06/17/2026
The US Embassy in Nassau issued a security alert on June 15, 2026, warning Americans about serious risks associated with jet ski operators in the Bahamas. The alert specifically addresses the lack of enforcement of safety regulations for watercraft rentals near Nassau Cruise Port.
Since 2024, the embassy has received multiple reports of sexual assaults involving jet ski operators. Seven US women have reported sexual assaults by operators near Nassau Cruise Port, including incidents at Junkanoo Beach, Saunders Beach, Cabbage Beach, and beaches on Paradise Island. The assaults reportedly occurred on isolated islands near Nassau after women rented equipment and followed tour operators for excursions.
The alert also highlights serious safety incidents involving jet ski accidents. In August 2025, a US citizen riding a jet ski was killed after being struck by an unlicensed operator driving an unregistered boat off Paradise Island. Since August 2024, six Americans have been hospitalized with injuries from jet ski accidents, with three requiring emergency medical evacuations to the United States.
The embassy advises US citizens to avoid renting jet skis altogether in the Bahamas, particularly near the Cruise Port, Junkanoo Beach, Arawak Cay, and the small islands east of Paradise Island. The Bahamas maintains a Level 2 travel advisory urging visitors to exercise increased caution due to violent crime.
