Bahamas Cruising Fees 2026: What Charter Guests Must Know

If you are planning a yacht charter in the Bahamas in 2026, the fees your captain pays for cruising permits, anchorage, and re-entry have changed significantly — and they come directly out of your Advanced Provisioning Allowance (APA). Effective 1 April 2026, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation introduced a revised, tiered permit structure that replaces the controversial 2025 fee schedule. The new system adds 30-day and 6-month permit options alongside the existing 12-month annual permit, with costs scaled by vessel length. Understanding these numbers before you sign a charter agreement could save you hundreds — or thousands — of dollars in surprise APA top-ups.

Why the Fees Changed

The 2025 fee increases triggered an immediate and vocal backlash. According to Megayacht News, online cruising forums filled with complaints, some yacht owners cancelled Bahamas itineraries entirely, and marina operators in areas like the Abacos reported dramatic drops in traffic. Peter Maury, president of the Association of Bahamas Marinas, stated publicly that the industry lost roughly 40 percent of its yacht charter business to competing destinations. In January 2026, Tourism Minister I. Chester Cooper acknowledged the damage, saying the government had "heard reports of cancellations and the sentiment from some visitors that they felt unwelcome." The April 2026 revisions are the government's direct response to that pressure.

The New Cruising Permit Fee Structure

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation confirmed the following fee schedule, effective 1 April 2026. Fees are in US dollars and are based on overall vessel length.

30-Day Temporary Cruising Permit

This is the most relevant permit for a standard one- or two-week charter. No free re-entries are included.

• Not exceeding 30 feet: $150
• Exceeding 30 feet but not exceeding 50 feet: $250
• Exceeding 50 feet but not exceeding 100 feet: $350
• Exceeding 100 feet: $600

6-Month Temporary Cruising Permit

Suitable for vessels that plan multiple visits within a season. One free re-entry is included within the validity period.

• Not exceeding 50 feet: $300
• Exceeding 50 feet but not exceeding 100 feet: $750
• Exceeding 100 feet: $2,000

12-Month Temporary Cruising Permit

The annual permit, unchanged from the July 2025 rates according to Megayacht News. Two free re-entries are permitted within the 12-month period.

• Not exceeding 50 feet: $500
• Exceeding 50 feet but not exceeding 100 feet: $1,000
• Exceeding 100 feet: $3,000

Anchorage Fees: What You Pay When You Drop the Hook

Anchorage fees apply only to pleasure vessels that are not docking at a marina. If your charter itinerary includes nights at anchor in the Exumas, the Abacos, or any other open anchorage, these fees apply on top of the cruising permit. The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation confirmed the following rates.

30-Day Anchorage Permit

• Not exceeding 30 feet: $50
• Exceeding 30 feet but not exceeding 100 feet: $100
• Exceeding 100 feet: $200

6-Month Anchorage Permit

• Not exceeding 50 feet: $150
• Exceeding 50 feet but not exceeding 100 feet: $350
• Exceeding 100 feet: $1,000

12-Month Anchorage Permit

• Not exceeding 50 feet: $200
• Exceeding 50 feet but not exceeding 100 feet: $350
• Exceeding 100 feet: $1,500

What This Means for Your APA Budget

Charter guests rarely see permit line items until the APA reconciliation arrives at the end of the trip. That is too late to budget properly. As an example, Trillionaire Daily points out that a 40-metre (131-foot) motor yacht on a one-week Exumas charter needs to budget $600 for the 30-day cruising permit plus $200 for the 30-day anchorage permit — a combined $800 in government fees before fuel, provisioning, or marina berths are counted. For a 70-foot sailing yacht spending nights at anchor, the equivalent figure is $350 plus $100, or $450 total. Ask your broker to itemise these costs explicitly in the charter agreement so there are no surprises.

Additional Fees That Still Apply

The permit revisions did not eliminate every ancillary charge. According to Megayacht News, the following policies remain in force:

• Passenger tax: $30 per person for each non-Bahamian-resident guest beyond the first three passengers aged six and older.
• Tender fee: Any tender exceeding 25 feet (7.6 metres), whether kept aboard or towed, incurs a $500 fee.
• Fishing permit: Vessels over 50 feet wishing to fish pay $300 for a 30-day permit; vessels under 50 feet pay $100. Permits are renewable at the same cost and can now reportedly be renewed online.
• AIS requirement: Every yacht exceeding 50 feet must have a functioning AIS system broadcasting at all times, whether docked or underway. Violation carries a $1,000 fine.
• Frequent Digital Cruising Card (FDCC): Vessels that cruise the Bahamas regularly can obtain a two-year unlimited-entry card. According to Megayacht News, yachts from 50 to 99 feet pay $2,500, while superyachts over 100 feet pay $8,000.

How Permits Are Filed

Trillionaire Daily notes that the captain or charter management company files permits in advance through the Bahamas Customs digital portal. A charter vessel arriving in Bahamian waters without a filed permit can be detained until the permit is paid and re-entry is processed — on a week-long charter, that is effectively a full day lost. Confirm with your broker or captain that all permits are filed and paid before the vessel departs for Bahamian waters.

Industry Outlook: Is the Bahamas Competitive Again?

The short answer is: more competitive than it was in 2025, but the debate is not fully settled. Peter Maury of the Association of Bahamas Marinas welcomed the April 2026 changes, writing on Facebook that "the northern Bahamas will definitely be better off with the revised fees," while also noting that the industry still needs to recover the 40 percent of charter business it lost to competitors. All At Sea reports that the changes are intended to restore the Bahamas' position as one of the Caribbean's premier boating destinations, and early signals from marina operators in the Abacos are cautiously positive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do charter guests pay the cruising permit directly?

No. The captain or management company pays the permit, but the cost is typically passed through to the charter guest via the APA. Ask your broker to confirm how permits are handled in your specific contract before signing.

If the yacht already holds a 12-month permit, do I pay again?

If the vessel's 12-month permit is still valid when your charter begins, no new cruising permit fee is due. However, anchorage fees, passenger taxes, and fishing permits may still apply depending on your itinerary. Verify the permit's expiry date with the captain before departure.

Are the new fees the same for private and charter yachts?

Yes. The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation confirmed that the revised fee schedules apply to all foreign pleasure vessels entering the Bahamas, regardless of whether they are privately operated or on a commercial charter.

What happens if the AIS is not broadcasting?

According to Megayacht News, any yacht over 50 feet found not broadcasting AIS — whether at anchor, at a marina, or underway — faces a $1,000 fine. Ensure your captain has tested the system before entering Bahamian waters.