In the islands, renting a boat is often more common than renting a car! If you want total freedom to explore as you please, this is the way to go. Local ferries serve as water taxis, taking locals and travelers from one cay to the next. Connect with your hotel or a local, and they'll point you in the right direction.

Traveling between the 700+ islands and cays of The Bahamas in 2026 is primarily done via domestic flights or high-speed ferries. For speed, local airlines like Bahamasair, Western Air, and Pineapple Air offer frequent "puddle jumper" flights from Nassau to the "Out Islands" like Exuma, Abaco, and Eleuthera, with flight times usually under 45 minutes. For a more scenic approach, the Bahamas Ferries operate large, air-conditioned catamarans from Nassau to several major islands; these are great for those with more time and heavier luggage. If you are exploring the smaller cays (like the Berry Islands or the Exuma Cays), the high-value peer recommendation is to use private water taxis or charter a "mail boat," which is the traditional and cheapest way to move goods and people between more remote settlements. In 2026, "Day Trip" powerboat excursions are also a popular way to see multiple islands in one day, often including stops to see the famous swimming pigs or iguanas as part of the transit.