The Bahamas Boating and Sailing Regulations

Entry Requirements

To enter The Islands Of The Bahamas, private vessels need the following:

1. One (1) copy of The Bahamas Customs Clearance Form
2. One (1) Bahamas Immigration Card per person
3. Proof of Citizenship—Passport

For digital submission of forms and online pleasure vessel clearance visit the Click 2 Clear information page.

All 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. U.S. citizens must present a passport. Upon your arrival in The Bahamas, you will be asked to fill out an Immigration Arrival/Departure Card, which you will keep until your departure.

Entry Fees

The following fees will be applied to boats staying in The Bahamas for up to 3 months:

• Boats up to 34 feet: $150
• Boats 35-99 feet: $300 
• Boats 100-149 feet: $500
• Boats 150-200 feet: $800
• Boats over 200 feet: $1,000

For stays longer than 3 months:

• Boats up to 34 feet: $300 annually
• Boats 35-99 feet: $600 annually
• Boats 100-149 feet: $1,000 annually
• Boats over 150 - 200 feet: $1,600 annually
• 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 Permits, Transportation, and Overtime fees are all included in the price of the cruising permit. 

*The fees will cover:
1) Cruising Permit

2) Fishing Permit

3) Departure Tax for up to three (3) persons. Each additional person above three will be charged a $20 departure tax. This fee is good for a second re-entry within a 90-day period.

If you plan to stay longer than 12 months, special arrangements must be made with Bahamas Customs and Immigration. Bahamas Customs and Immigration office hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Officers are on call during holidays and weekends.

Exiting Requirements

Before leaving The Islands Of The Bahamas, be sure to surrender your copy of the Immigration Card (filled out upon first arrival) at the last Bahamian port you visit.

When a private vessel arrives at a port of call in the United States, the Master or Captain of the vessel must report their arrival immediately upon first landfall to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) by calling the following toll-free number or visiting the following website:

1-800-432-1216
www.cbp.gov

The Captain will be directed to the nearest Port of Entry and must physically present him/herself and their passengers for admission to the US.

Please visit www.dhs.gov for admission requirements.

When you call for clearance, have the following information available:
1) Vessel name and registration/document number
2) Vessel owner name and citizenship
3) Vessel commander/master name, date of birth and citizenship
4) Passengers' names and dates of birth
5) Foreign ports or places visited and duration of stay
6) Total value of all acquisitions and purchases made

For more information on entering and exiting The Bahamas by private boat, click here.