Bahamas ‘Not Worth It,’ Boat Show Reps Told – Loose Cannon
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The Tribune newspaper of Nassau is reporting that marinas in the Bahamas are experiencing a a 20- to 60-percent decline in bookings “as they brace for a ‘dismal’ winter season.” The big reason, of course, is higher boater entry fees announced in July without notice or consultation with interested parties. Every year, Bahamas tourism officials man one of the bigger booths at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show; others booths represent Bahamas resorts and marinas. This year, reps reported getting an earful. The Tribune quoted Peter Maury, Association of Bahamas Marinas (ABM) president, as saying that captains and boat owners intend to divert to the Caribbean or the Florida Keys because the Bahamas “is not worth it anymore.” Plus, the Bahamas may well have a Canadian problem too. Effective July 1, 2025, the new cruising fees were raised to $500 for vessels under 50 feet, $1,000 for vessels between 50 and 100 feet, and $3,000 for vessels over 100 feet. There are also mandatory anchoring fees of $300 and $350 respectively. Before that it was $150 for boats under 34 feet for three months and $300 for boats over that, which included a fishing permit. Now, a fishing permit is an additional $100 a month. A separate fee structure was introduced for the new Frequent Digital Cruising Card (FDCC), which is valid for two years: $1,500 for boats under 50 feet, $2,500 for boats 50 to 100 feet and $8,000 for boats over 100 feet.
Maury told Tribune Business Editor Neil Hartnell that the whole system stinks:
Most Canadian cruisers to the Bahamas—Maury told Loose Cannon they constitute about 20 percent of the whole—do not go back and forth from Canada itself, instead keeping their vessels in Florida storage yards during the off-season. The same negative feelings that are keeping Canadian tourists from visiting the U.S. may apply to Canadian cruisers as well. Canadians are staying away in droves because they resent the tariff war waged against their country by the U.S. and the talk of forcing Canada to become the 51st state. Known for frugality, Canadians probably do not like the new fees anymore than their American counterparts. Parsimony and patriotism, taken together, may provide Canadian cruisers with an even greater incentive than the rest of us to stay away. “Just like yachts can boycott The Bahamas. Canadians can control where they spend their money,” Maury said. LOOSE CANNON covers hard news, technical issues and nautical history. Every so often he tries to be funny. Subscribe for free to support the work. If you’ve been reading for a while—and you like it—consider upgrading to paid. You’re currently a free subscriber to LOOSE CANNON. For the full experience, upgrade your subscription.
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