Bahamas Film & Photography Production Services & Camera Crews
Are you a media company, brand, ad agency or production company looking for film / photography production support or shooting crew in the Bahamas? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in the Bahamas
For an introduction to shooting in the Bahamas see below notes on film locations, permits, when to shoot, unique local stories, costs, tax incentives, crews, talent, equipment, communications, art department, studios, post facilities, visas and work permits for filming, transport, film-friendly accommodation, and safety advice.
Bahamas Film Locations
The Bahamas are an archipelago consisting of 700 islands and over 2,000 rocks and cays, located in the North Atlantic Ocean southeast of Miami. All of the islands are low-lying and flat. The Bahamas are known for their paradise island looks of beautiful beaches, turquoise waters, coral reefs, resorts, British colonial looks, colourful architecture, historic buildings, forts, and lighthouses.
Agricultural film locations include plantations of grapefruits, limes, okra, bananas, papayas pineapples, and avocados. Tourism and offshore financial services are the economic mainstays.
The Bahamas have hosted films including Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007), Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006), Casino Royale (2006), The Silence of the Lambs (1991), and The Spy Who Loved Me (1977).
Nassau, located on the island of New Providence, is the capital and largest city. Film locations of note include Bahamian Parliament, Fort Fincastle, Old Fort of Nassau, National Art Gallery, Pompey Museum, Pirates of Nassau Museum, Nassau Harbour, Prince George Wharf, and Thomas Robinson Stadium.
Paradise beaches of note include Eleuthera’s pink sand beach, French Leave Beach, Tahiti Beach, Cable Beach, Atlantis Paradise Island, and Green Turtle Cay.
Coral Harbour was filmed for Casino Royale (2006), and The Spy Who Loved Me (1977).
Pig Beach in Exuma is known for its feral pigs.
Castaway Cay is a private paradise island owned by Disney, accessible by Disney Cruise Lines.
Blue Lagoon Island is a private island located a short boat trip from Nassau.
Grand Bahama Island is where ocean-bound scenes were filmed for Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007), and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006).
Alice Town, located on North Bimini Island, was filmed for The Silence of the Lambs (1991).
Resorts of note include Rosewood Baha Mar, Andros Beach Club, Sandals Royal Bahamian, Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, Melia Nassau Beach, and The Ocean Club which was filmed for Casino Royale (2006). The Versailles Garden at The Island House was also filmed for Casino Royale (2006). Atlantic Bahamas Resort is known for Paradise Island Water Park.
Albany Golf and Beach Club was filmed for Casino Royale (2006).
Dean’s Blue Hole is the world’s deepest known blue hole. The Bahamas has hundreds of blue holes, most of which have never been explored.
Lucayan National Park is known for its pine forests, mangrove swamps, beaches, and birdlife.
Abaco National Park is known for its birdlife including the Bahama Parrot.
Primeval Forest National Park is an evergreen tropical hardwood forest.
Lighthouses of note include Bird Rock Island Lighthouse, Nassau Harbour Lighthouse, Elbow Reef Lighthouse, Great Inagua Lighthouse, Pearl Island Lighthouse, and Great Stirrup Cay Lighthouse.
Airports of note include Lynden Pindling International Airport, Grand Bahama International Airport, Leonard M. Thompson International Airport, and Bimini Airport which featured in The Silence of the Lambs (1991).
Glass Window Bridge on the island of Eleuthera spans a sliver of land that separates the dark blue Atlantic Ocean from the turquoise blue waters of the Bight of Eleuthera, making for an interesting aerial filming location.
Bahamas Film Location Permits
Permitting in the Bahamas is a very straightforward process requiring usually no more than one week for permits. For more information on permitting procedures please see here.
When To Shoot?
The Bahamas have beautiful weather all year round. The dry season, and best time to film for weather, runs from December to April. The wet season, which also experiences hurricanes, runs from May to November. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
• The Family Island Regatta in George Town takes place in April.
• Junkanoo is a colourful street parade that takes place at the end of December.
The Bahamas is a predominately Christian nation so those holidays are observed.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in the Bahamas.
Unique Local Stories
Brands are looking for local stories that match their brand narrative. Our local teams are a great lead for sourcing those unique stories and characters.
If you are looking for stories for your next shoot, send us your brief and we will pitch you ideas.
If you have a unique story you would like to pitch to a brand anywhere in the world, pitch us your idea. We have well-established processes to ensure that your ideas are properly seen and protected.
Costs & Tax Incentives
Costs. The Bahamas trades in the Bahamian Dollar which is pegged to the US Dollar. Since little to no filming infrastructure exists most key crew and equipment need to be brought in from abroad. Miami is the closest major film production centre and is only a short 1 hour flight away. Our Bahamian fixer / service producer will negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget.
Tax Incentives. At present there are no tax incentives for foreign commercials or films shooting in the Bahamas.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. The Bahamas have a small pool of local directors, directors of photography and stills photographers including world class underwater photography support. Bahamas crews are non-union. Standard key crew is available locally. Miami is the closest major production centre should you need to look further.
Contact us if you are looking for a Bahamas based director, DP (underwater), photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, or any other film crew in the Bahamas.
Talent is non-union and buyouts are negotiable.
English is the official language.
The Bahamas offers mainly Afro-Caribbean looks for featured talent and a diverse variety of international looks for background talent. Miami offers a nearby deep, multicultural pool of talent should you need to look further.
Bahamas Film Equipment
Equipment. Some basic grip and lighting equipment available locally. The Bahamas also offer good underwater photography support including camera housing. All other equipment needs to be brought in from abroad. The Bahamas is not an ATA carnet member country but bringing in gear is an easy process.
Communications. Communication is key. Our agility and global experience allows us to customise the right communications systems for every shoot.
Web posted casting, scouting, and videoconferencing.
For clients that are unable to attend set we offer a virtual video village solution. t s dedicated and secure high-resolution video streaming platform allows clients from one or multiple timezones to view setups without compromise and to participate in real-time with the team on set. Separate systems can be set up for the discrete conversations that are required to make a job run right. Working remotely with our local teams reduces your content production costs, turnaround times, carbon footprint, and risks associated with unpredictable global events.
Art Department, Studios, Backlots, & Post Production
Art department and set construction is basic beyond local looks. Major set construction is expensive. Miami has some very good art department teams.
Studios and backlots. None exist at present.
Post Production. Only basic post production facilities in the Bahamas. Miami is the closest major film production centre.
Visas & Work Permits
Visas and Work Permits. Entry is subject to regulations from country of origin. Crews travelling on Western passports can enter visa-free for stays of up to 3 or 8 months, depending on the country. Contact your local Bahamas embassy or representative for more information.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Main roads are up to international standards. Several international airlines service flights to the Bahamas.
Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in the Bahamas include:
Musha Cay Resort
February Point Resort
One & Only Ocean Club
Please contact us for corporate rates.
For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.
Final Notes
Safety. The Bahamas are a very safe and reliable place for foreign productions to visit. See here for up to date travel advice.
Down Time. Hit the beach. Local dishes include fresh fish, shellfish, lobster, crab, and conch.
Projects. For an example of TV commercials, stills campaigns, online content, corporate videos, virtual reality 360 content, feature films, TV series and documentaries shot the in the Bahamas, please see below:
Hire Bahamas Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in the Bahamas, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in the Bahamas, such as a director, DoP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, please contact us.
We are able to provide you with answers, references and bids quickly.
