Whether you are bound for the Exumas or a weekend in Bimini, a valid Bahamas cruising permit is part of clearing in. This page walks you through what to expect—including typical Bahamas cruising permit fees—in plain language.
Use this guide like a harbor brief: skim the headings, jump to Bahamas cruising permit fees if you are budgeting, or go straight to the guest application when you are ready.
The Bahamas rewards boaters who arrive organized. A Bahamas cruising permit ties together customs, immigration, and your vessel particulars so officials can see—at a glance—that you are cleared for recreational cruising. Getting the paperwork lined up before you leave the dock means less time on the quay and more time on the hook.
“We built this path for crews who would rather read one clear guide than chase information across the internet.”
Start your permit online as a guest—no account required to begin.
Open guest applicationFor private yachts and motor vessels, the Bahamas cruising permit is the recreational clearance framework that covers your boat while you cruise the archipelago. It works alongside passports for people on board and your vessel documentation. Exact issuance steps happen at entry with Bahamian authorities; our service helps you prepare a complete application in advance.
Need the long-form reference? We also maintain a detailed Bahamas cruising permit overview with extended requirement lists.
Bahamas cruising permit fees depend mainly on vessel length, with optional add-ons such as fishing or anchorage, plus passenger tax when you carry more than three guests. Figures below are the government base tiers most private cruisers see before any service charge.
| Vessel length | Base cruising permit |
|---|---|
| Under 50 ft | $500 |
| 50 ft – 100 ft | $1,000 |
| Over 100 ft | $3,000 |
Add fishing, 12-month anchorage, or passenger tax depending on your trip—our Bahamas cruising permit fees calculator adds those lines and shows the full total including our processing service.
Think of your Bahamas cruising permit journey as the less stress process, apply for your permit online and we will handle the rest.
Enter all required information in less than 2 minutes.
Careful review of your application by our team to ensure everything is correct and all required documents are uploaded.
We will send you an invoice for the permit fees and our service fee.
Expect to receive your PCR number after you have paid your invoice. Use this number to clear in at the port of entry. No more forms/paperwork or payments to worry about.
Ready to move from guidebook to checklist? The guest form mirrors these stops.
Continue to applicationKeep these within reach on your phone or in a waterproof folio—customs may ask to see originals when you arrive.
Short official-style note on validity windows.
When a return trip counts under the same clearance.
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