Bahamas Travel Insurance Requirements

Key Takeaways

• Our analysis shows that Tin Leg, Travel Insured International, and IMG offer the best travel insurance for the Bahamas.
• The Bahamas is a top cruise destination, with many travel insurance policies offering cruise-specific coverage for trip interruptions and medical emergencies at sea.
• Adventurous activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, parasailing, and boating are popular in the Bahamas. Still, you might not be covered unless you choose a policy that includes coverage for hazardous sports.
• The Bahamas offers few medical facilities, so we strongly advise having Emergency Evacuation coverage for reaching remote areas or taking day trips from Nassau or Paradise Island.
• Try our online travel insurance comparison tool to get quotes from multiple providers at once. For personal assistance, call our award-winning agents at 1-800-240-0369

Our Top Recommended Bahamas Travel Insurance Plans

1. Tin Leg – Gold because it offers high medical limits, cancellation coverage, and protection for 250+ activities, which is ideal for cruisers and water sports.
2. Travel Insured International – FlexiPAX because it offers strong all-around coverage with customizable and medical benefits, meeting our recommendations for cruises.
3. IMG – iTravelInsured Choice because it offers extensive medical coverage for international travel that meets our cruise recommendations.

Do I Need Travel Insurance for the Bahamas?

Travel insurance is not required to enter the Bahamas in 2025, but it is highly recommended. Although COVID-19 insurance was previously mandated, that requirement has been lifted. However, U.S. health insurance is often not accepted, and Medicare typically provides no coverage abroad. Why travel insurance is recommended:

• The Bahamas is a tropical island chain where unpredictable weather and hurricanes can disrupt travel.
• Many visitors participate in water-based excursions, which increase the risk of injury.
• Cruise travelers should consider that shipboard medical costs and emergency evacuations from sea or small islands are expensive and not covered by most domestic health plans.
• Popular resorts like Atlantis Bahamas and Baha Mar often have cancellation penalties—Trip Cancellation insurance can help you recover these prepaid costs if you need to cancel for a covered reason.

Reasons You May Need Travel Insurance for the Bahamas

Medical Emergencies and Limited Island Healthcare

Nassau and Freeport have good hospitals, but many of the Bahamas’ 700+ islands and cays lack adequate medical facilities. Serious illnesses or injuries may require evacuation to Nassau or the U.S. Medical evacuations from the Caribbean can exceed $100,000, often requiring upfront payment.

✅ Travel medical insurance covers emergency care and hospital stays and can arrange and pay for medical evacuations—especially crucial when visiting remote islands or traveling by cruise ship.

Waterborne Illness and Food Safety

Although most resorts in the Bahamas maintain safe food and water practices, travelers who dine at beachside vendors or explore local cuisine on smaller islands may face a higher risk of food poisoning or waterborne illness. Gastrointestinal issues from contaminated seafood or unfiltered water are common.

✅ If you get sick while traveling, travel insurance can cover doctor visits, prescriptions, and hospital care, enabling you to recover without the stress of high out-of-pocket medical costs.

Hurricanes and Weather-Related Disruptions

The Bahamas lies in the Atlantic hurricane belt, with storm season from June to November. Tropical storms can delay or cancel flights, shut down resorts, and temporarily block access to some islands. Even outside hurricane season, unexpected weather can disrupt travel.

✅ Comprehensive travel insurance can reimburse you for trip cancellations, delays, and missed connections caused by weather events. Some policies even include hurricane warning benefits if a storm is predicted before your departure.

Cruise Cancellations and Missed Ports

The Bahamas is a major cruise destination, often the first or only stop on Caribbean itineraries. Mechanical issues, itinerary changes, or bad weather can result in missed port stops or cancellations. If you’re flying in to board a cruise, a flight delay could cause you to miss the ship entirely.

✅ Many travel insurance policies offer cruise-specific benefits like missed connection coverage, trip delay reimbursement, and compensation for missed excursions or port stops.

Adventure Activities and Excursion Accidents

The Bahamas has adventure excursions, from snorkeling and scuba diving to parasailing and jet skiing. However, injuries from equipment failures, strong currents, or accidents while exploring coral reefs are not uncommon—and many policies exclude coverage for these activities unless you choose a plan that includes hazardous sports protection.

✅ Look for policies with sports and adventure coverage to protect you in case of injury during popular island activities.

Theft, Lost Belongings, and Travel Delays

While the Bahamas is generally safe for tourists, petty theft can occur in crowded areas like beaches, marinas, and cruise ports. Lost luggage, delayed bags, or misplaced passports are frequent issues for travelers arriving by air or sea.

✅ Travel insurance can reimburse you for stolen or delayed baggage, provide emergency passport assistance, and cover the cost of replacing essential items.

Your U.S. Health Insurance May Not Cover You

Most U.S. health insurance plans, including Medicare, do not provide international coverage, and Bahamas healthcare providers typically require payment upfront. You could be responsible for thousands of dollars in unexpected bills if you become ill or injured.

✅ A travel medical insurance policy fills this gap, giving you access to quality care without draining your savings.

More Details on the Best Travel Insurance for the Bahamas

Best Overall Travel Insurance

Travel Insured International

• Recommended Plan: FlexiPAX
• Emergency Medical: $100,000
• Medical Evacuation: $500,000
• Trip Cancellation: 100% of trip costs
• Great for add-ons and coverage upgrades

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Best Luxury Travel Insurance

Tin Leg

• Recommended Plan: Gold
• Emergency Medical: $500,000
• Medical Evacuation: $500,000
• Trip Cancellation: 100% of trip costs
• Covers a wide-range of adventure sports & activities

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Best Travel Insurance for Seniors

IMG

• Recommended Plan: iTravelInsured Choice
• Emergency Medical: $100,000
• Medical Evacuation: $500,000
• Trip Cancellation: 100% of trip costs
• Reliable coverage for pre-existing conditions

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How Much Does Bahamas Travel Insurance Cost?

According to internal data from Squaremouth travelers over the last year, comprehensive travel insurance to the Bahamas will average $23.97 per day, which is typical for most destinations. That said, a Medical-only plan that excludes cancellation benefits averages $7.62 daily. For context, these plans and daily rates were based on a policy of $167.75 for a 7-day trip to the Bahamas and approximately $2,936.74 in trip costs, shorter than the typical journey to destinations like Mexico.

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What Travel Coverage Do You Need for the Bahamas?

Regardless of where you’re staying—whether it’s a luxury resort like Atlantis or a more remote island retreat—we recommend purchasing travel medical insurance at a minimum when visiting the Bahamas. That said, if it fits into your budget, a comprehensive travel insurance policy offers the most complete protection.

Here are the key benefits you should look for when buying travel insurance for the Bahamas:

Travel medical coverage

Medical care in the Bahamas is adequate in bigger cities like Nassau and Freeport, but access to quality care is limited on outlying islands. Emergency services and hospital stays can be expensive, and U.S. health insurance is rarely accepted.

✅ A travel medical insurance policy can help cover doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescriptions. Additionally, we recommend cruisers purchase a travel insurance policy with at least $100,000 in Emergency Medical coverage, especially if you plan to snorkel, scuba dive, or explore more remote parts of the islands.

Medical evacuation coverage

With over 700 islands and cays, the Bahamas has many popular destinations far from full-service hospitals. In the event of a serious injury or illness, you may need to be medically evacuated—either to Nassau or back to the U.S.—which can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

✅ At a minimum, look for a policy with $250,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage, especially for cruisers. Most plans also include medical repatriation, which pays to transport your remains if you pass away during your trip.

Trip cancellation and Trip Interruption Insurance

Trips to the Bahamas often involve prepaid expenses like all-inclusive resorts, cruises, and excursions. If you need to cancel or cut your trip short for a covered reason—like illness, injury, or severe weather—this benefit reimburses your non-refundable costs.

✅ Many comprehensive plans cover 100% of your trip costs if you cancel before departure and up to 150% if your trip is interrupted and you must return home early.

Insurance for baggage and personal items

Traveling to the Bahamas typically involves connecting flights, checked bags, and sometimes cruise ship transfers—all of which increase the risk of delayed, lost, or stolen baggage. Beaches, airports, and busy resorts can also be hotspots for petty theft.

✅ Baggage protection can reimburse you for lost or stolen personal items like clothing, electronics, and travel documents. Look for a plan with reasonable reimbursement limits and low deductibles.

Sports and activities coverage

Snorkeling, scuba diving, jet skiing, and parasailing make the Bahamas a bucket list destination. However, insurers consider many activities " hazardous " and may exclude them from basic policies.

✅ If you plan to participate in excursions or water sports, ensure your plan includes Sports & Activities coverage or offers it as an optional upgrade.

What Isn’t Covered by Bahamas Travel Insurance Plans?

Like all insurance policies, travel insurance plans for the Bahamas come with exclusions. Here are some everyday situations that may not be covered:

• Incidents related to alcohol or drugs – While beachside bars and cruise cocktails are part of the island experience, claims related to excessive alcohol use are often denied.
• Pre-existing medical conditions—Flare-ups of chronic health issues may not be covered unless your plan includes a waiver.
• Adventure sports injuries – Scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, or parasailing injuries may be excluded unless your policy covers high-risk or recreational activities.
• Travel during government advisories – Your coverage may be void if you travel against a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory.
• Non-covered cancellation reasons – Fear of bad weather, travel delays unrelated to covered reasons, or simply changing your mind won’t be reimbursed unless you purchase a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) policy.

Tips for Getting the Best Travel Insurance for the Bahamas

Use a comparison tool

With so many providers and policies, comparing travel insurance plans side-by-side is best. On Squaremouth, you can filter by trip cost, medical limits, and specific coverage needs to find the right policy for your Bahamas getaway.

Read the fine print and exclusions.

Policies may seem similar initially, but their exclusions and limitations vary greatly. Always review the Certificate of Insurance to understand what’s covered—and what’s not. For example, if you plan to snorkel at Exuma or dive at Blue Hole, ensure your activities are covered.

Consider your specific travel risks.

Are you taking a cruise? Traveling during hurricane season? Going off the beaten path to explore remote islands? These details matter when choosing coverage.

Assess the risks associated with your trip and choose a plan that protects you in those situations—for medical emergencies, missed ports, or trip delays.

Know how much coverage you need.

We recommend at least $50,000 in emergency medical coverage and $100,000 for medical evacuation. These standard thresholds help avoid financial strain in an emergency, especially since many local facilities require upfront payment.

Is Travel Insurance for the Bahamas Worth It?

Absolutely. Even on a short trip, unexpected events can lead to major costs, especially medical care or trip cancellations. For a few dollars a day, travel insurance can protect your vacation investment and provide peace of mind in paradise.

Whether it’s a canceled cruise port, a sudden illness, or a lost passport, travel insurance ensures you’re not left footing the bill—or stranded without support.

FAQ: Bahamas Travel Insurance

Is the Bahamas safe to visit?

The Bahamas is generally safe for tourists, especially in resorts like Nassau, Paradise Island, and the Exumas. However, like many tourist destinations, petty theft can occur. The U.S. Department of State currently advises travelers to exercise increased caution. View the latest travel advisory here.

Is travel insurance mandatory for the Bahamas in 2025?

No. As of 2025, travel insurance is not required to enter the Bahamas. However, it’s strongly recommended, particularly if you’re booking a cruise, staying at a resort, or traveling during hurricane season.

Is travel insurance recommended for Atlantis Bahamas?

We recommend travel insurance for resort stays like Atlantis due to non-refundable rates, pre-paid excursions, and dining packages that can be affected by travel disruptions. Standard medical insurance won’t cover snorkeling, water slides, or swimming with dolphins. A comprehensive travel insurance policy protects your investment by covering emergency medical care, evacuation, and theft. Choose a plan that includes coverage for water activities.

Do I need cruise-specific travel insurance for a Bahamas cruise?

Since risks include delays, missed departures or ports, and itinerary changes, having travel insurance specific for cruises will help protect you and your investment. Such policies offer missed connection coverage for late arrivals due to flight delays, reimbursement for missed ports due to weather or ship changes, trip delay benefits applicable at sea, and medical evacuation to the nearest hospital or back to the U.S.

Will my U.S. health insurance work in the Bahamas?

In most cases, no. U.S. health insurance, including Medicare, does not provide coverage abroad. If coverage applies, you’ll likely need to pay out-of-pocket and seek reimbursement later. A travel medical policy ensures you’re covered for emergencies without a financial headache.

What documents are required to travel to the Bahamas?

U.S. citizens need a valid passport with at least one blank page. No visa is required for stays under 90 days. Proof of return or onward travel is also recommended. See entry requirements on the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism site.

Do I need a visa or passport to travel to the Bahamas?

Yes, you need a valid passport to enter the Bahamas. A visa is not required for U.S. citizens staying less than 90 days.

Does the Bahamas require COVID insurance?

No. As of 2025, the Bahamas no longer requires proof of COVID-specific travel insurance. However, if you test positive during your trip, many travel insurance plans still include COVID-related coverage for trip cancellation, medical treatment, and quarantine expenses.

Bahamas Articles and Press Releases

• For the First Time, Caribbean Countries Lead in US Tourism Destinations

Helpful Resources

• The Island of the Bahamas
• U.S. Department of State – Bahamas