Bahamas Update: Cruising Permits and Fees for 2026

With the fall season well underway for those cruising south to Florida and the Bahamas for the winter, it is time to revisit the changing regulations, permits and fees that the Bahamas have recently put in place foir foreign boats visiting the country.

On July 1, 2025, the Bahamian government put In place dramatic increases to the fees it charged visiting boats. These were onerous enough that marina owners, the operators of marine facilities and chandleries, ganged together to protest the new rules. Their point was the higher fees would reduce traffic from the U.S. and seriously cut into their winter revenues.

The government heard these protests and on April 1, 2026 reversed some of the policies and reduced some of the fees. The price of a winter cruise to the Bahamas is still pricier than it was, but the burdon is no too heavy, particularly for cruisers in boats under 50 feet.

“The marinas think the new lower cruising permit fees effective April 2026 are the government’s effort to reverse the sharp decline in visiting yachts following the last 3 years of controversial increases,” said Peter Maury, director and founder of the Association of Bahamas Marinas (ABM). “While these adjustments have been welcomed by Bahamian marinas and businesses as a positive step toward recovery, we hope it is enough to encourage our boaters to return to The Bahamas.”

Among the fees eliminated are those anchoring throughout the country. This winter, visiting boats moored in marinas will not have to pay the anchoring fee, which runs for most cruising boats to $250 for six months.

The 30-day temporary cruising permit for boats 30 to 50 feet is now $250. For boats 50 to 100 feet, that fee bumps up to $350.

Most cruisers headed to th e Bahamas for the winter with plans to explore the Abacos in the north and the Exuma Chain in the south will have to opt for the six-month temporary permit. This will cost boats up to 50 feet $300 or only $50 more than the 30-day permit.

AS 12-month temporary permit has been put in place and for boats up to 50 feet that will cost $500. So, if you plan to have your boat in the islands for a full year, this becomes quite affordable.

The fees for anchoring in the Bahama’s hundreds of bays and harbors for boats 30 to 100 feet will cost $100 a month or $250 for six months. Again, boat that wil stay for a full year can pay only $350 for the full 12 months.

Just 60 miles from Florida and blessed with clear turquoise water, beautiful while sand beaches and a laid back lifestyle, the Bahamas is certainly one of America’s best and favorite cruising grounds. And after a rollercoast year of fee and permit changes, the dust has settled and the islands are welcoming cruisers with open arms.