Day trip to the Bahamas from Miami and Fort Lauderdale by ferry
A day trip to the Bahamas from Miami is done by ferry from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale (30–45 minutes by car from Miami): you leave at 9:00 AM, spend the day in Bimini (about 2 hours away) or Grand Bahama (about 3 hours) and come back the same evening. A Bimini day trip costs $199 on Wednesdays and $246 on other days, and a Grand Bahama day trip costs $246, per adult with taxes included; you can book it at I Love Ferry, an official partner of Balearia Caribbean.
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Fort Lauderdale – Bimini round trips with a later return, at I Love Ferry. Book at least 7 days before you travel and by December 31, 2026. Not valid for one-way tickets or day trips. Non-refundable, limited seats.
9:00 AM → 11:00 AM; back 6:00 PM → 8:00 PM in winter, 7:00 PM → 9:00 PM in summer (times can vary)
9:00 AM → 12:00 PM; back 6:30 PM → 9:30 PM (times can vary)
Time on the island
About 6 hours in winter, up to 8 in summer
About 5 hours (doors close 5:30 PM)
Sailing days
Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays most of the year, plus extra days in peak months
Tuesdays and Saturdays, plus extra days in December and July–August
Next sailings
Fri, Nov 13 · Sun, Nov 15 · Wed, Nov 18 · Fri, Nov 20
Sat, Nov 14 · Tue, Nov 17 · Sat, Nov 21 · Tue, Nov 24
Price (Economy)
$199 Wednesdays · $246 other days
$246
Price (Economy Premium)
$259 Wednesdays · $306 other days
$306
Included
Free Resorts World Bimini day pass until December 31, 2026
Ferry only; excursions with transport on request
Best for
A first taste of the Bahamas: beach, resort pool, Alice Town, snorkeling
A longer stay: Port Lucaya, Lucaya and Taino Beach, Lucayan National Park
The return time changes with the season and the weather: always check it in the search engine. Prices per adult, taxes included; children 3–12 pay half the fare plus taxes and infants pay taxes only. More on each island: Bimini day trip · ferry to Grand Bahama · Bimini day trip planner.
Day trip to the Bahamas from Miami
There is no ferry from the Port of Miami: the only scheduled passenger ferry to the Bahamas leaves from Port Everglades Terminal 21, 2021 Eller Dr, Fort Lauderdale. From Miami or Miami Beach it is 30–45 minutes by car or ride-share, so for the 9:00 AM sailing plan to leave around 5:15 AM: check-in opens at 6:00 AM and the terminal doors close at 8:00 AM. The Midport garage next to the terminal costs about $20 per day. On the way back you land in Fort Lauderdale between 8:00 and 9:30 PM depending on the island and the season, and U.S. Customs can add up to an hour. More in Miami to Bahamas ferry and Miami travel guide.
Day trip to the Bahamas from Fort Lauderdale
If you are staying in Fort Lauderdale, the port is 10 minutes from the airport and from most hotels by taxi. Every Bahamas day trip by sea leaves from Port Everglades, so the schedule and prices are the same as from Miami. See day trip to the Bahamas from Fort Lauderdale.
How a Bahamas day trip works, step by step
Book the day trip fare for Bimini or Freeport at I Love Ferry and receive your boarding cards on your phone or by email.
Arrive at Terminal 21 from 6:00 AM with a valid passport for every traveler; the doors close at 8:00 AM.
Sail at 9:00 AM on the Jaume II fast ferry, with a snack bar and air-conditioned lounges.
Enjoy the island: in Bimini, the Resorts World day pass, Radio Beach or Alice Town; in Freeport, Port Lucaya and the beach or one excursion.
Be back early: boarding closes 1 hour before the return sailing.
Land in Fort Lauderdale in the evening and clear U.S. Customs.
💡 Local tip
The cheapest Bahamas day trip is the Wednesday Bimini fare, $199, and in summer the later 7:00 PM return gives you about two more hours on the island, so book a summer Wednesday early at I Love Ferry.
U.S. Customs in Fort Lauderdale can add up to an hour at night; the Economy Premium seats sold at I Love Ferry include priority boarding and priority disembarkation.
In Freeport, pig-swim excursions finish around 3:00 PM and the doors for the return close at 5:30 PM: choose one plan, or stay two nights.
Ferry to Bahamas, October 2026.
One-day cruise or ferry day trip?
Many people search for a “one-day cruise to the Bahamas from Miami”. As of October 2026 we have not found any one-day cruise from Miami to the Bahamas: the shortest cruises are 2-night round trips from Palm Beach to Freeport, and Bahamas cruises from Miami last several nights. By sea, the only way to visit the Bahamas and sleep at home the same night is the ferry from Fort Lauderdale. Compare all the options in ferry vs flight vs cruise.
Stay longer instead?
If you can, add a night or two: a round trip returning on a later day starts at $314.51 to Freeport and $325 to Bimini, and I Love Ferry also sells ferry + hotel packages, such as the Hilton at Resorts World Bimini. See Bimini ferry + hotel.
Day trip to the Bahamas: frequently asked questions
Can you do a day trip to the Bahamas from Miami?
Yes. The ferry leaves from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, 30 to 45 minutes by car from Miami, at 9:00 AM and comes back the same evening: to Bimini (about 2 hours each way) or to Grand Bahama, arriving in Freeport (about 3 hours each way). There is no ferry from the Port of Miami. You can book the day trip at I Love Ferry, an official partner of Balearia Caribbean.
How much is a day trip to the Bahamas by ferry?
A Bimini day trip costs $199 per adult on Wednesdays and $246 on other days; a Grand Bahama (Freeport) day trip costs $246. Prices are per adult in Economy, taxes included; Economy Premium costs about $60 more. Children 3 to 12 pay half the fare plus taxes and infants pay taxes only.
Bimini or Grand Bahama for a day trip?
For a day trip, Bimini is the easier choice: the crossing is shorter (about 2 hours), you get more time on the island and the Wednesday fare is the cheapest. Grand Bahama is a bigger island with more to see, but with 3 hours each way you get about five hours there, so it is better with at least two nights.
How many hours do you get in the Bahamas on a day trip?
In Bimini, about 6 hours in winter, when the return leaves at 6:00 PM, and up to 8 hours in summer, when it leaves at 7:00 PM; these times can vary. In Freeport, about five hours: you arrive around noon and the doors for the 6:30 PM return close at 5:30 PM.
What time do I need to be at the port for a Bahamas day trip?
Check-in at Port Everglades Terminal 21 opens 3 hours before the 9:00 AM departure, at 6:00 AM, and the terminal doors close at 8:00 AM. From Miami, allow 30 to 45 minutes by car plus parking.
Do I need a passport for a day trip to the Bahamas?
Yes. Every passenger, children included, needs a valid passport; U.S. citizens can also use a passport card, but we recommend always traveling with your passport book.
Is there a one-day cruise from Miami to the Bahamas?
As of October 2026 we have not found any one-day cruise from Miami to the Bahamas. The shortest cruises are 2-night round trips from Palm Beach to Freeport. By sea, the only way to go to the Bahamas and come back the same day is the ferry from Fort Lauderdale.
What is included in a Bimini day trip?
The round-trip ferry ticket and, until December 31, 2026, a free Resorts World Bimini day pass with every Bimini day trip (on Virgin Voyages cruise days the Beach Club is not included, but the rest of the resort is).
Can I take my car on the ferry to the Bahamas?
No. The ferry to the Bahamas does not carry passenger cars. In Bimini people get around on foot, by tram or golf cart; in Freeport by taxi or on an excursion with transport.
Where can I book a day trip to the Bahamas?
At I Love Ferry, an official partner of Balearia Caribbean: choose Fort Lauderdale to Bimini or to Freeport, the date and the day trip fare. Extras such as excursions can be added by emailing info@iloveferry.us with your booking number.
Prices and sailing days checked on Balearia Caribbean's booking engine and at I Love Ferry. Last updated October 4, 2026. Ferry to Bahamas is an independent guide and agent: we are not Balearia Caribbean.
Bimini day trip price for every date (next 12 months)
Bimini day trip price for every date: from $199 on Wednesdays and from $246 on other days. Pick your date and book at I Love Ferry, an official partner of Balearia Caribbean.
Fort Lauderdale 9:00 AM → Bimini 11:00 AM, back from Bimini at 6:00 PM the same day. Starting price for 1 adult in Economy, round trip, taxes included. Tap a day to see times, seats and the final price for that date on I Love Ferry.
Fort Lauderdale 9:00 AM → Freeport 12:00 PM, back from Freeport at 6:30 PM the same day. Starting price for 1 adult in Economy, round trip, taxes included. Tap a day to see times, seats and the final price for that date on I Love Ferry.
Fort Lauderdale – Bimini round trips with a later return, at I Love Ferry. Book at least 7 days before you travel and by December 31, 2026. Not valid for one-way tickets or day trips. Non-refundable, limited seats. No vehicles: the ferry doesn’t carry passenger cars. Pets travel at the regular fee (no discount). Offer terms
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Booking a round trip to Bimini? Code LASTMOMENT gives 15% off Fort Lauderdale – Bimini round trips at I Love Ferry (not valid for one-way tickets or day trips; book at least 7 days ahead and by December 31, 2026).
