Shark attacks and crimes along the Bahamas have prompted U.S. officials to reimpose a travel advisory against the Caribbean nation in the thick of the Spring Break Travel Rush.
The US State Department issued a new travel warning against the Bahamas in late March, warning American travelers to “exercise” when visiting.
“Violent crime—such as armed robberies, burglaries, and sexual assault—can occur anywhere in the Bahamas,” the State Department warned, before detailing an alarming list of crimes committed against tourists.
Among them are white-sand beaches and jet ski tour operators, Jet Ski Tour operators in Nassau and sexual assaulters at the hands, robberies and thefts at unsecured vacation rentals, according to authorities.
Rogue boat operators have also become a problem, the State Department said, explaining that many are so laxly regulated despite dangerous weather forecasts, leading to the proliferation of so-laxly regulated equipment.
“Due to the risks, US government employees are prohibited from using jet skis and personal watercraft rented from independent operators on New Providence and Paradise Islands,” he said.
But this was happening more and more under the waves, in the land and water where the authorities were, and the danger was increasing.
“Shark alert. Shark attacks have caused serious injury and death,” State Department.
Most recently, in February, two American women were attacked by a shark while swimming in Bimini Bay. One suffered “serious” injuries and both were taken to hospital.
And in December 2023, a 44-year-old Massachusetts woman was killed by a shark while swimming on New Providence Island – a boy ended up on Paradise Island the following month.
Level 2 advisories are the second of four state alert levels. The most severe level 4 – reported the American “do not travel” warning.
The Bahamas was already at Level 2 before the State Department restarted and updated its warning in March.
