Includes the local time zone, typical hours of business and a list of holidays in the country/economy
Last Published: 9/27/2016

The Bahamas operates on Eastern Standard Time, in the same time zone as the major commercial centers of the eastern U.S. and Canada, such as Miami, Washington and New York.

The Bahamas switches to daylight saving time at the same time as the eastern United States. 

Normal business hours for the public sector and majority of private businesses is Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 pm.

The following public holidays are observed in The Bahamas:

  • New Year’s Day
  • Good Friday
  • Easter Monday
  • Whit Monday (seven weeks after Easter)
  • Labor Day (first Friday in June)
  • Independence Day (July 10)
  • Emancipation Day (first Monday in August)
  • Discovery Day/Heroes’ Day (October 12)
  • Christmas Day (December 25)
  • Boxing Day (December 26)

Holidays that fall on Saturday or Sunday are usually observed on the previous Friday or following Monday as dictated by the Public Holidays Act.  All Government offices, banks and most stores are closed on public holidays.

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.