The Bahamas crossing is one of Florida boating's great adventures. But your standard Florida marine policy may not cover it — here is what you need before you go.
The Bahamas from Florida: A World-Class Boating Adventure
The Bahamas sit just 50 miles east of Biscayne Bay and Palm Beach — within visible range on a clear day from the Florida shore. The crossing, known as the Gulf Stream crossing or the Florida Straits passage, is one of the most popular international boating routes in the world. The reward for making it is extraordinary: 700 islands and cays spread across 100,000 square miles of the clearest turquoise water on the planet, with world-class bonefishing, reef diving, secluded anchorages, and Bahamian hospitality. Thousands of Florida boaters make the crossing every year on vessels from 26-foot center consoles to 60-foot yachts.
Before you make that crossing, you need to confirm your marine insurance covers international waters and specifically the Bahamas — because many standard Florida marine policies do not.
Understanding Your Policy's Navigating Area
Every marine policy defines a geographic area within which coverage applies. Common navigating area definitions for Florida-based policies:
- Inland and coastal waters only: Some basic policies cover only Florida's inland waterways and coastal waters within a defined distance of shore. These policies explicitly exclude international waters and provide no coverage once you leave US waters.
- Continental US coastal waters: Many standard recreational marine policies cover the contiguous US coast and offshore waters, but their geographic definition stops at the US border. The Bahamas are not covered.
- Caribbean extension available: Many quality Florida marine policies offer a Bahamas and Caribbean cruising extension — an endorsement that expands the navigating area to include the Bahamas and often the wider Caribbean for an additional premium. This is what you need for a Bahamas crossing.
- Blue-water (ocean) policies: For larger vessels making extended cruising passages, blue-water policies with worldwide coverage are available from specialty marine underwriters.
What the Bahamas Extension Typically Costs
Adding a Bahamas extension to your existing Florida marine policy is typically modest in cost. For a recreational powerboat or sailboat, the extension premium commonly ranges from $150 to $600 per year depending on vessel value, hull type, intended usage, and how far into the Bahamas you plan to cruise. Considering the value of the coverage — fully insured in international waters where rescue and towing are expensive — this is an excellent value.
Bahamian Entry Requirements
Entering the Bahamas on a private vessel requires several legal and administrative steps that are separate from insurance requirements but critically important:
- A valid US Passport or passport card for all US citizen passengers
- Bahamian customs and immigration clearance at a Port of Entry (Bimini, Nassau, Freeport, and Green Turtle Cay are common first ports)
- Bahamian Cruising Permit (paid at first port of entry)
- Proper US documentation or state registration for the vessel
- Fishing permit if you intend to fish in Bahamian waters
Towing and Emergency Assistance in the Bahamas
Your Florida BoatUS towing membership does not provide coverage in the Bahamas — BoatUS towing coverage applies only in US waters. International towing assistance in the Bahamas is expensive and logistics-intensive. Sea Tow International and some satellite-based emergency assistance programs offer Bahamas coverage, but standard US towing memberships do not. Confirm your emergency assistance situation before crossing.
Ready to find your best-fit insurer? Get a Quote from FloridaCover — we match every Florida boater to the right carrier for their vessel and use.
The FloridaCover editorial team has over 15 years of combined experience covering US marine insurance, Florida boating, and maritime industry research.
