Private yacht charter in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale calls itself the yachting capital of the world, and the claim rests on its water: some 165 miles of inland waterways, around 100 marinas and the New River running through downtown, which earned the city its other name, the Venice of America. A Fort Lauderdale yacht charter starts in that network of canals and the Intracoastal Waterway, then leaves through Port Everglades for open water.
For most guests, Fort Lauderdale is a departure rather than a destination. The Bahamas begin around fifty miles to the east, across the Gulf Stream, and a winter week from here usually spends most of its days there, while a yacht permitted to charter in US waters can turn south instead, to Miami, Biscayne Bay and the Florida Keys.
From Fort Lauderdale by sea
The city's waterways. The New River winds through downtown past Las Olas Boulevard, and the Intracoastal Waterway runs behind the beach. A day on these waters suits an arrival, a celebration or a first evening aboard.
Bimini. The nearest Bahamian landfall, around fifty miles east of Miami, is made up of North, South and East Bimini and a scatter of cays, with a passenger ferry link to Port Everglades.
Nassau and the Berry Islands. Nassau is a long day's passage from South Florida, around 180 nautical miles, made when the Gulf Stream forecast allows, and the Berry Islands lie to its north.
The Exumas. Beyond Nassau lies the Exuma chain, the cays most Bahamas charters aim for: sandbars, the Land and Sea Park and the anchorages around Staniel Cay. See the Exumas.
Miami and the Florida Keys. To the south, Biscayne Bay passes Fisher Island, Star Island and the Venetian Islands before opening into Biscayne National Park, and Hawk Channel runs inside the reef from Key Biscayne all the way to Key West, with the depth a larger yacht needs and shelter from the ocean swell.
Why most charters cross to the Bahamas
US law limits what a foreign-flagged yacht may do with charter guests in US waters. The Passenger Vessel Services Act, among other rules, bars foreign vessels from carrying passengers between US ports, so a foreign-flagged yacht usually embarks its guests in Fort Lauderdale and crosses to the Bahamas. A week in Florida's own waters calls for a yacht permitted to charter there, and we confirm this for every yacht we propose.
When to go
The winter season runs from December to April for both the Bahamas and the Keys, and the Atlantic hurricane season from June to November. The Gulf Stream sets the rhythm of any crossing: the passage is made on a favourable forecast, and the captain may hold a day to wait for one.
The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show fills the city's marinas at the turn of October and November, across six locations, with the Superyacht Village at Pier Sixty-Six. In December, the Winterfest Boat Parade follows a 12-mile route on the water. Christmas and New Year are the busiest weeks of the winter.
Marinas and arrival
Pier Sixty-Six, on the Intracoastal Waterway two miles from Port Everglades, takes yachts of up to 400 feet, and Bahia Mar and Las Olas Marina, both venues of the boat show, also berth large yachts.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is about 5.5 miles from Pier Sixty-Six. Private aircraft can use Fort Lauderdale Executive, a general aviation airport five miles north of downtown with its own US Customs facility, and Miami International lies to the south. Across the water, Bimini, Nassau and Great Exuma all have airports, which makes it simple for guests to join or leave mid-week.
Yachts and what a week costs
Many of the motor yachts that charter in the Bahamas are based in South Florida, and nearly all of them are quoted per week plus expenses. Running costs are paid from an Advance Provisioning Allowance, typically 25 to 35 percent of the rate. A week in the Bahamas also carries the Bahamian charter tax, a single 14 percent levy collected by the Port Department, and a passenger tax for guests entering aboard from Florida; the applicable charges are set out before anything is signed. The crew gratuity is customarily 15 to 20 percent of the charter fee. For the largest yachts, see superyacht charter, and for budgets, what a charter costs.
How a Fort Lauderdale charter is arranged
We shortlist the yachts that suit your group, check each one's flag and its licence to charter where you want to go, and plan the crossing with the captain around the Gulf Stream forecast. Fort Lauderdale sits among our Americas destinations, and Nassau is the usual gateway to the Exumas.
Tell us your dates, the size of your group and what you have in mind, and we will come back with a shortlist. Start the conversation.
