US State Department raises Bahamas travel warning amid rising crime and boating risks
The US State Department issued a Level 2 advisory on July 28 urging Americans to exercise heightened caution while traveling in the Bahamas because of violent crime and unsafe boating conditions.
On July 28 the US State Department upgraded its travel warning for the Bahamas to Level 2, advising American tourists to take extra precautions due to a surge in violent crime, including armed robberies, burglaries and sexual assaults. The majority of these offenses are reported in Nassau and Freeport on New Providence and Grand Bahama islands, with particular concern for the “Over the Hill” district south of Shirley Street.
Travelers are urged to remain alert in vacation rentals lacking private security and to refrain from operating unlicensed boats, as many operators are uninsured and ignore weather warnings. The advisory references the 2025 death of 2nd Lt. Robert Rosa in a jet-ski accident and several incidents of sexual assault by jet-ski operators, as well as six US citizens hospitalized from jet-ski crashes since August 2024. US authorities warn that operating a boat without a license from the Bahamas Port Department can result in fines up to $100,000 and up to three years in prison. The department also recommends enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program for ongoing safety updates.
Why it matters
US travelers need to know heightened safety risks in the Bahamas and legal penalties for unlicensed boating.
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