Keith Ericksen 
Welcome to our beginner’s guide to getting know about The Bahamas Drone Laws. In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know and stay updated about The Bahamas drone laws. We also will be covering the following information such as where to get the drone permit for this country, as well as the best drones to fly, travel guides, and contact information to the civil aviation authority of the stated country. Without further ado, let’s dive into the details:
- The Bahamas Drone Laws & Regulations
- How to get Drone Permit for The Bahamas
- Drone traveling tips to The Bahamas
- Best Drones to Buy for The Bahamas
- Drone aerial stills & videos
- Civil Aviation Authority Office contact information
Table of Contents:
An aerial video of The Bahamas, featuring beautiful islands with crystal clear ocean, encompassing serene and peaceful nature that makes it an excellent destination spot for vacation.
Introduction to The Bahamas Drone Laws
If you are planning to fly your drone in The Bahamas, you need to become aware of the drone laws regulating in that country. Generally, you are allowed to fly but you will need to pay a security deposit that is equal to 45% of your drone’s value at the airport plus 7.5% Value Added Tax (VAT). This is to ensure you are not selling drones or leaving it to combat smuggling. Be sure to bring the receipt with you to calculate the value before you leave so that you can get a security deposit refunded.
Below are the drone regulations that you need to follow when you fly in The Bahamas:
- Don’t fly higher than 400 feet above the ground level.
- Don’t fly within 5 miles of an airport/heliports/aerodromes or in areas where the aircraft are present.
- Maintain at least 20 meters away from people, buildings, and moving vehicles.
- Fly during daylight hours.
- Fly when the weather visibility condition is good.
- Respect the privacy of individuals when flying your drones.
- Don’t fly overcrowded areas or in prohibited zones.
- When flying your drone over the ocean, avoid ships.
Getting Drone Permit for The Bahamas
To obtain a drone permit for The Bahamas is straightforward and relatively easy to do so. All you need to do is register on The Bahamas Civil Aviation Administration official website and submit the following information:
- Dates that you are planning to visit
- Your drone model and serial number
- A copy of valid registration certificate such as your FAA Part 107
Drone Traveling Tips to The Bahamas
There are several methods to travel to another country with your drone. Read our important traveling tips to get the latest scoop on the best drone traveling practices and become informed. In this section, we will be covering what to do if you are traveling by air or by sea.
Traveling by Air
If you decided to travel by air and would like to bring your drone with you. You need to be aware that the airlines can only reimburse up to $1,000 for loss and damage to your property, including drone and its gear. That’s because of the Montreal Convention which limits how much airlines are allowed to pay you up to a maximum value of $1,000 — no matter how expensive your drone is.
Therefore, we highly encourage bringing your drone and its accessories as carry-on all the times. Furthermore, the drone batteries can’t be in the check luggages. Because they are prone to extreme temperature that poses fire hazards when undergoing temperature change. In rare circumstances, some airlines have strict policy and you will be only given the option to check luggage. To avoid this from happening, we recommend buying these fireproof drone battery bags:
- Colcase Fireproof Li-Po Battery Bag (up to 198 x 150 x 135mm)
- Apex RC Fireproof Li-Po Battery Bag (up to 240 x 65 x 180mm)
- Realacc Upgraded Fireproof Li-Po Battery Bag (up to 220 x 155 x 115mm)
Traveling by Sea
Generally, you are allowed to bring your drone with you. But that depends on the cruise’s policy regarding to use of the drones. The only time you can operate your drone is when you are on land, never while the ship is in process of ferrying to other country. Flying the drones at the ports is also not allowed. Because each cruise companies are unique, we encourage you to check and familiarize with their policy on drones. Reach out to get more information if possible.
Best Drones for The Bahamas
These are the best drones for traveling around the world such as The Bahamas due to their flying specifications and camera capabilities. Be sure to read each drone review guide by visiting each link so that you can decide which quadcopter you want to buy before going on a vacation.
Alternatively, you can visit our shop to see a wide selection of prosumer drones that are currently for sale on the best price deals. We only recommend the best drones for traveling that are portable, compact and equipped with powerful camera capabilities, while striving to provide affordable options for those who are looking to get started.
back to menu ↑Contact Information
If you need additional information about drone regulations and flying in The Bahamas. Keep it in mind that we try our best to provide the latest information about drone laws. Because the drone laws are not universal, they can wildly vary from a country with lax regulations to another country that has strict regulations. For any drone regulations that you are not sure, feel free to contact the Aviation Safety Inspector directly:
The Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority Office
Email: gedwards.fsi@gmail.com
Telephone: 1 242 397 4700 Ext. 4760
