Miami: Bahamas Full-Day Trip by Ferry

This ferry trip gives you a full day in the Bahamas without booking a cruise or an overnight stay. You’ll spend roughly three hours at sea each way, then have several hours for white-sand beaches, warm water, and your own choice of island activities. The ferry has air conditioning, restrooms, assigned seating, and a snack bar.

I like the simple format: one ticket covers the roundtrip boat ride, and you can decide on the island whether to pay for a beach pass, snorkeling, jet skiing, parasailing, or a banana boat. I also like that you can choose between Bimini and Grand Bahama, depending on the departure offered.

The main drawback is the long day and the early check-in. The ferry leaves from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, not central Miami, check-in closes sharply at 8 AM, and food, island transportation, and activities are not included. Bring a sweater, too, since the cabin air conditioning can feel fierce.

Key points to know before booking

• Port Everglades is the departure point: The ferry leaves from Eller Drive in Fort Lauderdale, so allow extra time if you are staying in Miami.
• The boat ride takes about two to three hours each way: You get scenic sea views, but the trip is not a quick shuttle.
• You may visit Bimini or Grand Bahama: Arrival times and time on the island vary by destination.
• Island activities cost extra: Beach passes, snorkeling, jet skiing, parasailing, banana boating, and other options must be purchased separately.
• A passport and re-entry authorization are essential: You will pass through Bahamian and US immigration on the way back.
• The full day runs from early morning to evening: Check-in is around 8 AM, with a Florida return near 8 PM.

What this Bahamas ferry day really offers

This is best understood as a quick taste of the Bahamas, not a slow island holiday. You leave Florida in the morning, cross open water, spend the afternoon on Bimini or Grand Bahama, then make the same crossing back.

The islands sit close to Florida, but the trip still involves international travel. You will go through immigration and customs, and the boat schedule leaves little room for being casual. If you like a clear plan and want to add a tropical island to a Florida vacation, this can work well.

The appeal is the change of setting. One part of the day is spent watching the sea through the ferry windows or from the deck. The next part is yours to shape, with time for the beach, a paid activity, or simple wandering. You are not tied to a long guided sightseeing program.

At $259 per person, the fare is not cheap for transportation alone. It becomes easier to justify if you value the convenience of a roundtrip ferry and want a full day in the Bahamas without arranging hotels, flights, and separate boat transfers. It is less attractive if you plan to sit on the beach for only a short time or expect meals and excursions to be included.

Getting to Port Everglades before 8 AM

The listed departure point is Port Everglades on Eller Drive in Fort Lauderdale. Despite the Miami name attached to the experience, the port is in Fort Lauderdale, so check your driving time carefully if you are staying in Miami, Miami Beach, or farther south.

The ferry departure is scheduled for about 9 AM, but check-in closes at 8 AM sharp. That is the detail I would take most seriously. International ferry departures are not like a city bus, and missing check-in can mean missing the whole day.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must arrange your own way to the port, and the price does not cover parking, food, or transportation after you arrive on the island. Keep your passport accessible rather than buried in luggage, since you will need it for border formalities.

The boat has guaranteed seating, so you do not need to fight for a chair once aboard. The seating is indoors in an air-conditioned cabin, with restrooms and a snack bar for a light bite. Still, bring food or money for snacks if you want more than what is available onboard.

The two to three hour crossing

Once the ferry leaves Florida, the crossing becomes a quiet stretch of open-water travel. You can sit inside, use the snack bar, or spend time on the deck when conditions allow. The main pleasure is the sea itself: changing blue water, open horizons, and the feeling of leaving the mainland behind.

The ferry ride is also the part of the day that requires the most patience. A two to three hour crossing each way means four to six hours of the overall 16-hour schedule may be spent on the boat. If you enjoy boat travel, that can be part of the fun. If you want the fastest possible route to a beach, it may feel long.

The cabin air conditioning deserves a practical warning. Bring a light sweater or a long-sleeved layer. One useful trick is to pack a towel that can serve as a lap blanket if the cabin feels too cold.

The ferry provides information about activities available on the island. Use that time to compare your choices and decide how much extra you want to spend. Since activities are not included in the base fare, knowing your plan before arrival helps you avoid losing beach time while making arrangements.

Bimini or Grand Bahama: two different day-trip choices

The experience may take you to Bimini or Grand Bahama. The exact island affects the schedule and the amount of time you have onshore, so check the available date carefully before booking.

Bimini is the closer option described in the schedule. The ferry is expected to arrive around 11 AM and leave around 6 PM, though the departure time can change by season. That gives you roughly seven hours between the listed arrival and departure times, a useful amount of time for a beach day or a paid activity.

Grand Bahama generally arrives later, around noon, and the return ferry is listed for about 5 PM. That creates a shorter island stay, often around five hours. The timetable describes scenic boat travel on both the outward and return portions, while your time on land is free for independent plans or optional activities.

The supplied schedule lists Grand Bahama in both cruise portions, so do not treat the times as a guarantee for every departure. The practical point is simple: Bimini and Grand Bahama do not necessarily offer the same hours ashore. Confirm your selected route and current schedule before you build the rest of your Florida plans around it.

Beach time, Crystal Beach, and the pigs

The Bahamas are known for small tropical islands, pale sand, and warm turquoise water. This trip is built around those basic pleasures rather than museums, formal sightseeing, or a tightly guided tour.

On Grand Bahama, Crystal Beach is associated with swimming pigs, but a visit there is not included. The same applies to swimming with pigs. You must arrange and pay for that separately, and transportation on Grand Bahama is also excluded.

That matters because a beach shown in promotional material is not automatically part of your day. You may have to buy a beach pass, arrange transport, or reserve an activity through the ferry. Ask about the exact location and transfer details before paying for anything, especially if you have only a few hours ashore.

You can also choose to explore independently. This is the cheapest approach after the ferry fare, but it requires you to manage your own time and return to the departure point promptly. The operator is not responsible for delays caused by weather, the Coast Guard, or immigration services, so leave a sensible cushion before boarding.

Optional activities and extra costs

The base price includes the roundtrip ferry from Port Everglades. It does not include island activities, food, beverages, transportation on Grand Bahama, or a visit to Crystal Beach.

Available add-ons can include:

• Beach chairs or beach day passes
• Snorkeling
• Jet skiing
• Parasailing
• Banana boating
• Swimming with pigs at Crystal Beach

These choices suit different kinds of days. A beach pass is useful if you want a more organized place to sit and swim. Snorkeling and other water sports make sense if you want more action than sunbathing. Independent beach time may be better if you want to keep spending under control.

I would set a budget before boarding. The $259 ferry fare is only the starting point, and the final cost can rise quickly once you add food, transfers, chairs, and activities. On the other hand, paying only for the extras you actually want is more flexible than buying an all-inclusive package that includes things you may not use.

Infants under six months are not permitted, and the trip is not suitable for pregnant women. Those restrictions are especially important on a long ferry day with two international crossings.

Returning through immigration and customs

The return schedule is usually the less forgiving part of the day. Bimini departures are listed near 6 PM, while Grand Bahama departures are near 5 PM, with arrival back in Florida around 8 PM. Seasonal changes can affect these times.

You need a valid passport or passport card, along with authorization to re-enter the United States, such as ESTA when applicable. Citizens of the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, and Switzerland do not require a Bahamian visa according to the supplied information, while other nationalities may need one.

Check the Bahamian immigration requirements before booking. Incorrect or missing passport information can lead to trouble, and there is no refund for false passport details supplied at booking.

Weather, Coast Guard decisions, and immigration services can cause delays. That means I would not schedule a tight flight, dinner reservation, or other fixed evening plan immediately after the estimated 8 PM return. The ferry provider does not control those delays.

Who will get the most from this trip

I would recommend this excursion to you if you are staying in South Florida and want a one-day international escape with a beach focus. It is especially useful for people who like having free time rather than following a guide from one attraction to the next.

Families with older children may appreciate the mix of boat travel, swimming, and optional water sports. Couples can keep the day simple with a beach chair and sea views, while active visitors can add snorkeling, jet skiing, parasailing, or banana boating.

I would be more cautious if you dislike long boat rides, strong air conditioning, early check-ins, or uncertain return times. The day is also a poor match if you want every expense included or if you expect a long, relaxed stay on the island.

The trip works best when you treat the crossing as part of the experience. Bring a sweater, water, sun protection, and a plan for the island. Keep your passport secure, listen carefully to the return instructions, and leave time for immigration.

Cancellation and planning details

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option can help if your Florida plans are still changing, though you should still check the current terms at booking.

The activity lasts about 16 hours. Check the exact starting time and destination before paying, since schedules vary by season and the island affects your time onshore.

The ferry operator provides the boat ride, but you arrange hotel transport, island transportation, food, and optional activities yourself. That division is clear, but it means you need to read the inclusions carefully rather than assuming a beach package is part of the fare.

Should you book the Miami to Bahamas ferry?

Book it if you want a straightforward day in the Bahamas and are comfortable paying $259 before extras. The strongest reasons are the reserved ferry seat, the chance to choose Bimini or Grand Bahama, and the freedom to spend your island time at the beach or on a paid water activity.

Skip it if you want a short transfer, a fully guided island tour, or an all-inclusive beach day. The early check-in, long crossing, cold cabin, extra costs, and possible schedule delays are real parts of the experience.

For the best value, choose your island based on the hours available, decide in advance how much you will spend on activities, and arrive well before the 8 AM check-in deadline. With those expectations, this is a practical way to add Bahamian beaches to a South Florida holiday.

FAQ

Where does the ferry leave from?

The ferry leaves from Port Everglades on Eller Drive in Fort Lauderdale. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How long does the experience last?

The full activity lasts about 16 hours. The ferry crossing takes roughly two to three hours each way, with several hours on the island.

Will I visit Bimini or Grand Bahama?

The trip may visit Bimini or Grand Bahama. Check the available destination and schedule for your chosen date.

What time should I arrive at the port?

Check-in closes at 8 AM sharp. The ferry is scheduled to leave Florida at about 9 AM.

Do I need a passport?

Yes. You need a valid passport or passport card and authorization to re-enter the United States, such as ESTA or a similar authorization when required.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and beverages are not included. The ferry has a snack bar, but you must pay for anything you purchase.

Are island activities included?

No. Activities such as beach passes, snorkeling, jet skiing, parasailing, banana boating, and visits to Crystal Beach must be purchased separately.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.