Customs in the Abacos, Bahamas

timjet

timjet

Member
Jan 14, 2010
236
Tampa, FL
Boat Info
'98 355 ACMY
Engines
Cummins 6BT 330 M3's
I'm planning an Abacos trip in May leaving from Tampa. We'll take the Okeechobee waterway to Stuart and depart for the Abacos from there. I'm a little worried about getting into Walkers Cay which is the closest place to clear customs. I've heard it's kinda tricky getting in there, so my preference is to clear customs at Spanish Cay. However Stuart to Spanish Cay makes for a long day, so I'm wondering if it's OK to anchor out a couple of nights before clearing customs at Spanish Cay. We would like to go ashore a couple of places at some of the remote islands west of Spanish Cay, have to take the dog ashore too.
So are the Bahamian customs officials OK with that. I know the official line is you can't, but just wondering?
Thanks,
Tim
 
Tim,

Walkers is an easy entrance. You can also go to Port Lucaya spend a night and take the Lucayan waterway north and around to the Abacos.

I will make one comment regarding your planned trip. We have done the Okee water way. I find it takes longer than just heading south to Moser Channel and up to Miami before heading across.

The water levels can be variable, and you have to slow down constantly due to boats tied up along the channel. This is especially true from Ft. Myers to the Lake.

I had a buddy who lived up in Tampa, and he and I would take trips to the Bahamas going around. Eventually, he just decided to leave his boat over on the east coast.

It is an easy run from my house through Moser. We Fuel at Boot Key, and head up to Miami Beach Marina. Usually arriving around 4 or 4:30. The next morning we head across depending on weather.

Ken
 
Thanks Ken. I think we'll stick with the waterway going over. Coming back however we'll have to go the south route because the waterway will be closed mid May for approx 8 weeks.

Plan right now is to return from Hope Town or Hole in the Wall via the south end of Abacos to Great Stirrup Cay and anchor there. Next day to Bimini for an overnight and refuel. Next day on to Miami to clear customs and then around the south end like you mentioned. That seems a bit shorter if leaving from the Marsh Town area. Lots of open water this way, but overall a bit shorter than around the north end of Abacos. What do you think?

Also do I have to pre-arrange customs at Walkers Cay. IOW, will some one be there if I don't schedule it?
 
Get your Local Boater Option (LBO) cards, and you will not need to clear customs upon your return to the the US. You just call an 800, they ask a few questions, and you are cleared back in.

Ken
 
I have done the trip both ways from the Tampa Bay area and I prefer the lake route. Its much shorter and burn way less fuel. The lake does get a bit low in May so check the navigational depths closely. The nearest check in point is West End Grand Bahama about 80 miles from Stuart. Is Walkers open again?
 
This might be old knowlege, but last time I was in Walkers Cay the island was closed and the slips were all roped off. You couldn't use them. You could tie off to the pilings at the ends of the fairways, and drop your dingy in the water and go over to the float plane ramp. Then up the ramp to the customs office on the right. There was one guy there in the customs office. I'd call the customs office and see if he is still there.

Better plan would be to clear customs at West End, Grand Bahamas, then run north over the bank to Grand Cay or Double Breasted.
 
Do you need a passport? How does that work? I have never done it but it is on my bucket list. What is an LBO and how do you get one?
 
I'm a tick and tie person regarding the bahamas. I can't remember what the exact rules are but I tend to clear as soon as I can to avoid any squabbles. There is a large variance of how affairs are handled in the Bahamas. If it's me, you're brains are usually scrambled after the crossing so I just throw some fuel in and check in at the West End. Lucaya is fine too. The only caution I would offer around Ken's waterway comment is that water is really skinny on the north side. I ran it last summer at mid-tide in a 3'6" boat and it was very thin.

Again, I'm pretty conservative, I know people that run to Bimini, take dogs, don't check in and do just fine. In fact, I've never heard of someone getting snagged. I just don't want to be the first. Have a blast.
 
timjet said:
Plan right now is to return from Hope Town or Hole in the Wall via the south end of Abacos to Great Stirrup Cay and anchor there. Next day to Bimini for an overnight and refuel. Next day on to Miami to clear customs and then around the south end like you mentioned. That seems a bit shorter if leaving from the Marsh Town area. Lots of open water this way, but overall a bit shorter than around the north end of Abacos. What do you think?
Click to expand...

I'm doing an Abaco trip over the 4th. I"m thinking about returning via the South as well. There's a Sea Ray guy on this board, Ken knows him too, that I jokingly call the Oracle of Bahamas. I've got an ask out to him on this route. The channel is big and lonely but it might be a nice change. I'll let you know when I hear back from someone that's run it. His advice has been 100% accurate and thoughtful .

I got caught in the channel last summer with winds that were gusting to 42kts. It's a game on experience.
 
I agree the north end of the Grand Lucuyan Waterway is very skinny. If you catch it at high tide you'll be fine. I draw 3'9" and had no problem although there was not much room between the props and the botttom, just take it easy. You can also cross the bank just north of West End. Its a bit tricky and skinny -just follow the charts or someone that has done it before.
 
I would second checking in at west end - if your hell bent on a more direct route, officials have no problem with you stopping the night at great sale cay
 
I did this trip last year- through the lake and then over to the Abacos. I returned via the Keys using "Yacht Channel". This year I am going around through the Keys, leaving my boat in Miami, an dthen doing a few trips to the Bahamas.

FYI, the Oke is closing May 14th for 8 weeks so they can install "manatee gates". The navigation notice is here: http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Divis...on/DOCS/NavBulletins/2012/NTN20120217_OWW.pdf

I left from Sailfish Marina in West Palm and then cleared in West End. The process was fast and smooth- I also chose to fuel up there as their fuel prices were less than in the Abacos. After West End, I entered the bank at Indian Key, but many choose to go further north to Memory Rock, which has more depth.

I have been to the Abacos many times, and it is one of my favorite places on earth...enjoy!
 
The LBO allows you to check in via a phone. You can obtain LBO cards at certain CBP offices. Ft. Myers International Airport is where we got ours.

My understanding is that Walker's Marina has been closed for several years. There have been rumors of it re-opening, but not as of today. I also understand you can still check in there.

Ken
 
Russ Calasant said:
Do you need a passport? How does that work? I have never done it but it is on my bucket list. What is an LBO and how do you get one?
Click to expand...

Russ, It is a program that allows you to pre-register with Customs Border Patrol (CBP) so that upon return to the US you (Captain) call an (800) number and give the LBO registration numbers for all aboard, you are either cleared by CBP or directed to have the Captain and all passengers report to CBP for traditional clearance. Therefore, all passengers must also have LBO registration numbers to take full advantage of the program.


http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/archives/2006_news_releases/112006/11082006.xml

http://www.boatus.com/gov/customsborder.asp
 
Art said:
Russ, It is a program that allows you to pre-register with Customs Border Patrol (CBP) so that upon return to the US you (Captain) call an (800) number and give the LBO registration numbers for all aboard, you are either cleared by CBP or directed to have the Captain and all passengers report to CBP for traditional clearance. Therefore, all passengers must also have LBO registration numbers to take full advantage of the program.


http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/archives/2006_news_releases/112006/11082006.xml

http://www.boatus.com/gov/customsborder.asp
Click to expand...

Interesting, thank you!
 
What's the advantage of LBO? You have to report in person to get it, no different from checking in upon arrival. And you have to call in anyway. And if everyone on board has to have one to check in on the phone, that would seem to be rare. I guess the benifit is that if you make many trips with people that have an LBO?

FYI, for Ft Lauderdale people if you did not know it, you can clear in at Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport. We've done that several time. Quick & easy.

And # 4 on West End. Clear in, get fuel, and go.
 
LMBoat said:
What's the advantage of LBO? You have to report in person to get it, no different from checking in upon arrival. And you have to call in anyway. And if everyone on board has to have one to check in on the phone, that would seem to be rare. I guess the benifit is that if you make many trips with people that have an LBO?

FYI, for Ft Lauderdale people if you did not know it, you can clear in at Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport. We've done that several time. Quick & easy.

And # 4 on West End. Clear in, get fuel, and go.
Click to expand...


The benefit for us is the check in issue. We make several trips a year, and our US Land Fall is usually Marathon or Key Largo. We would have to taxi up to Miami or down to Key West.

That is huge.

Ken
 
Well this is a shock. I was wondering why no one leaving from the Stuart area was not going directly to Walkers Cay and clearing customs there until I measured the distance as compared to clearing at West End. Leaving from the St Lucie inlet and going directly to Walkers Cay is the same distance as going to West End and clearing there. The mileage via both routes to Great Sale Cay is the same. It just looks shorter via Walkers, but it's not.

As mentioned earlier the Okeechobee waterway will be closed starting May 14 for approx 8 weeks. At least the Moore Haven lock will be closed, effectively closing the waterway. As Big Daddy said, using the waterway saves time and $$, but if the water levels are low they institute scheduled openings which can be only once a day if water levels get low enough.

In addition to the LBO I believe you need to purchase a decal that indicates you paid the user fee. A user fee was instigated several years ago requiring boaters to pay the cost to process the re-entry costs back to the govt. Info can be found: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/pleasure_boats/user_fee/

Anyone have good info on the St Lucie inlet near Stuart? I understand it can be tricky going through and I also understand they are planning to dredge it. Anyone know??
 
Boulder GT3 said:
I'm doing an Abaco trip over the 4th. I"m thinking about returning via the South as well. There's a Sea Ray guy on this board, Ken knows him too, that I jokingly call the Oracle of Bahamas. I've got an ask out to him on this route. The channel is big and lonely but it might be a nice change. I'll let you know when I hear back from someone that's run it. His advice has been 100% accurate and thoughtful .

I got caught in the channel last summer with winds that were gusting to 42kts. It's a game on experience.
Click to expand...

Goulder GT3, when you get information on this south route please post it. I'm very interested as it will save time and money.

What channel did you experience 42 kts?
 
timjet said:
Goulder GT3, when you get information on this south route please post it. I'm very interested as it will save time and money.

What channel did you experience 42 kts?
Click to expand...

Are you referring to "Yacht Channel" in Florida Bay? I have taken it many times, and will be doing it again on April 26 when I bring my boat from St. Pete to Miami. Yacht Channel takes you right around the "tip" of Florida at Cape Sable and brings you into the Keys at Channel Five at Lower Matecumbe. A few tricky parts, but I have never had a problem with depth. Very scenic and it saves time from going down to Marathon.
 
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