Bahamas takes additional steps to ease entry

The island nation announced discontinuation of the health visa requirement June 15, and that welcome news was followed on June 17 by an announcement that documentation of a negative COVID-19 test will no longer be required of vaccinated travelers in advance of entry. Both of these changes are effective June 19. 

“This is further good news for those looking to visit the beautiful islands of the Bahamas,” said AOPA President Mark Baker. “I am pleased that the cabinet is reducing barriers for travelers, including many general aviation pilots.”

Valid proof of vaccination must still be presented before boarding a flight to the Bahamas on and after June 19. Travelers ages 2 and older who remain unvaccinated will be required to obtain a negative COVID-19 test — either a negative RT-PCR test or a rapid antigen test — taken no more than 72 hours prior to travel, and present the negative test results at check-in before travel to the Bahamas.

These positive developments for aviators flying to the Bahamas come after the country’s indefinite postponement of its new Click2Clear customs entry and departure program for private pilots and passengers. That decision came on the heels of a letter that Baker sent to Bahamas officials requesting a delay in the rollout of the program.

Pilots are reminded that the best way to experience the Bahamas by air is with the AOPA Pilot Guide: Bahamas Edition, which has been the go-to resource for private pilots flying to the Bahamas for many years. The guide includes information for 57 airports in the country, and features maps with airport data and the layout of each island, customs and immigration information, and much more.