Ferry From Florida to Bahamas 2026: Routes, Prices & Tips

From Fort Lauderdale, the nearest Bahamian island is closer than Orlando. Bimini lies about 50 nautical miles offshore, and a fast catamaran gets you there in roughly two hours, with no airport and no layover. Today, one company runs a passenger ferry from Florida to Bahamas ports: Baleària Caribbean, sailing from Port Everglades to Bimini and to Freeport on Grand Bahama.

This guide covers both routes, crossing times, 2026 fares, the documents you need, pet and luggage rules, check-in, and whether the trip is worth it compared with flying or cruising. At The Ocean Culture, we’re not affiliated with any ferry operator; fares and rules were checked against official pages in November 2026.

Quick answer: One company, Baleària Caribbean, runs passenger ferries from Florida to the Bahamas. Sailings leave Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale for Bimini (about 2 hours) and Freeport, Grand Bahama (about 3 hours). Day trips start at $199 as of November 2026. You need a passport, and no cars are carried.

On board, expect air-conditioned seating, a snack bar and a duty-free shop, and know that delays and rough crossings are the most common complaints in Baleària Caribbean reviews.

Is there a ferry from Florida to the Bahamas?

Yes, Baleària Caribbean runs the only scheduled passenger ferry from Florida to the Bahamas, sailing from Port Everglades Terminal 21 in Fort Lauderdale. It’s a high-speed passenger catamaran, the Jaume II, on two routes: one to Bimini and one to Freeport on Grand Bahama.

You’ll also see other “Bahamas ferry” names online. Here’s what they are:

• “Miami” day-trip packages: Usually seats on the same Baleària ferry from Fort Lauderdale, sometimes with extras.
• The Palm Beach ship: Margaritaville at Sea Paradise is an overnight cruise to Grand Bahama, not a ferry.
• Private charters and boat tours: Boats you hire, unlike scheduled ferries with fixed sailings and fares.

So, is there a ferry from Florida to Bahamas islands? Yes: one operator, one port, and two islands, as the routes below show.

Which ferry routes run from Florida to the Bahamas?

There are two routes, both from Fort Lauderdale: one to Bimini and one to Freeport on Grand Bahama. One boat serves both, so sailing days alternate.

Fort Lauderdale to Bimini ferry

The Fort Lauderdale to Bimini ferry is the short, popular route and the one built for day trips.

• Days it runs: Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, per Baleària’s November and December 2026 sailing calendar
• Departure time: 9:00 a.m. from Port Everglades
• Return time: 6:00 p.m. from Bimini
• Crossing time: About 2 hours, arriving around 11:00 a.m.
• Arrival port: Alice Town, North Bimini, close to Resorts World Bimini
• Same-day return? Yes, giving you about 7 hours on the island

Resorts World Bimini is right by the landing, and Baleària currently includes a free resort day pass with every Bimini day trip. Alice Town’s shops and beaches are a short golf-cart ride away, and the late-morning arrival and early-evening return make this the one route built for a same-day trip.

Fort Lauderdale to Freeport (Grand Bahama) ferry

The ferry to Freeport, Bahamas takes longer and suits people planning a stay of a night or more.

• Days it runs: Wednesday and Saturday in November 2026; December sailings move to Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and some Sundays, per Baleària’s calendar
• Departure time: 9:00 a.m. from Port Everglades
• Return time: Varies by sailing; check your booking
• Crossing time: About 3 hours, weather permitting
• Arrival port: Freeport Harbour, Grand Bahama
• Same-day return? Rarely practical

Freeport Harbour is outside town, so take a taxi into Freeport or Lucaya. Grand Bahama has more hotels, restaurants, and beaches than Bimini, so most travelers stay at least a night.

How long is the ferry from Florida to Bahamas?

The ferry from Florida to Bahamas ports takes about 2 hours to Bimini and about 3 hours to Freeport, not counting check-in. Add the early arrival Baleària requires, and the trip takes longer than the crossing alone.

Distances from Direct Ferries’ route listings; times from Baleària Caribbean.

The crossing runs through the Gulf Stream, so wind and waves can delay or cancel sailings. Check alerts on Baleària Caribbean’s site the day before you travel.

How much does the ferry from Florida to Bahamas cost?

How much is the ferry from Florida to Bahamas islands? Fares start at $199 for a Wednesday Bimini day trip as of November 2026, and one-way fares start around $180. The Florida to Bahamas ferry price changes by day of the week, route, season, and ticket type.

Fares from Baleària Caribbean’s site, checked November 4, 2026. Baleària’s routes page shows “from $180” while individual route pages show “from $235”; the day-trip price for other sailing days comes from reseller listings.

A few things change the real price:

• Ticket type: Balearia Caribbean‘s Basic fares are the cheapest but can’t be refunded, and date changes cost extra. Flex fares cost more but allow refunds if you cancel early.
• Taxes and fees: Reseller listings show the $199 Wednesday fare with taxes included, but always check the final total at checkout.
• Parking: Port Everglades garages charge up to $25 a day, covered in the check-in section below.

What is the cheapest ferry from Florida to Bahamas?

The cheapest ferry from Florida to Bahamas islands is usually a Wednesday Bimini day trip at $199, which Baleària markets as its most affordable day trip. It covers the round trip and a day pass at Resorts World Bimini.

To keep costs down:

• Pick Wednesday: Day trips on other sailing days cost more.
• Book early: Fares rise as the boat fills, especially around holidays.
• Buy direct: Baleària runs its own deals and a rewards program, so compare its site before using a third party.
• Pack light: Basic fares leave out flexibility, and extra bags cost more.

On travel groups like the “I love The Bahamas” Facebook community, couples often say ferry fares feel expensive for two, so it pays to price out the Wednesday deal first.

Can you take a ferry from Miami or Palm Beach to the Bahamas?

No ferry leaves directly from Miami or Palm Beach. Miami travelers sail from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach has an overnight cruise to Grand Bahama instead of a ferry.

Miami to Bahamas ferry options

There is no Miami to Bahamas ferry from Miami’s own port. The closest option is Port Everglades, about 30 to 45 minutes north by car. Many packages sold as a “Miami to Bimini ferry” are seats on the same Baleària sailing, sometimes with transfers added. Check who operates the boat, whether transport from Miami is included, and how the total compares with booking directly.

Palm Beach to Grand Bahama

From the Port of Palm Beach, Margaritaville at Sea Paradise sails year-round to Freeport, including two-night “Grand Bahama Getaway” trips on November 16 and December 14, 2026. It’s a cruise: you get a cabin, meals, and entertainment on a set itinerary, and you sail overnight. It suits travelers who want the trip to be part of the vacation; the ferry suits people who just want to reach the island.

Is there a car ferry from Florida to the Bahamas?

No passenger ferry from Florida to the Bahamas carries cars. Baleària’s Bahamas routes take foot passengers only; its help center mentions vehicle transport only on a separate Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico service.

That’s rarely a problem on arrival: on Bimini, most visitors walk or rent a golf cart, and on Grand Bahama, taxis and rental cars are easy to find.

There’s no car ferry from Florida to Bahamas islands for passengers. Vehicles can be shipped by freight, but that’s a separate cargo process.

What do you need to take the ferry to the Bahamas?

You need a valid passport, a booking that matches it, and you must follow the operator’s luggage and pet rules:

Passport and travel documents

So, do you need a passport to take the ferry from Florida to the Bahamas? Yes. For the ferry to Bahamas, passport rules follow US border requirements, and Baleària requires every US citizen, including children, to carry a valid passport book or passport card. Birth certificates, enhanced driver’s licenses, and Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI cards aren’t accepted, and Baleària advises that your passport be valid for more than six months after your travel date.

• US citizens: A passport book or passport card works for this sea crossing and for re-entering the US.
• Green card holders: Bring your green card plus the passport of your country of citizenship.
• Other visitors: Check Bahamian entry rules and your US re-entry status before booking.

US citizens don’t need a visa for a short visit to the Bahamas.

Luggage allowance

If you’re wondering how much luggage you can bring on the ferry to Freeport or Bimini, each adult gets one free carry-on up to 26.5 pounds and 22 x 18 x 10 inches, plus a small purse or backpack. Extra or overweight bags start at $30 per trip under Baleària Caribbean’s luggage rules, and bikes or dive gear cost more. Your own alcohol can’t come on board, and the Bahamas restricts food and plants without a permit.

Can you bring pets on the ferry to the Bahamas?

Yes, dogs and cats can travel for $150 per pet each way. If you’re asking “can you bring pets on the ferry to Bimini?”, the steps are the same on both routes:

1. Add your pet by email: Contact Baleària customer service with your booking reference at least 72 hours before departure. Pets can’t be added online.
2. Plan for the kennel: Pets ride in a ventilated kennel on deck, and dogs must wear a muzzle during the crossing.
3. Get Bahamas paperwork: The Bahamas requires an import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture, a rabies vaccine given 1 to 10 months before arrival (for the 1-year vaccine), and a veterinary health certificate, according to Baleària’s pet documentation page.
4. Plan the return: Coming back to the US, your pet needs an APHIS Form 7001 completed by a vet.

Trained service dogs can stay in the passenger area; emotional support animals travel as regular pets.

How does check-in work at Port Everglades Terminal 21?

Arrive at Terminal 21 between 6:15 and 6:45 a.m. for the 9:00 a.m. sailing; check-in opens at 6:00 a.m. and the doors close at 8:00 a.m. sharp. After that, Baleària can’t guarantee you a seat.

• Address: Terminal 21, 2021 Eller Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
• Getting in: Port security can back up traffic, so reach the port well before the doors close.
• Parking: The port’s garages charge $5 for the first hour, up to a $25 daily maximum, per Port Everglades.
• Rideshare: Terminal drop-off is the simplest choice for a day trip.
• Have ready: Passport or passport card, booking confirmation, and any pet papers for check-in and security.

Coming back, check-in starts two hours before departure and doors close one hour before. Leave extra time on your return day, since US customs at Port Everglades can be slow on busy sailings.

Is a day trip to Bimini from Fort Lauderdale worth it?

A day trip to Bimini from Fort Lauderdale works well if you want a few hours of beach and island time without booking a hotel. You get about seven hours on the island.

Seven hours covers a long beach session, lunch, the resort pool with the included day pass, and a golf-cart loop around North Bimini, but not a fishing charter or dive trip. The day trip suits first-time visitors and anyone testing the crossing. If you want to snorkel, dive, or slow down, stay at least one night, and remember the day starts before 6:45 a.m. and ends around 8:00 p.m.

Ferry, flight or cruise: which is the best way to get from Florida to the Bahamas?

The ferry is the cheapest way by sea for Bimini, flying is fastest for most islands, and a cruise suits people who want the trip itself to be the holiday.

Flight and cruise prices are approximate snapshots from fare-search and cruise-listing sites in November 2026, and change daily.

Flights win on speed: Fort Lauderdale to Freeport is about 45 minutes nonstop, and seaplanes reach Bimini in about 25. On r/bahamas, locals point out that even Bimini, the closest island, takes about two hours by boat, so for anywhere farther, flying is the realistic choice.

On a cruise, drinks are often the biggest onboard extra, so run your own numbers through a cruise drinks package calculator before comparing the total with a ferry ticket. Cruise itineraries also cover far more water than the 82 nautical miles to Freeport, because how far a cruise ship travels in a day depends on its speed and stops. If you’d rather stay in US waters, Florida’s other fast catamaran service, the Key West Express, runs a similar trip down to the Keys.

Is the ferry from Florida to Bahamas worth it?

Yes, the ferry from Florida to Bahamas islands is worth it if you’re going to Bimini or Grand Bahama, live within driving distance of Fort Lauderdale, and don’t need your car.

It suits:

• Day-trippers: Baleària Caribbean’s $199 Wednesday Bimini trip is hard to beat.
• Travelers with gear or pets: Paid extra bags and a pet option make bringing either simple.

Fly instead if you’re heading to Nassau or the outer islands, have no room for weather delays, or get seasick easily.