Bahamas Boat Entry Fee Calculator: Estimate Your Costs Before You Travel

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Bahamas Boat Entry Fee Calculator: Estimate Your Costs Before You Travel

Date Posted: January 12, 2026

Source: Compiled Courtesy of Bob Bower

BAHAMAS BOATING ENTRY and CRUISING PERMIT FEES

On July 1st, 2025, the Bahamas government made big changes to the fees to enter and cruise The Bahamas. The regulations offer new choices and introduce new fees that make calculating fees more complex. Use this page to estimate the cost for a single entry.

FREQUENT DIGITAL CRUISING CARD (FDCC)

If you plan to enter The Bahamas more than three times in two years, you'll probably save money by choosing the new Frequent Digital Cruising Card (FDCC) that allows unlimited entries for two years. The two-year FDCC fees vary according to boat size:

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:

Travel overtime or attendance, fees by customs or immigration officers.

TEMPORARY CRUISING PERMITS

If you chose not to buy an FDCC, then you will need a Temporary Cruising Permit that is valid for entry within 12 months, and a second entry if it's within 30 days of the first entry.

Note that this no longer includes a sports fishing permit. If you want to sports fish either deep sea or on a reef, you must get a separate permit. (See Fishing Permits below.)

The One-Year Cruising Permit fees make fees single based on your boat's length:

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

This fee covers:

Cruising permit for up to one year.
Attendance, overtime, or travel fees by a customs or immigration.
Entrance into The Bahamas twice within a 30-day period.

FEES FOR TENDERS OVER 25FT

If a vessel imports, either by towing or onboard, a vessel 25ft or greater, that vessel will be charged a cruising permit fee on its own.

PASSENGER TAX

Each person, whether crew or not, aged 6 years or more, numbering more than 3 will be charged a $30 Passenger Tax fee per entry.

IMMIGRATION STAY EXTENSION

Regardless how long a boat's cruising permit lasts, every person onboard also needs permission from the Immigration Department to stay in the country for a given time. Passports are usually required.

Typically, on a person's first entry, Immigration gives permission only for a 30-day stay. If a person wants to stay longer, they must go back to a port of entry's immigration office and apply in advance. This fee is non-refundable. The officer will often match this extension to how long you wish to remain in the country or give you a year. For Immigration HQ: 242-225-5337. Nassau port: 242-602-0203 or 04.

SPORTS FISHING PERMIT (MONTHLY)

No longer are fishing permits included with cruising permits. If a vessel plans to fish in any capacity, that vessel must get a monthly fishing permit. The fees are:

For vessels under 49.99 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. This sports fishing permit is not the same as any Flats Fishing Licenses which cover fishing in flats below six feet. Flats (or fly-fishing) licenses are typically used by non-Bahamian fishermen targeting bonefish, tarpon, snook or permit.

ANCHORING FEES

Even if your vessel never anchors, Customs now charges anchorage fees every year for your vessel according to its length:

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

EXTRA CUSTOMS OR IMMIGRATION FEES

As said above, if you are coming in on your second or futher entry using a FDCC card, you may be asked to pay addition customs and immigration officers fees. This could be for attendance after working hours (such as 4 p.m.), overtime, travel time or transportation expenses. On some Out Islands, officers may have to travel to inspect your boat at places not approved as ports-of-entry. You are entitled to be given an official receipt for any extra charges. In advance, call your marina, customs or immigration office as to whether you may have to pay extra fees. See Waterway Guide's customs and ports-of-entry contacts list.

AIS REQUIREMENT

The new regulations require that any vessel over 50ft in length is required to:

Be equipped with an automated identification system (AIS).
That the AIS is functioning properly, and on always.

If found non-compliant, vessels may be liable for fines of up to $1,000.

Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimated entry fee based on general information. Actual fees may differ and are determined by official Bahamian authorities at the time of entry. This tool should be used for planning purposes only and does not guarantee the accuracy of the calculated amount.

Comment Submitted by Esteban - January 16, 2026

Darn expensive fees and will definitely stop many.

Comment Submitted by Perjan Moors - January 14, 2026

Calculator seems to be incorrect. It states $100 anchoring fee and zero tax per person when I fill in 2 persons above 6 years old on a 34ft ship.

Comment Submitted by Gary Haring - January 14, 2026

The Bahamas is a sovereign country, and we really have no standing to complain. They have every right to set their own rules, fees, and policies as they see fit for their nation--and I'm sure past abuses played a role in shaping some of these changes. As Yogi Berra famously said, "It's d?j? vu all over again," and, like policies before them, these may eventually evolve or fade. Some may view the new requirements as burdensome, but in reality they amount to a minor expense when weighed against the quality of the experience. Beautiful islands, crystal-clear water, and--most importantly--the warm, welcoming Bahamian people. Priceless. Compare it to the cost of a stay at Disney. That's not to say there aren't issues. With the Bahamas, there always are. In a way, that's part of the charm. As noted in the article, extending your stay or returning within the guidelines can be problematic without a long-term permit. The Click2Clear website and forms can be confusing for first-time users, and some of the requirements are not especially easy to accommodate. Still, as Jimmy Dugan put it best: "If it was easy, everyone would do it." I remember my first visit--magic, excitement, challenge--and a lifetime of memories. A bucket list of experiences worth repeating. Or I could have stayed home and complained.

Comment Submitted by Judith Cook - January 14, 2026

This article contains incorrect information re length of stay. For US passport holders the maximum length of stay that can be granted is 8 months, not one year as indicated. EDITOR NOTE: The information in the article does not indicate “length of stay” requirements but, rather, how long a temporary cruising permit is valid. As stated in the regulations presented in the article, a visitor must reapply for extensions to stay in country beyond 30 days. Total time in country on a US passport cannot exceed 8 months according to The Bahamas government regulations. But a temporary cruising permit is valid for a total 12 months, which is not to be confused with how long a person may be in the country.

Comment Submitted by Scott - January 14, 2026

Thanks for the calculator

Comment Submitted by Captain Jim - January 14, 2026

These new fees make cruising in the Bahamas undesirable for anyone who isn't a millionaire! And how many boats in the Bahamas are equipped with AIS? The Bahamas isn't doing themselves any favors with this scheme!

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