Safety in Bahamas

Street crime: In Nassau, avoid the Over-the-Hill district, particularly after dark, where robberies do happen. The tourist areas themselves are heavily policed and calm.
Your belongings: Never leave bags or electronics unattended on a public beach, even for a short swim. This is the single most common way visitors lose things here.
Sun: The UV index is extreme, so factor 50 is not optional. Reef-safe formulations are increasingly expected at the marine parks.
The sea: The Atlantic-facing shores get strong rip currents. Be honest about your swimming ability and stick to the sheltered western beaches if in doubt.
Wildlife: Jellyfish appear seasonally, and snorkelling outside the reef line brings the occasional barracuda. Neither is a serious problem if you keep your distance.
Documents: Keep passports and the bulk of your cash in the room safe and carry only small notes. It is also worth reading your own government's travel advisory during storm season.

The Bahamas is a resort destination with high service standards and, at the same time, noticeable crime in Nassau outside the tourist zones.

Nassau. The cruise port, Bay Street and Paradise Island are patrolled and safe. The "Over the Hill" districts south of the centre are not, and tourists do not go there. The boundary between those zones is a few blocks.

Beach vendors. Braids, excursions, jet skis. Persistent but not aggressive.

Jet skis are a known problem. Private hire on Nassau's beaches has repeatedly featured in embassy warnings: unroadworthy machines, no insurance, disputes over "damage" after the rental, and safety incidents. Book only through your hotel.

Taxis. Fares are fixed by zone and published. There are no meters — confirm the price before getting in and whether it is per person or per car.

Casinos. Atlantis and others operate lawfully and are regulated.

Prices. The Bahamas is objectively expensive; almost everything is imported.

Weapons and ammunition are the commonest serious problem for foreigners. The Bahamas applies strict law: finding even a single cartridge in your luggage brings arrest and a criminal case with a real prison term. Check your bags literally before flying.

Drugs. The law is strict, the country lies on a transit route, and airports are screened.

Jet skis and boats. Regulated; hiring without a briefing and a life jacket is an offence.

Marine life. Collecting coral and queen conch and taking lobster out of season are prohibited and fineable. Exporting shells is regulated.

The pigs at Big Major Cay. The famous swimming pigs are wild animals. Feeding is regulated and bites occur.

Drones. Permission is required.

Driving on the left. A legacy of the British period, while the cars are mostly American left-hand drive — a combination that takes getting used to.

Hurricanes. The season runs June to November. Evacuation orders are mandatory.

Vaccinations. None mandatory.

Water. On New Providence and Paradise Island tap water is desalinated and safe but brackish. On the outer islands, bottled is better.

The sea. Currents between the islands are strong. Sharks are present and diving with them is a popular service; organised, it is relatively safe, while swimming independently at feeding sites is not.

Sun. Tropical UV with reflection off white sand. People burn quickly.

Hurricanes. The Bahamas is exposed: Hurricane Dorian destroyed Abaco and Grand Bahama in 2019. Follow forecasts in season and comply with official instructions.

Healthcare. Nassau has decent private clinics (Doctors Hospital). The Family Islands have little, and anything serious means evacuation to Florida — fast but expensive. Insurance is essential.

Hyperbaric chamber. Available in Nassau, which matters for divers.

Emergency numbers: 911 and 919 for police and ambulance.

The Bahamas has a high homicide rate by regional standards, but the overwhelming majority of violence involves local groups and is concentrated in specific districts of Nassau and Freeport.

Tourist zones. Patrolled, with a visible police presence. Cruise passengers and resort guests rarely encounter problems.

Reporting theft. Reports are taken and certificates issued. English is official.

At night. Do not walk beyond lit tourist streets and hotel grounds. Take taxis through your hotel.

Do not resist a robbery.

The Family Islands. Exuma, Harbour Island, Long Island and the other outer islands are markedly calmer than Nassau, with crime close to zero.

What actually matters. In the Bahamas the main risks are a cartridge in your luggage, jet skis, and the Nassau districts beyond the tourist zone. The sea and hurricanes are the second half of the list.

Emergency number is 911.