Drone Laws in The Bahamas

Bahamas Drone Regulations

According to Bahamas’s national aviation authority, the Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA), flying a drone is legal in the Bahamas, but we recommend being aware of and compliant with the drone regulations listed below before doing so.

If you’d like to contact the BCAA directly before you travel with any questions you might have, here is their contact information: Contact Form / +1 242 397 4700

Why fly a drone in the Bahamas? To get great aerial shots like these!

General Rules for Flying a Drone in the Bahamas

Based on our research and interpretation of the laws, here are the most important rules to know for flying a drone in the Bahamas.

• A permit is required for all drone use in the Bahamas. See the section below for more information.
• You must register your drone to fly in the Bahamas. The registration portal can be found here.
• Do not fly within 50 ft. of any person, building, or vehicle not associated with the drone’s operation
• Do not fly over or within 150 meters of any congested or populated area.
• Do not fly higher than 400 ft.
• Do not fly within 5 nautical miles of any airport.
• Do not fly over private property unless you have consent from the property owner.
• Do not fly over military installations, nature reserves, or areas labeled a “no drone zone.”
• Do not fly at night or in bad weather conditions with low visibility.

For more information on Bahamas’s drone laws, see this page devoted to legislation and regulations on the BCAA website.

Know something we don’t about drone laws in the Bahamas? Send us an email at support@uavcoach.com. We are not international aviation attorneys and do our best to keep this page up-to-date for drone pilots, but the reality is that given the pace of the small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) industry and how governments are responding, drone regulations in the Bahamas can change throughout the year, and those changes can be hard to track. If we missed something, please reach out to let us know.

Permit Requirements for Flying a Drone in the Bahamas

A permit is required for any drone use in the Bahamas, regardless of whether it is for recreational or commercial use.

If you are traveling to the Bahamas and want to get a permit to fly your drone, contact Gregory Edwards (info provided below) for all the required paperwork. You will need to provide the following information:

• The dates of your visit
• Drone model and serial number
• A copy of the registration certificate from your country (for example, an FAA certificate)

After approval, you will receive an email with an official letter of issuance, which will include detailed rules and regulations, that is valid for 30 days. Once you receive your authorization letter, make sure to have it on hand to present at customs.

Here is the contact information for Gregory Edwards:

Gregory Edwards
Aviation Safety Inspector
Bahamas Civil Aviation Department
2nd Floor J.L Center Bldg, Blake Rd
Nassau, Bahamas

Email: gedwards.fsi@gmail.com
Tel: 1 242 397 4700 Ext. 4760

Customs Requirements for Flying a Drone in the Bahamas

In addition to the registration process, upon arriving in the country the drone will have its value assessed by customs.

A cash deposit of 50% of the drone’s assessed value is due in full upon arrival to the country. Customs will print a receipt that is also used as proof that you can fly your drone. The deposit will be refunded in full upon your departure.

Want to get a feel for the kind of footage you could get flying a drone in the Bahamas? Here you go: