Everyone remembers July 2025, when The Bahamas announced huge fee increases for boating and yachting fees. When announced at that time, the fee for pleasure crafts for a period not exceeding 12 months were as follows:
For vessels under 50 feet in length - $500.
For vessels 50 to 99 feet in length - $1,000.
For vessels over 100 feet in length - $3,000.
The fees covered the cruising permit under regulation 90(a), attendance fees by a customs officer for attendance and travel expenses, overtime and travel expenses in respect of the attendance of an immigration officer, entrance into The Bahamas twice within a 30 day period and other new fees.
The Association of Bahamas Marinas announced that new boating fees are now in effect. The amendments come after pushback in the boating industry to the above fees from 2025. The new fee structure goes into effect on April 1, 2026. The fees for pleasure vessels are now:
Up to 30 days
$150 for vessels not exceeding 30 feet in length
$250 for vessels 31-50 feet in length
$350 for vessels 51-100 feet in length
$600 for vessels more than 100 feet in length
Vessels on a 30-day cruising permit are not entitled to a free reentry.
Up to 6 months
$300 for vessels not exceeding 50 feet in length
$750 for vessels 51 to 100 feet in length
$2,000 for vessels more than 100 feet in length
Vessels on a 6-month cruising permit are entitled to one free reentry within the duration of the permit.
Up to 12 months
$500 for vessels not exceeding 50 feet in length
$1,000 for vessels 51 to 100 feet in length
$3,000 for vessels more than 100 feet in length
Vessels on a 12-month cruising permit are entitled to two free reentries within the duration of the permit.
These fees cover cruising permits under regulation 90(a), attendance fees by a customs officer for attendance and travel expenses, overtime and travel expenses in respect of the attendance of an immigration officer and entrance into The Bahamas twice within a 30-day period. As in 2025, the fees do not apply to ancillary equipment being towed or on board a pleasure vessel, excluding tenders exceeding 25 feet in length. The fee for tender vessels exceeding 25 feet will be $500 for a period not exceeding 12 months. When a pleasure vessel carries more than three passengers, every additional passenger of or above the age of six and who is not an ordinary resident of The Bahamas will be subjected to a tax of $30.
Fishing permits are no longer included in cruising permit fees. Fishing permits are only valid for 30 days, even if the holder possesses a 12-month cruising permit. Foreign pleasure vessel fishing permits fees are:
$100 for vessels under 50 feet in length
$300 for vessels 50 feet in length and over
Anchorage fees for foreign vessels, not mooring at a marina, have been amended in a new regulation 91B.
Up to 30 days
$50 for vessels not exceeding 30 feet in length
$100 for vessels 31 to 100 feet in length
$200 for vessels more than 100 feet in length
Up to 6 months
$150 for vessels not exceeding 50 feet in length
$350 for vessels 51 to 100 feet in length
$1,000 for vessels more than 100 feet in length
Up to 12 months
$200 for vessels not exceeding 50 feet in length
$350 for vessels 51 to 100 feet in length
$1,500 for vessels more than 100 feet in length
Frequent Digital Cruising Card (FDCC) Permit fees are as follows:
$200 for vessels not exceeding 50 feet in length
$350 for vessels 51 to 100 feet in length
$1,500 for vessels more than 100 feet in length
Anchorage fees are valid for two years.
Frequent Digital Cruising Cards (FDCC) are now available, allowing unlimited visits for up to two years.
$1,500 for vessels under 50 feet in length
$2,500 for vessels 50 to 99 feet in length
$8,000 for vessels more than 100 feet in length
However, be aware that FDCC fees do not cover:
Attendance fees by a customs officer for attendance and travel expenses
Overtime and travel expenses in respect of the attendance of an immigration officer.
Travelling to The Bahamas now requires an owner to evaluate how many times they will be travelling there. If an owner travels to The Bahamas by vessel more than three times each year, it is suggested by the Bahamians that the FDCC may be lower in cost. However, without identifying the costs of attendance fees and the like, this assertion is questionable, unless transits to the Bahamas are frequent in a two-year period.
If you are interested in contact us or wish to learn more, you may reach out to us at blog@miamimaritimelaw.co or by phone at 305.377.3700.