Travel to Grand Bahama by Private Boat
Grand Bahama Island welcomes you to travel to our destination by private boat. If you plan on chartering a boat or using your own personal vessel, please note the following important information.
GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND MARINAS
PROTOCOLS & REQUIREMENTS FOR BAHAMAS BOATING
Below are the procedures currently required by the Government of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas for entering the country. We will continue to add details as they are announced.
Important Updates 9/24/21
UPDATE
- Order (Amendment No. 14) removes the requirement for a travel health visa for inter-island travel within The Bahamas.
- Vaccinated persons travelling inter-island from New Providence and Grand Bahama will now only be required to produce a negative result of a rapid antigen test of the type approved by the Ministry of Health, and if non-vaccinated, travellers are required to produce a negative result of the RT-PCR test at the point of embarkation to the operator of the airline or vessel on which they are travelling.
- For persons travelling inter-island from any other islands of The Bahamas, only a negative result of an antigen test of the type approved by the Ministry of Health is required.
- The requirement for secondary testing for inter-island travellers is now removed.
- The travel health visa is still required for Bahamian citizens, residents and visitors entering The Bahamas.
- The payment of the travel health visa fee is no longer required for Bahamian citizens and residents returning to The Bahamas.
TRAVEL TO THE UNITED STATES
Starting on November 8, 2021, foreign national air travelers to the United States ages 18 and over will be required to be fully vaccinated and to provide proof of vaccination status prior to boarding an airplane to fly to the United States.
For US Citizens
- For those U.S. citizens and LPRs who can show they are fully vaccinated need to show documentation of a negative test result from a sample taken within three days of travel.
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Those U.S. citizens and LPRs who cannot demonstrate proof of full vaccination will now have to show documentation of a negative test from a sample taken within one day of departure back to the United States.
The testing regulations do NOT apply to those traveling by boat.
For more information visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/emergencies/covid-19-faqs-for-travel-to-the-us-information.html
Frequently Asked Questions – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html
Please note all travel protocols are subject to change.
When arriving in port, boaters should observe the following:
- Visiting boaters must clear Customs and Immigration at the nearest designated Port of Entry. Click here for advance clearing
- As you enter port, fly the yellow quarantine flag and notify Customs of your arrival. Customs and Immigration will come to your vessel.
- No one other than the captain is permitted to leave the boat until your vessel has been cleared.
- Everyone on board must have proof of citizenship and fill out an immigration card. U.S. citizens can present a passport or birth certificate (original or certified copy) and an official photo ID, such as a driver’s license or voter registration card.
- You must declare all firearms you have onboard with Customs. You must provide the firearm serial number and manufacturer, plus an exact count of ammunition. Though you are allowed to have a firearm on your vessel, you cannot take it off the vessel unless you obtain a permit from the Bahamian police ahead of time. Weapons must be under lock and key at all times. Any infraction of this law will be dealt with severely.
BOATING RESOURCES:
Ports of Entry and Marinas
Grand Bahama Island is home to the Flamingo Bay Marina and boaters have several options for clearing: West End, Old Bahama Bay Marina, Ocean Reef Yacht Club and Resort and Grand Bahama Yacht Club – Fueling is available at West End, Old Bahama Bay Marina and Grand Bahama Yacht Club.
Also, the Lucayan Harbour Cruise Facility, although not a marina, is an official port of entry on Grand Bahama Island.