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Lobster Season in the Bahamas

A Guide to Lobster Season in the Bahamas

September 6, 2022 | Hurricane Hole | Marina in Nassau

Lobster Fishing in The Bahamas

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.

Want to learn more about Paradise Landing? Click here

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.