Do You Need a Cruising Permit to Sail in the Bahamas?
Reviewed by Captain Ronald RolleYes, all foreign pleasure vessels must obtain a cruising permit to sail in Bahamian waters. Permits are available in 30-day, 6-month, and 12-month durations with fees based on vessel length. As of recent guidance, a 30-day permit for boats under 30 feet costs $150, while a 12-month permit for the same size costs $500.
Every foreign pleasure vessel entering Bahamian waters must hold a valid cruising permit issued by Bahamas Customs. This permit authorizes your vessel to navigate throughout the Bahamas archipelago during its validity period and must be obtained before or upon your first port of entry.
As of April 2026, cruising permit fees are structured by vessel length and duration. For 30-day permits: boats up to 30 feet pay $150, 31-50 feet pay $250, 51-100 feet pay $350, and vessels over 100 feet pay $600. Importantly, 30-day permits do not include any free re-entries.
For longer stays, 6-month permits offer better value and include one free re-entry. Boats up to 50 feet pay $300, 51-100 feet pay $750, and vessels over 100 feet pay $2,000. Twelve-month permits include two free re-entries: up to 50 feet costs $500, 51-100 feet costs $1,000, and over 100 feet costs $3,000.
Frequent cruisers should consider the Frequent Digital Cruising Card (FDCC), a two-year permit allowing unlimited entries. This costs $1,500 for vessels under 50 feet, $2,500 for 50-99 feet, and $8,000 for boats over 100 feet.
Applications are submitted through the Click2Clear electronic single window system. You can complete your application online before departure from your home port, pay electronically, and receive your permit number. Upon arrival at a designated port of entry, only the captain goes ashore to clear with Customs and Immigration while crew remains aboard flying the yellow quarantine flag.
Note that cruising permits are separate from fishing permits and anchoring permits, which carry additional fees. Verify current fee schedules before travel as rates are subject to change.
Key points
- All foreign pleasure vessels require a valid cruising permit
- Permits available for 30 days, 6 months, or 12 months
- Fees range from $150 to $3,000+ based on vessel length and duration
- 6-month permits include one free re-entry; 12-month permits include two
- Apply online via Click2Clear before arrival
Related questions
- What is the Click2Clear system?
- Click2Clear is the Bahamas government's electronic single window for customs processing. Boaters use it to submit vessel declarations, pay fees online, and obtain cruising permits before arrival, streamlining what once took hours into a faster process.
- Where can I clear customs in the Bahamas?
- The Bahamas has multiple official ports of entry including Nassau, Marsh Harbour in the Abacos, Spanish Wells, and Georgetown in the Exumas. You must proceed directly to a port of entry upon arrival and clear before cruising elsewhere.
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