Bahamas travel checklist: what to do before you go

The Bahamas is a short-haul, English-speaking destination, so the paperwork is light. The two things that take the most time are passport renewal and locking in flights for the season you want.

Check your passport expiry first. Many countries advise six months' validity beyond your return date, and a renewal can take weeks (check). If you are travelling in hurricane season (June–November, check), buy travel insurance that covers weather disruption before you pay for anything non-refundable.

Book the Out Island leg now if you are adding one. Inter-island services use small planes with limited seats, and the Dec–May window fills early (check). Nassau plus one Out Island is the usual shape; three islands in a week means most of the week is spent in airports.

Sort money and cards. The Bahamian dollar is pegged 1:1 to the US dollar and USD is accepted everywhere, so you do not need to change money before you fly. Tell your bank you are travelling, and carry a card that does not charge foreign transaction fees.

Re-check the forecast. Hurricane season runs June–November, with the highest risk August–October (check). If a storm is tracking, airlines usually waive change fees; insurance is only useful if you bought it before the storm was named.

Confirm your first-night transfer. Nassau's airport is about 20–30 minutes from most hotels, and taxis are metered or fixed by zone (check). Print or screenshot your booking, your insurance policy number and your emergency contacts.

Carry your passport, onward or return ticket and proof of accommodation. Border officers may ask for an address, and airlines check documents at check-in (check). Arrive at the airport with the usual international buffer.

On landing, buy nothing at the airport that you can buy in town for less, and keep small US dollar notes for tips. A 15% gratuity is often already added to restaurant bills; if it is not, 15–20% is standard.

US, UK, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and Irish citizens do not need a visa for short tourist stays, but rules and validity requirements change — confirm with your own government's travel advice before booking (check). Carry a printed copy of your passport page, insurance policy and bookings in case your phone dies.

If you are arriving by private boat or on a one-way ticket, expect more questions. Check the entry rules for your nationality rather than relying on another traveller's experience.

The Bahamian dollar is pegged 1:1 to the US dollar and USD is accepted everywhere, so there is no currency to buy in advance. Cards are widely taken in Nassau and at resorts; smaller Out Island businesses may prefer cash (check).

Budget for a 15% gratuity that is often already on the bill. ATMs exist in Nassau and Freeport; on smaller islands, carry enough cash for a few days (check).

Check your own government's health advice for current vaccination recommendations, and confirm whether your insurance covers medical evacuation. The Out Islands have small clinics, so serious cases may need transfer to Nassau or the US (check).

Tap water is generally treated in Nassau and the main tourist areas, but on smaller islands bottled water is the safer choice (check). Mosquito-borne illness is a low but real risk; pack repellent.

Pack for heat, sun and sudden rain. Plugs are types A and B at 120 V 60 Hz, the same as the US and Canada, so North American travellers need no adapter. Driving is on the left, which matters if you plan to rent a car.

Bring sunscreen, a light rain shell for summer showers, and cash for tips. See the full packing list for the season-by-season detail.