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Bahamas

The Bahamas has unusually broad freedom of panorama (including 2D works visible from public places), and a drone regime built around advance CAA-B authorization plus a refundable customs deposit.

Verified Jul 1, 2026 2 official sources
Permit: conditionalPanorama: Full, broad (includes 2D works)

Guidance, not legal advice

Rules change and enforcement varies. Confirm with the issuing authority before you shoot. Drone law depth lives at Drone Authority.

Drone Authority

Check the flight side

Photography access and drone permission are separate questions. Drone Authority covers the flight-law side for this country.

Permit

Conditional

Issuer: No permit for casual public photography; the Bahamas Film Commission handles permits for commercial film and photo productions

Personal photography needs no permit. Commercial productions apply through the Bahamas Film Commission; private islands and resorts set their own terms.

Drone / airspace

Regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas (CAA-B); visitors apply online for authorization before arrival, and customs reportedly takes a refundable deposit of about half the drone's appraised value

CAA-B asks for at least 5 business days to process authorization. Limits include 400 ft altitude, 5 NM from airports, and no flights over congested areas. For depth, see Drone Authority.

Street / public space

Yes to photograph in public

Street photography is lawful. Much prime coastline is resort or private-cay property where the owner's rules govern.

Freedom of panorama

Full, broad (includes 2D works)

The Copyright Act (Ch. 323) provides that copyright in constructed architectural works and in artistic works does not include the right to prevent making, distributing, or publicly displaying pictures of the work if it is located in or ordinarily visible from a public place. This covers murals as well as buildings and sculpture. Wikimedia Commons classifies the Bahamas as FoP OK.

Practical notes

  • Budget for the customs drone deposit (reported at 50% of appraised value, refunded on departure) and carry the CAA-B authorization letter in print.
  • The Exuma swimming pigs and most iconic cays are private or tour-controlled; the operator's permission matters more than national law there.
  • Nassau's murals and colonial architecture are both safely sellable under the broad panorama provision.

Sources

Keep shooting

Knowing the rules is half the job. The craft side:

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