Bahamas Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Bahamas
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Increased Caution
Updated March 31, 2025
Bahamas recorded 32.2 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2022, a rate that is among the highest in the world. That places Bahamas #12 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Americas average of 20.8 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. Homicide rates have remained broadly stable over the past decade. For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Bahamas at Level 2 of 4: Exercise Increased Caution.
Homicide Rate
32.2 /100k
Safety Rank
#184 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 2 of 4
Data Year
2022
Homicide Rate Trend (1990-2022)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have remained broadly stable over the past decade. Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Bahamas Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Bahamas, the homicide rate for men is 12.9× higher than the rate for women — 62.0 vs 4.8 per 100,000 (2022).
Homicide victims per 100,000 of each sex. Source: UNODC via World Bank.
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Bahamas:
Updated to reflect crime, swimming-related risks, and information on traveling with firearms and ammunition. Exercise increased caution due to crime . Country Summary: Violent crime-like armed robberies, burglaries, and sexual assaults-can occur anywhere in The Bahamas. Most crime occurs in Nassau and Freeport on New Providence and Grand Bahama islands. Stay alert in the "Over the Hill" area in Nassau, south of Shirley Street, where gangs have killed residents. Stay alert in vacation rental properties, especially where private security is not present.
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
Safety Guidance for Bahamas
Practical safety information for visitors, from US State Department country information (last updated January 24, 2024).
Crime
Violent crime—like armed robberies, burglaries, and sexual assaults—can occur anywhere in The Bahamas. Most crime occurs in Nassau and Freeport on New Providence and Grand Bahama islands. Stay alert in the "Over the Hill" area in Nassau, south of Shirley Street, where gangs have killed residents. Stay alert in vacation rental properties, especially where private security is not present. Find more information about common safety and security concerns in The Bahamas including credit card fraud , real estate matters , and water sport and scooter safety on our website. Victims of Crime: U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance. Report crimes to the local police at 919 or 911, and contact the U.S. Embassy at +(242) 322-1181. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.
Domestic Violence
U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.
Adventure Tourism
Activities involving commercial recreational watercraft, including water tours, are not consistently regulated. Watercraft are often not maintained, and many companies do not have safety certifications to operate in The Bahamas. Reconsider going on the water in rough seas or inclement weather, as accidents and fatalities have occurred in such conditions. U.S. citizens seeking to engage in adventure tourism-related activities, including boat tours, are strongly encouraged to confirm the following with any tour operator: Credentials and certification to operate in The Bahamas Liability in the event of an accident Safety and rescue protocols for guides
Jet skis and boating
Boating is not well regulated. Injuries and deaths have occurred. Sexual assaults by jet ski operators have also been reported. Due to the risks, U.S. government employees are prohibited from using jet skis and personal watercraft rented from independent operators on New Providence and Paradise islands. Watercraft may not be safe, and some operators are not licensed or insured. Watercraft operators sometimes ignore weather forecasts. Always follow local weather and marine alerts.
Beach safety
Boating is not well regulated. Injuries and deaths have occurred. Sexual assaults by jet ski operators have also been reported. Due to the risks, U.S. government employees are prohibited from using jet skis and personal watercraft rented from independent operators on New Providence and Paradise islands. Watercraft may not be safe, and some operators are not licensed or insured. Watercraft operators sometimes ignore weather forecasts. Always follow local weather and marine alerts.
Hurricanes
Hurricane season generally runs from June through November, although hurricanes can occur outside that period. Monitor local weather reports closely. Airports and seaports cease operations well before a predicted storm arrives, and seats on most commercial transportation may sell out far in advance. For more information on hurricane preparedness, please refer to the Department of State’s page on Crisis Abroad and the U.S. Embassy Nassau’s Hurricane Preparedness page.
Tourism
The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance .
About This Data
Homicide figures are intentional homicides per 100,000 people, compiled by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and published by the World Bank (indicator VC.IHR.PSRC.P5). Homicide is the most reliably comparable crime statistic across countries because definitions of other offences (assault, theft, robbery) vary widely between national legal systems and reporting practices.
Travel advisory levels are issued by the US Department of State and updated continuously. They reflect risks to travelers including crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health, and natural disasters — not only crime rates. Countries report crime data with different lags; the most recent available year is shown for each metric.
Bahamas Population & Demographics
Population of 401,283, growth trends, economy, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bahamas safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Bahamas at Level 2 of 4 (Exercise Increased Caution). Cited risks include crime. The homicide rate of 32.2 per 100,000 is among the highest in the world.
What is the crime rate in Bahamas?
Bahamas has an intentional homicide rate of 32.2 per 100,000 people (2022, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #12 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Bahamas?
Bahamas is currently at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
How does crime in Bahamas compare to other countries?
Bahamas's homicide rate of 32.2 per 100,000 is above the world average of 5.2 and above the Americas average of 20.8.