If you’re heading to The Bahamas, you might be worried about getting reliable internet. However, cell data in The Bahamas is fast, reliable, and inexpensive. American cruisers might be surprised to find excellent coverage, rates, and speeds.
UPDATES FOR 2024: Since this article was first published, Starlink has all but taken over the needs for boaters visiting in the Bahamas. Be sure to check out are complete article weighing the pros and cons of getting Starlink on a boat. The rest of this information still stands for those who don’t want Starlink or who need a secondary backup connect for critical connections.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
WiFi When in Bahamas
Coffee shops, restaurants, and marinas usually offer Wi-Fi. However, in our experience, this Wi-Fi is slow and unreliable. We prefer to set up our own system instead of sitting in a library, or waiting for the marina Wi-Fi to come back online.
Step One: Get Internet in The Bahamas
Your best bet for reliable internet is using a data SIM card. These SIM cards connect to cell towers, and you’ll get cell data. SIM cards from Bahamian carriers offer the best prices.
Because it’s a cell data system, you must be near a cell tower. If you are anchored near a settlement, you should be able to get a signal. However, there are places that are far away from a cell tower. For instance, if you are anchored in Exuma Land & Sea Park, it will be a challenge to get a signal.
Internet Companies in The Bahamas
- MyIslandWi-Fi has Mi-Fi devices with unlimited BTC data.
- Aliv offers good prices for data
- BTC offers data, usually their plans are more expensive than Aliv
- US plans like T-Mobile may provide service, but it may be slow or unreliable. Check with your provider and come with a back up plan if it fails.
My Island Wi-Fi
Cruisers can try MyIslandWi-Fi which can be activated in advance and will work right away. My Island Wifi in the Bahamas offers a wifi pack for travelers. This Wi-Fi pack connects to unlimited BTC data. However, they often have long wait times.
Aliv
Aliv has better rates and more modern equipment with faster 4G speeds. Aliv only has stores in the major towns, so it can sometimes be more challenging to get connected.
- Choose the Broadband Tab on their website to view data SIM cards.
- MiFi 75: 50 GB, $75
- MiFi 90, 125 GB, $90
- MiFi 140, 200 GB, $140
- Use SIM card in their MiFi box or your own
BTC
BTC is more expensive than Aliv.
- 15 GB, $38.50
- Can buy a BTC card from MrSimCard.com and have the SIM card delivered to your U.S. location.
- BTC has many offices, but smaller offices are staffed inconsistently
Step Two: Create Your Own Wi-Fi System
Now you have a data SIM card, you can use that SIM card to create your own Wi-Fi system.
Use Your Phone as a Hotspot
You can use your phone to create a hotspot. You can go to your phone’s settings, create the hotspot, and then your computer or device will see the option to connect to your phone’s Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection. Usually, only one device can connect at once. This system is usable, but it’s best for casual use. I did this for a year, and it was frustrating because the connection would often fail and I’d have to reconnect.
Standalone Hotspot
If you want to reliably connect several devices at once, we recommend a standalone hotspot. Other names for these devices are MiFis or jetpacks. These cost $100-$200. You can buy a hotspot in the US or at BTC or Aliv offices in the Bahamas. You’ll put your data SIM card into the hotspot, and then all your devices can see and connect to your own Wi-Fi network.
Step Three: Boost Your Signal
If you need to stay connected and want to visit anchorages that are farther away from cell towers, a cell booster can help. We’ve used our cell booster to boost 3G speeds to 4G and gone from no signal to streaming movies.
The best speeds are achieved when your phone or hotspot has a strong signal. So having a booster isn’t just about getting the signal from farther away from the tower–it’s about getting better speeds anywhere you are.
You have two good options for boosting your signal. A portable booster is inexpensive and boosts one device at a time. It doesn’t require permanent installation.
A mast-installed booster is permanent and convenient. It will boost the signal of all cell devices. It’s more expensive and a pain to install. We installed ours when we had the mast down for other work.
Our Connectivity Plan for The Bahamas
We get a pre-paid BTC SIM card for our phone from MrSimCard. This gives us a working local phone number, plus a data backup in case we find a spot where ALIV doesn’t work as well.
The Aliv data SIM card works in our Hotspot. We arrive in the Bahamas, go to the nearest ALIV store for a SIM card, and use it in the same Hotspot we use with our U.S. AT&T data plan.
We have a mast-installed booster that allows us to connect from more remote anchorages. We’ve used our booster to stream movies at Shroud Cay in the Exuma Land & Sea Park.
Gear to Get Internet from Your Boat
Netgear standalone hotspot — You can use this with an American SIM card in the U.S. and a Bahamian SIM card in The Bahamas.
This Netgear hotspot is newer but more expensive.
To boost your signal, use a portable cell booster or an installed cell booster.
Tips to Get Connected in The Bahamas
Getting connected right away means that you can check the weather, call your marina, and connect with family back home. If you already have a connection method, there’s no mad rush to get your local SIM card or frustration at BTC office closures.
In the U.S.:
Order a BTC Sim from Mr. SIM card before you depart. That way you’ll have a connection as soon as you arrive. Win!
OR
Use Google-Fi or T-Mobile until you get to a store
Upon Arrival:
Go to a big entry port for ALIV or BTC cards.
Your marina might hook you up if the store is far away.
Entry ports with ALIV
- Marsh Harbour
- West End – ask marina in advance, they may send someone to a store to buy one for you
- Port Lucaya – Walk to Aliv store
- Nassau
- Bimini – IT Webbs Tech Store
- Great Harbour Cay. Ask at the marina
BTC
Offices are usually underneath their cell towers. Offices may only be open once a week on smaller settlements and maybe cash-only.
Check out my map for an overview of connection speeds and locations we’ve connected in. Map with speeds for an overview:
Stay Connected in The Bahamas
Ordering a data SIM card in advance, setting up a hotspot, and boosting your signal will help you stay connected in The Bahamas. You may never want to leave!
Check out my course for a complete guide to connecting in The Bahamas.
Bahamas Internet Connection FAQ
Can I use my US Cell Company in The Bahamas?
T-Mobile has an international plan, but some cruisers report slow speeds.
Google Fi works on BTC data but slows your data speed after 15 GB. If you use more than 15 GB a month, it’s cheaper to use ALIV for cell data.
Google Fi’s use policy does not support international roaming long term and they may cancel your service.
U.S. companies often limit international roaming. These plans are geared towards vacationers spending 1-2 weeks out of the country and not long periods.
Can I Use a Satellite Device to Connect to the Internet in The Bahamas?
Garmin In-Reach and Iridium Go devices are great for sending a text message. They won’t help you stay connected for work.
Elon Musk’s Starlink will be awesome, but mobile devices for use on boats are still in development and the service is not yet available in The Bahamas.
Other high-speed satellite options are out of financial and practical reach for most cruisers.
Leave a Reply