So you’re pointing the bow toward those gin-clear Bahamian shallows, dreaming of hook drops in water so blue it doesn’t seem real. Before you go chasing sunsets and cold Kaliks, there’s a little paperwork dance you’ll want to understand. The Bahamas has shaken up the cruising permit game as of April 1, 2026, and yeah, it’s worth paying attention unless you enjoy surprises that come with receipts.
They’ve rolled out a whole new fee structure. Bigger boats, longer stays, more rules about anchoring, and a shiny new thing called the Frequent Digital Cruising Card. Sounds fancy, and in some ways it is, but it all boils down to this: know what you’re paying before you cast off.
Cruising Permits: Pick Your Time, Pay Your Dues
If you’re just dipping your keel in for a quick taste of island life, the 30-day permit keeps things simple:
- Up to 30 feet: $150
- 31 to 50 feet: $250
- 51 to 100 feet: $350
- Over 100 feet: $600
But here’s the catch. No free reentry. You leave, you pay again. The islands don’t do “oops, I forgot my sunglasses” for free.
Thinking about stretching it out a bit?
6-month permits:
- Up to 50 feet: $300
- 51 to 100 feet: $750
- Over 100 feet: $2,000
You get one free reentry. Use it wisely.
12-month permits:
- Up to 50 feet: $500
- 51 to 100 feet: $1,000
- Over 100 feet: $3,000
Now you’re talking. Two reentries, which means a little freedom to wander without feeling like the meter’s always running.
These fees cover the usual government tango: cruising permit, customs, immigration, and all the folks who make your arrival official. What they don’t cover is a crowd. Bring more than three passengers and every extra soul over six years old costs you $30. Paradise isn’t crowded for free.
Oh, and if you’re towing a big tender over 25 feet, that’s another $500 for the year. Dinghies have gotten ambitious these days.
Dropping the Hook: Anchorage Fees
Anchoring out instead of cozying up to a marina? There’s a tab for that now too.
30 days:
- Up to 30 feet: $50
- 31 to 100 feet: $100
- Over 100 feet: $200
6 months:
- Up to 50 feet: $150
- 51 to 100 feet: $350
- Over 100 feet: $1,000
12 months:
- Up to 50 feet: $200
- 51 to 100 feet: $350
- Over 100 feet: $1,500
And here’s an interesting twist: anchorage fees tied to the FDCC are valid for two years. That’s about as close as you’ll get to “set it and forget it” in cruising life.
The FDCC: For Folks Who Just Can’t Stay Away
If the Bahamas is more of a second home than a vacation, the Frequent Digital Cruising Card might be your ticket.
- Under 50 feet: $1,500
- 50 to 99 feet: $2,500
- Over 100 feet: $8,000
Unlimited visits for two years. Not a bad deal if you’re the type who measures time in tides instead of calendars. Just remember, it doesn’t include customs or immigration overtime. The clock still ticks when officials show up after hours.
Fishing: Still a Separate Story
If you’re planning to chase dinner instead of just sunsets, you’ll need a fishing permit. That’s no longer bundled in.
- Under 50 feet: $100
- 50 feet and over: $300
And here’s the kicker: it’s only good for 30 days. Doesn’t matter if your cruising permit lasts a year. You’ll be renewing that fishing permit like clockwork if you want to keep lines in the water.
At the end of the day, none of this is meant to scare you off. It’s just the price of admission to one of the finest cruising grounds on the planet. Clear water, quiet anchorages, and that feeling you only get when the land falls away behind you and the islands rise up ahead.
Pay the fees, know the rules, and then get back to what matters, which is letting the wind decide what happens next.
