Anyone clear customs at West End in the Bahamas recently?

[Epiphany]

I am considerning clearing customs at West End in the Bahamas instead of waiting until I reach Green Turtle Cay. Anyone done that recently? I have a 34' boat. I have heard that the fee, which is supposed to be $ 150, is more ($ 300) in some ports. I was wondering how West End compared.

[FLLCatsailor]

Anything over 30ft is going to be $300... Last time I brought a boat over there I was given a 12 month cruising permit allowing for 2 entries.

If you have the range skip west end...

[AnchorageGuy]

The cost to clear in at West End will be just one of your costs. You will need to take a slip to clear in there. Slip fees are $3.00 per foot plus very high mandatory charges for electricity and water. This is one of the most expensive marinas in the Bahamas other than Atlantis. Why not clear in at Green Turtle? Chuck

[Epiphany]

I think I will stick with Green Turtle as I have in the past. I'm hearing $ 150 and $ 300 for my 34' boat. I'll go prepared for $ 300. Thanks for the input!

[chuckg5]

Hi, we're going the same way. So by your advice we'll skip west end and go to green turtle. Where in green turtle is best entrance- harbour- to clear.
i have 2 guide books an a garmin gps but they don't show harbour entrances very well. What do you use?
many thanks
chuck & mayta

[chuckg5]

what do you use to view harbour entrances into the bahamas towns?

[Epiphany]

There is an anchorage just outside of New Plymouth. In the past I have anchored there and gone ashore to checkin.

[AnchorageGuy]

The channel into Green Turtle is shallow so it depends on your draft. Black Sound is near New Plymouth with lots of marinas and moorings. If your draft is 6 feet or more, anchor off New Plymouth and dinghy in. If it's less than 6 feet and more than 5, wait for high tide to go in and out. If it's 5 feet or less, any time will do. The channel is well marked. Chuck

[FLLCatsailor]

Steve dodge cruising guide and explorer charts ate your bibles for this trip...


I second GTC for clearance

[Dulcesuenos]

Last week N Bimini was still charging 150. For a 32'. South Bimini was at 300.

[onestepcsy37]

the 'official' line is $150 for 30' and under, $300 for over 30'.

you can also clear in at spanish cay, about ten miles north of green turtle. they have a marina where i'm sure they charge extra for berthing while clearing, but you might be able to anchor off and dinghy in.

[AnchorageGuy]

Originally Posted by Dulcesuenos

Last week N Bimini was still charging 150. For a 32'. South Bimini was at 300.

Not sure why anyone would clear in on a boat at South Bimini since Customs and Immigrations is at the airport. Customs has an office at Big Game Club and Immigrations is down the street on North Bimini. Chuck

[Dulcesuenos]

Originally Posted by Waterwayguy

Not sure why anyone would clear in on a boat at South Bimini since Customs and Immigrations is at the airport. Customs has an office at Big Game Club and Immigrations is down the street on North Bimini. Chuck

Not sure why you even make the statement you did,
If yu were staying in the bimini sands marina which is in South Bimini,the doc at the immigration office in North Bimini Has jagged rebar in concrete sticking out of its Plus the marinas they're typically charge for dockage to go in and clear. So if you were staying in South bimini why go through all the hassle unless you had nothing better to do.

[AnchorageGuy]

Originally Posted by Dulcesuenos

Not sure why you even make the statement you did,
If yu were staying in the bimini sands marina which is in South Bimini,the doc at the immigration office in North Bimini Has jagged rebar in concrete sticking out of its Plus the marinas they're typically charge for dockage to go in and clear. So if you were staying in South bimini why go through all the hassle unless you had nothing better to do.

Bimini Sands Marina is all but closed except for the restaurant, Pretty run down and the power at the docks is almost non existent. There is no dock for immigrations at north Bimini, there is the town dock where the ferries and supply ships dock, not for use of pleasure boats. The Customs House is closed on north Bimini and the entire area including most of the old dock is fenced off, which is why the office is now at The Big Game Club. You can stop at the marina long enough to clear in or anchor off The Big Game Club and tie up the dinghy at the marina for no charge and clear in. That's why I made the statement. We were just there a couple of months ago and cleared into the Bahamas in Bimini. Chuck

[Dulcesuenos]

Originally Posted by Waterwayguy

Bimini Sands Marina is all but closed except for the restaurant, Pretty run down and the power at the docks is almost non existent. There is no dock for immigrations at north Bimini, there is the town dock where the ferries and supply ships dock, not for use of pleasure boats. The Customs House is closed on north Bimini and the entire area including most of the old dock is fenced off, which is why the office is now at The Big Game Club. You can stop at the marina long enough to clear in or anchor off The Big Game Club and tie up the dinghy at the marina for no charge and clear in. That's why I made the statement. We were just there a couple of months ago and cleared into the Bahamas in Bimini. Chuck

Not to thread drift but we just left bimini Sands, it was beautiful clean, and power worked at both docks we were at and all 9 other boats friends of ours were at. Not sure if it improved that much. Since your visit but they have two pools, one is a new beautiful infiniti pool. And they have the best prices of any marina i have ever been to. The restaraunt at the point is great though pricey the restaraunt over the office is incredible and affordable. The beaches were nice clean only big opportunity i felt could be nicer bathrooms and showers.