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2026 Bahamas Exuma “Out-Islands” Flotilla Cruise Vacation
Flotilla Participants in Exumas in 2021
Join This Awesome Bahamas Flotilla Cruise with Colgate Sailing Adventures®
April 18-25, 2026
Island hopping in the Exumas Cays is truly awesome. You sail along dazzling white sand beaches, swim and snorkel in crystal clear azure waters, explore villages where jump up bands play and delicious island fare awaits.
A Diverse Tropical Paradise Just 1 Hour From the U.S.
Our fleet of catamaran yachts is based in Nassau at Palm Cay – ready to board at 10 a.m., Saturday, February 7, 2026. Disembarkation is at 11 a.m., Saturday, February 14, 2026. Plan to arrive in Nassau and spend the night at a hotel of your choice on Friday, February 6, 2026 (or take a few days to have fun in this vibrant Bahamian city). You should be able to fly out Saturday afternoon, February 14, but check flights early to see if you will need to overnight for an early flight home the next day.
Pigs, 3′ Iguanas, Incredible Sea Life
This 120-mile archipelago northeast of Cuba includes 365 islands. Famous for swimming pigs, three-foot iguanas, and some of the most renowned sea life dive and snorkeling spots, this is an easy-to-sail winter getaway you don’t want to miss. Most of the photos on this page were taken in 2021 by Colgate Sailing Adventures® participants on a
Sunset Off Norman Island
previous Exumas Islands cruise.
Offshore Passage to Island Cruising
This cruise starts with an exciting offshore passage that takes you to peaceful island cruising in the Exumas. Then you cruise the Out Islands along the west coast of the Exuma Cays, an easy-to-navigate strip of secluded harbors and lavish ports nestled among clear-blue waters.
Deserted Beaches and Quaint Seaside Eateries
In between anchorages, you discover deserted beaches and quaint seaside eateries that truly capture the essence of this amazing island chain. Your cruise leaders will provide the itinerary before your departure on the day you board, after discussion with base manager and review of weather conditions. Always subject to change, here are some of the destinations you may follow.
Highborne Cay
Known as the “Gateway to the Exumas,” at Highborne Cay spend the day kayaking or snorkeling, or just wonder along its uninhabited beach. Two snorkeling highlights include exploring the “Octopus Garden” reef, and Leaf Cay beach where you are welcomed ashore by friendly three-foot iguanas. Then enjoy a cocktail or have dinner at the hilltop restaurant with breathtaking 360-degree views and amazing sunsets.
Norman Cay
About 7 nautical miles from Highborne Cay is Norman Cay, surrounded by a pristine coral reef. On this island’s southwest point are the remains of a plane in 10’ of water, now a natural habitat for tropical fish and colorful coral. Nearby, along Twinkie Beach, there are plenty of seashells to collect. A perfect photo-op here is the picturesque lone palm tree on a white sand beach reflected in the bluest water you’ve ever seen.
Compass Cay
This delightful stop has a full-service marina and restaurant with tons to do. A fun destination for nature lovers, here you can interact with famous and friendly nurse sharks, visit Rachel’s Bubble Bath where waves crash over a tiny inlet to the bay from the ocean, and Rocky Dundas Grotto where you’ll find limestone caves and an appealing restaurant.
Staniel Cay
Two James Bond movies were filmed here. The spectacular underwater cave west of the Cay is named “Thunderball Grotto” because of its film debut. Peppered with vibrant coral heads and a huge marine population, this grotto is a popular snorkeling and diving site. You can rent golf carts to explore Staniel Cay, swim with curious pigs at Pig Beach on Big Major Cay. Cap your day with reservations at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club for an elegant dinner after water and land explorations.
Warderick Wells Cay
19 nautical miles from Staniel Cay is the headquarters of the 176-square-mile Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, which extends from Shroud Cay to Bell Cay. This is the largest underwater
Boats Anchored at Stocking Island
sea park in the Caribbean with 20 marked nature trails for land exploration and 20 secluded beaches. Hiking and snorkeling here are unmatched. Breathtaking scenery and natural beauty are a photographers dream, thanks to the highly protected Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park.
Shroud Cay
Also part of the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park territory is Shroud Cay, an uninhabited archipelago of rocky shores, white-sand beaches, and extensive mangroves where conch, lobster, sea turtles, and other various marine critters thrive. There are also numerous sandy-bottom creeks and estuaries to explore by kayak or dinghy.
Rose Island
Near the main port of Nassau is this small hideaway, only 11 miles long, with four special beaches: First Beach, MacTaggart’s Beach, Footprints Beach, and Sandy Toes. For a vibrant bar scene, head to the hotel on Sandy Toes where you’ll find a seaside bar and grill. On Sandy Toes Beach you’ll find palm trees swaying in the wind and a grove of hammocks on the hilltop. It’s a special place to close your eyes and listen to waves rolling lapping the shore.
Just 15 Cabins Available
Whether you are an Offshore Sailing School graduate or enthusiastic experienced sailor, we welcome you to join us on this special cruise. A resume is required from all. Here is the pricing and more details.
CATEGORY 1:
Thunderball Grotto of 007 Movie Fame
Offshore Sailing School grads with US Sailing Bareboat Cruising Certification and IPC, willing to be a designated skipper if asked
- $5,995 single in a private cabin
- $5,395 per person, sharing a cabin
CATEGORY 2:
Offshore Sailing School grads with US Sailing Bareboat Cruising Certification only (no IPC), or unwilling to skipper if asked
- $6,395 single in a private cabin
- $5,795 per person, sharing a cabin
CATEGORY 3:
Other qualified sailors
- $6,595 single in a private cabin
- $5,995 per person, sharing a cabin
Payment Schedule
- Up to December 2, 2026, 30% deposit of the total package cost required.
- Final (full) payment due December 2, 2026.
- If book December 2, 2026, or later, full amount due.
- Terms & Conditions must be signed with purchase, outlining cancellation and transfer policies.
- No refunds for cancellations, or changes allowed, December 2, 2026, or later for any reason.
Your Package Includes:
- 7 nights in a private or shared cabin on one of the flotilla catamarans, assigned in advance by your cruise leaders
- Welcome party and dinner
- Group dinner ashore during or at end of cruise
- Provisions for breakfast and lunches and two dinners aboard
- Full fuel and water tanks upon departure
- Damage waiver
- Bahamas charter tax
- Cruise shirt and hat
- Comprehensive e-book prepared by Offshore to help you plan your trip
- Hosted by expert cruise leaders with the fleet throughout the cruise
Other Costs to Plan On:
- Beverages you wish to have onboard, including bottled water, beer, wine, spirits, juices
- Mooring, anchoring and docking fees
- Park permits, if any
- Food, drinks, meals and expendables you purchase to use or consume aboard or elsewhere
- Sightseeing tours
- Rental cars, golf carts, taxis, kayaks, other water toys, other rentals or other costs you may incur
- Ground transfers, air, other travel costs
- Immigration, entry or departure fees
As with any Colgate Sailing Adventures® Flotilla Cruise, all crew on each boat contribute equally to a kitty to cover shared costs during the cruise, usually starting at $100 per person.
Your Cruise Leaders
Daniel and Klaudia Jackson are your guides as you sail the Out Islands of the Bahamas. They have led Colgate Sailing Adventures® Flotilla cruises in the Caribbean and Tahiti and enjoyed
Enjoying Sundowners on Waderick Wells Beach
cruising together to many ports in Europe, the Caribbean and along the West Coast of the U.S. Daniel teaches all levels of Offshore Sailing School courses. The Jacksons must have your completed resume to assign crews to each boat and choose the designated “skipper and mate” from the information you provide on the resume.
Book Now!
CALL 800-221-4326 or 239-454-1700
Sail@OffshoreSailing.com
Catamaran Sailing and Cruising 45′ Moorings Yachts
Our fleet of four 45′ Moorings 4-cabin catamarans is based at Palm Cay Marina in Nassau, where you start this week of catamaran sailing and cruising. This is an easy cruise to get to as there are many flights from the U.S. into Nassau’s Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS). A 30-minute taxi transfer takes you to the base. Since boarding time is at 10 a.m. please arrive a day early and stay at one of the many Nassau hotel options near the marina. A list of hotels will be available in the Handbook you receive shortly after reserving your cabin.
How to Get To Nassau
To find the best flights from your home base to Nassau, we recommend you contact flights@thlmarine.com or Moorings/Sunsail travel service (866-649-2003). Check your passport now! It must be valid for six months after your return home.
Who May Participate?
Swim Break at the Rapids, Shroud Cay
- Offshore Sailing School grads with Bareboat Cruising Certification (OSS 104 or 104/114) or higher.
- Offshore Sailing School learn to sail or performance sailing grads with just OSS 101 or OSS 102 certification.
- Experienced sailors with cruising certifications, or equivalent experience.
Why is a Sailing Resume Required?
Colgate Sailing Adventures® flotilla cruises are hands-on activities that require unaided mobility on the yacht you live and sail on. You must also be able to board dinghies from the yacht and get back on the boat from the dinghy, regardless of how choppy the seas and harbor waters might be.
SAILING RESUME FOR FLOTILLA CRUISES
All questions must be answered, including information about medical or physical conditions that may hinder your full participation. Only the cruise leaders and Offshore management sees these resumes.
Book Now!
CALL 800-221-4326 or 239-454-1700
Sail@OffshoreSailing.com
