The Best Boat Rentals in Bimini

Across the Bahamas—including Bimini—private powerboats with a captain typically run about $150–$250 per hour, with common half‑day totals around $700–$1,200 and full days from roughly $1,400–$2,400. Sailing catamarans can be higher, often $350–$600 per hour depending on size, and luxury motor yachts commonly start around $800–$1,200 per hour for larger groups. Most charters include a licensed captain, basic fuel for a standard route, ice, bottled water, and snorkel gear; premium packages may add soft drinks or light snacks. Bahamas VAT (10%), marina pickup fees, gratuity, and extra fuel for longer routes are usually additional, so review the listing details before you book.

You’ll see a good mix suited to different plans: center‑console powerboats for snorkeling and sandbar stops, sportfishing boats set up for offshore or reef action, sailing catamarans for relaxed cruising, and motor yachts that work well for birthdays and bachelorette trips. If you’re after a quick hop to stingray sandbars or nearby reefs, a center console is efficient; for lounging space and a smoother ride, catamarans and motor yachts are great picks.

Most visitors opt for a captained charter because local skippers know Bimini’s shifting shoals, reef cuts, and weather patterns. Self‑operated options tend to be limited and are typically small powerboats that require strong recent boating experience, a minimum age of 18, and a safety briefing or proof of competency. Boats offered for hire are locally regulated and captains are licensed, so going captained is usually the simplest and most relaxing choice.

Common pickup points include Resorts World Bimini’s main marina on North Bimini, Fisherman’s Village Marina (also at Resorts World), and the Bimini Big Game Club Resort & Marina in Alice Town. Some itineraries also stage near Blue Water Marina in Alice Town, especially for fueling or quick harbor access. Your confirmation will note the exact dock and timing, and many hosts can coordinate resort or ferry‑dock pickups on request.

Popular sights include the clear shallows of Honeymoon Harbour at Gun Cay where friendly southern stingrays frequent the sandbar, the photogenic SS Sapona shipwreck for easy snorkeling, and the Bimini Road rock formation just off North Bimini. You’ll cruise past Radio Beach’s palm‑lined shoreline and may spot sea turtles, dolphins, and eagle rays along the way. In winter, specialized dive trips focus on great hammerhead encounters off South Bimini, while summer days often bring the calmest seas for sandbar and snorkeling hops.

No license is needed when you book a captained charter, which is how most visitors go. For the fewer self‑drive listings, hosts generally require that you’re 18 or older and can show solid, recent boating experience; a boater education card from home can help. Because commercial boats for hire and their masters are locally regulated, many providers limit bareboat options, so expect most trips to be captained.

Yes—family groups are common. Captained boats supply properly sized life jackets for all guests, with children’s sizes available; if your child has a favorite PFD, bringing it can ensure the best fit. Your crew will brief everyone on safety, help kids with masks and fins, and tailor snorkeling stops to the day’s conditions. For very young children, plan shaded time, snacks, and breaks, and let your captain know in advance so they can choose calm, shallow anchorages.

Most charters are BYO‑friendly and provide a cooler with ice and bottled water. Glass is discouraged on deck, so pack cans or reusable bottles. Many captains can add catering, beach picnics, or a grill stop with advance notice. The legal drinking age in The Bahamas is 18; if you’re on a self‑operated rental, keep the operator alcohol‑free for safety and insurance reasons.

Some captains allow small, well‑behaved dogs by prior approval, especially on private trips that visit sandbars and quiet beaches. Ask in your inquiry, share your pet’s size, and be ready to bring a non‑slip mat, fresh water bowl, and a pet PFD. If you’re traveling to The Bahamas with a pet, ensure you’ve handled the required import permits and vaccinations before arrival.

The official Atlantic hurricane season is June 1 through November 30, with the most activity usually from mid‑August to mid‑October. Captains watch local forecasts closely and will adjust routes, reschedule, or cancel for safety. Listings spell out weather policies—many offer a no‑penalty reschedule or refund if the captain calls off due to unsafe conditions. Consider travel insurance in summer and shoulder months, and build in a backup day if boating is a must‑do.

Absolutely. Hosts handle celebrations all the time and can help with playlists, floating mats, photo stops, and simple décor as allowed. Group size limits depend on the vessel—center consoles often carry 6–12, while larger cats and motor yachts accommodate more—so share your headcount and must‑haves early to match you with the right boat.

Winter and spring (December–April) bring sunny, drier weather and great visibility for snorkeling and diving, while summer often offers the calmest seas for sandbars and swim stops. US holiday weekends that attract boaters—Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day—are busy and book up early, and Bimini also hosts popular “Boating Flings” from South Florida in June and July. For smoother water and easier dock logistics, choose weekday mornings; mid‑afternoons can be breezier, and sunset cruises are gorgeous if your group prefers a cooler, golden‑hour ride.

The signature trio is Honeymoon Harbour at Gun Cay to meet the stingrays, a snorkel at the shallow SS Sapona wreck, and a drift over the Bimini Road formation off North Bimini. In the cooler months, shark‑diving operators run great hammerhead safaris that depart from North or South Bimini. Your captain can combine sandbars, reefs, and beach time into one relaxed lap, or plan a focused itinerary around snorkeling or wildlife if that’s your priority.