The Bahamas is about to reopen to international arrivals. To make the transition from fully closed to fully open as smooth as possible there has been a public and private coalition called The Tourism Readiness and Recovery Committee that has created a detailed plan to reopen. The measures for international arrivals are in addition to the protocols announced for the re-initiation of domestic travel meaning that further approval is required to travel inter-island after arrival in the Bahamas.

There is a detailed document covering the specific measures being undertaken to ensure the safety of Bahamians and visitors. What is key in this document is the recognition that the Covid-19 virus is here to stay but with proper plans, in place, the risk of the virus can be mitigated. We will post the document here as it becomes available.

Here are the highlights for the cruising community:

• A full opening for commercial aviation and cruise ships will occur on July 1, 2020
• Boaters will be required to register in advance of travel to the Bahamas and a negative Covid-19 PCR test will be required.
• The form to register will be made available within the next week. Stay tuned for details.
• Arrival to a marina must be announced 48 hours in advance.
• Masks must be worn by crews and passengers
• Marinas agree to space boats apart to prevent crowding
• No group gatherings will be permitted in marinas
• Fish cleaning tables will be limited to 1 person at a time
• Social distancing is to be maintained within marinas at all times, particularly within laundry and fitness facilities.

After July 1, the Safe Passage program will no longer be required, however, if travel under the right of innocent passage is required prior to that date application should still be made following the protocols established in April.

The measures represent the new normal in the Bahamas. Mask wearing, enhanced sanitation and social distancing are central to the strategy of reopening the economy and in recognition of what is at stake, the measures will be strictly enforced by Bahamian authorities.

Meanwhile, boaters stuck in the Bahamas or those that need to transit Bahamian waters are permitted to island-hop with prior permission from Bahamian authorities but must follow the rules of passage:

• Lockdown and Curfew Rules (for everyone).
• Boaters in areas other than New Providence, Grand Bahama and Bimini may go ashore provided they observe curfews, wear a mask and follow social distancing protocols.
• In the coming days, these rules or protocols may alter. To be sure of the latest news for boaters, refer to the Association of Bahamas Marinas’ Facebook site.
• Protocols for persons wishing to travel inter-island. The protocol will likely be expanded to also include foreign boaters wishing to enter the Bahamas. There are forms available on the Bahamas Ministry of Health Website.
• The right of innocent passage is preserved in the Safe Passage program and foreign vessels can obtain permission to transit Bahamian waters without clearing into the country.

General Protocols for Boats

In collaboration with the Association of Bahamas Marinas, the government set out Safe Passage Home and Sea Quarantine Recreational Protocols to help keep the Bahamas safe and to help boats and yachts that got stuck there, or that had to travel through the Bahamas to get back home. In reality, some boaters thought the Bahamas was a safer and more enjoyable place to ride out the pandemic and ended up staying.

To move a pleasure vessel a substantial distance you must first apply by email to [email protected] with a copy to either of the Designated Government Contacts (DGCs), who are:

• Berne Wright, Port Controller, The Port Department, Ministry of Transport • E-mail: [email protected] • Tel: +1 (242) 376-3371.
• Dwain E. Hutchinson, Director, The Bahamas Maritime Authority • E-mail: [email protected] • Tel: +1 (242) 424-1937; (+44) 7960 032-283.

Your application should state:

1. the name / description / location / contact details of the boat;
2. the date the boat entered Bahamas Waters, and any movements of the boat within The Bahamas;
3. the names /nationalities/designation (crew, passenger) of the persons on board;
4. the medical condition of the persons on board, including flu-like symptoms, if any; and
5. the exception to these boat protocols sought by the applicant, the reasons for seeking such exception, and the action proposed (in sufficient detail as to allow for a decision to be made).

The protocols don’t stop minor boating movements such as a short stop to refuel or to provision at a marina, or to find better shelter or safer anchorage during bad weather.

Lockdowns and Curfews (for Everyone)

Strictly, if you leave your residence or boat you must wear masks and keep a six-feet distance from others. No group assemblies are allowed.

Lockdowns take effect every night between 9 pm and 5 am, and every weekend between Friday at 9 pm and Monday at 5am. In lockdown times, only essential workers may leave their homes.

Starting on Tuesday, June 2nd, the 24-hour weekday curfew will be lifted for all islands and will only be in effect during the nights from 9 pm to 5 am, Monday to Friday. Exercise will be permitted M-F, 5 am – 9 pm beyond one’s immediate neighborhood.

Weekend lockdowns will remain in effect from Fridays from 9 pm to Mondays at 5 am. The hours of exercise in one’s immediate neighborhood during lockdown have been extended from 5 am to 9 pm.

Starting on Saturday, June 6th, churches in New Providence, Grand Bahama and Bimini may hold indoor worship services following strict protocols.

Effective 2 June, all storefront businesses on New Providence, Grand Bahama and Bimini may operate in-store hours from M-F 9 am to 5 pm. This includes furniture stores, clothing, cosmetics, jewelry and other miscellaneous retail.

Except for restaurants serving curbside, take-away and deliveries, sit down dining restaurants, bars, gyms, hair salons and barbershops, movie theaters, cultural facilities and entertainment facilities will remain closed on New Providence, Grand Bahama and Bimini.

Public parks and beaches are allowed open on all islands except for Bimini, Eleuthera, Exuma, Grand Bahama, Harbour Island, New Providence and Paradise Island and San Salvador, effective 2 June.

Gaming House operators may operate with physical distancing and sanitization protocols, 9 am-5 pm, M-F, effective 2 June.

During the Whit Monday and Labor Day holidays (Friday, June 5th), weekend lockdown measures will be in effect with the exception of food stores which can open 6 am-7 pm, and restaurants, takeaways and drive-throughs may operate curbside from 6 am to 7:30 pm.

With physical distancing and sanitization protocols in place, many professional services may operate M-F, 9am-5pm, including law, financial services, accounting and insurance firms, justices of the peace, and real estate agencies may operate.

To remain safe, boaters should order groceries for delivery to a dock or marina. Some grocery stores, such as Exuma Markets in George Town, are delivering orders to moored boats using VHF.

The Association of Bahamas Marinas (ABM) has arranged with the government protocols to offer boats safe passage with prior permission as an orderly way to help boats either remain at a marina, to be moored offshore or to leave Bahamian waters safely while minimizing the risk of spreading the virus. The program is in effect until normal border travel is restored. 

Designated marinas are:

Abaco Beach Resort & Boat Harbour Marina +1 (242) 367-2158 (Marsh Harbour, Abaco). Open for fuel, dockage, water and provisioning. Restaurant food available for marina and hotel guests only.

Bay Street Marina +1 (242) 676-7000 (Nassau). Accepting boats for dockage, water and provisions delivery. Fuel available at several fuel docks nearby.

Bimini Cove (formerly Bimini Sands) +1 (772) 210-0443 (South Bimini). Currently, until May 31st, under complete lockdown and curfew. No movement allowed whatsoever.

Bradford Marine +1 (242) 727-5431 (Freeport, GBI). Offering complete marine repairs and dry storage—if you can get permission to travel there, which appears to be hard but worth trying for. Fuel, marina supplies, water and food can be delivered.

Flying Fish +1 (242) 337-3430 (Long Island). Accepting boats for fuel, water and provisions only—no overnight stays except in emergency. Can pre-order and have food delivered from grocery stores in Hamilton village. Restaurant now open for take-out only 11am-7pm, limited menu. Marina store open M-F, 8am-4pm.

Grand Bahama Yacht Club  +1 (242) 373-7616 (Freeport, GBI). Accepting boats for fuel dockage, water and provisions delivery.

Hurricane Hole +1 (242) 603-1950 (Paradise Island) Accepting boats for fuel, dockage, water and provisions delivery.

Nassau Yacht Haven +1 (242) 393-8173 (Nassau). Accepting boats for dockage, water and provisions delivery. Fuel available at several fuel docks nearby.

Palm Cay +1 (242) 422-6086 (S.E. Nassau). Open for fuel, dockage, water and supplies. Pink Octopus Pool Bar & Restaurant open Wed-Fr- from noon to 7pm.

Romora Bay +1 (242) 333-2325 (Harbour Island). Accepting boats for dockage, water and deliveries of supplies. Fuel available at adjoining marinas.

Staniel Cay Marina  +1 (242) 355-2024 (Exuma). Welcoming boats with prior permission for dockage, fuel, water and deliveries from three on-island grocery stores, one also stocking marine supplies. Restaurant open for take-out only, limited menu.