Following widespread outcry over policy changes last summer and subsequent protocol reviews, Bahamas cruising permit fees have changed again. Principally, two new short-duration cruising permits join the previous 12-month permit. The 12-month cruising license and the anchoring license slightly differ as well.
The Bahamian government revealed the new fees on April 1, adding that they were in force the same day. The short-term permits cover 30-day and six-month periods. Yachts from 51 to 100 feet (15.55 to 30.5 meters) can acquire a 30-day cruising permit for $350. Megayachts larger than this need a $600 permit. Neither comes with free re-entry. For yacht owners considering the six-month Bahamas cruising permit, the fees are $750 for 51- to 100-footers and $2,000 for yachts exceeding 100 feet. Six-month permit holders benefit from one free re-entry, valid within the license’s period.
The Bahamas cruising permit fees that went into effect on July 1, 2025 for 12-month periods remain the same. For instance, yachts from 50 to 99 feet (15 to 27 meters) still pay $1,000. The rate for a superyacht exceeding 100 feet (30.5 meters), meanwhile, remains at $3,000. A slight change impacts re-entry. Beginning in July 2025, vessels could re-enter the country twice in a 30-day timeframe. Now, there’s no limit to the two re-entries other than needing to remain within the 12-month permit period.
Finally, the anchoring permit is slightly different. It no longer applies if a vessel is staying in a marina. Otherwise, the policy holds that yachts 50 to 99 feet must pay $350, while yachts 100 feet and larger must pay $1,500.
Not all of the levies associated with the 2025 Bahamas cruising permit fees are different, however. For example, the tenders policy and the passenger tax remain unchanged. This means any tender exceeding 25 feet (7.6 meters) incurs a $500 fee whether kept aboard or towed. It also means all boats and yachts carrying more than three non-Bahamian-resident passengers ages six and older must pay $30 per additional guest.
Policies governing fishing fees and using AIS remain the same as well. Visiting boats and yachts measuring 50 feet and larger, including megayachts, wishing to fish must pay $300 for a permit. Boats smaller than 50 feet pay $100. The fishing permits are still valid for 30 days, regardless of whether you hold a 12-month cruising permit. They remain renewable, too, at the same cost, with renewal reportedly available online now. For AIS, every yacht exceeding 50 feet needs to have an AIS system and ensure it’s broadcasting at all times, irrespective of the vessel being docked or in transit. A violation of the AIS requirement carries a $1,000 fine.
Yet another unaltered policy, private- or charter-yacht owners whose vessels frequently cruise The Bahamas can obtain a Frequent Digital Cruising Card (FDCC). It allows unlimited entry for up to two years. Yachts 50 to 99 feet LOA pay $2,500, while larger superyachts pay $8,000.
The amended policies from 2025 led to vocal complaints from visiting boat and yacht owners. Some indicated in online cruising forums that they scaled back plans to visit the islands. Others stated that they were avoiding the country entirely. Some superyacht-focused marinas and islands, particularly in the Exumas, still had healthy business. But, boater visits to areas like the Abacos severely declined. Business groups, marina operators, and more petitioned the government to rethink the policies. In January, the Bahamian government began reviewing the higher Bahamas boating fees. “We have also heard reports of cancellations and the sentiment from some visitors that they felt unwelcome,” I. Chester Cooper, the head of the tourism ministry, stated.
Peter Maury, the president of the Association of Bahamas Marinas, has been an outspoken critic of the originally amended fees. He currently sees potential rebound in business for some of the islands, but also still believes more changes are necessary. “The northern Bahamas will definitely be better off with the revised fees,” he wrote on Facebook on April 2. “Now we need to get all of our business back, which includes yacht charters, etc. Bahamian businesses were making great progress in this sector, and we lost 40% of this business to our competitors. I still want our business to return where they were with the 10% growth we were promised. Our southern islands and marinas especially benefited from these bigger vessels that are more likely to explore our Bahamas further. It’s election time, this ain’t no time for politicians to be half stepping. Fix Dat!!”
Association of Bahamas Marinas bahamasmarinas.com
JC Hymel
Question on anchor permit. If you are staying in a marina in North Bimini and make a day trip to South Bimini and anchor , are you required to have am anchor permit for the day or do you need to move to a marina on South Bimini if available or would your reservation at the marina in North Bimini be sufficient to exclude the anchor permit?
Diane M. Byrne
Your best course of action is to contact the Association of Bahamas Marinas and see if it can help provide clarity.