BOATING RESOURCES
CRUISING PERMITS
ARRIVING BY BOAT
To enter The Islands Of The Bahamas, private vessels need digital submission of forms and on-line pleasure vessel clearance from Click 2 Clear. For detailed information and instructions, visit Click 2 Clear information page.
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Visiting boaters must clear Customs and Immigration at the nearest designated Port of Entry. As you enter each port, fly the yellow quarantine flag and notify Customs of your arrival. Only the captain is permitted to leave the boat until your vessel has been cleared.
Customs and Immigration officials will come to your vessel. Everyone on board must have proof of citizenship - US citizens must present a passport.
If you have a firearm on board (shotguns and handguns only) you must declare it with Bahamian Customs. You must provide the serial number, name of the manufacturer, plus an exact count of ammunition. While you are allowed to have a firearm on your boat, you cannot remove it. Weapons must be under lock and key at all times. In cases of emergencies, which require your departure by air, you must notify Bahamian Police or Customs. They will accompany you to retrieve the firearm and present you with a receipt. Upon your return to the island, Bahamian Police or Customs will escort you to your vessel and return your firearm. Any infraction of this law will be dealt with severely.
ENTRY FEES
Bahamas Cruising Permit Fees as of January 1, 2020:
The following fees will be applied to boats staying in The Bahamas for up to 3 months:
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Boats up to 34 feet: $150
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Boats 35-99 feet: $300
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Boats 100-149 feet: $500
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Boats 150-200 feet: $800
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Boats over 200 feet: $1,000
The fees cover both a cruising permit and fishing permit, as well as the departure tax for up to three people. Each additional person will be charged a $20 departure tax. The fee is good for a second re-entry within a 90-day period.
For stays longer than 3 months:
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Boats up to 34 feet: $300 annually
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Boats 35-99 feet: $600 annually
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Boats 100-149 feet: $1,000 annually
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Boats 150–200 feet: $1,600 annually
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Boats over 200 feet: $2,000 annually
For a stay longer than 12 months, special arrangements must be made with Bahamas Customs and Immigration.
Please note that Attendance Fees, Fishing Permit, Transportation and Overtime fees are all included in the price of the cruising permit. The only additional fees would be for additional departure tax if there are more than 3 persons at a cost of $20 per additional person.
It is illegal to tip government employees. Boaters are asked to report if they are ever asked for these types of payments to the local marina manger or dockmaster.
ENTRY FORMALITIES
ARRIVING BY AIR/RETURNING BY BOAT
Travelers are advised to purchase return tickets (and seek reimbursement upon returning home for the unused ticket) even when they are confirmed to return via private boat. However, if the traveler arrives at Bahamas Immigration on a single ticket, the owner/operator of the boat must present himself/herself and the vessel’s cruising permit. A copy of the cruising permit will be permitted for crew members who may be arriving by plane and returning by boat as their names will appear on the manifest. A letter will not suffice.
Upon your arrival to The Bahamas, you will be asked to fill out an Immigration Arrival/Departure Card, which you will keep until your departure. All visitors are required to be in possession of a return ticket.
US CITIZENS
A valid passport is required. A visa is required for stays exceeding eight months.
US RESIDENTS (NON-CITIZENS)
An Alien Registration Card (Green Card) AND a valid passport from their country of citizenship are required.
For visits EXCEEDING 30 days, a valid passport AND a Bahamas visa are required.
CANADIAN CITIZENS
A valid passport is required for proof of citizenship. Voter registration cards, birth certificates and photo identifications are no longer accepted as proof of citizenship.
A Bahamas visa is required for stays exceeding three months.
UNITED KINGDOM CITIZENS
Citizens of the United Kingdom and colonies require a valid passport.
A visa is required for stays exceeding eight months.
ALL OTHER COUNTRIES
For entry formalities, please contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the nearest Bahamas Embassy, Consulate or High Commission.
BAHAMAS MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, BAHAMAS EMBASSY, CONSULATE AND HIGH COMMISSION OFFICES
THE BAHAMAS
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Consular Section
Norfolk House, Frederick Street
P.O. Box N-3746
Nassau, Bahamas
Phone: (242) 323.5578/5565
Fax: (242) 326.6186
WASHINGTON, D.C. | USA
Embassy of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas
2220 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20008
Phone: (202) 319.2660/7
Fax: (202) 319.2668
bahemb@aol.com
MIAMI | USA
Bahamas Consulate General
25 S.E. Second Avenue
Ingraham Bldg., Suite 600
Miami, FL 33131
Phone: (305) 373.6295
Fax: (305) 373.6312
bcgmia@bellsouth.net
NEW YORK | USA
Bahamas Consulate General
Bahama House
231 East 46th Street
New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 688.5926
Fax: (212) 688.5926
bahamasconsulate@bahamasny.com
CANADA
Bahamas High Commission
Metropolitan Life Centre
50 O’Connor, Suite 1313
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1 6L2
Phone: (613) 232.1724
Fax: (613) 232.0097
ottawa-mission@bahighco.com
UNITED KINGDOM
Bahamas High Commission
10 Chesterfield Street
London, W1J 5JL
England
Phone: (011) 44 207.408.4488
Fax: (011) 44 207.499.9937
information@bahamashclondon.net