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Matt Weidert
Matt's Exuma Picks: 5 Crewed Yachts for 2026-2027
After someone finishes their first charter in the British Virgin Islands, the next question is almost always the same: “Where should we go next?”
More often than not, my answer is the Exuma Bahamas.
At the Yacht Warriors, we compare hundreds of crewed yachts every year while putting together charter proposals for our clients. Availability changes, crews move from one yacht to another, new launches enter the fleet, and every season there are a handful of yachts that consistently rise to the top. This isn’t a list of every crewed yacht available in the Bahamas — these are the yachts we routinely recommend because we believe they’ll deliver an exceptional charter experience.
I’ve been chartering the Exumas for over 10 years now, and every time I return I’m reminded why I keep sending our guests here. The water is every bit as clear as the photos suggest, the anchorages are quieter than almost anywhere else in the Caribbean, and while there are certainly iconic stops everyone should experience, there are just as many places where you’ll feel like you’ve discovered your own private corner of the Bahamas.
That doesn’t make the Exumas better than the BVI. They’re simply different.
The British Virgin Islands remain my favorite recommendation for most first-time charterers. Short passages, line-of-sight navigation, protected anchorages, and an incredible collection of beach bars make them hard to beat. But after you’ve done the BVI once or twice, many people start looking for something that feels a little less traveled.
That’s where the Exumas shine.
The cruising is more spread out. The water somehow becomes even bluer. You’ll find yourself anchored off deserted sandbars one afternoon and swimming through Thunderball Grotto the next. The fishing is outstanding, the snorkeling is world-class, and there are plenty of places where your only neighbors are sea turtles and nurse sharks.
I don’t want to overstate the “experienced sailors only” narrative, because it simply isn’t true. Plenty of first-time guests have an incredible week in the Exumas — especially aboard a crewed yacht where your captain handles every aspect of the itinerary and navigation. It’s simply a different style of charter.
If you’re trying to decide between the two destinations, I wrote a detailed comparison that breaks down the pros and cons of each. I was also fortunate enough to be back in the Exumas last year, and the trip reminded me why these islands never get old. If you’re still in the dreaming phase, spend a few minutes on our Exumas destination guide before choosing a yacht.
Matt’s Exuma Crewed Yacht Picks
Every yacht on this list earned its place for a different reason. Some have crews that consistently receive exceptional feedback from our clients. Others offer layouts that work perfectly for families or multiple couples. Some represent tremendous value for what they offer, and a few are simply outstanding yachts for exploring the shallow waters of the Exumas.
These are the five yachts I’d be looking at first for the 2026–2027 charter season. I’m going from smallest to largest, and you’ll notice most of the list is made up of catamarans. That’s intentional — the Exumas are shallow, and one of the biggest advantages of a catamaran is how little water it draws. That opens up anchorages and sandbars that simply aren’t practical for deeper-draft yachts.
Let’s dive in.
1. Portfolio — Bali 5.2
If two families asked me where I’d start my search for an Exumas charter this season, Portfolio would be one of my very first recommendations.
Portfolio - one of the first Bali 5.2s available for charter in the Caribbean
Portfolio is brand new to charter, and she’s also one of the first examples of Bali’s new 5.2 model to enter the crewed market. If you’ve followed Yacht Warriors for a while, you already know I’m a fan of the Bali platform for guests that desire great lounge areas — I’ve spent time aboard enough of them over the years to appreciate what they do differently.
The signature up-and-over salon door completely transforms the living space, creating one large indoor-outdoor entertaining area. Up front, Bali replaces traditional trampolines with a solid foredeck lounge that’s become one of my favorite places to enjoy a morning coffee or watch the sunset. And the redesigned flybridge is larger than previous generations, giving everyone another comfortable place to relax underway or at anchor.
The re-designed foredeck lounge area on the new Bali 5.2
What really separates Portfolio, though, is the layout. She accommodates up to twelve guests in five cabins — three queen cabins and two bunk cabins — and every cabin has its own ensuite. Each bunk room features a twin over queen setup, which makes room for the twelve guests.
Would I put twelve adults aboard? Probably not. But for two families traveling together, I think it’s outstanding. Parents get comfortable queen cabins, the kids naturally gravitate toward the bunks, everyone has their own bathroom, and the common areas are large enough that nobody feels like they’re living on top of one another.
Rates begin around $31,000 per week and they are accepting bookings for this season and next (2027-2028). They are currently offering a 5% discount for the first five bookings to get signed up.
Baymahni has recently become one of the easiest recommendations we make — not because she’s the newest yacht in the fleet, but because we’ve seen firsthand how consistently she delivers for our clients.
Baymahni is a great option to explore the southern Exumas
If you’ve spent any time browsing crewed catamarans, you’ve probably noticed the Bali 5.4 shows up frequently throughout the Caribbean. There’s a reason for that: it’s a proven platform with excellent living spaces, spacious guest cabins, and one of the most functional layouts available for groups of eight. Baymahni offers four ensuite guest cabins, including a generous primary suite with a little extra room to spread out.
What really makes her stand out, however, is where she’s based. Unlike many yachts that begin their charters from Nassau and focus on the northern Exumas, Baymahni calls George Town home. That opens up an entirely different section of the island chain. If you’ve already explored the northern cays and want to experience somewhere new, she’s an excellent option — and if you’d like to spend a few nights ashore before or after your charter, the connection with Baymahni Resort makes that incredibly easy.
Of course, she’ll happily cruise the entire Exumas chain, and Nassau embarkations can usually be arranged with a relocation fee.
The biggest reason she’s on this list isn’t the layout. It’s the crew. We recently had Yacht Warriors' guests spend aboard with Captain Gavin and Chef Lili, and the feedback couldn’t have been stronger:
"What an absolutely magical vacation! Gavin & Lili are simply amazing. We felt so welcomed and always made to feel at home. From Lili’s amazing cooking to Gavin’s expertise and itinerary, this trip was truly remarkable. Lili’s kitchen is our new favorite restaurant- she got Luke (7 yr old) to eat things he never does and accommodated our kids at every meal and picky eater moment. We feel like we’ve seen so many beautiful beaches, water, views. Gavin was able to check off all of our “must sees” and show us even more than we could have imagined. The Bahamas is beautiful to visit but the crew and care we received made this trip truly the best ever! Thank you from all 3 generations!"
Feedback like this only reinforces why Baymahni continues to earn a place on our list of top yachts for the Exumas.
If there’s one yacht on this list that’s going to book quickly over the next couple of seasons, it’s Location 5.8. This isn’t simply because she’s brand new — although that certainly doesn’t hurt. It’s because she pairs one of the most anticipated new catamaran models with a crew that many charter guests already know by name.
The rooftop flybridge lounge, built for sunset cocktails.
Location 5.8 is one of the first Bali 5.8s available for charter in the Bahamas, and Bali clearly used this model to build on everything owners and guests loved about the 5.4. The flybridge is larger, the entertaining spaces feel even more open, and the transition between salon and cockpit is as seamless as ever. The whole layout feels designed for exactly the way people spend time on a crewed charter — eating together, relaxing together, and always having another great place to enjoy the view.
Wide-open salon and galley — exactly how you spend a crewed week.
The accommodations are ideal for four couples or a group of eight, with a spacious king master suite and three queen guest cabins.
But if I’m being honest, the yacht is only part of the story. The crew is what makes Location 5.8 so compelling. Captain Nik and Chef Lily have become two of the most recognizable faces in the charter industry — many people first discovered Lily through her “Lily of the Galley” videos documenting life as a yacht chef, and Nic has built his own following sharing what it’s really like running a luxury charter yacht. We’ve followed their journey for years, even publishing a feature on them, and they’ve earned their reputation by consistently delivering exceptional charter experiences. When a crew with that kind of track record moves to a brand-new yacht, people notice.
The toy selection certainly doesn’t hurt either. Along with the usual collection of paddleboards, snorkeling gear, and inflatables, Location 5.8 also carries an eFoil — one of the most requested toys on luxury charters today.
If this yacht ends up on your shortlist, my advice is simple: don’t wait. The calendar is already filling for next season, and they’re even accepting bookings for 2027-2028. I don’t expect prime winter weeks to stay available for long.
Not every group is looking for a sailing catamaran. If comfort, speed between anchorages, and generous interior volume rank higher on your wish list, Mucho Gusto deserves a very close look.
The enclosed, air-conditioned flybridge comes complete with a bar and day head
I’ve always liked well-designed power catamarans for the Bahamas. The distances between islands can be a little greater than what many people are used to in the BVI, and the ability to comfortably cover more ground gives your captain additional flexibility when planning the week. Mucho Gusto is a beautiful example of that. Built by Horizon, she combines contemporary styling with the kind of craftsmanship you’d expect from one of the industry’s most respected builders. Even though she launched in 2019, she’s been exceptionally well maintained and still feels fresh throughout.
One of my favorite features is the enclosed, air-conditioned flybridge. Rather than simply serving as a second helm station, it’s a true living space with comfortable seating, a wet bar, and panoramic views. During the hottest part of the day, it’s the kind of space you’ll find yourself gravitating toward.
The on-deck California king primary suite — a rare layout at this size.
The accommodations are equally impressive. She welcomes six guests across three beautifully appointed suites, including a rare on-deck California king primary suite, a VIP king, and a flexible guest cabin that converts between twins and another king. For three couples — or a single family looking for plenty of room — it’s an outstanding layout.
Another reason Mucho Gusto continues to stand out is her reputation. At the time I’m writing this, she has accumulated more than seventy-five verified charter reviews. That’s remarkable. In an industry where crews change, standards evolve, and guest expectations continue to rise, that level of consistent feedback tells me everything I need to know. Yachts don’t earn that kind of reputation by accident — they earn it by delivering exceptional weeks, year after year.
If a motor yacht is more your style, you need to consider Vivace.
Vivace running with her 32-foot World Cat fishing tender alongside.
She’s a 2021 Alpha 102, and from the moment you see her profile, it’s obvious she’s different. I love the clean, contemporary styling. So many motor yachts still lean heavily on dark woods and traditional interiors; Vivace feels brighter, lighter, and much more modern. It’s exactly the direction I’d hope to see in a yacht launched in the last few years.
Bright, modern styling — a world away from the dark-wood look.
At just over 100 feet, this is a very different charter experience than the catamarans earlier in this article. With five professional crew members looking after ten guests, the service naturally becomes more personalized — there’s simply more space, more privacy, and more flexibility throughout the week. The accommodations are excellent: a full-beam owner’s suite, two VIP queen cabins, and two twin cabins (one of which converts into another queen), making the layout equally well suited for families or multiple couples traveling together.
And yes, she carries the toys you’d expect — Seabobs, paddleboards, an eFoil, inflatables — but what really stands out to me is the 32-foot World Cat fishing tender. That isn’t simply something to shuttle guests ashore. It’s a serious fishing platform.
One of my favorite things about the Bahamas has always been the fishing. Whether you’re chasing mahi offshore, trolling for wahoo between islands, or heading out early in search of tuna, having a dedicated sport-fishing tender completely changes what’s possible during the week. That’s the kind of detail I notice because it genuinely changes the experience. If your ideal charter includes equal parts luxury, exploration, and a few unforgettable fishing stories, Vivace would be very difficult to overlook.
There are plenty of excellent crewed yachts available throughout the Exumas. These just happen to be the five I find myself coming back to again and again — not because they’re objectively the “best,” but because they’ve each earned a place on our shortlists for different reasons. Some have exceptional crews, some offer incredible value, some have layouts that are perfect for the right group, and a couple are simply among the most exciting additions to the Bahamas fleet.
If you’re thinking about chartering the Exumas during the 2026–2027 season, start a charter request. We’ll talk through your group, your priorities, and the kind of week you’re hoping to have, and then your personal charter broker will create a personalized shortlist of the yachts I’d recommend.
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