Will people stay away, or will they keep cruising?
The Bahamas offers a uniquely beautiful cruising ground unlike anywhere else in the world. For just a few dollars a day — even with the increased fees — you can float in crystal-clear waters, fish, swim, and live aboard your own floating home. You can anchor near fellow cruisers or find solitude in one of the countless tranquil coves.
Or… you can stay home and complain about the cost of a lifestyle that was never an entitlement to begin with.
In my opinion, sailing the Bahamas is still a great deal. After more than ten years of world cruising, we’ve seen plenty of places that cost more and offer less. The Exuma Land and Sea Park remains one of the most magical spots we’ve ever visited.
And frankly, the whining about fees? It's nothing new. We’ve heard it from cruisers around the globe whenever a new charge or anchoring rule comes into play. There are always those who say they’ll stay away. But they don’t.
It’s a bit like going to Disney — and then complaining about the price of the popcorn.
We are the Mom and Pop international cruisers since 2015. We departed the Bahamas this past May, 2025 and will not be returning. Between the 20 USD per day dinghy landing fees in Nassau, and the anchoring fees in the Exumas park, no need for us to return. Thank you for staying with this story
Glad you're staying on this story. The Bahamas need a coherent plan to manage their amazing sailing eden. Not just privatize to the first well-connected bidder.
Whatever happens, I don't think people will stop going to the Bahamas. But Mom and Pop sailing may be completely replaced by high-flying charters. $50/d means nothing when you're spending $7000-$8000/wk for your boat.
Hey, if people have enough money to pay these sorts of boat charter rates, they can spread some of it around to the poor people in Georgetown, or Nassau.... or their elected officials.
These are just like indulgences sold by the Catholic Church, to make up for sins committed. And even better, they can be bundled into slices that can be turned into a commodity, like mortgages, so LOTS of people get to make LOTS of money trading them. Another form of "sin taxes".
Yeah no! I just left the Bahamas and I won’t be back with those kind of fees. Carbon credits are a scam. That third word country should focus putting their people to work and cleaning up the trash that pours into the ocean with every storm. It’ll be almost 1500 for my 35’ sailboat
I'm thinking the anchoring fee will be mandatory even if you intend to use the mooring balls. If you check in in Bimini, how can you know for sure that mooring balls will be available when you finally arrive in the Exumas? I wonder if they will allow you to pay the anchoring fee online when you find out you need to drop the hook? I love the Bahamas, but I know quite a number of sailors who are on tight budgets and will not be able to afford this.
Will people stay away, or will they keep cruising?
The Bahamas offers a uniquely beautiful cruising ground unlike anywhere else in the world. For just a few dollars a day — even with the increased fees — you can float in crystal-clear waters, fish, swim, and live aboard your own floating home. You can anchor near fellow cruisers or find solitude in one of the countless tranquil coves.
Or… you can stay home and complain about the cost of a lifestyle that was never an entitlement to begin with.
In my opinion, sailing the Bahamas is still a great deal. After more than ten years of world cruising, we’ve seen plenty of places that cost more and offer less. The Exuma Land and Sea Park remains one of the most magical spots we’ve ever visited.
And frankly, the whining about fees? It's nothing new. We’ve heard it from cruisers around the globe whenever a new charge or anchoring rule comes into play. There are always those who say they’ll stay away. But they don’t.
It’s a bit like going to Disney — and then complaining about the price of the popcorn.
Government being forced to subsidize the damages we suck up from the cruise industry....long story...
We are the Mom and Pop international cruisers since 2015. We departed the Bahamas this past May, 2025 and will not be returning. Between the 20 USD per day dinghy landing fees in Nassau, and the anchoring fees in the Exumas park, no need for us to return. Thank you for staying with this story
When someone mentions green initiatives, hold onto your wallet…
Glad you're staying on this story. The Bahamas need a coherent plan to manage their amazing sailing eden. Not just privatize to the first well-connected bidder.
Whatever happens, I don't think people will stop going to the Bahamas. But Mom and Pop sailing may be completely replaced by high-flying charters. $50/d means nothing when you're spending $7000-$8000/wk for your boat.
Hey, if people have enough money to pay these sorts of boat charter rates, they can spread some of it around to the poor people in Georgetown, or Nassau.... or their elected officials.
These are just like indulgences sold by the Catholic Church, to make up for sins committed. And even better, they can be bundled into slices that can be turned into a commodity, like mortgages, so LOTS of people get to make LOTS of money trading them. Another form of "sin taxes".
Yeah no! I just left the Bahamas and I won’t be back with those kind of fees. Carbon credits are a scam. That third word country should focus putting their people to work and cleaning up the trash that pours into the ocean with every storm. It’ll be almost 1500 for my 35’ sailboat
I'm thinking the anchoring fee will be mandatory even if you intend to use the mooring balls. If you check in in Bimini, how can you know for sure that mooring balls will be available when you finally arrive in the Exumas? I wonder if they will allow you to pay the anchoring fee online when you find out you need to drop the hook? I love the Bahamas, but I know quite a number of sailors who are on tight budgets and will not be able to afford this.