Bahamas Boating & Fishing Fee Structures and Regulations as of July 1, 2025

The following legislation went into effect July 1, 2025 and impacts all boaters coming to and in The Bahamas. We anticipate that there will be additional changes and modifications in the coming weeks and months, so stay tuned for updates.

Temporary Cruising Permits for Pleasure Vessels

The fee for pleasure crafts for a period not exceeding 12 months are as follows:

• For vessels under 50 feet in length - $500.
• For vessels 50 to 99 feet in length - $1,000.
• For vessels over 100 feet in length - $3,000.

These fees cover:

·        Cruising permit under regulation 90(a)

·        Attendance fees by a customs officer for attendance and travel expenses

·        Overtime and travel expenses in respect of the attendance of an immigration officer.

·        Entrance into The Bahamas twice within a 30 day period.

Additional fees will not be added for ancillary equipment being towed or on-board a pleasure vessel, except for tenders exceeding 25 feet in length. The fee for a tender vessel exceeding 25 feet will be $500 for a period not exceeding 12 months.

When a pleasure vessel carries more than three passengers, every additional passenger of or above the age of six and who is not an ordinary resident of The Bahamas will be subjected to a fee of $30.

There is no longer an option to extend cruising permits past 12 months. Once 12 months has passed a new permit is required.

For vessels who have already obtained a cruising permit and are already in The Bahamas, or still have one reentry left on their 90 days, the terms of the existing permit are still valid.

If you had already obtained a permit from Click to Clear before fees increased, your Cruising Permit will be rejected at check-in and a new one will be issued with the difference payable on arrival. Payment can be made in cash or by credit card, but if paying by card you will need to go to the nearest Customs Station. Keep your PCR number from your original Click to Clear transaction! 

Temporary Fishing Permits for Pleasure Vessels

Fishing Permits are no longer included in the Cruising Permit fee. Foreign pleasure vessel fishing permits fees:

•  For vessels under 50 feet in length - $100.
• For vessels 50 feet in length and over - $300.

Fishing permits are only valid for 30 days, even if you possess a 12-month cruising permit. It is necessary to renew fishing permits every 30 days. Tenders do not require a separate fishing permit as long as the ‘mother’ vessel is still in The Bahamas. Fees are per boat, not per person.

Fishing permits can be renewed on https://www.besw.gov.bs/TFBSEW/cusLogin/signin.cl

Frequent Digital Cruising Card for Pleasure Vessels (FDCC)

Frequent Digital Cruising Card (FDCC) are now available allowing unlimited visits for up to two years. 

• For vessels under 50 feet in length - $1,500.
• For vessels 50 to 99 feet in length - $2,500.
• For vessels over 100 feet in length - $8,000.

These fees do NOT cover

·        Attendance fees by a customs officer for attendance and travel expenses

·        Overtime and travel expenses in respect of the attendance of an immigration officer.

The FDCC will not be available on Click to Clear until at least mid-July. In the interim, applications must be made upon arrival and paid for in cash, or by credit card at the nearest Customs Station. In Nassau the office is located at Prince George Wharf, Arawak Port Development, Customs Headquarters Thompson Blvd, Customs cashier LPIA.

Anchorage Fees

Anchorage fees for foreign vessels, regardless of if the boat is also mooring at a marina, have been amended in a new regulation 91B. These fees cover a 12 month period.

• For vessels under 50 feet in length - $200.
• For vessels 50 to 99 feet in length - $350.
• For vessels over 100 feet in length - $1,500.

These fees apply to day excursions as well as all overnight trips, and must be paid in addition to the cruising permit and dockage fees.

AUTOMATED IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM

A new regulation, 40B, has been put into effect. This new section states that every foreign vessel OVER 50 feet in length that is in Bahamian waters shall at all times:

• Be equipped with an automated identification system;
• Ensure that the automated identification system is properly functioning; and
• Ensure the automated identification system is turned on.

To avoid any doubt, the three points apply to foreign vessels that are docked in The Bahamas, traversing Bahamian waters, or passing through the Bahamas. The owner and master of a vessel that violates this new section commits an offense and is liable, on summary conviction, to a fine of $1,000, according to the new bill.

Useful links

• Pleasure Vessels (Digital Submission Process from Bahamas Customs)
• Click to Clear
• Cruising Permit Details

The Association of Bahamas Marinas will continue to monitor any and all changes to the boating and fishing regulations and will send updates once any modifications are confirmed.

For more info on the ABM contact Raymond Francis

execdirector@bahamasmarinas.com