From Fort Lauderdale: Day Trip to Bimini

Bimini is close enough to Florida for a day trip, but it feels like a real break from the mainland. This two-hour ferry ride carries you across to the Bahamas, where you get about six hours to enjoy clear water, beaches, local food, and island life at your own pace.

I like the comfortable vessel, with its full bar, snacks, and duty-free shop, and I like having freedom once you reach Bimini. You can take a taxi to the beach, rent a golf cart, eat at a local restaurant, or simply sit under an umbrella. The main drawback is the long day and the lack of included hotel transfers, plus customs or weather delays can eat into your time.

Key points to know before booking

• About six hours in Bimini: The free time is roughly 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, enough for a beach day or a quick island outing.
• A modern 600-passenger ferry: The boat offers economy and business-class seating, a full bar, snacks, and duty-free shopping.
• Golf carts make the island easier to explore: You can reach beaches, the Straw Market, local restaurants, and sights farther from the dock.
• The Resort World Bimini pass costs extra: It is available onboard, but the supplied details list both $30 and $40, so confirm the current price before paying.
• You handle your own arrival plans: A shuttle or local taxi can help, but directions and transport around Bimini may not always be clear.
• Bring the right documents: You need a valid passport and permission to re-enter the United States. Some nationalities may also need a Bahamian visa.

Why a day in Bimini works so well

The appeal is simple: you leave South Florida in the morning, cross open water, and spend the afternoon on a Bahamian island. You do not need to arrange a hotel, a rental car, or a complicated multi-island trip.

Bimini is not a large sightseeing destination packed with formal attractions. Its pleasures are smaller and more direct: bright water, a sandy beach, a golf-cart ride, a plate of local food, or a quiet hour by the sea. If you want a packed schedule of museums and guided visits, this is not the right choice. If you want a taste of island life without committing to an overnight stay, it makes good sense.

The ferry is a big part of the experience. It carries up to 600 passengers and takes around two hours each way. That gives you a proper sea crossing, but the modern vessel, seating, bar, snacks, and duty-free shop make the ride far easier than a small, bumpy boat.

The full experience is listed as 18 hours. The actual crossing takes about four hours total, and your free time in Bimini is about six hours. The rest of the day includes boarding, port procedures, customs, and return arrangements. Plan for a very early start and a late finish.

From Port Everglades to the Bahamas

Your departure point is Port Everglades Terminal 21 in Fort Lauderdale. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach the terminal yourself. This matters if you are staying in Miami, Palm Beach, or elsewhere in South Florida. Allow extra time for the trip to the port, especially since a missed departure would be a costly problem.

Once aboard, the two-hour crossing gives you time to settle in. Economy and business-class tickets are available, depending on the option you select. A business-class upgrade may appeal to you if seating comfort matters during a long day, though the supplied details do not specify exactly what additional benefits come with that class.

The onboard bar and snack service are useful because the day is long and the schedule is fixed. Drinks and snacks are available at reasonable prices according to one recent account, but you should still budget for food. The duty-free shop adds something to browse during the crossing, though it should be treated as a small extra rather than a main reason to book.

The ferry has received especially strong praise for being comfortable and smooth. That matters on a trip built around a sea crossing. You can sit back, look out at the water, and avoid spending the first part of your day feeling worn out by the ride.

Arriving in Bimini and finding your way

After the ferry docks, you have roughly six hours in Bimini. The free period is listed as approximately 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, but you should listen carefully for return instructions and keep track of the departure time yourself.

This is one area where you should not expect a detailed guided welcome. Transfer arrangements may be available, but directions can be limited. A local shuttle or taxi can take you toward the beach, and some people have found the transfer easy. Others have found the instructions unclear, especially when trying to return to the ferry.

Ask where you need to go for the return transfer before leaving the port area. Keep the ferry departure time written in your phone or on paper. If you use a shuttle, confirm its route and pickup point. One useful warning is that island transport may take you to a resort rather than making a full circuit of Bimini.

The port arrival is not the moment to wander off without a plan. Take a few minutes to understand the layout, then choose your main activity. Six hours sounds generous, but it goes quickly once you include transport, food, swimming, and the need to return to the boat on time.

Choosing between a beach day and Resort World Bimini

The simplest plan is a beach day. You can take a local taxi to the beach, rent or use a chair, and spend most of the afternoon in the water. The water is clear enough in places to see your feet, and beach umbrellas and chairs may be available free of charge at some beach areas.

Do not assume every beach has the same setup. One account notes that umbrellas were available for $25 at a beach with a restaurant and bar, while another describes free chairs and umbrellas. The practical lesson is to ask what is included at the specific beach you choose. Bring money for shade if you want to avoid sitting in full sun.

Resort World Bimini is another option. A day pass to the Hilton Resort World Bimini facilities can be purchased onboard, but the supplied information gives two different prices: $30 in one place and $40 in another. Confirm the current amount before you buy it.

The pass may suit you if you want an organized resort setting, beach facilities, and a more polished day. It may not suit you if your goal is to keep costs down or see more of the island. You can enjoy Bimini without buying the pass, as several people chose to spend the day on the beach instead.

The resort has received strong praise for its setting and service. At the same time, resort food and drinks can be expensive. I would compare the pass price and included facilities with the cost of taking a taxi to a public beach before deciding.

Renting a golf cart for more of Bimini

A golf cart is the best choice if you want more than one beach stop. The island is small enough for a short outing, and a cart gives you control over your time instead of tying you to a shuttle route.

You can use it to reach the far end of the island, look for local food, visit the Straw Market, and stop at less polished spots. One particularly memorable outing included a shipwreck, strong rays, and hermit crabs. Those details show why a cart can turn this from a resort day into a more personal look at Bimini.

The cart option does require care. You need to allow time to rent it, learn the route, and return it before the ferry boarding time. The provided information does not state the rental price or exact rental process, so ask about both before agreeing.

A cart also makes sense if you are traveling with a small group and can share the cost. For a solo visitor or anyone who wants a quiet beach afternoon, a taxi may be simpler.

Food, shopping, and the less polished side of the island

Bimini gives you a chance to eat local food rather than spending the entire day inside a resort. A local restaurant meal can be one of the better parts of the visit, and food and drinks have been described as good.

Shopping is possible at the Straw Market, but do not plan your day around a long list of open stores. Some shops may be closed, particularly outside the busiest periods. That is not necessarily a problem. It simply means Bimini works better as a beach and island outing than as a major shopping stop.

I like that the day can be shaped around local places instead of one fixed attraction. You can eat, shop briefly, swim, and continue exploring. Still, keep expectations realistic. Bimini is not presented as a full sightseeing program, and some people find that there is not much to see beyond the water, beach, and island roads.

That simplicity is either the charm or the limitation. If you enjoy filling a day with small discoveries, you will likely appreciate it. If you need a constant stream of activities, six hours may feel long.

The return ferry and the customs wait

The trip back to Fort Lauderdale takes about two hours, but your total return time can be longer because of customs and immigration. Delays can also result from weather, the Bahamian Coast Guard, or immigration services.

You must pass through the required border procedures before returning to the United States. One reported problem involved a wait of more than an hour and a half at customs, while another described a two-hour delay caused by a passenger documentation issue.

These delays are not fully within the operator’s control, but they affect the value of a day trip. A late return can make the 18-hour schedule feel even longer. Do not book a tight evening flight, dinner reservation, or onward connection after the ferry. Give yourself a cushion.

The paperwork is your responsibility. Bring a valid passport and any authorization needed to re-enter the United States. Some nationalities require a Bahamian entry visa, so check the Bahamian immigration rules before booking. Infants under six months old are not permitted.

Price and what the $270 buys you

At about $270 per person, this is not a cheap beach transfer. The price covers roundtrip ferry transportation, with economy or business-class seating depending on your selection. It does not cover hotel transfers, food, local transport, activities, or the Resort World Bimini day pass.

The value depends on what you would otherwise pay for a separate overnight trip. For a single day, the ferry removes the need to book accommodation and gives you a straightforward way to reach the Bahamas from South Florida. The comfortable boat and onboard services also make the crossing less tiring.

The price feels less attractive if you only want a few hours on a beach and still need to pay for taxis, chairs, umbrellas, meals, and a resort pass. It also feels less attractive if customs or weather delays reduce your time in Bimini.

I would budget beyond the ticket price for:

• Food and drinks onboard or on the island
• Taxi or shuttle transport
• A golf cart, if you choose to explore
• Beach chairs or umbrellas where they are not included
• The optional Resort World Bimini day pass
• Any shopping or additional activities

The strongest value comes when you use the six hours well. A beach-only visit can be relaxing, but a golf-cart loop, local meal, market stop, and swim make the fare feel more worthwhile.

Who should book this Bimini day trip

This suits you if you are staying in South Florida and want a quick taste of the Bahamas without an overnight stay. It is especially good for people who enjoy beaches, clear water, casual food, and independent exploring.

It also suits families and groups who prefer a simple transport package. The ferry is large and comfortable, and the day does not require you to plan a complicated route between islands.

You may want to skip it if you dislike long travel days, border queues, uncertain transport instructions, or fixed departure times. It is also a poor match if you want a guided cultural tour, a long list of historic attractions, or guaranteed resort access included in the price.

The trip is wheelchair accessible for foldable wheelchairs only. You need comfortable clothes and a towel, and bringing a public transport ticket is listed among the recommended items. Most important, bring your passport and the documents needed for entry and re-entry.

My recommendation

I would book this for a clear-weather day when I wanted beaches and a change of scene, not for a tightly scheduled sightseeing adventure. The comfortable ferry, friendly onboard staff, beautiful water, and freedom to rent a golf cart or find a local restaurant give the trip real appeal.

Before paying, I would confirm the meeting point, the current Resort World Bimini pass price, the transfer plan from the dock, and the return instructions. I would also leave the evening free because customs delays are possible.

Book it if you can accept a long day and want a practical taste of Bimini. Skip it if the $270 fare feels high once you add taxis, food, and beach costs, or if you need a guaranteed schedule from port to beach and back.

FAQ

Where does the ferry leave from?

The departure point is Port Everglades Terminal 21 in Fort Lauderdale.

How long does the ferry ride take?

The ferry takes about two hours each way between Fort Lauderdale and Bimini.

How much free time do I get in Bimini?

You get approximately six hours on the island. The listed free-time period is roughly 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a roundtrip ferry ticket in economy or business class, depending on the option selected.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to Port Everglades Terminal 21.

Can I buy a Resort World Bimini day pass?

Yes. The pass can be purchased onboard the ferry. The supplied details list both $30 and $40, so confirm the current price before buying.

Do I need a passport?

Yes. You need a valid passport and authorization to re-enter the United States. Some nationalities may also need a Bahamian entry visa.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport, a towel, comfortable clothes, and a public transport ticket. You should also plan for food, drinks, and possible beach or local transport costs.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, but only foldable wheelchairs are accepted.

Can infants join the trip?

Infants under six months old are not permitted on the tour.