ARRIVING BY BOAT

Visiting boaters must clear Customs and Immigration at the nearest designated Port of Entry. As you enter port, fly the yellow quarantine flag and notify Customs of your arrival. No one other than the Captain is permitted to leave the boat, until your vessel has been cleared. Customs and Immigration will come to your vessel. Everyone on board must have proof of citizenship and fill out an immigration card. US citizens can present a passport or birth certificate. A driver's license is not acceptable.

Before leaving The Bahamas, be sure to surrender your copy of the immigration card at the last Bahamian port you visit. If you have a firearm on board, you must declare it with Customs. You must provide the serial number and manufacturer, plus an exact count of ammunition. Though you are allowed to have a firearm on your boat, you cannot take it off the boat unless you obtain a permit from the Bahamian police ahead of time. Weapons must be under lock and key at all times. Any infraction of this law is dealt with severely.

ENTRY  FEE

The Bahamas are currently increasing the cost of the cruising permit from $100 to $300.  We've seen nothing official from the government yet, but boaters are reporting that the officers have already begun charging the new higher fee.  It is not yet clear whether this will still cover the fishing permit, or if that will be extra.

BRINGING YOUR PET

An Import Permit is required for all animals being brought into The Islands of The Bahamas. These are available in advance for a $10 fee for each animal.

Write to:

The Director of Agriculture, Trade and Industry
P.O. Box N-3704
Nassau, Bahamas

(242) 325-7502

Dogs and Cats must be six months of age and have current proof of rabies vaccination and a health certificate.  

FISHING AND DIVING REGULATIONS

Permits are obtained from Customs officials at ports of entry . Fishing gear is restricted to hook and line and you may not fish with more than six rods at a time. Bag limits are as follows:

Lobster or crawfish: six tails per person, at any time. Annual closed season is April I to July 31. Minimum size limits are 3 3/8 inch carapace length or six inches tail length. Egg-bearing female crawfish are protected.

Conch: Harvesting and possession of conch without a well-formed lip is prohibited. Bag limit at any time is 10 per person.

Wahoo/Dolphin/Kingfish: Six fish per person, any combination.

Vessel Bag Limit: 20 pounds of scalefish, 10 conch and six crawfish per person may be exported from The Bahamas.

Stone crabs: Closed season is June I to October 15. Minimum harvestable claw is four inches. Harvesting of female prohibited.

Turtle: Illegal to import; although legal to eat in The Bahamas.

Spear fishing: Hawaiian sling is the only approved spear fishing device. Use of Scuba gear or an air compressor to harvest fish, conch, crawfish and other marine animals is prohibited. Spear fishing is not allowed within one mile off the coast of New Providence, within one mile off the south coast of Freeport, Grand Bahama and within 200 yards off the coast of all Out Islands. Spearing or taking marine animals by any means is prohibited within national sea parks.