Set in the serene waters of the Abaco Islands in The Bahamas, Marsh Harbour is the perfect starting point for a motor yacht charter to explore this stunning area.
The Abacos are a chain of islands in the Atlantic, in the northern Bahamas 180 miles off the coast of Florida. Stretching for 120 miles and 649 square miles wide, this island hopping paradise has many areas to explore.
These islands are renowned for their natural beauty, fabulous coral reefs and clear waters. Set sail on an unforgettable adventure which will transport you to a world of deserted beaches, vibrant reefs, and quaint mooring spots.
The Abacos are known for their crystal-clear turquoise waters, perfect for snorkelling, diving, and swimming. The visibility is excellent, allowing for easy viewing of the vibrant marine life.
The Abacos are surrounded by a barrier reef which protects them from ocean swells. As a result, the waters in the region are relatively calm and ideal for sailing or boating, even for those who may be new to yachting.
The waters around Marsh Harbour are home to a diverse range of marine life, and excellent snorkelling and diving are always close by.
The Abacos offer breathtaking scenery, including secluded beaches, hidden coves, and mangrove marshes.
While destinations like Nassau can feel overrun with tourists and cruise ships, the Abacos remain relatively off the beaten track. You'll have a wide variety of uncrowded anchorages and sandbars practically all to yourself.
This idyllic island is a paradise for nature lovers. Don't miss the Wildlife Sanctuary, home to many bird species and native wildlife. And try sundownders at Nippers Beach Bar and Grill, a popular spot known for its lively atmosphere and stunning views.
Considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, Treasure Cay is a must-visit destination. With its powdery white sand and clear waters, this beach is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing.
Known for its old-world charm and relaxed atmosphere, Green Turtle Cay is an excellent choice for a stop off. Explore the historic village of New Plymouth, visit the famous Green Turtle Club Resort & Marina, and enjoy snorkelling or diving in the surrounding coral reefs.
While your motor yacht charter will likely start and end in Marsh Harbour, don't overlook it as a destination in itself. Explore the local marinas, sample fresh seafood at waterfront restaurants, and soak up the vibrant atmosphere of this bustling hub of the Abacos.
For a more secluded and off-the-beaten-path experience, head to Little Harbour. This tranquil spot is famous for its picturesque harbour, local art galleries, and Pete's Pub. Enjoy a cold drink, browse local artwork and enjoy the stunning sunset views.
Scotland Cay offers seclusion and a peaceful atmosphere, perfect for those seeking tranquillity. Enjoy the pristine beaches, snorkel, or simply relax and enjoy the solitude.
Just a short distance from Marsh Harbour, Lubbers Quarters Cay is a hidden gem with beautiful beaches and clear waters. Explore this quiet island on foot, rent a kayak or paddleboard, and enjoy the natural beauty surrounding you.
This protected reserve offers pristine beaches, mangrove forests, and excellent snorkelling opportunities. It's a great place to spot marine life, including turtles and reef fish.
The high season in Marsh Harbour runs from December to April which is typically dry and sunny so expect more visitors around this time and and if you plan to book your motor yacht charter around this time it’s worthwhile to book well in advance.
May to June is the shoulder season with less visitors but still warm temperatures and the low season is July to November when temperatures remain high but it is typically wetter.
Monthly weather for the area *
| Avg. High Temp | Avg. Low Temp | Avg. Daily Rain (mm) | Avg. Wind Direction | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAN | 25.4°C (78°F) | 18.2°C (65°F) | 0.2mm |  SSE |
| FEB | 26.0°C (79°F) | 19.1°C (66°F) | 1.4mm | SE |
| MAR | 26.6°C (80°F) | 19.3°C (67°F) | 0.9mm | SSE |
| APR | 27.5°C (82°F) | 21.0°C (70°F) | 2.9mm | ESE |
| MAY | 28.6°C (83°F) | 21.8°C (71°F) | 3.2mm | ESE |
| JUN | 30.1°C (86°F) | 23.6°C (74°F) | 11.2mm | S |
| JUL | 31.8°C (89°F) | 25.2°C (77°F) | 1.2mm | SE |
| AUG | 32.7°C (91°F) | 25.8°C (79°F) | 6.0mm | ESE |
| SEP | 31.1°C (88°F) | 24.6°C (76°F) | 4.4mm | ESE |
| OCT | 29.4°C (85°F) | 23.8°C (75°F) | 0.3mm | SSE |
| NOV | 27.1°C (81°F) | 21.8°C (71°F) | 0.7mm | SE |
| DEC | 24.5°C (76°F) | 19.8°C (68°F) | 2.6mm | SE |
The Leonard M. Thompson Airport (MHH) in Marsh Harbour is the typical starting point for the Abaco Islands.
Visitors from the US have numerous options for direct flights, and UK and non-European visitors will typically fly to Miami or Florida to catch a connecting flight.
The main language in the Bahamas is English.
The local currency is the Bahamian dollar, but the US dollar is widely accepted as well.
Tipping 15 - 20% is standard in the Bahamas and, as always, is appreciated for good service.
For luxury and comfort on the water, a motor yacht charter from Marsh Harbour is hard to beat with many offering a range of activities from water sports to spa treatments to enhance your experience.
Depending on the individual yacht's amenities, you can try out jet skis, paddleboards, kayaks and more. The power of most motor yachts also means you can cover more ground and explore a greater variety of locations. This combination of luxury, freedom and relaxation is what motor yacht charters are all about.
A luxury motor yacht charter from Marsh Harbour offers custom-designed vessels boasting cutting-edge technology and lavish amenities.
With a wide array of water toys available, the yachts powerful engines and advanced stabilisation systems ensure smooth, swift travel to your chosen destinations.
While onboard, a highly skilled crew, including trained chefs and wellness experts, provide impeccable, personalised service.
A luxury motor yacht charter isn't just a vacation; it's an immersive journey and a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation and tailored luxury.
Motor yachts have powerful engines, so typically offer higher speeds and can cover greater distances than sailing yachts.
Motor yachts generally provide a more stable platform than the average sailing yacht, both while cruising and at anchor.
Motor yachts rely exclusively on engine power, whereas a sailing yacht typically uses wind and sail as their primary source.
While they can cover more range in shorter times than sailing yachts, this means motor yachts consume more fuel which can affect your final costs for the charter.
Motor yachts are less dependent on wind conditions, allowing for more predictable and potentially wide-ranging itineraries and schedules.
The experience on a motor yacht is often more akin to a luxury hotel, with the emphasis on comfort and amenities.
Many motor yachts have a relatively shallow draft or hull depth, allowing them to access areas that deeper-keeled sailing yachts cannot.
Motor yachts often feature more expansive interior spaces and amenities as the design isn't constrained by sailing requirements.
A bareboat charter with Pure Yachting gives you the freedom to create your own itinerary and explore Marsh Harbour and beyond at your own pace. Tailor your trip to match your preferences, and if you need advice or inspiration our charter experts will always be on hand to suggest areas to explore.
We select our motor yacht fleet of from trusted operators, chosen by us for the quality of their boats and the fact they offer a high level of service. To charter a yacht you'll typically need a qualification such as the RYA Day Skipper, the AS104 Bareboat Cruising, ICC certification or be able to demonstrate relevant experience.
With a professional skipper at the helm to confidently navigate around Marsh Harbour and beyond, you’re free to relax and enjoy every moment. The skipper's expertise ensures smooth sailing, allowing you to immerse yourself in the beautiful surroundings.
However, if you fancy getting more involved, our fully qualified skippers will be more than happy to show you the basics, or help you brush up your sailing skills.
On skippered charters, there's also the opportunity to add a host or hostess who can prepare meals and help with tasks such as childcare, concierge services and housekeeping.
Crewed yacht charters from Marsh Harbour come in many shapes and sizes, ranging from sleek superyachts to luxury catamarans, contemporary motor yachts to classic yachts and more, all with crews who are committed to ensuring your comfort, safety and enjoyment.
Each trip offers the opportunity to create a unique journey and our charter experts will guide you through choosing the perfect boat and customising the itinerary to your specification. Whatever your preferences, we take care of all the details, ensuring you and your party have a unique and unforgettable holiday.
Marsh Harbour is a popular charter destination, and therefore, booking your dream boat in advance (typically six months ahead) is best to secure your preferred dates in this perfect destination.
You can search for your dream motor yacht via the link below, or if you want one of our charter experts to do the searching for you, click the link below to get them working on creating the perfect trip.
You won't be short of things on your motor yacht charter, but our must-see destinations include Great Abaco Island and picturesque destinations like Sandy Point, Cross Harbour, and Little Harbour.
You can also visit the Abaco National Park on Great Abaco, an important conservation area for birds and wildlife, and the reef off the coast has some excellent diving.
Located east of Great Abaco Island, Elbow Cay is home to the picturesque settlement of Hope Town with its iconic red and white candy-striped lighthouse and excellent waterfront dining. Next is Green Turtle Cay, known for its colonial architecture, beautiful beaches, and vibrant New Plymouth settlement.
Lying just off the cay, the Catacombs coral garden offers snorkelers and divers an excellent variety of tropical fish, eagle rays, and turtles, all at an accessible 10 metres in depth. The next stop is Man-O-War Cay, famous for its boat-building heritage. You can still visit the boatyards and learn about traditional Bahamian boat craftsmanship, and the island's protected harbour is perfect for anchoring.
The private island of Sandy Cay is located just off Man-O-War Cay and has beautiful white sandy beaches surrounded by clear waters. It is an excellent spot for a beach picnic. If fishing is on your wish list, Great Gunana Cay is favoured by anglers from around the world as, not far offshore, the Sea of Abaco drops to 1500 metres in depth, making it a prized fishing ground.
Beyond its natural wonders, Marsh Harbour and the surrounding Abacos boast a rich cultural heritage that adds an extra layer to a yacht charter experience. Often overlooked, this area of the Bahamas always satisfies, and whether you're craving tranquillity on secluded beaches, cultural immersion, stand-out diving or island hopping adventures, Marsh Harbour is a fantastic place to start.
When chartering a motor yacht from Marsh Harbour, consider factors such as budget, yacht size and type, along with the crew when relevant to make sure they're a good fit for you and your party.
If you are doing a bareboat charter, you need to consider if you have the relevant sailing licences. If you are on a skippered or crewed charter, it's good to understand the weather conditions for the trip so you can bring the appropriate clothing and think about which locations you would like to visit so as you can let the skipper know.
You can sail all year in the Bahamas, and the high season is from December to May.
There are typically four main types of boats and yachts you can hire in Marsh Harbour, which are Sailing Yachts, Catamarans, Motorboats, and Luxury Yachts which includes Superyachts.
The typical times for a motor yacht charter are either 7 or 14 days, but you can charter boats longer if you wish. Most charters, particularly in high season, start on Saturdays and finish seven days later.
The good news is we spend a lot of time vetting who we work with, so this rarely happens, but if there is a problem, you can contact your charter company or ourselves who will be available to sort out any issues.
Once you've found your perfect motor yacht, you will typically pay an upfront deposit fee for holding the boat (these vary from 20% to 50% of the charter fee), and then you will pay the rest one month before departure.