The Bahamas achieved independence from Britain July 10, 1973, and is now a fully self-governing member of the Commonwealth and a member of the United Nations, the Caribbean Community and the Organisation of American States.

No, The Bahamas is a fully independent country and is not part of the United States. It is a sovereign nation located in the Atlantic Ocean, technically a Commonwealth realm with the British monarch as the head of state. While it is geographically close to Florida—roughly 50 miles at its nearest point—it maintains its own government, laws, and currency (the Bahamian Dollar, which is pegged 1:1 with the USD). In 2026, travelers from the U.S. still require a valid passport to enter by air, though those on "closed-loop" cruises departing and returning to the same U.S. port may be able to use a birth certificate and government ID. Because it is a separate country, your U.S. domestic phone plan likely won't work without roaming charges, and you must clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection (often at the pre-clearance facilities in Nassau or Freeport) before returning to the States.