CHARTER · BAHAMAS

Chartering a boat in Bahamas: licence, rules and safety

Last verified: 14 October 2026

EMERGENCY AT SEACall RBDF Operations Command Center on +1 242 826 3117. MAYDAY on VHF 16 · DSC 70.

Licence and charter rules

Charter: A boat used commercially or for hire is not a pleasure vessel and cannot get the Temporary Cruising Permit; it must be entered with Customs as a commercial vessel.

The Bahamas Customs Department ▾

bahamascustoms.gov.bs (2026-10-14): “A vessel being used for commercial purposes or for hire is not a pleasure vessel and is not eligible for a Temporary Cruising Permit.”

Arriving by boat

All foreign private pleasure boats need a cruising permit and must clear Customs and Immigration at the nearest designated Port of Entry, flying the yellow Q flag; only the captain may go ashore until cleared. Declarations and payment are made online in Customs' Click2Clear system, and a cruising permit and fishing permit are issued on approval.

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism (bahamas.com) · The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism (bahamas.com) · The Bahamas Customs Department · The Bahamas Customs Department ▾

bahamas.com (2026-10-14): “A cruising permit is required for all foreign, private, non-commercial pleasure boats (and occupants) to sail in Bahamian waters.”

bahamas.com (2026-10-14): “As you enter each port, fly the yellow quarantine flag and notify Customs of your arrival. Only the captain is permitted to leave the boat until your vessel has been cleared.”

bahamascustoms.gov.bs (2026-10-14): “All pleasure vessels will be entered and paid for using the Cruising Permit Module within the Click2Clear system.”

bahamascustoms.gov.bs (2026-10-14): “Upon approval, a Temporary Cruising Permit (Form C39) and Fishing Permit will be issued for the vessel.”

Season and weather

Hurricane season: 1 June – 30 November.

UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office · NOAA National Hurricane Center ▾

gov.uk (2026-10-14): “The hurricane season in The Bahamas normally runs from 1 June to 30 November.”

nhc.noaa.gov (2026-10-14): “The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.”

Forecast: The Bahamas Department of Meteorology (met.gov.bs) publishes a Bahamas Marine Forecast. The Bahamas tourism ministry also advises boaters to tune to NOAA weather on the VHF weather channels for marine advisories.

Bahamas Department of Meteorology · The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism (bahamas.com) ▾

web.archive.org (2026-10-14): “New! Bahamas Marine Forecast”

bahamas.com (2026-10-14): “Tune in to NOAA weather on your VHF weather channels for marine weather advisories in your area/region.”

Rules on the water

Nassau & the Exumas: The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park office answers to “Exuma Park” on VHF channel 09, and keeps an emergency watch on channel 16 around the clock. The office is on a remote cay, so reaching it can take time.

Bahamas National Trust (Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park) ▾

bnt.bs (2026-10-14): “VHF: Call “Exuma Park” on Channel # 09. Channel #16 is monitored 24 hours a day for emergencies.”

Nassau & the Exumas: Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park is a no-take zone: no fishing, shelling or conching of any kind is allowed inside the park.

Bahamas National Trust (Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park) ▾

bnt.bs (2026-10-14): “no fishing, shelling, conching of any kind is permited within Exuma Park boundries. Call “Exuma Park” on Channel # 09 to report suspicious activity.”

Nassau & the Exumas: The park charges mooring and anchorage fees, plus 10% VAT. Pay only after you have secured a mooring. The park takes no reservations, so paying in advance does not guarantee a mooring.

Bahamas National Trust ▾

bnt.bs (2026-10-14): “Effective January 1st, 2022, all marine & park fees are subject to Bahamas 10% VAT applied at checkout. Pre-payment does not constitute a reservation or guarantee a mooring, as the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park does not take reservations.”

Hazards and warnings

Fatal shark attacks have occurred without warning; swimming at night or dusk raises the risk, and you should never enter water where bait has been used to attract marine life.

UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office · UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾

gov.uk (2026-10-14): “Fatal shark attacks can happen without warning. Night swimming (including at dusk), puts you at a higher risk, even in shallow waters close to resorts.”

gov.uk (2026-10-14): “Never go into water that has been baited.”

Water sports and boat rentals are poorly regulated; people have been killed or seriously injured by reckless use of jet skis and other watercraft.

UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office · UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾

gov.uk (2026-10-14): “The water sports industry in The Bahamas is poorly regulated.”

gov.uk (2026-10-14): “People have been killed and seriously injured, or killed others, when using jet skis and other watercraft recklessly.”

Charter bases in Bahamas

Nassau & the Exumas

Before you sail

All rescue numbers for Bahamas Print an emergency card Person overboard: what to do Engine failure: what to do when you lose power Thunderstorms, lightning and squalls on the water: what to do Ran aground? What to do

Frequently asked

What are the rules for bareboat charter in Bahamas?

A boat used commercially or for hire is not a pleasure vessel and cannot get the Temporary Cruising Permit; it must be entered with Customs as a commercial vessel.

When is the best time to sail in Bahamas, and when is storm season?

Hurricane season: 1 June – 30 November.

How do I clear in when arriving in Bahamas by boat?

What is the emergency number at sea in Bahamas?

Call RBDF Operations Command Center on +1 242 826 3117. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.

Other charter countries

Every line above is a plain-English summary of an official source — open “▾” for the exact wording. Rules change: confirm with your charter company and the local authority.