Every year during the lobster fishing season in The Bahamas, thousands of avid fishermen and divers come to enjoy the bounty of the Atlantic Ocean. People rush to book their reservations at luxury marinas such as Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina so that they can be a part of this seasonal experience.
As a yacht owner, having a home base at one of the few deep-water marinas can set the stage for epic fishing, scuba diving, and snorkeling – catching your bag limit and cooking on the deck of your yacht or bringing your catch back to a luxury marina such as Hurricane Hole to enjoy.
Lobster fishing in The Bahamas is a magical experience and the waters are home to much more than just the iconic spiny lobsters; several fishing seasons overlap with the lobster season, including marlin, amberjack, yellowfin tuna, and snapper, among other big game fish.
When Is Lobster Season in The Bahamas?
The Bahamas lobster season generally runs from August 1st to March 31st, giving you a total of eight months out of each year where lobsters are bountiful and legal to fish for. The lobster-catching season may change somewhat from year to year, but you can generally expect it to be around August 1st to March 31st.
Bahamas Lobster Fishing Regulations
The fishing regulations help to maintain a healthy and thriving population of lobsters. Adhering to these regulations is crucial to avoid penalties. The regulations for lobster fishing in The Bahamas and returning to the U.S. include the following:
3 3/8 inches carapace size minimum or 6-inch tail length with a minimum of 5 ½ inch tail length.
No scuba gear may be used for lobster fishing.
Bag limit of 10 per person – cannot be exceeded even if you spend multiple days in The Bahamas.
Spearing a legal-sized lobster is allowed. Hawaiian sling and pole spears only. Spearfishing may be limited in certain areas, such as one mile of shore around Grand Bahama, Freeport, and New Providence.
Valid Bahamas cruise permit (can be obtained from Hurricane Hole Marina, etc.).
Egg-bearing lobsters are protected.
Lobsters obtained legally in The Bahamas cannot be transported to Florida waters when Florida’s lobster season is closed.
Lobsters brought back to Florida must not be tailed (whole condition).
Be sure to check the updated regulations before embarking on your journey, as they may change from year to year.
Where to Catch Lobster in The Bahamas
Bahamian Spiny Lobsters love to live around coral reefs and crevices created by rocks and are very social, always keeping close to one another. Finding one usually means finding several. Paradise Island and many areas across Nassau that have rock and coral cover can be expected to house lobsters.
Enjoy Lobster Season in The Bahamas at Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina
The new Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina at Paradise Island, Nassau, The Bahamas is one of the few deep-water marinas in the area. It is the ideal marina for any yacht up to 420 feet, where luxury amenities and services help to make your voyage more memorable and enjoyable.
As a base location that opens up the whole of The Bahamas for you, Hurricane Hole is a fisherman’s dream. The all-inclusive marina destination is not only ideal for yacht owners and guests but also for captains and crew. Rent or purchase your slip and membership today to have access to the best deep-water marina at Paradise Island for this lobster season. In addition, surging tourism in the Bahamas may set new records in 2023.
Contact the Department of Marine Resources-Ministry of Agriculture & Marine Resources at minagriculturemarine@bahamas.gov.bs or call (242) 397-7000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Free diving gear is the standard kit for recreational lobstering in The Bahamas, as scuba is not permitted for taking lobsters. A mask, fins, snorkel, and wetsuit form the base, along with a tickle stick or snare to guide lobsters from their crevices without damaging them. A measuring tool to confirm minimum carapace size and a container for holding the catch round out the essentials. Hawaiian slings and pole spears are permitted for spearing legal-sized lobsters in unrestricted zones.
The Bahamian lobster season from August through March overlaps with excellent opportunities for several offshore species. Wahoo fishing peaks in the winter months, particularly December through February, while amberjack, snapper, and grouper remain available throughout the season on reef structures. Yellowfin tuna and blue marlin are more summer-focused species, but the season transition months of August and early September can produce strong pelagic action alongside opening-day lobstering. Multiple species converge to make the November through March window one of the most productive overall fishing periods from Hurricane Hole.
Yes, a valid Bahamian cruising permit is required for vessels wishing to fish and lobster in Bahamian waters. The cruising permit is a standard entry document for any foreign vessel entering The Bahamas and is obtainable as part of the customs clearance process. Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina is a designated Port of Entry where vessels can clear customs and immigration on-site, making the permitting process straightforward for incoming boats. The permit should be obtained and displayed on the vessel before beginning any fishing or lobstering activities.
Cooking fresh-caught lobster aboard your vessel is one of the signature pleasures of lobster season in The Bahamas. Spiny lobster tail, grilled with butter and local seasonings, is a staple of the onboard culinary experience for vessels working the Bahamian chain during the season. For guests based at Hurricane Hole who prefer a restaurant setting, the marina's on-site dining, including Asian Grill and Carnivale Bahamas, brings a different dimension to the experience. Provisioning supplies including spices, oils, and preparation tools are available at Sawyer's Fresh Market on-site.
The recreational bag limit for spiny lobster in The Bahamas is 10 per person per trip, and this cap applies regardless of how many days are spent in Bahamian waters. The minimum legal carapace size is 3 3/8 inches, with a 6-inch tail length as an alternative measure. These limits are set to protect the long-term health of the lobster population and are enforced by Bahamian fisheries authorities. Exceeding bag limits or taking undersized lobsters can result in significant penalties for visitors and their vessels.
Scuba diving is specifically prohibited for lobster fishing in The Bahamas. Only free diving (breath-hold diving) is permitted for recreational lobster taking. Gear such as tickle sticks, snares, Hawaiian slings, and pole spears are the standard tools used by free-diving lobstermen in the archipelago. The prohibition on scuba is designed to prevent the overharvesting that pressure gear can enable in rocky reef and crevice habitat. Visitors wishing to lobster during their stay at Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina should ensure their equipment complies with these restrictions before heading out.
Spiny lobsters grow relatively slowly, and larger individuals may be several years to over a decade old. The species does not share the extreme longevity of the American lobster, which can live for many decades, but a full-sized Bahamian spiny lobster of legal carapace measurement represents several years of growth. The size and bag regulations in place are specifically calibrated to allow the population to reach reproductive maturity before legal harvest, maintaining a self-sustaining fishery across the archipelago.
The Caribbean spiny lobster found in The Bahamas is a distinct species from the American or Maine lobster of New England waters. The most obvious difference is the absence of large front claws in the spiny lobster; instead, the species is covered in sharp spines along the carapace and antennae, which give it its common name. The prized portion of the spiny lobster is the tail, which delivers sweet, firm white meat that compares favorably to Maine lobster tail by most accounts. Bahamian spiny lobster is served throughout Nassau's restaurants and is a staple of onboard cooking for visiting yacht crews during the season.
