Bahamas Fees

[Jklotz]

I saw this posted in FB. I try not to post things I don't know are true, but for this one, I hope it is. I can't confirm this as fact, but here is what was posted:

Great news for boaters! A high-level government source, contacted directly and speaking anonymously, confirms the current high cruise permit fees decree will be repealed this Friday. From internal leaks and exclusive docs: boats under 50 feet now $300 for 12 months; section 91B anchoring fees fully scrapped. Announcement expected Friday AM

 

[Comodave]

That would be good news if it does happen. The government must have woken up to the dramatic drop in boats going to the Bahamas.

 

[Jklotz]

Course' maybe I should be careful for what I wish for. We've enjoyed having anchorages to ourselves, no issues finding a marina, regardless of local, and many offering our yacht club discounts. If the fees drop, we may end up paying much more for services and fighting for spots when the boats flood the Abacos again.

 

[FoxtrotCharlie]

I do indeed hope this is the case. We so enjoyed our side trip to the Bahamas in 2022 while on the Loop. Hope to go back now! I just need a new boat - at least new to me. We sold the boat on the left - it just finished the Loop with it's new owners.

 

[SplashFl]

With so much fake news these days, I'll only believe it when it's official.

 

[Cargile]

"I saw this posted in FB." ..................keep scrolling

 

[Don L]

I still believe the lower number of cruisers in Bahamas this year have more to do with the Canadian economy and that they don't want to come get their boat in the US, than it does with the current higher fees.

 

[Bud]

We took our summer trip to the Bahamas this year for a month and had to pay the new fees. It does sting a bit. We have been hearing the same thing here in the Keys that OP has posted. This is their official statement:
In late 2025/early 2026, officials (including Deputy PM Chester Cooper) pledged to review the fees' "competitiveness" and implementation, with marina feedback influencing potential adjustments. No major reversals yet, but discussions ongoing to balance revenue and tourism.
For the latest official info, check Bahamas Customs (bahamascustoms.gov.bs)

Bud

 

[slowgoesit]

So it's WAY past Friday (the 23rd)
No official announcements that I could find . . .

 

[Bigsfish]

We took our summer trip to the Bahamas this year for a month and had to pay the new fees. It does sting a bit. We have been hearing the same thing here in the Keys that OP has posted. This is their official statement:
In late 2025/early 2026, officials (including Deputy PM Chester Cooper) pledged to review the fees' "competitiveness" and implementation, with marina feedback influencing potential adjustments. No major reversals yet, but discussions ongoing to balance revenue and tourism.
For the latest official info, check Bahamas Customs (bahamascustoms.gov.bs)

Bud

 

[Bigsfish]

Face it, the government of the Bahamas doesn’t want us piss ant boaters who don’t eat in restaurants and anchor out buy some fuel and eat their conch and fish. They want cruiseships with 1000 passengers who buy trinkets and straw hats and guzzle Kalik and fancy umbrella drinks.

 

[slymeso44]

I still believe the lower number of cruisers in Bahamas this year have more to do with the Canadian economy and that they don't want to come get their boat in the US, than it does with the current higher fees.

The current situation in the USA is at the very heart of why we are not in the Bahamas this winter but hey 3 years and it should go back to normal hopefully

 

[OldDan1943]

When get addicted to the money, they will discover the tourist have ruined for everyone.

 

[slowgoesit]

Still no official roll back of the Bahamian fee structure that went into effect on 1 July of last year. . . anyone find any official announcement rolling back fees?

 

[twistedtree]

We just got back from 3 weeks in the Bahamas on a land trip. I spoke with a couple of Marina operators and hotel operators and all said occupancy was way off. The marinas in Marsh Harbor were maybe 20% full and they said this time of year they are normally completely full.

 

[Bigsfish]

The current situation in the USA is at the very heart of why we are not in the Bahamas this winter but hey 3 years and it should go back to normal hopefully

Sly
Really. Try to keep politics off here please. Thanks

 

[t/t CVN69]

Am currently en route to the Bahmas and will be clearing in tomorrow 4 February. Will post an update after formalities....

 

[Cargile]

Sly
Really. Try to keep politics off here please. Thanks

Yes, these people are deranged. An opportunity to sling an insult, no matter how remote cannot be missed. Pathetic. Yes I agree with you however, don't "try, do".

 

[RDJackso]

Yes, these people are deranged. An opportunity to sling an insult, no matter how remote cannot be missed. Pathetic. Yes I agree with you however, don't "try, do".

Ironic that they would venture an opinion whilst living in another country and presumably not even US citizens...

 

[mvweebles]

We just got back from 3 weeks in the Bahamas on a land trip. I spoke with a couple of Marina operators and hotel operators and all said occupancy was way off. The marinas in Marsh Harbor were maybe 20% full and they said this time of year they are normally completely full.

@twistedtree - any sense from business owners how much of the decline is due to Canadians not coming? Of course, tough to know why they stopped coming - cost or politics. But the US/CAN freeze in relations could not have helped. B'mas probably should have backed off the fees ASAP and let the politics sort out.

I'm amazed at the number of Canadians I meet everywhere. For a country 1/10th the population of the US, they sure get around..

Peter

 

[Jeff F]

Ironic that they would venture an opinion whilst living in another country and presumably not even US citizens...

Ironic that this comment comes in a thread of US citizens opining on another country's policies and pricing...

 

[slymeso44]

Sly
Really. Try to keep politics off here please. Thanks

Sorry should have just not mentioned that!

 

[mvdunwaitin]

Ironic that they would venture an opinion whilst living in another country and presumably not even US citizens...

Weird that someone directly impacted by the current US Governments actions with regard to trade, long term visitation and a general imperialistic attitude would have an opinion and even worse, express it.

 

[Bigsfish]

One thing I noticed about Canadians is the are usually in sail boats and actually salt. They pack their boats with rice and other foods that keep well. And the work in the islands doing odd jobs for marinas and restaurants. When I’m talking to American boaters we complain about how much it costs for fuel, dockage, ect. Canadians talk about how little they spent on their trip.

 

[mvdunwaitin]

One thing I noticed about Canadians is the are usually in sail boats and actually salt. They pack their boats with rice and other foods that keep well. And the work in the islands doing odd jobs for marinas and restaurants. When I’m talking to American boaters we complain about how much it costs for fuel, dockage, ect. Canadians talk about how little they spent on their trip.

Things are so ridiculously expensive up here so ...
;-)

 

[bandidaboat]

Sly
Really. Try to keep politics off here please. Thanks

It’s not politics when the stats back it up.

 

[twistedtree]

@twistedtree - any sense from business owners how much of the decline is due to Canadians not coming? Of course, tough to know why they stopped coming - cost or politics. But the US/CAN freeze in relations could not have helped. B'mas probably should have backed off the fees ASAP and let the politics sort out.

I'm amazed at the number of Canadians I meet everywhere. For a country 1/10th the population of the US, they sure get around..

Peter

I don't know. All I do know is that my Canadian friends say they and many other Canadians are avoiding the US. I have crossed the boarder by car a couple of times in the past few months and there were no lines at all both times.

 

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
As to Canadians visiting the Bahamas, the only "access" is from the US mainland unless they run, offshore, down the coast from the Maritimes. It follows that if Canadians are not traveling to the US, they can't readily get to the the Bahamas.
Fees, IMO, are really a secondary consideration in the overall scheme of things...

 

[RDJackso]

Weird that someone directly impacted by the current US Governments actions with regard to trade, long term visitation and a general imperialistic attitude would have an opinion and even worse, express it.

 

[RDJackso]

Only weird that they bring it up on this forum, clearly in violation of rules.