Security Alert – U.S. Embassy Nassau, The Bahamas (June 8, 2026)

Location: The Bahamas 

Event: The U.S. Embassy in Nassau advises U.S. citizens of the risks of operating or accepting rides from operators of jet skis due to the lack of enforcement of safety regulations in The Bahamas: 

• The U.S. Embassy in Nassau has received several reports of jet ski operators sexually assaulting U.S. citizen women: 

• 2 U.S. citizen women have reported sexual assaults in 2026. 

• 2 U.S. citizen women reported sexual assaults in 2025. 

• 3 U.S. citizen women reported sexual assaults in 2024. 

• Some victims reported that male jet ski operators sexually assaulted them after soliciting them for jet ski rides from the small islands just east of Paradise Island, downtown Nassau, and Paradise Island beaches. This includes the area from Junkanoo Beach to Saunders Beach and Cabbage Beach. 

• The victims said they were assaulted on isolated islands near Nassau. 

• In August 2025, a U.S. citizen riding a jet ski was killed after being struck by an unlicensed operator driving an unregistered boat off Paradise Island.   

• Since August 2024, 6 U.S. citizens were hospitalized with injuries from jet ski accidents. Of these, 3 needed emergency medical evacuations to the United States due to their injuries. 

Due to security risks and the lack of safety regulation enforcement, U.S. government employees working in The Bahamas are prohibited from renting and using jet skis on New Providence and Paradise islands. 

Actions to Take: 

• Avoid renting jet skis in The Bahamas. 

• Beware of solicitations from jet ski operators near the Cruise Port, Junkanoo Beach and Arawak Cay, and the small islands east of Paradise Island. 

• Be aware that regulations prohibit jet ski rentals to individuals under 18 years of age and jet ski operators are not permitted to ride with renters. 

• Always follow local weather and marine alerts.  

Assistance: 

• U.S. Embassy Nassau, The Bahamas 

• Tel: +1-242-461-5025 

• ACSNassau@state.gov 

• https://bs.usembassy.gov/ 

• State Department – Consular Affairs: +1-888-407-4747 or +1-202-501-4444 

• Bahamas Country Information  

• Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  (STEP) to receive security updates 

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