Go, but pay attention.
The Bahamas sketch score dropped five points to 71 today, so keep your guard up despite the lack of active health notices. The US and Canada maintain a level 2 advisory while the UK remains at level 1.
Governments, one trip
What they're telling their own citizens about Bahamas
The real score
The breakdown
See it from your perspective
Go, but pay attention.
The general Sketch Score, unweighted for any specific traveler.
Don't do this
Laws that jail tourists
Illegal to kill sharks
The Bahamas is a designated national sanctuary for sharks, making it illegal to kill them.
Drug possession and trafficking
Possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs carries strict penalties, including jail sentences and heavy fines.
Staying healthy
What to watch out for, health-wise
Active notices
No active CDC travel health notices right now.
Vaccines
Recommended:
From people who've been there
Local know-how
Staying safe
- •Crime: Violent crime is a problem in cities, especially Nassau, including sexual assaults on tourists. However, gated tourist areas like Paradise Island have tight security.
- •Swimming hazards: It's natural to want to spend much of your time in the Bahamas swimming in the ocean, but it's necessary to take some basic precautions.
- •Penalties: Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offences.
Staying healthy
- •The adult HIV/AIDS prevalence rate has reached 3.0% or 1 in 33 adults.
- •Tap water is generally potable, but bottled water is recommended for visitors.
Adapted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA — edited by travelers, not us.
Real talk
What travelers actually say
Travelers looking at the Bahamas prioritize safety, access to ocean activities like jet skiing and diving, and the availability of diverse areas to explore. While Paradise Island is a common destination for families, visitors express concerns regarding the heat in August and the feasibility of staying occupied for a full week. The desire for non-resort accommodations like Airbnbs remains a priority for those seeking a less contained experience. Safety is the primary filter for these travelers, as they seek locations that balance recreational freedom with secure environments for both solo parents and groups of friends.
“I was planning on traveling to paradise island in early August this year. I am a single mother taking my 12 year old son and am curious how safe we will be. Will we be able to walk places and feel safe?
— r/travel
“We don’t want to stay at some cushy resort, but still want nice options for AirBnBs, we want somewhere safe, that is nice, and has many different things/areas to explore, places to swim in the ocean and do activities like jet ski renting and diving.
— r/travel
“Quick recap, our main priorities are: Safety, Activities, and nice Airbnbs.
— r/travel
Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
A / B · 120V
Driving side
left
Emergency
police: 911 or 919 / ambulance: 911 or 919 / fire: 911 or 919
Show the receipts (10 sources)
- us-state — observed 2026-07-12
- uk-fcdo — observed 2026-07-12
- ca-gac — observed 2026-07-12
- worldbank-political — observed 2026-07-12
- worldbank-policeTrust — observed 2026-07-12
- wikivoyage — observed 2026-07-12
- reddit — observed 2026-07-12
- unodc — observed 2026-07-12
- acled-hdx — observed 2026-07-12
- lgbtq-legal-wikipedia — observed 2026-07-12