Ports in the Bahamas — Nassau, Eleuthera and Freeport Terminal Data
Summary:The Bahamas’ main seaports are Nassau on New Providence Island, Freeport on Grand Bahama Island and the docks of Eleuthera. This page gathers their drafts, berths, pilotage and radio details from our port records, plus practical notes for cargo shipped from China.
Port information: Nassau
Nassau is the capital and principal port of the Bahamas, on the north-east shore of New Providence Island in the northern West Indies, directly facing Paradise Island. It is a natural coastal port and the usual first port of call in the country: the harbour is small, with a maximum draft of 11.3 m, and the berths take vessels of more than 500 ft in length. The eastern end of the port area adjoins a marine park where glass-bottom boats run over the coral and fish grounds, and the western suburbs hold the international airport. Nassau is also one of the world’s international financial centres, home to more than 250 foreign banks, and together with Paradise Island it blends big-city services with a resort setting.
Port information: Eleuthera
Eleuthera is a long, narrow island in the central Bahamas, about 80 km east of Nassau. It runs roughly 180 km from end to end (about 110 miles) yet in places is only just over 1 mile (1.6 km) wide; the island covers 518 km² and has about 8,000 residents, with its highest point at just 58 m. Its dramatic west-coast underwater structure is built of calcium-carbonate sand from coral reefs eroded by the currents and deposited as dunes. The island has three airports, and its small docks handle inter-island cargo rather than deep-sea liners.
Port information: Freeport
Freeport Harbour lies on the south shore of Grand Bahama Island. It is the industrial and container gateway of the Bahamas, and the data below is what shippers most often ask for.
- Anchorage: 26°28′30″ N, 78°48′18″ W
- Water density: 1025
- Tides: 1.07 m and 0.8 m
- Prevailing wind: none dominant
- Pilotage: compulsory
- VHF channels: 11, 13, 14, 16; 2182, 2638, 2738 kHz — call “FREEPORT HARBOUR CONTROL”
- ETA notice: 72 hours and 24 hours before arrival
- Services: ship repair, bunkering, launches, medical, towage, waste disposal, fresh water, provisions, repatriation; no dry dock
| Berth / approach | Length | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance channel | 91.44 m wide | 9.14 m |
| Alongside quay | 320 m | 9.14 m |
| No. 2 basin (incl. 5 ro-ro berths) | 766 m | 9.14 m |
| No. 3 basin | 717 m | 9.14 m |
| No. 4 basin | 594 m | 8.2 m |
| Offshore tanker island berth — jetty 1 | 628 m | 16 m |
| Offshore tanker island berth — jetty 2 | 977 m | 26 m |
The five ro-ro berths in No. 2 basin make Freeport the usual entry point for vehicles and rolling project cargo; container traffic splits between Freeport and Nassau depending on final delivery point.
Frequently asked questions
Which port should I ship to in the Bahamas?
Nassau for New Providence and most resort deliveries, Freeport for Grand Bahama and for ro-ro or industrial cargo, and Eleuthera’s small docks for inter-island consignments. Both Nassau and Freeport are first ports of entry.
What is the maximum draft at Nassau?
About 11.3 m. The harbour is small but takes vessels over 500 ft in length, which covers most container feeders and cruise ships in the trade.
Is pilotage compulsory at Freeport?
Yes. Masters must also send an ETA 72 hours and again 24 hours before arrival, and communicate with “FREEPORT HARBOUR CONTROL” on VHF channels 11, 13, 14 and 16.
Does Freeport have a dry dock?
No. Freeport offers ship repair, bunkering, towage, fresh water and provisions, but no dry dock — major hull work is done elsewhere in the region.
How does cargo from China reach the Bahamas?
There is little direct service from the Far East, so containers normally transship at Freeport’s major container hub or via US ports, then feed into Nassau or stay in Freeport. Goodhope Freight quotes the through routing from China including the transhipment leg.
Ship from China to the Bahamas with Goodhope Freight
Goodhope Freight (China) Limited is a China-based international freight forwarder and NVOCC (license GD20230925153335), moving FCL, LCL, air and door-to-door cargo from every major Chinese port and city to the Bahamas since 2012. Send the commodity, gross weight, volume, packing list and destination port, and we will confirm the routing, schedule and all-in rate: sales007@goodhopefreight.com or WhatsApp / WeChat +86 18938691638.
