Entering by boat: Bahamas
What to do to enter Bahamas by sea: the procedures, the papers to present and the ports where you can clear in.
Based on official sources, checked on 28 October 2026.
Before you arrive
- Online procedure: Click2Clear – Bahamas Electronic Single Window (module permis de croisière) — besw.gov.bs/TFBSEW/cusLogin/login.cl
The steps
- Before departure: declare the vessel and request the cruising permit on Click2Clear (rotation number).
- Enter a designated port of entry with the Q flag and notify Customs.
- Only the captain goes ashore: form C2A, maritime declaration of health, immigration cards, vessel papers.
- Pay the cruising permit (and anchorage fee if applicable); keep the permit on board.
- Departure: form C28A and certificate of clearance (USD 75); surrender the immigration card.
Papers to have on board
- Passports for the whole crew
- Crew list
- Boat papers (registration certificate)
- Maritime declaration of health
- Outward clearance from the previous country
- Papers for animals on board
Good to know
- 2026: new Customs fee schedule — 30-day (from USD 150), 6-month (from USD 300) or 12-month (from USD 500) permits, plus an anchorage fee if not at a marina (USD 50 to 1,500).
- USD 20 per person beyond 3 non-residents aged 6+; fishing permit is separate (USD 100 under 50 ft).
- AIS required at all times for foreign vessels over 50 ft (USD 1,000 fine).
- Only the captain goes ashore before clearance; keep the immigration card until the last port.
Ports of entry
The ports where you can clear in, and the services available there.
Andros
Berry Islands
Cat Cay (Bimini)
Cat Island
Crooked Island
Eleuthera
Grand Bahama
Grand Cay (Abaco/Grand Bahama)
Great Abaco
Great Exuma
Great Guana Cay (Abaco)
Great Guana Cay (Exuma)
Great Inagua
Green Turtle Cay (Abaco)
Harbour Island (Eleuthera)
Long Island
New Providence
Norman's Cay (Exuma)
Spanish Cay (Abaco)
St. George's Cay (Eleuthera)
Prepare your arrival with Hullteam
In the app, free: the map of every port of entry and its offices with their contacts, the crew list and the entry forms filled in for you, ready to print or send to an agent.
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- bahamascustoms.gov.bs/customs-ports-of-entry/
- bahamascustoms.gov.bs/VISITOR-INFO/MARINE-VESSEL- DECLARATIONS-CRUISING-PERMITS/
- bahamascustoms.gov.bs/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Pleasure-Vessel-Clearance-Recent-Updates-Revised.pdf
- bahamas.com/boating-faqs
This information is gathered from public sources and sailors’ experience. It does not replace the country’s authorities, whose word is final: check before you leave.