Click for JetForums Click for Delta Click for Westport Click for Westport Click for Glendinning

New fees in the Bahamas. Better sit down

Discussion in 'Marinas & Waypoints' started by Pascal, Jun 18, 2025.

Page 2 of 2
  1. Pascal, Jul 1, 2025
    #21
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2008
    Messages:
    8,846
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    We ve gone to the Exumas four times this year and it was as busy as I ve seen it. No economic reasons could
    Account from the drop in bookings for the next months although I have to question the accuracy of the 80% figure.
  2. Capt Ralph, Jul 1, 2025
    #22
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2004
    Messages:
    14,302
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    I just quote/copy/paste it, It's after 1700, I don't attempt math after then (sometimes earlier).

    Other comments are 24/7 with out any math, as da boss enjoys working overtime. :rolleyes:
    I do luv da boss :D.
    Last edited: Jul 1, 2025
  3. motoryachtlover, Jul 15, 2025
    #23
    motoryachtlover

    motoryachtlover Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2007
    Messages:
    742
    Location:
    smithfield, VA
  4. Bulax99, Aug 2, 2025
    #24
    Bulax99

    Bulax99 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2025
    Messages:
    3
    Location:
    Cape Coral, FL
    So I am a newbie, soon to be moving myself and boat to Cape Coral and have been doing a LOT of research on traveling to the bahamas. Are you suggesting it's possible to just cruise around the bahamas and not go through customs by just raising a quarantine flag and never putting your foot on soil? Even wwith the new AIS regulations going into effect?
  5. Ken Bracewell, Aug 2, 2025
    #25
    Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2006
    Messages:
    1,780
    Location:
    Somewhere Sunny
    That's a fine way to have your boat confiscated by THE BAHAMAS
  6. Bulax99, Aug 2, 2025
    #26
    Bulax99

    Bulax99 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2025
    Messages:
    3
    Location:
    Cape Coral, FL

    Well that's what i thought. I was shocked by what Captain Ralph posted. Seemed like a loophole that would get you in trouble
  7. Ken Bracewell, Aug 2, 2025
    #27
    Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2006
    Messages:
    1,780
    Location:
    Somewhere Sunny
    I've made a quick stop for a repair at one of the out islands without checking in. I think Ralph had is tongue in his cheek.
  8. Capt Ralph, Aug 2, 2025
    #28
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2004
    Messages:
    14,302
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    Cruising thru, not staying and partying.
    Officially; Just passing thru..

    Maybe a lil tongue in check, maybe some chest beating, maybe just tired of the B S over there.
    I wonder; Did the El Faro get a cruising permit?

    For our vacation, I paid our insurance company for island coverage. After a week in Elliott Key, we did not see any advantage of crossing over and the new taxes/fees clinched it.
    So near 7 weeks on board, we were happy.

    Since I was young, I was often in the Bahamas, I have not been back since rite before that bad hurricane (Dorian?).
    I'll save the money and cruise more of the Tortuga's and FL left coast next vacation.
    Heck, bite my tongue, may even cruise north (NOT)..
  9. Pascal, Aug 2, 2025
    #29
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2008
    Messages:
    8,846
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    From FTL or Miami, Tortugas are more or less the same distance as the Exumas.

    Exumas: well Over 200, 300 or more anchorages…
    Tortugas: 2 or 3.

    no brainer. Even with the crazy fees.
  10. Capt J, Aug 3, 2025
    #30
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2005
    Messages:
    14,832
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    You can cruise through the Bahamas without clearing if you are TRANSITING and not tieing up anywhere or taking on fuel or anything I don't think you need to clear legally if only anchoring for the night and continueing on your journey to another country.
    Capt Ralph likes this.
  11. SplashFl, Aug 3, 2025
    #31
    SplashFl

    SplashFl Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2021
    Messages:
    711
    Location:
    S. Florida _ Bertram 46
    Never been north of NJ but when shopping ran across this video showing some beautiful waters off Ma. Heard the shore line mostly rocks and the water always too cold for Florida blood. Loved the boat & video music but deal didn't happen ( just as well) and now same broker has her listed from the one who bought her.
  12. motoryachtlover, Sep 3, 2025
    #32
    motoryachtlover

    motoryachtlover Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2007
    Messages:
    742
    Location:
    smithfield, VA
  13. Pascal, Feb 11, 2026
    #33
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2008
    Messages:
    8,846
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    First trip to the Exumas since last summer and things are lot quieter. Today at Big Majors there are about 35 sailboats which is not much a change since their fees did go up much.

    there is also about a dozen small MYs/trawlers, under 100’ which is less than usual in winter.

    the big difference is with boats over 100’; only three of us here whereas usually it s more like 15-20 in the back of the anchorage.

    Gigayachts seem to have gone elsewhere as well, just one by sandy cay and I didn’t see as many as usual north of Staniel coming on last night.

    Things may pick up a little for spring break but this is the least busy I ve seen the Exumas in years.

    For us the fees went from $500 to $4526 (no fishing permit) and the free second entry window was cut from 90 to 30 days from Original entry. Big deal as we usually come every 2-3 months

    next time we ll probably do the $8000 deal for two years but there were rumors the fees may be revised. Then of course you can’t pay the $8000 frequent visitor pass in line and most customs office don’t have a CC machine…. Cash only. Nuts.

    PS sorry about the huge pictures. Looks like the latest version of IOS has done away with size options.

    Attached Files:

  14. motoryachtlover, Feb 11, 2026
    #34
    motoryachtlover

    motoryachtlover Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2007
    Messages:
    742
    Location:
    smithfield, VA
    Just got back from the BVIs. I realize I have nothing to compare it to but there seemed to be a lot of 100 + footers there.
  15. rtrafford, Feb 12, 2026
    #35
    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2019
    Messages:
    1,977
    Location:
    Vero Beach
    I have a hunch that given the significant decline in fuel costs, the rising costs of doing business in the Bahamas, many are incentivized to bypass and head deeper south.
  16. Capt J, Feb 12, 2026
    #36
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2005
    Messages:
    14,832
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    Look at marine traffic in the BVI's and St. Maarten and St. Barts. There are TONS of boats down there this year.
  17. Pascal, Feb 17, 2026
    #37
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2008
    Messages:
    8,846
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    Only one 100 footer at compass two days ago and four 60-80 footers. only two 100 footers at Staniel today and a couple of 60-80 footers.

    only three other 100 footers here at big majors tonight

    Haven’t seen it that slow in winter in the last 10 years. Even the centre console traffic has dropped drastically thru the anchorage and the marina since the big boats are MIA.

    and to make it worst, Makers Air flights to Staniel are now averaging $1000 round trip…
Page 2 of 2