US boaters heading to the Bahamas need passports, valid boat documentation, a completed Click2Clear entry form, a customs decal, a VHF/SSB radio license with an FCC-issued MMSI number, a quarantine flag, and a Bahamas courtesy flag — plus a few additional items depending on your situation. Miss any of these and you can face delays or problems at entry. Here’s the full list.
The Bahamas Boat Checklist
Passports
Everyone aboard needs a valid passport. It must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your expected stay in the Bahamas. Check expiration dates well before you leave — passport renewals can take longer than you expect.
Boat Documents
You’ll need originals for both your main vessel and your dinghy. For the vessel itself, bring your US Coast Guard Certificate of Documentation or your state title (one or the other), plus your state registration. All documents must be valid for the entire period you plan to be in the Bahamas. Bring a couple of copies of each.
Insurance
If you plan to stay in a marina or boatyard, expect to show proof of liability insurance. It hasn’t been a general entry requirement, but it’s smart to have it regardless.
Pet Import Permit
Traveling with a dog or cat? You need a permit before you arrive — and technically even for pets that won’t leave the boat. A 2024 update made things a bit easier: the import fee now covers all pets aboard rather than per animal. You also need the permit if you fly home for any reason during your cruise. Read how to get a Bahamas pet permit here.
US Customs Decal
Boats 30 feet or longer must pay an annual fee for a border crossing decal. You’ll need the decal number when you return to the US or any US territory (Puerto Rico, the USVI). You can get it online through the CBP website, or as part of signing up for the ROAM app — read more about that here. The sticker takes some time to arrive by mail, but the number is emailed within a day or two and that’s all you really need.
Click2Clear
The Bahamas uses an electronic check-in system called Click2Clear. You fill out your entry forms online, upload your documents electronically, and pay for your cruising permit by credit card — all before you arrive. Plan on about 90 minutes to complete everything the first time, which includes scanning any documents you don’t already have as PDFs. You can start the process weeks before you leave and update it if your departure date changes.
The system is reasonably straightforward, though a few steps can be confusing. Built-in YouTube tutorials (linked directly from the forms) and specific error messages help when you get stuck. My course walks through the full Click2Clear process step by step — more on that below.
VHF/SSB License and MMSI Number
You need a US ship’s radio license to transmit on VHF and SSB in the Bahamas. Your MMSI number also needs to be an “international” number issued by the FCC — MMSI numbers issued by BoatUS don’t qualify. Switching a BoatUS MMSI typically means sending the radio back to the manufacturer, so sort this out early. Get your license and MMSI number through the FCC’s ship radio station page. The paper license takes a while, but you can print the number online within a few days.
Ham Radio License
If you have a ham radio aboard, you need a Bahamas reciprocal license to use it — including for email. Allow at least 2 months for processing. Send a copy of your US license, a copy of your birth certificate or passport photo page, a $25 international money order, and a letter requesting a reciprocal license to:
Public Utilities Commission
P.O. Box N.4860
Nassau, Bahamas
Send via FedEx, UPS, or DHL. US Mail is very slow to the Bahamas. There are no ZIP codes — don’t worry if your carrier asks.
EPIRB
Not a legal entry requirement, but don’t skip it. Make sure yours is registered and the battery is current. An unregistered EPIRB won’t help in an emergency.
Quarantine Flag and Bahamas Courtesy Flag
Fly a Q flag before you check in, and switch to a Bahamian courtesy flag once you’re cleared. Read more about the Q flag and when to fly it.
Courtesy flags fade and tatter quickly in the Bahamian sun — typically within 6 to 8 weeks. Flying a tattered flag is considered disrespectful. Bring extras. They’re more expensive and harder to find in the Bahamas, so stock up before you leave.
Are You Ready for Everything Else?
Having all your paperwork in order is a great start — but there’s a lot more to know before you make that crossing. What to expect at the Gulf Stream, where to anchor, how to provision for the islands, getting internet set up, and walking through Click2Clear step by step — my course, Get Ready to Cruise the Bahamas, covers all of it so you arrive feeling prepared instead of overwhelmed.
And once you’re out there, the Bahamas Cruising Guide keeps anchorages, bridges, services, and navigation notes organized in tables you can scan at a glance.
- Bahamas Cruising Guide — paperback or PDF (our store)
- Bahamas Cruising Guide — paperback (Amazon)
- Bahamas Cruising Guide — Kindle (Amazon)
Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water.
Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
Anonymous says
A very helpful list but I’m assuming if you are a non-US boat you don’t need a US license to operate VHF in the Bahamas. One from our country of registration would be ok?
The Boat Galley says
I believe that’s the case. Requirements can vary according to the boat and people’s nationality.
Anonymous says
Thanks!
Jane Hubbard says
Very informative…as always! Thank you!
Anonymous says
Jerry Orm
Anonymous says
Tyre Gill
Lisa Carruthers says
Great info!
Thank you!
One question, we have alcohol on board as a matter of routine. Is it a problem to bring “ships stores” of liquor in and out of Bahamas.
Carolyn Shearlock says
I’ve never heard of anyone having a problem with it, and many boats head over with 10 to 20 cases of beer as it’s so expensive in the Bahamas. You might want to tuck it in lockers, but truly I’ve never heard of anyone even being asked about it.
Donna Blaszcak says
Thank you again Carolyn. Unfortunately, when I tried to ship the HAM license via UPS, they told me I had to send via USPS because there was only a PO box # – I will probably be back here before I get it : (
Alexa says
Love this! Do you have a checklist for Mexico? 😁
Carolyn Shearlock says
No I don’t, but let me check in with some friends and see if I can put one together!
Paul says
Looks like an updated SVRS is up and running
Steve Tudor says
I looked on your site for information about vaccinations before traveling but didn’t see anything (you have pets well covered!). If any U.S. residents are interested the CDC has a thorough and informative site at wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destination Thanks for a wonderful and informative website. I have learned a lot just reading it.
Carolyn Shearlock says
Yes, I couldn’t begin to keep a list up to date. The CDC one is what I always refer to.
Danielle Palmer says
Hi Carolyn,
Your website has been a wealth of knowledge for us. Thanks so much for sharing the information. We used the Bahamas Pet Import website with fantastic results. We uploaded the permit application on Monday and received the approved permit back on Thursday of the same week! The communication from Wellington was excellent and we saved money using his service. Thanks again for doing our homework for us! 🙂
Kirk and Danielle
M/V Sea Horse
Merri Purdy says
I would like to know if you have a specific checklist of food items that are NOT allowed into the Bahamas. We will be crossing from Florida within the next few days and recently discovered it may not be possible to bring fresh fruits, veggies or dairy into the country. Can you enhance our understanding of what we can or CANNOT bring with us?
Carolyn Shearlock says
It is very rare to actually be inspected at check-in. The official Bahamas website do not mention any restirctions: https://www.bahamas.com/faq/enteringexiting-policies
Noonsite says that you cannot bring meat and meat products except for your own consumption so you should be fine there. None of the other reputable sources that I checked mentioned any restriction on foods brought in, as long as they are for your own consumption. I’m on several Bahamas cruising groups in Florida and Marathon is a major staging area for crossing to the Bahamas and I have not heard of anyone having a problem with any food they’ve taken. I’m not making any guarantees, but simply have not heard of anyone having a problem or even being asked. Just say that everything on board is for your own consumption.
Beth says
Thanks very much for the helpful checklist list. I have two comments. 1) We usually inform our credit cards that we are going to a new state/country. There have been occasions where Chase has shut down our card out of fraud concern when a charge suddenly pops up in a new place. This can be very inconvenient. Often the notificationcan be done within an app or online. 2) With respect to pet imports, I want to thank you for mentioning the services of Wellington Saunders. We used him for import permits for two dogs just a couple of weeks ago and he was awesome. What a terrific service! We will definitely use him again.
Sal crosby says
In addition to BTC for cell service, we have found Aliv service to be easier to use and you may also set up auto renew which we do monthly. In addition, calls to USA and Canada are included in your minutes.
Carolyn Shearlock says
I’d love to try Aliv, but they don’t have any offices in Bimini it the Berries, and Mr. Sim Card doesn’t work with them to get a card in the US.
Tammy says
I would like to create a checklist of items I will need to insure I take with me if I need to make an emergency flight back to the U.S. while in the Bahamas on our personal sailboat. The only items I have confirmed is my passport, copy of cruising permit and itinerary/proof of return ticket. Is there anything else you may be aware of? Thank you in advance.
Carolyn Shearlock says
Be sure to take your immigration card with you to the airport when you fly out — you’ll have to turn it in at the airport. If you have a pet, be sure to take all their documents, too.
Anonymous says
Thanks for all the great information, Carolyn. We have cruised the Bahamas for the past 2 1/2 months with our canine companion and your advice has been invaluable. It’s time now to leave The Bahamas and the question arises…do we need to officially Exit the islands and turn in our immigration cards? If we do not officially Exit, will this affect our Entry into the US? We are a Canadian couple on a Canadian registered sail boat returning to a Florida port. As a side note, when we entered the US from Canada we were told we did not require a decal because we were sailing a US-built boat. Could you also comment on the decal, please?
Carolyn Shearlock says
You can mail the immigration cards if you don’t officially check out (and many people forget to mail them and it doesn’t seem to hurt anything).
I don’t know anything about not needing the decal since the boat is US-built as I’m American. I have no idea on the requirements for Canadians. However, if someone does decide you need the sticker, you should be able to just pay for it then.