassau may suit you better if your wider Bahamas plans already bring you there, but the route and timing need to be discussed directly with the operator.

The operator asks you to check availability before booking because the yacht is listed through multiple booking channels and direct reservations. Confirmation is usually provided within 48 hours, subject to availability. This is not the sort of trip where you should book flights, transfers, and accommodation around an unconfirmed boat date.

The meeting information gives opening hours from midnight to 11:30 p.m. daily, but that broad window should not be read as a promise that you can arrive at any time. Your actual departure time needs to be arranged with Captain Glenn.

Captain Glenn and the value of a private guide

4 Days, 3 Nights Sailing Catamaran Experience in the Exumas, Bahamas - Captain Glenn and the value of a private guide

Captain Glenn is responsible for charting the course and running the boat. That gives you a guide who can adjust the plan instead of forcing you through a preset schedule.

The strongest descriptions of the experience focus on his calm handling of the boat, his ability to find less crowded snorkeling and scuba locations, and his willingness to explain sailing. You can ask for informal sailing lessons if you want to learn how the catamaran works, or simply let him take care of the technical side.

That flexibility is especially useful when conditions change. One trip in the supplied material had to alter its planned course because of high winds. Captain Glenn researched an alternative route and continued with a worthwhile plan. You should expect the same basic principle here: the sea decides some of the itinerary, and a good captain adapts.

A private captain also changes the social feel. If your group wants a quiet morning, more water time, or a slower lunch stop, you are not negotiating with a boatload of other people. The tradeoff is that your group needs to communicate clearly. A private trip works best when everyone agrees on the broad style of holiday, whether that means active days, lazy days, or a mixture.

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Snorkeling, scuba, and the equipment on board

4 Days, 3 Nights Sailing Catamaran Experience in the Exumas, Bahamas - Snorkeling, scuba, and the equipment on board

The included equipment is one of the strongest reasons to consider this trip. You have snorkeling gear, scuba equipment with tanks and a compressor, paddleboards, kayaks, fishing gear, a dinghy, an underwater wing, swimming and diving equipment, beach towels, and shade.

That list gives you several ways to enjoy the water without paying for a separate activity at every stop. You can snorkel one reef, paddle along a shoreline, use the dinghy to explore a mangrove river, or fish from the boat. The underwater wing adds another unusual option for people who want a more playful water activity.

Scuba use should be discussed with the operator before departure. The supplied information confirms that tanks and a compressor are aboard, but it does not give details about certification requirements, the number of tanks, planned scuba sites, or whether instruction is available. If scuba is a central reason for booking, ask those questions before committing.

The same applies to fishing. Gear is provided, but there is no promised catch, fishing location, or specific fishing schedule. Think of it as an available activity rather than a guaranteed excursion.

Sandbars, mangroves, and small-island stops

4 Days, 3 Nights Sailing Catamaran Experience in the Exumas, Bahamas - Sandbars, mangroves, and small-island stops

The Exumas are best appreciated through short changes of scene. One hour you may be swimming from the stern, and later you may be walking a sandbar or exploring a tiny island by dinghy.

The sandbars are ideal for a low-effort stop. They give you a chance to stretch your legs, take photos, and enjoy the shallow water without planning a full shore excursion. Conditions and tides affect their availability, so the captain will decide when a stop works.

Mangrove trips add a different texture. The dinghy can take you through narrow waterways and around small islets, where the scenery feels removed from the open sea. This is a good option on a day when you want to explore but do not want a long hike.

Private beaches and island walks are also part of the possible mix. The information does not promise a particular beach or named island on every four-day trip, so you should see these as route options rather than fixed attractions. The benefit is that Captain Glenn can choose among several possibilities based on weather and your group’s interests.

A realistic four-day rhythm

4 Days, 3 Nights Sailing Catamaran Experience in the Exumas, Bahamas - A realistic four-day rhythm

Day one: Settle in and get on the water

After meeting at the agreed departure point, you board the catamaran, choose cabins, and learn how the boat works. The first day is partly about getting your bearings: where to store equipment, how to use the shared spaces, and how the captain plans to handle the route.

You may have time for a first swim, snorkel, paddleboard session, or short dinghy outing. Do not expect a long list of major stops on the first day. Settling aboard is part of the experience.

Day two: Make the most of the water

With everyone comfortable on board, the second day can carry more activity. This is a natural time for snorkeling or scuba, followed by paddleboards, kayaks, fishing, or a shore stop.

You can ask for a more active schedule, but you can also spend the afternoon under the shade with a book. The boat is designed for both. That freedom is difficult to find at a resort, where the day often revolves around fixed facilities and crowded pool areas.

Day three: Explore farther or slow down

The third day is often when a short sailing trip feels most rewarding. You have had time to learn the boat, and the captain has a better sense of what your group enjoys.

You might visit a private beach, walk a small island, take the dinghy through mangroves, or return to a favorite water activity. If weather alters the original plan, this is also where the captain may substitute another anchorage or shore excursion.

Day four: One last swim and return

The last day usually brings a final swim, snorkel, paddle, or relaxed breakfast before returning to the meeting point. Since the return timing is not specified, confirm it directly when you arrange the trip.

Do not assume the final day will feel like a full sightseeing day. Depending on the route and return schedule, it may be shorter and more practical. The value is in the three nights aboard, not in packing a rushed final itinerary.

What $7,000 really buys you

4 Days, 3 Nights Sailing Catamaran Experience in the Exumas, Bahamas - What $7,000 really buys you

At $7,000 per group of up to six, the per-person price is about $1,167 if six people share the boat. That is before food and drinks, and the figure changes sharply if only two or three people book.

The price includes private use of the catamaran, Captain Glenn’s services, accommodation in three en-suite bedrooms, and a broad selection of water equipment. It also buys flexibility. You are paying for a floating base, a captain, and the ability to shape each day, not simply for transport from one port to another.

For a family or group of friends who would otherwise pay for several hotel rooms, meals, boat trips, snorkeling excursions, and equipment rentals, the value can be reasonable. You also avoid repacking every day.

For a couple, the calculation is less favorable unless privacy and the sailing lifestyle matter more to you than a conventional resort stay. Food is another budget item. You need to plan for provisions or arrange meals and drinks at an extra cost.

The trip is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking. That makes the availability check especially important. Confirm the dates, departure point, food arrangements, cabin setup, and likely route before you make payment.

Who will enjoy this sailing holiday most

I would recommend it most strongly to people who want time on the water rather than a packed list of land attractions.

It suits:

  • Families who want a private boat and several built-in activities
  • Couples who value privacy and do not mind paying for a larger yacht
  • Friends who can share the $7,000 group price
  • First-time sailors who want Captain Glenn to handle the boat while offering informal lessons
  • Active swimmers and snorkelers who will use the included equipment
  • People who prefer quiet beaches, sandbars, and small islands over large resorts

It may not suit you if you need a fixed itinerary, dislike changing plans because of wind, or want meals and drinks included in the advertised price. It is also a poor match if your group cannot agree on how active the days should be.

The final call

Book this catamaran if you want the Exumas to be your setting, not just the view from a resort. The private yacht, three en-suite cabins, flexible route, and wide range of water gear give you a real sailing holiday with room to set your own pace.

Before booking, confirm availability, the exact departure point, food arrangements, scuba details, and what Captain Glenn expects for the four-day route. If six people share the cost and everyone likes the idea of living aboard, the price can make sense. If you are a small group seeking predictable resort comfort, compare carefully before committing.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran experience?

The described experience lasts four days and three nights. Other sailing options may range from three to 15 days, depending on the arrangement.

Where does the trip start?

The listed meeting point is Staniel Cay Yacht Club on Main Street in Staniel Cay, Bahamas. Departure arrangements may also be available from Nassau, so confirm your starting point before booking.

Where does the trip end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can join?

The private catamaran is priced for a group of up to six people. It has up to three en-suite bedrooms and may accommodate additional children.

Is this a private tour?

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

Is Captain Glenn included?

Yes. The catamaran comes with Captain Glenn, who is responsible for charting the course and operating the sailing trip.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the base price, but they can be arranged for an additional cost.

What water equipment is provided?

The boat includes snorkeling and scuba equipment, tanks and a compressor for scuba use, paddleboards, kayaks, a dinghy, fishing gear, an underwater wing, swimming and diving equipment, beach towels, and shade.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. Captain Glenn charts the route, and the itinerary may change if wind or other sea conditions make the original plan unsuitable. Availability and trip details should be confirmed before booking.

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