Exumas Boat Charter Aprroximate Cost?

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alfnator

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Looking at the possibility of chartering a yacht from South East Florida Miami or Lauderdale area to the Exumas for a week or two. However, I have no idea even what ball park figures the cost would be?

I would like to split the cost with some close friends and or family to make it easier to swallow. We can invite 1 couple or up to 50 or so couples if we make it a family gathering event.

I'm not a huge fan of cruises and being packed in with a gazillion strangers so I would prefer to charter our own boat where we can decide on location and we all know each other.

How are the cost generally determined and what total price range (including tip,gas,fees,drinks,etc) can I expect to be looking at for:

1. 1 week bareback to the exumas from SEFL for 2-4 couples with 1 kid each? I don't have a captains license but have boating experience.

2. 1 week with captain to the exumas from SEFL for 2-4 couples with 1 kid each?

3. What range could I expect to charter a mini cruise ship for the family, lol?

Also we would most likely head over in the summer when the kids are out of school.

4. Are meals and a chef normally included?

5. Is their an average per person per day per foot that can be used to approximate the cost? trying to see how to come up with some reasonable estimates when presenting the idea to friends and family.

I know I'm all over the place but I'm just starting research this idea and I'm trying to determine if I can make this into a whole family event or just invite a few friends getaway or both?
 
Posting this from the exumas....

It can cost you anywhere from $10k to $100k dependign on what you re looking for, the confort and luxury level you want

At the low end you will find crewed catamarans with basic amenities (no or part time AC, etc...). At the high end you ll get a crewed yacht in the 90/100' range with all possible luxuries, private chef and more toys you can all use. Most charter yachts can accomodate 6 to 8 people unless you get close to 100'

Couple of points... you re not going to want to go to the exumas from SEFL. Its too far and too much fuel. You will need to fly to either Nassau or Georgetown Great Exumas. At 20kts, it's about 10 hours from Miami with some possible rough waters along the way. Not worth blowing a full day each way. Or more if the gulf stream or Norwest channel is too rough

We ve been doing this for about 10 years now and we usually recommend flying in and out of Gerge Town (GGT) which puts you right in the exumas. nassau is 40nm from the exumas and the airport / traffic is pretty busy. GGT is more relaxed.

There is nothing like the exumas. I used to live on st barths have been all over the caribbean, even the BVIs dont come close. Unless you like crowded anchorages, packed beaches and loud beach bars. Th exumas are spread over 120nm, with 365 cays and well over 5000 beaches and sandbars. Almost everytime we take guests to a beach with the tender, they have the beqch to themselves. All the good anchorages are on the calmer side of the island chains. While there are a few "popular" spots we are often alone in an anchorage.

Summer is a good time as the weather is best especially in june/july before hurricane season kicks in. Spring break is one of the most popular time in the exumas but you still get the occasional cold front which may mean one not so good day during a week long trip.

One week is perfect. Less than that isnt enough.

We ve been doing charters in the exumas for about 10 years now, and as long time members will remember, it all started here in BE when as i was approached by a member who was looking to buy a boat and hired me as a captain. Now 10 years later i run an 84' Lazzara MY owned by a repeat charter guests of the first boat who decided to get his own, bigger boat.

We have 5 guests staterooms and can accomodate uo to 10 people and 3 crew. All with ensuite air, twin generators, full time AC, waterlaker, 15' tender, jet ski, paddl boards and seabob underrwater scooter. Our listed charter rate is $38k a week plus expenses. Expenses typically run $7000 to $8000 for a week in the exumas. There is also a 4% bahamian charter tax and th n gratuity. By th time you re all done, it s about $5k per person for the week. Not cheap but you basically get a luxury boutique resort all to your self... and the view changes every day

I have some flexibility on rates (especially for BE members :) ) so if interested lmk. Another long time BE member has done two trips with us over the years.. he even got married on the boat in Staniel Cay...

Here is a link to a video which will show yu waht the exumas are all about:

https://youtu.be/_XEuaz1_3V8

And a link to our charter brochure

http://www.viewyacht.com/labalsita
 
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG

Posting this from the exumas....

Click to expand...


Thanks Pascal for the very helpful information , I was hoping you would chime in.

I will pass along this information to my family and friends.

Is the food and alcohol included in the $5K per day? Or would that be extra and the guest would be responsible to bring onto the boat?
 
Yes, the " advertised" $5k pp pd ball park number includes everything: food, fuel, wine, alcohol and gratuity. Again for BE members it has been and will be closer to $4k.... Obviously i m using averages over the last 10 years. Sometimes the expenses are a little less, it just varies. We have guests who ask for some specific wines at $50, $60 a bottle and they dont drink just one bottle a day.others are happy with everyday $15 wines.

This is why most weekly charters are quoted plus expenses.

We, and i assume most boats, try to keep costs under control when provisioning. We usually provision the non perishables, alcohol, etc before leaving miami and just get the fruits and veggies in NAS or GGT.
 
Agreed with Pascal on all of the above... We did the Northern Exumas the first trip (picked up at Atlantis and made it as far South as Staniel)... The second trip last February, we met the boat at Georgetown and cruised the Southern Exumas. Next time we charter, it will be through GGT again. The ease of the airport (aside from the customs guy not liking the duffel bag of produce) and the short drive from there to the boat was a breeze. From our plane touching down to being aboard with a beverage in our hand was likely less than an hour. The anchorages are amazing and all fairly close together. I believe we spent more on "refreshments" than we did on fuel.

Max
 
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