Visiting boaters must clear customs and immigration in Alice Town, or nearby Cat Cay. As you enter port, fly the yellow quarantine flag. Once docked, the captain is permitted to leave the boat in order to clear the boat and crew with local customs and immigration. All crew are required to remain onboard until the captain returns with vessel clearance. All visitors entering The Bahamas must make a customs declaration upon arrival. Adult visitors are allowed to bring in 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes or one pound of tobacco, one quart of spirits and personal effects. Specifically, Bahamas Customs requires the following:

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) along with an official photo I.D., such as a driver's license or voter's card. Before leaving, be sure to surrender your copy of the immigration card. Specifically, Bahamas Immigration requires the following

If you have a firearm on board, you must declare it with Customs. You must provide the serial number and manufacturer, plus an exact count of ammunition. You are allowed to have a firearm on your boat, but you cannot take it off unless you have a permit from the Bahamian police ahead of time. Weapons must be under lock and key at all times. Any infraction of this law is dealt with severely.

The current fee is $150 for boats up to 35 feet in length and $300 for boats over 35 feet. This covers a vessel with four persons or fewer. The fee covers the cruising permit, fishing permit, Customs and Immigration charges and the $15 per person departure tax for up to four persons. The clearance fee entitles the vessel to two entries during a 90-day period.

Each additional person above four is charged a $15.00 departure tax (this tax is $18.00 for each additional person above four departing Freeport, Grand Bahama Island). If you plan to stay longer than 12 months, special arrangements must be made with Bahamas Customs and Immigration.

Regular hours for Bahamas Customs and Immigration Officers are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Officers are on-call during holidays and weekends. There is no overtime charge.

You receive a Cruising Permit upon clearance and payment of entry fees. Upon issuance of your Cruising Permit you will also receive a Fishing Permit. Fishing gear is restricted to hook and line and you're allowed to fish with no more than six rods at a time per boat. While enforcement is irregular, cruising or fishing without the proper permits or in violation of bag limits can result in severe penalties. This includes stopping to fish or dive in the waters off Bimini prior to clearing.