Miami/Ft Lauderdale: Bimini or Grand Bahama Day Trip

The appeal is simple: leave Florida in the morning and spend part of the day on a Bahamian island. I like the open-water ferry ride and the chance to choose between Bimini’s quieter beach feel and Grand Bahama’s Crystal Beach area. The boat has reserved seats, air conditioning, restrooms, and a snack bar, which matter on a long day.

The weak point is the price. At $282 per person, this is not an all-inclusive island escape. You still pay for food, beach activities, and transport on Grand Bahama, and the long check-in and ferry schedule leave less island time than the 15-hour day may suggest.

Key points before you book

• Check-in closes at 7:30 AM sharp: The ferry leaves Port Everglades at about 9 AM, but this is an early start.
• Bimini gives you more island time: The crossing takes about two hours each way, leaving roughly five and a half hours on Bimini.
• Grand Bahama means a longer crossing: Plan on about three hours each way and around four hours on the island.
• Nothing on the island is included: Beach passes, tours, food, drinks, taxis, and the swimming-pig visit cost extra.
• You need the right documents: Bring a valid passport or passport card, plus authorization to re-enter the United States.
• This is a ferry day, not a guided tour: There is no hotel transfer, island guide, or included sightseeing vehicle.

The basic idea: Florida for the Bahamas by ferry

This trip is designed for people who want a taste of the Bahamas without booking a hotel. Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale is the departure point, and the day begins with check-in early in the morning. You board a fast ferry, settle into your assigned seat, and cross the water to either Bimini or Grand Bahama, depending on the travel date.

The ferry ride is part of the experience. You can watch the Florida coast fade, feel the sea air on the deck, and look out across water that shifts from deep blue to lighter shades near the islands. The ferry also has a service desk where you can ask about island activities and purchase optional packages.

I would set your expectations carefully. This is not a private boat ride, a small-group tour, or a guided cultural visit. It is public ferry transport with a block of free time at the destination. That can be liberating if you enjoy making your own plans, but frustrating if you expect a guide to meet you at the dock and show you around.

A 7:30 AM check-in sets the tone

The schedule requires discipline. Check-in closes at 7:30 AM, so you need to reach Port Everglades well before the roughly 9 AM departure. The listed pickup and drop-off points are at Eller Drive and Port Everglades, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

That early start is one of the less pleasant parts of the trip. You may be leaving your hotel before sunrise, then waiting through boarding and border procedures before the ferry even gets moving. The return to Florida is around 8 PM, making this a full day from beginning to end.

Bring your passport or passport card and make sure every booking name and passport detail is correct. You also need authorization to re-enter the United States, such as ESTA or similar authorization. Citizens of the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, and Switzerland do not need a Bahamian visa under the stated rules, while other nationalities may need one.

The provider warns that weather, the Coast Guard, and immigration services can cause delays. That warning matters. You should avoid scheduling a flight, cruise, or other fixed appointment immediately after the expected return.

Inside the ferry and across the water

The ferry provides a guaranteed seat, air conditioning, restrooms, and a snack bar. Those basics make the crossing easier, especially when the sea is rough or the boat is crowded. You can rest indoors, buy something to eat, or step outside for views and fresh air.

The ride is not short. Bimini takes about two hours from Florida, while Grand Bahama takes around three hours. A three-hour crossing each way can feel like a lot when the island visit itself lasts only about four hours, so your choice of destination has a direct effect on value.

The deck is the best place for sea views and photographs, though you will likely spend some of the journey inside. The water and changing light are the main sights. Do not expect a narrated sightseeing cruise or a formal nature talk. Information on the ferry focuses on available water activities and island options.

Food and drinks are not included. The snack bar gives you a practical option, but I would still plan for extra spending. At $282, the base fare already uses much of the day’s budget.

Bimini gives you the better day-trip rhythm

Bimini is the more efficient choice for this format. The crossing takes about two hours, arrival is around 11 AM, and the return ferry generally leaves near 6 PM, though the schedule can change by season. That gives you about five and a half hours on the island.

The island is presented as a calm escape with beaches and a relaxed pace. You can spend your time by the water, look around on your own, shop, or arrange an optional activity through the ferry service desk. The supplied information does not include a specific beach club, tour, or guide, so you should confirm exactly what any paid package includes before purchasing it.

Bimini works best if your priority is the island itself rather than checking off a long list of sights. Five and a half hours gives you enough room for a beach period and some independent exploring, though immigration, disembarkation, and getting oriented will reduce your usable time.

I would choose Bimini if you want the simplest version of this trip: shorter boat ride, longer island stay, and fewer hours spent watching the clock. You still need to arrange your own plans, but the schedule is kinder to a day visit.

Grand Bahama means more planning on land

Grand Bahama offers a different plan. The ferry takes approximately three hours each way, arrival is around noon, and the boat usually leaves the island near 5 PM. You get about four hours of free time, not counting the time needed to leave the ferry terminal and return for boarding.

The advertised draw is Crystal Beach, where you may arrange a visit involving swimming pigs. That experience is not included, and neither is transportation to Crystal Beach. You must reserve the activity yourself, and you need to arrange transport on Grand Bahama as well.

This is where the cost can rise quickly. Grand Bahama is a large island, and getting from the port area to a beach or attraction may require a taxi or another paid vehicle. One reported experience involved spending about $20 per person for a taxi, with a larger group paying around $60 for a round trip. That is not a guaranteed fare, but it shows why you should ask about transport prices before leaving the port.

A golf cart was also reported at about $90 for the day. That may sound useful, but with only four hours on the island, you should think twice before paying for a full-day rental. The time spent collecting, returning, and using the vehicle can eat into a short visit.

Grand Bahama can work if swimming with pigs is your main goal and you have arranged the details in advance. It is a poor fit if you expect to step off the ferry onto a ready-made beach day with transport included.

What your free time really looks like

The itinerary describes time for sightseeing, shopping, photos, and a general break. That broad freedom is useful for independent people. You can decide if you want a beach, a meal, a small amount of shopping, or an optional activity.

The same freedom creates the trip’s main practical problem: you are responsible for the day. There is no included guide to direct you to the best beach, no hotel transfer, and no included island transportation. On Grand Bahama especially, the port is not the same thing as being at the beach.

You should have a simple plan before boarding. Decide where you want to go, how you will reach it, how long the journey takes, and when you need to return to the ferry. Leave a generous buffer before departure. Missing the return boat would turn an expensive day trip into a serious problem.

Shopping may be part of the free time, but do not assume every shop or attraction will be open. One account described limited activity on Grand Bahama and high prices for small souvenirs. That does not mean every visit will feel the same, but it is a good reason to make the beach or a reserved activity your main plan instead of relying on casual browsing.

The real price is higher than $282

The advertised price is $282 per person for the round-trip ferry. That includes transport between Port Everglades and the Bahamas, but not much once you reach the island.

Budget separately for:

• Food and drinks
• Taxis or other island transport
• Beach passes
• Water activities
• A Crystal Beach visit
• Swimming with pigs
• Souvenirs
• Any transport to and from Port Everglades

For two people, the ferry alone costs $564. Add local taxis, meals, and an activity, and the day can become expensive before you buy anything else. A group of three could spend more than $800 before extras, depending on transport and activities.

The value is strongest for someone who places a high price on the novelty of reaching the Bahamas for one day. If you mainly want a warm beach and sea views, compare this with a Florida beach day or a separately booked ferry fare. The package may be convenient, but convenience is not the same as savings.

The booking terms do offer some flexibility. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Those policies help if your Florida plans are still changing, but they do not protect you from weather or border-related delays on the day itself.

Who will enjoy this ferry day

I would consider this trip for:

• Families who want a memorable international day out and can manage an early start
• Couples who enjoy sea views and a self-directed beach day
• Solo visitors comfortable arranging taxis and activities on their own
• People staying in South Florida who do not want to book an overnight Bahamas stay
• Anyone whose main goal is simply to set foot in the Bahamas

I would hesitate if you dislike long ferry rides, early check-ins, or uncertain border timing. Pregnant women and infants under six months are not permitted, according to the stated restrictions.

This also is not a good match for someone seeking a detailed island tour. You do not get a named guide, a planned cultural route, or included transport on land. The experience is mostly ferry passage plus independent island time.

Bimini or Grand Bahama: my practical choice

For most people booking a day trip, I would lean toward Bimini. The shorter crossing gives you more time to enjoy the island, and the five and a half-hour stay offers a little breathing room. You can still arrange beach time, shopping, or an activity, but you are less pressed by the clock.

Choose Grand Bahama only if its specific attractions, especially Crystal Beach or the swimming pigs, are the reason you are going. Before you pay, confirm the activity, pickup point, transport cost, and time needed to return to the ferry. The island is larger, the crossing is longer, and the included free time is shorter.

FAQ

Where does the ferry leave from?

The round-trip ferry leaves from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, with Eller Drive listed as the pickup and drop-off point.

What time should I arrive?

Check-in closes at 7:30 AM sharp. The ferry leaves Florida at approximately 9 AM.

How long is the trip?

The full experience lasts about 15 hours. The ferry ride is approximately two hours each way to Bimini and three hours each way to Grand Bahama.

How much time do I get on the island?

Bimini provides about five and a half hours of free time. Grand Bahama provides about four hours, with arrival and departure times changing by season.

Is transportation on the island included?

No. Hotel transfers and transportation on Grand Bahama are not included. You must arrange island transport yourself, and any activities must be reserved separately.

What documents do I need?

Bring a valid passport or passport card and authorization to re-enter the United States, such as ESTA or similar authorization. Some nationalities may need a Bahamian visa, so check the Bahamian immigration requirements before booking.

Should you book this Bahamas day trip?

Book it if you want the novelty of crossing from Florida to the Bahamas in one day and you are happy to organize your own time on shore. Bimini is the safer pick for value, thanks to its shorter crossing and longer island stay.

Think twice before booking Grand Bahama unless you have a clear plan for Crystal Beach, swimming with pigs, or another paid activity. At $282 per person before food, taxis, and attractions, this is an expensive ferry ride with limited island time. It can create a memorable day, but only if you treat it as independent travel rather than an all-included tour.