Mayaguana Port Development Driven by Bahamas Cruise Boom
The Bahamas is experiencing a surge in cruise tourism, with 14.76 million passengers arriving at its ports in 2025. This marks a 15.6% increase compared to the same period in 2024, adding around 2 million more cruise visitors. Cruise travel continues to dominate as the principal method of entry to the islands.
During the first eleven months of 2025, air travel to the Bahamas saw a decline, with only 1.52 million arrivals, a drop of 1.9%. The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) forecasts a total of 37.7 million cruise passengers worldwide for this year, and the Bahamas is expected to capture a remarkable 40% of that figure.
Mayaguana Port Development Driven by Bahamas Cruise Boom
Amid this booming cruise landscape, a new cruise port development is on the horizon for Mayaguana, one of the Bahamas’ less frequented islands. The location, over 300 miles south of Nassau, is seeing new investment aimed at enhancing its maritime capabilities.
Key Details of the Mayaguana Cruise Port Project
- Deal Signed: The Bahamas government has partnered with private developers for the project.
- Development Phases: The project will unfold in three phases, with a cruise ship terminal in the second phase.
- Goal: Transform Mayaguana into a comprehensive maritime and logistics hub.
- Features: Plans include a transshipment port, storage facilities for containers and bulk cargo, and a cruise terminal.
- Public-Private Partnership: Collaborative ownership involving the government, Mayaguana Island Development Fund, and Global Lead Consultant Group Ltd.
- Job Creation: The project is expected to create around 2,000 full-time jobs.
- Next Steps: Detailed planning will include economic and environmental assessments, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory approvals.
While a timeline for the port’s operation remains unclear, the initiative reflects a broader strategy to capitalize on the increasing cruise traffic to the Bahamas. The commitment to Mayaguana could position the island as a central player in the region’s cruise tourism industry.
