How to Enter the Bahamas on a Private Boat
The most important thing is to get the "Click to Clear" done before you come. (Mobile phones are difficult and should be done on a desktop)
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A COPY OF YOUR BOAT REGISTRATION and PASSPORT HANDY
Click to clear website link
Ports of Entry link
Go to the Bahamas click to clear website and click on "CRUISING PERMIT" do not click on login or register
1-First screen red button in the upper right "click here to login"
2- next screen do not log in. Click on yellow button "request cruising permit"
3- next screen in the upper left window Click on "pleasure craft" drop down then " create inbound" ***note there is a spot here to "search inbound" if you get kicked out of your session and need to come back without starting over (more on that to come). Also you will come back to this screen if you are paying online rather than in person "payment"
Now you are in the dashboard area and there are 7 separate tabs near the top of the screen and you will have to go through each tab and enter different information. ***Important note*** this is not the US. - dates are entered day/ month/ year (dd/mm/yyyy).
Tab 1-Header
Here you will enter captain's information, the information for your vessel, and the arrival and departure dates and ports.
***another super important note*** After you finish this header section and click save you will see a pop-up screen that will give you your rotation number. In bold you will see "PCR-_____________" and a vessel registration number eg. "FL ___________" Take a screenshot or write these numbers down exactly how they are bolded. You will need this info if you get booted out of the system and want to log back in under " search inbound" mentioned above. One time my registration number had a few extra letters attached from another screen and I had to enter it exactly how they were bolded to restore my session.
Tab 2-Maritime Declaration
Here you will simply answer hopefully No to a bunch of health questions.
Tab 3-Vessel Details
Here you will enter specifics about your vessel as well as engines
***don't forget the dropdown in the left corner for engines***
Each engine has to be entered individually (inboard/ outboard, make and horsepower). Sorry poor guys with quads.
Tab 4-Crew / Passenger
Here you will have to enter information from each passenger's passport as well as their address and phone number.
Tab 5- Stores on board
This is where you list fishing poles under "other", as well as weapons you have on board. The customs officer usually asks about jetskis, kayaks, and paddleboards for some reason.
Tab 6 - Documents
***this Tab can freeze / crash your session so make sure you have your screenshot with your PCR and vessel registration number and refer to step 3 (not Tab 3) from the top and go to "search inbound" rather than "create inbound" to get back into your dashboard***
Here you have to upload a photo of your boat registration and photos of vaccine cards OR negative tests for unvaccinated persons. They will allow you to take one picture of all the vaccine cards together and this will cause less crashes of the system as you are only uploading 2 files (registration and 1 photo of vaccine cards). I feel like the more files you are uploading the chances of crashing catch up with you.
Tab 7 Summary
This is the Home stretch. If you filled in all the other tabs correctly (and the stars and moon are all in alignment) you can validate and submit. Then pay your fees: $150 for first 3 passengers and cruising permit, $20 for each additional passenger (Boats up to 34 feet are $150, boats over 34 feet are $300). This cruising permit allows for one more entry within 90 days so keep this in mind if you might return within that 90 day window.
Doing this at home before you leave can save you a ton of time plus your passengers will not be waiting for hours while you navigate this sometimes troublesome system. I hope this is helpful, last time I checked in at west end there were 5-6 guys in there trying to do it on their phones and or calling home for people to email them additional documents and information.