Bahama Fee increase

ScottR

MPORTANT: This just in from the Marine Operators of the Bahamas.

Bahamas boat entry fees to increase EFFECTIVE JULY 1. Fee for pleasure vessels 35-feet and under entering The Bahamas--$250 (was $150 for 30-ft or less). Fee for vessels exceeding 35-feet--$400 (was $300 for more than 30-ft.) All fees include three passengers. Additional passengers above the age of six, subject to a tax of $20 (no change).

Marinas/resorts expecting U.S. visitors in July, may wish to let their guests know in advance so that there are no surprises upon entry.

HogTide

Nice...just another great incentive to make us rush right over:huh

soflah3

That's a serious jump from $150 to $250.

Kvort

It appears July of 2014, they are going to add a 15% Value Added Tax to most things. Another dollar/gallon to the cost of gas makes it that much more less attractive to go there. It looks like our hotel bill last month was already about 25% tax. It will be tougher to justify going over there for the little guy.

baiterjoe

thanks for the heads up, heading over in a couple weeks.

Captain Dave

Spectacular :banghead

Dream Reality

Ouch!! Just as I was setting the seed in the admirals head. Poop.

GT Fish

Boycott..

Captain Dave

GT Fish wrote: »

Boycott..

Exactly!

GT Fish

We need this thread emailed to the powers that be over there. This just makes it hard for the guy on a small boat with just family on board..couple of days of fishing 2-3k...pass...

CaptTater

So my fee for a 33'er went down? Sweet

GT Fish

CaptTater wrote: »

So my fee for a 33'er went down? Sweet

When we heading over?

LastMango

Captain Dave wrote: »

Spectacular :banghead

DUDE! The boat is done and in the water?? Awesome... Looks great!

Plane Fish n

It isn't the extra $100 that gets me, it is the fact that the Bahama's feel that they have so much to offer that they can put a gun to your head and demand an increase like this.

Perhaps there goes my Bahamas trip in 2 weeks..

I'm all for boycotting.

Islamorada, Marathon and Key West, here I come!!!!

GT Fish

Plane Fish n wrote: »

It isn't the extra $100 that gets me, it is the fact that the Bahama's feel that they have so much to offer that they can put a gun to your head and demand an increase like this.

Perhaps there goes my Bahamas trip in 2 weeks..

I'm all for boycotting.

Islamorada, Marathon and Key West, here I come!!!!

This is what forced me to the tortugas when they changed the regs a couple years ago. Yeah it's camping but that was some of the best fishing i have ever experienced. I did 2 trips back to back one with the guys and one with the family. amazing experience. I think i will plan one.. People boycotted last time and it made them reconsider their regs.

Kevinwwings2

Looks like my trip over next week is now canceled. Was going to do a quick 2 day trip, but not if they are going to increase my entrance fee by 60%. I can fish other places for that kind of an increase, not to mention their crazy regulations as it is. Only one way to get this fixed and that is hit them in the pocket, exactly where they are trying to hit us. Maybe we head for the keys now.

Plane Fish n

GT Fish wrote: »

This is what forced me to the tortugas when they changed the regs a couple years ago. Yeah it's camping but that was some of the best fishing i have ever experienced. I did 2 trips back to back one with the guys and one with the family. amazing experience. I think i will plan one.. People boycotted last time and it made them reconsider their regs.

Pat,

This sounds right up my alley. I might speak to the guys and see if we can change our plans to maybe do a Tortugas trip this summer. They said that a permit is required to boat in the park but that is free. Have you fished the Marquesas at all?

ScottR,

Thanks for the information... it is better to be prepared than shocked when we get there. Interesting note, I just went to the Bahamas Ministry Site and they still quote the old rates:

http://www.bahamas.com/boating-enter-exit

Has anyone seen in writing the new rates?? I did a search for Marine Operators of the Bahamas and nothing comes up.

This is another interesting article detailing how boaters are SLOWLY coming back to Bahamas due to the increase in fees from 2004.

http://www.tourismtoday.com/home/boaters-make-slow-return-to-the-bahamas/#more-9432

Cheers

oyster bar

soo is my free pass from when i went a few weeks ago still valid or will they charge me another 100 lol

Fireman Bill

It will make it unaffordable for me to take the family over for a three day trip. If they increase the fee by $100 and add additional taxes to the hotel and gas there will be no more family trips for us to West End. I will spend my travel money on kayak and skiff adventures around the state and use the Twin Vee at home in Jupiter. I would rather run to the Bahamas than tow the boat to the Keys but if they insist I will stay home.

bullchaser

Plane Fish n wrote: »

Pat,

This sounds right up my alley. I might speak to the guys and see if we can change our plans to maybe do a Tortugas trip this summer. They said that a permit is required to boat in the park but that is free. Have you fished the Marquesas at all?

ScottR,

Thanks for the information... it is better to be prepared than shocked when we get there. Interesting note, I just went to the Bahamas Ministry Site and they still quote the old rates:

http://www.bahamas.com/boating-enter-exit

Has anyone seen in writing the new rates?? I did a search for Marine Operators of the Bahamas and nothing comes up.

This is another interesting article detailing how boaters are SLOWLY coming back to Bahamas due to the increase in fees from 2004.

http://www.tourismtoday.com/home/boaters-make-slow-return-to-the-bahamas/#more-9432

Cheers

cant go by there web site Eric! It will be a year before that is caught up. Oyster your still good for your next visit but after that I would expect the increase

bullchaser

O and Eric im down for a Tortugas trip! hint hint! :wink

ScottR

Plane Fish n wrote: »

ScottR,

Thanks for the information... it is better to be prepared than shocked when we get there. Interesting note, I just went to the Bahamas Ministry Site and they still quote the old rates:

http://www.bahamas.com/boating-enter-exit

Has anyone seen in writing the new rates?? I did a search for Marine Operators of the Bahamas and nothing comes up.

This is another interesting article detailing how boaters are SLOWLY coming back to Bahamas due to the increase in fees from 2004.

http://www.tourismtoday.com/home/boaters-make-slow-return-to-the-bahamas/#more-9432

Cheers

I saw it on OBB's Face-**** page and OBB confirmed it. They (OBB) are just as miffed about it and stated that marina operators had no say in it, it was just sprung on them.

I have a client coming in from the Middle East next week and we were talking about a quick trip (4-6 days) to the Bahamas but now I might try to steer him into just sticking local. Not that the $100 is 'that much' to some people, but for us little guys, it matters. And as someone else mentioned, with the fish regs on bringing back your catch, is it really 'worth it' now..... I feel bad for the guys like Vida at Bootle who DEPEND on the small boater for a living..

dpdash

While this sucks and was gone about in typical Bahamas fashion, zero thought, the cost of customs fees is a very small fee part of the overall cost of a trip, small boater or not.

Plane Fish n

ScottR wrote: »

I saw it on OBB's Face-**** page and OBB confirmed it. They (OBB) are just as miffed about it and stated that marina operators had no say in it, it was just sprung on them.

I have a client coming in from the Middle East next week and we were talking about a quick trip (4-6 days) to the Bahamas but now I might try to steer him into just sticking local. Not that the $100 is 'that much' to some people, but for us little guys, it matters. And as someone else mentioned, with the fish regs on bringing back your catch, is it really 'worth it' now..... I feel bad for the guys like Vida at Bootle who DEPEND on the small boater for a living..

ScottR

Thanks for that info. I hope it doesn't hurt your business as well.

Scott

Tortillas might be in your future.

Doug

I agree that the $100 isn't earth shattering , I just feel being taken advantage of. After all
, what costs do they have to justify the increase.

I guess it is like biting the hand that feeds you.

Totally Hooked

GT Fish wrote: »

We need this thread emailed to the powers that be over there. This just makes it hard for the guy on a small boat with just family on board..couple of days of fishing 2-3k...pass...

:Agree

CaptTater

GT Fish wrote: »

When we heading over?

My **** nephew has no passport even though I told my sister 6 months ago to get it and 3 weeks ago to make sure he brought it and the day before flying him down. I asked her again after he hot here "I sent his birth certificate that's good enough"... Hell a birth certificate has no meaning after these last 2 elections.
Freaking Tortugas trip would be great but I need a permit for a 10'6" beam. Monroe is no better than Bahamas.

soflah3

ScottR wrote: »

I feel bad for the guys like Vida at Bootle who DEPEND on the small boater for a living..

:Agree Vida and the gang at Bootle are going to feel it the most.

Plane Fish n

soflah3 wrote: »

:Agree Vida and the gang at Bootle are going to feel it the most.

Tom

I Agree.

Especially after he just reopened!!!!

Lobstercatcher229

I enjoyed going to the Bahamas in the 70s and once in 1999. I agree with those who say that the price is high enough to make me seek out other destinations besides the Bahamas.

SFCarl

doesn't this start in 2014?

JI Snook

Spend your money in Florida and don't worry about employing a Bahamian, their government doesn't.