Backlash after the Bahamas increases boat fees
Paradise Island, the Bahamas.
Marinas in the Bahamas have reportedly seen a wave of cancellations in the wake of a new bill that increases fees for visiting boats and introduces new vessel regulations, effective 1 July 2025.
Speaking to local outlet The Tribune this week, Peter Maury, the Association of Bahamas Marinas (ABM) president, confirmed that members have been “calling him to report yacht charters are cancelling their bookings and reservations as far out as the 2025-2026 winter season” over uncertainty and concerns relating to revised cruising and fishing permit moves and associated fees.
Yacht and boating forums have been alight with pushback relating to the Port Authorities (Amendment) Bill, which increases fees for temporary cruising permits. For vessels up to 34 feet in length, the fee will rise to $500 for stays of up to 12 months. Boats measuring over 34 feet but under 100 feet will be subject to a $1,000 fee. For those exceeding 100 feet, the cruising fee will be set at $3,000.
The current cruising permit for a vessel less than 34 feet in length is $300 — meaning a 67 per cent increase — while the current levy for boats between 34 feet to 100 feet is $500 — meaning it is set to double.
Other charges, such as mooring and fishing permits, are also outlined in the regulations. A new Frequent Digital Cruising Card (FDCC) has been introduced, valid for two years and subject to certain restrictions. The FDCC requires a customs check-in and payment of any applicable additional fees. The cost is $1,500 for vessels up to 34 feet, $2,500 for those between 34 and 100 feet, and $8,000 for vessels over 100 feet.
The temporary cruising permit will permit a “pleasure vessel” to enter the Bahamas twice within a 30-day period. If the vessel carries more than three passengers, each additional person over the age of six who is not a resident of the Bahamas will be subject to a $30 per person passenger tax.
The updated anchorage fees for vessels not docked at a marina are set at $200 for boats up to 34 feet; $350 for vessels between 34 and 100 feet; and $1,500 for those exceeding 100 feet.
Further changes include that all foreign boats over 50 feet — either docked in or passing through the Bahamas — now require AIS systems, which must be switched on. Failure to comply is subject to a $1,000 fine.
The full text of the Port Authorities (Amendment) Bill is available online. A summary is available on The Triton.
Maury, speaking to The Tribune, said the uncertainty “could not have come at a worse time” with the budget-related changes scheduled to take effect on 1 July, just three days ahead of the US Independence Day holiday, a period that is typically significant for the local boating industry.
The ABM chief argued that the country has failed to give the industry adequate time to adjust to the changes and has been slow to “disseminate the message” about what is actually happening.
One of The Tribune‘s contacts in Bimini district told the outlet they had seen “plenty cancellations”, adding: “No way a single tripper, which is 90 per cent of Bimini visitors, are paying $800 before they leave the dock.”
One user on TrawlerForum posted: “We had planned to go over this winter for a while. Jeez, an extra $4k? We might rethink that plan now.” Another added: “This is the 18th summer in a row we have spent in the Bahamas. I’m pretty sure we will keep coming, but I’m not positive. And if we do come, we will have to find a way to cut expenses somewhere, which means less money in the local economy.”
Maury continues: “If they’d just increased the fees it wouldn’t be as bad, but now you have anchorage fees as well as your cruising permit and fishing permit.
“We’re now nickel and dime-ing everyone to pieces. It’s affecting everybody. A lot of boats think they have to get AIS and don’t want to install it. They haven’t taken time to properly disseminate the message.”
Read the latest marine, boat and boating news from the Caribbean
Sounds like more business for the Florida Keys. These regs will negatively affect revenues in the Bahamas. The big boys will still come and pass the charges to the charterers. They dont dk a lot for the locals as they bring everything with them. The mom and pop cruisers and day trippers which do bring revenue to local bisinesses will think twice. This has not been well thought out.
Ms. Cummins,
There is an inaccuracy in your reporting that needs correction. If you own a vessel that is 34′ or larger, the fee was $300 for 2 visits in 90 days. Vessels less than 34′ are $150 for 2 visits in 90 days. 12 month cruising permits were more. This included your fishing permit.
Now, for my boat, a 34’10” center console vessel with no cabin, I will pay $1000 for the temporary permit, good for 2 visits in 30 days and an additional $300 for my fishing permit, each time I visit. So I went from paying $300 for 90 days, to paying $1600 for 30 days. That is a 5X increase, not doubling of fees. This is unconscionable as any time I came to the Bahamas, I would pay for hotel, liquor, food and drink, gas and local Bahamian charters. I would come over 4-6 times a year and preserved vacation funds to do so…with the increase, maybe I can get over 1-2 times a year (within 30 days) which for a working man is difficult.
Here is what is lost, if the government wants more money, that is fine. I have no issue with the government realizing the value of their precious resources. But there has to be an exchange in value. Will I get an easier admission to the Country? Will I get lower fuel prices? Will I get better accommodations? Will I get better service? I don’t see how the central government of the Bahamas collecting this revenues brings value back to my visiting experience.
I love the people, the simplicity, even the inconveniences that make you realize how fortunate we are to live in the US. But power outages, no ice, water costs, shanty accommodations will be less likely to be accepted as when you ask for this kind of money to come to the Country…it does come with expectation. My wife will ask me…we spent how much to get here? Couldn’t we have just gone to the FL Keys? It will be hard to win that argument…
Chip,
You are so on point. Center consoles run over for a weekend and spend on dining, bar tabs, hotel, fuel, and gifts. Collectively South Fl center consoles rally impact the Bahamas economy in a positive way. To group us in with 50 feet and up to a hundred feet because we are 35 feet is crazy. And to wack us every time we go over for another 300 makes no sense.
Previously for my 37ft boat on anchor for 6 weeks would have cost $300 for a 3 month permit.
It will now cost $1350, that’s a 450% increase!
Bahamas is now off the itinerary, I’ll spend more time in the BVI and T&C islands.
They have done this to extract money from wealthy Americans but the result is that Europeans sailing the Caribbean will just skip the Bahamas and sail back to Europe from the BVI’s instead of making the trip east.
Same !!