Editor's Note: As the COVID-19 pandemic continues into Hurricane Season Waterway Guide will continue to supply cutting-edge resources and information on all fronts. Waterway Guide Media is committed to researching and presenting up-to-date and verified information specific to the status of access to marinas and service facilities across our coverage areas. Our team is also providing updates on how jurisdictions and state governments are issuing orders and changing rules moment-by-moment in response to conditions in their locales. Our team is your team through any kind of storm.

UPDATE RELEASED ON 4/19/20

• The 24-hour curfew went back into effect Sunday (4/19) 5:00am and will last until Friday the 24th of April at 9:00pm, when the weekend lockdown will again take effect.
• Family Island borders remain closed to international and to domestic air and marine transport from other islands.
• During the 24-hour curfew the Royal Bahamas Police Force will continue to enforce the curfew. Unless exempted under the Emergency Powers Order, you may only leave your home for essential purposes, such as purchasing groceries, food, gas, pharmaceuticals and other essential items, or in the event of an emergency.
• Bahamians and residents will be required to carry valid government-issued ID when in public. This may include: a passport, NIB card, driver’s license or voter’s card.
• To date, there are 60 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in The Bahamas. Fifty-one in New Providence, seven in Grand Bahama, one in Bimini and one in Cat Cay. This includes two cases confirmed yesterday.

The Government of The Bahamas has released official COVID-19 related protocols for foreign and local boats that are currently in the waters of The Bahamas.

The Bahamas Safe Passage Home and Sea Quarantine has been established by the Association of Bahamas Marinas as an orderly way to help boats either remain moored or leave Bahamian waters safely while minimizing the risk of spreading the virus throughout the islands. The program will be in effect until normal border travel is restored.  Please note that our program exists within the existing guidelines of the curfew order. Service will NOT be offered on days where a total shutdown has been ordered.

Boaters will be granted safe passage through Bahamian waters provided they observe the requirements of the government protocols.

There are now strategically placed participating marinas through the country available and open to accept vessels provided you have made arrangements prior to arrival.  The program also applies to those crossing through Bahamian waters in order to get back to their country of origin (Right of Innocent Passage).  Recreational boating from one island to another is strictly prohibited by the government.

Participating Marinas:

• Staniel Cay Marina  1 (242) 355-2024 (Exuma)
• Flying Fish 1 (242) 337-3430 (Long Island)
• Cape Eleuthera 1 (844) 884-1014 (Rock Sound, Eleuthera)
• Romora Bay 1 (242) 333-2325 (Harbour Island)
• Bay Street Marina 1 (242) 676-7000 (Nassau)
• Grand Bahama Yacht Club  1 (242) 373-7616 (Freeport, GBI)
• Bimini Cove (Bimini Sands) – 1 (772) 210-0443 (South Bimini)

For more information on the program, please post questions on The Bahamas, Land & Sea Facebook group page https://www.facebook.com/groups/bahamlandsea.

Read the full set of new protocols& updates.