Bahamas Jet Ski Regulations Tighten Teen Driving Rules
Revised maritime laws in The Bahamas now require jet ski drivers to be at least 18 years old and impose heavy penalties on unsafe or unlicensed operators. The move follows a series of fatal accidents and mounting international pressure to improve water sports safety, particularly at popular cruise port destinations such as Perfect Day at CocoCay and Half Moon Cay. Cruise lines are updating excursion policies, while U.S. officials continue to warn travelers about loosely regulated boating activities.
Key Points
- Why it matters: New 18-year age limit reshapes cruise port excursions for families.
- Travel impact: Fines up to $5,000 target operators who ignore water sports safety rules.
- What's next: Cruise lines may expand guided tours and training to meet stricter standards.
- Teen passengers can still ride as guests, but cannot drive jet skis in Bahamian waters.
- U.S. Travel Advisory cites lax oversight, unlicensed craft, and past sexual-assault reports.
Snapshot
Royal Caribbean has begun emailing customers to explain that anyone under 18 can no longer operate a Wave Jet at Perfect Day at CocoCay. The policy update aligns with new Bahamian legislation that overhauls the Water Skiing and Motor Boat control framework, adds fixed-penalty tickets, and boosts on-site inspections. Holland America Line and other cruise brands are expected to follow suit after a 73-year-old passenger was killed in a jet ski collision at Half Moon Cay in March 2025. Travelers can still book jet ski tours, yet stricter operator vetting and mandatory safety briefings are now standard practice.
Background
Water sports have long been a highlight of cruise port days across The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean, but oversight has lagged behind demand. The U.S. State Department's Level 2 advisory warns that boating in The Bahamas "is not well regulated," and that injuries, deaths, and even sexual assaults by jet ski operators have occurred. Independent vendors often operate without insurance or functioning safety gear, raising liability questions for both travelers and cruise lines. After several high-profile accidents, Bahamian lawmakers fast-tracked amendments to the Commercial Recreational Watercraft Act and related statutes, introducing a structured fine system and empowering maritime officers to seize non-compliant craft on the spot.
Latest Developments
Bahamas Jet Ski Regulations Set 18 Year Minimum
Effective immediately, drivers must present proof of age and wear an approved flotation device before taking control of a personal watercraft. Royal Caribbean's excursion desk now assigns all 16- and 17-year-olds to passenger-only status, mirroring the new national rule. Local operators who allow underage drivers face fines starting at $500 and possible license suspension. Cruise companies say the change enhances water sports safety without eliminating teen participation, provided an adult takes the helm.
Fines Rise for Unlicensed Operators
The Water Skiing and Motor Boat (Fixed Penalty) Regulations 2025 introduce escalating penalties from $500 to $5,000 for offenses such as operating without insurance, ignoring weather alerts, or exceeding speed limits near swimmers. Authorities can now impound equipment until all fines are paid, a deterrent welcomed by industry groups seeking a level playing field. Enforcement teams have already conducted surprise inspections at Nassau's Cable Beach and CocoCay, confiscating several unregistered jet skis during the first week of July.
Analysis
Cruise lines depend on reliable, family-friendly shore excursions, and the new rules aim to reduce liability and raise confidence in Bahamian water sports. By standardizing the minimum driver age at 18, lawmakers eliminate gray areas that once allowed teens with U.S. learner permits to operate high-powered craft in unfamiliar waters. The fixed-penalty schedule also gives regulators an efficient tool for policing unlicensed operators who have tarnished the destination's reputation. For travelers, the changes underscore the importance of booking vetted, cruise-approved tours and heeding pre-sail safety briefings. The updated U.S. advisory remains a critical resource; readers can review the full notice at the State Department website (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/the-bahamas-travel-advisory.html?utm_source=adept.travel). As maritime nations across the Caribbean watch The Bahamas' approach, similar age limits and operator crackdowns could soon expand region-wide, enhancing water sports safety while reshaping cruise port excursions.
Final Thoughts
The Bahamian government's swift response to recent tragedies signals a decisive shift toward tighter oversight of personal watercraft. By pairing an 18-year minimum age with steep fines for non-compliance, officials hope to curb reckless behavior and rebuild traveler trust. Cruise passengers should continue practicing common-sense precautions, choose reputable operators, and monitor official advisories before booking any water activity. If these reforms prove effective, they could become a template for neighboring islands, ensuring that future vacations balance adrenaline with accountability under the banner of stronger Bahamas jet ski regulations.