I guess it is hard to lie about your intentions with bags and pelican boxes of photographic equipment.

It is not the same in all countries. Many of the islands gladly welcome the photographers and journalists that come all winter long, with or without permission. St Maarten, St Barth, and St Vincent & the Grenadines to name a few.

Antigua, St Kitts & Nevis, and St Lucia are all "no tell" ports in my experience. I'll add BVIs to that list.
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A few years back, one of our sailing crew came from Italy and proudly told the US officials he was coming to sail the Bermuda race as a professional sailor. He was on the next flight back to Genoa.