It has been our experience that The Bahamas Ports of Entry are continually changing and office hours are flexible. It is imperative that you call your destination's marina or Customs office well in advance.

By far the easiest way to clear in, especially for first-time travelers, is to plan to arrive at a marina. Generally, if you are not a marina guest and only arrive to clear Customs, you will be charged a landing fee ($100 is the most common). Find a marina in the town with a customs office listed below, call the marina and ask for the procedure. The marina will generally provide the forms you need, and they will call Customs and Immigration to come to your boat. In some cases, you will be permitted to go to Customs and Immigration (depending on the location).

You can find the Bahamas Boating and Sailing Regulations, here.

Yes, you can generally dinghy in and visit the office, but it is often disorienting to figure out where to go and who to see. Yes, free government docks are often listed. These docks are nearly always cement bulkheads with no fenders, designed for the use of the beat-up old mailboats and not for use by fiberglass yachts.

Many locations on this list have caveats. If "advance notice" or "travel fees" apply, then you're likely going to have your patience tried and your wallet impacted. It is always preferable to plan your trip to a primary port with a busy Customs office rather than requesting special handling.

Northern Cruising Grounds:

The Abacos

Bakers Bay Marina, Great Guana (private, strictly members only)

Green Turtle Cay (marinas or the public dock)

Grand Cay (Rosie's Marina)

Marsh Harbour (Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour Marina)

Spanish Cay Marina (dockage fee applies)

Walker Cay (marina, with advance appointment)

Grand Bahama Island

Bradford Marine

Grand Bahama Yacht Club

Lucayan Yacht Club

West End (Grand Bahama)

Blue Marlin Cove Resort & Marina (advance notice required)

Old Bahama Bay Resort & Yacht Harbour

West End Airport (restricted)

Central Cruising Grounds:

Andros

Congo Town Airport (242-369-2640) (will travel to Driggs Hill Government Dock)

Fresh Creek Airport (242-368-2030)

San Andros Airport (242-329-2140) (will travel to Morgans Bluff Government Dock)

Bimini/Cat Cay

Bimini Bay Marina (has its own Customs and Immigration office at the seaplane ramp)

Bimini Big Game Club Resort and Marina

Bimini Cove Resort & Marina

Bimini Government Building

Browns Marina

Sea Crest Hotel & Marina

South Bimini Airport (242-0347-3100)

The Berry Islands

Chub Cay Resort & Marina (dockage fee charged)

Great Harbour Cay Marina

Eleuthera

Harbour Island Public Dock

Romora Bay Resort & Marina (Harbour Island)

Valentines Resort & Marina (Harbour Island)

R&B Boat Yard (Spanish Harbour)

Spanish Wells Public Dock

Spanish Wells Yacht Haven

North Eleuthera Airport (242-699-6121/-6117)

French Leave Marina

Governor's Harbour International Airport

Governor's Harbour Public Dock

Cape Eleuthera Resort and Marina (advance request required, travel fee may apply)

Davis Harbour Marina (advance request required, travel fee may apply)

Rock Sound Airport (242-699-6112)

New Providence Island

Contact your marina

Customs House Headquarters (242-604-3124)

Southern Cruising Grounds:

Cat Island

Arthurs Town Public Dock (advance request required, expect $100 transport fee)

Bennetts Harbour Public Dock (advance request required and rarely used, expect $100 charge)

New Bight Airport (242-342-2016)

Smiths Bay Public Dock (advance request required, expect $100 transport fee)

The Exumas

Exuma International Airport (242-336-2072)

Exuma Public Dock

Emerald Bay Marina

Inagua

Inagua Airport (242-339-1254)

Inagua Public Dock

Long Island

Clarence Town Public Dock (advance request required, travel fee may apply)

Flying Fish Marina at Clarence Town (advance request required, travel fee may apply)

Salt Pond Public Dock (advance request required, travel fee may apply)

Simms Public Dock (advance request required, travel fee may apply)

Stella Maris Marina

San Salvador

Riding Rock Marina (advance request required, travel fee may apply)

San Salvador Airport

San Salvador Public Dock (advance request required, travel fee may apply)

For more information on the legal requirements for entering the Bahamas, refer to the Bahamas Cruising Guide in the Waterway Guide Bahamas Edition or in your Bahamas Subscription.