For captains & cruisers

Cruising & clearing into the Bahamas

What you need to enter, clear, and cruise — current as of 1 April 2026. Always confirm the latest fees and procedures with Bahamas Customs before you sail.

Clearing in — step by step

  1. Pre-file on Click2Clear. Before arrival the captain submits the pleasure-vessel inbound declaration on the Bahamas Customs Click2Clear portal and receives a rotation number (PCR-…). No login is needed for the pleasure-craft module.
  2. Pay the cruising fee online (or at the marina). Customs won't give final approval until payment clears.
  3. Fly the yellow Q flag on approach to a designated port of entry.
  4. Only the captain goes ashore until the vessel is cleared — all other crew and guests stay aboard.
  5. Captain clears in person with Customs & Immigration (typically 9am–5pm; remote ports may need a call ahead).
  6. Lower the Q flag, raise the Bahamas courtesy flag — everyone may go ashore, and you can move island to island.

The old paper "C7A" form is for private aircraft. Pleasure vessels now clear digitally via Click2Clear (legacy form C2A).

Cruising permit fees · 2026

The fee covers the cruising permit, Customs & Immigration attendance, and departure tax for up to 3 persons aboard (+$30 per additional person).

PermitVessel lengthFee
30-day (no free re-entry)up to 30 ft$150
30-day31–50 ft$250
30-day51–100 ft$350
30-dayover 100 ft$600
6-month (1 free re-entry)up to 50 ft$300
6-month51–100 ft$750
6-monthover 100 ft$2,000
12-month (2 free re-entries)up to 50 ft$500
12-month51–100 ft$1,000
12-monthover 100 ft$3,000

Fishing permit (now separate)

Vessel lengthFeeValidity
under 50 ft$10030 days (renew every 30 days)
50 ft and over$30030 days

Frequent Digital Cruising Card (2 years, unlimited entries)

Vessel lengthFee
under 50 ft$1,500
50–99 ft$2,500
over 100 ft$8,000

The FDCC does not cover the per-visit Customs & Immigration attendance fees. Anchorage fees apply only if you actually anchor.

Captain's practical notes

📻

VHF

Hail and distress on Ch 16, then switch to a working channel — commonly 68, 69, 71, 72 or 78A. Confirm each marina's working channel on arrival.

🌀

Hurricane season

Officially 1 June – 30 November, peak August to early October. Most yacht policies impose a "named-storm box" — check your insurer's dates and geographic limits.

📡

AIS now required

Since 1 July 2025, all foreign vessels 50 ft and over in Bahamian waters must carry a working AIS, switched on at all times.

⛽

Fuel

Diesel and gas at most ports of entry and major marinas — but spotty in the remote out-islands. Top off before long bank crossings and carry a reserve.

🧭

Navigation — the Banks

The Great and Little Bahama Banks are shallow (often 8–12 ft at low tide) with coral heads. Use eyeball piloting with the sun high and behind you.

⚓

Ports of entry

Clear at a designated port — Nassau, Bimini, Freeport, Marsh Harbour, Chub Cay, Highbourne & more. The official list changes; confirm your destination is staffed before arrival.

Fees and procedures are current as of 1 April 2026 and subject to change — verify at bahamascustoms.gov.bs (fees & procedure) and bahamas.com (ports of entry) before you travel.