Miami/Ft Lauderdale: Bimini or Grand Bahama Day Trip

The main attraction here is simple: you can leave South Florida in the morning and spend part of the day on a Bahamian island. The fast ferry crossing gives you sea views, fresh air, and a taste of international travel without booking a full island holiday.

I like the choice between Bimini’s five-and-a-half-hour island stay and Grand Bahama’s Crystal Beach option, which can include swimming pigs if you arrange it yourself. I also like the reserved ferry seat, air conditioning, restrooms, and onboard service desk for activity advice.

The catch is the clock. This is a roughly 16-hour day, and a large part of it goes to check-in, customs, and the ferry ride. Island transport and activities are not included, so the $259 price can rise quickly, especially on Grand Bahama.

Key points to know before booking

• Bimini gives you more island time: Plan on about two hours each way by ferry and roughly five and a half hours on the island.
• Grand Bahama has a shorter visit: The ferry takes about three hours each way, leaving around four hours for Crystal Beach and other plans.
• The ferry leaves from Port Everglades: You must check in by 7:30 AM, even though the boat leaves at about 9 AM.
• You arrange island activities yourself: Beach passes, swimming-pig visits, and other options can be purchased or reserved separately.
• A passport is essential: You also need authorization to re-enter the United States, such as ESTA when applicable.
• The $259 fare covers only the ferry: Food, drinks, island transportation, and activities are extra.

A Florida morning that begins before sunrise

This trip is best understood as a ferry crossing with several hours on an island, not as a guided sightseeing tour. You leave from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, so plan your morning around an early arrival at the port.

Check-in closes sharply at 7:30 AM. The ferry is expected to leave at about 9 AM, but you should not treat the time between those points as spare sightseeing time. Customs and immigration procedures are part of the day, and missing check-in could ruin the whole plan.

The ferry is air-conditioned and provides a guaranteed seat, restrooms, and a snack bar. That matters on a long day. You can sit inside for comfort or spend time on deck for the sea breeze and views, though weather can affect the crossing and the provider does not cover delays caused by weather, the Coast Guard, or immigration services.

The ride is part of the experience, but it is not a cruise with a full program of entertainment. You will see open water and the changing color of the sea. The service desk also provides information about island activities, including optional beach passes. Use that time to confirm what is available and what it costs before you arrive.

Bimini or Grand Bahama: choosing the right island

The two options create very different day trips. Your travel date determines which island is available, so you may not have a free choice every day.

Bimini is the better fit if your priority is more time on land. The crossing takes about two hours each way, with arrival around 11 AM and a return ferry around 6 PM, subject to seasonal changes. That gives you roughly five and a half hours on the island.

Grand Bahama takes about three hours each way. Arrival is expected around noon, with the return ferry around 5 PM, also subject to seasonal changes. You get about four hours on the island, so planning matters more.

The difference may look small on paper, but it changes the feel of the day. Bimini gives you more room for an unhurried beach visit or a little independent exploring. Grand Bahama can work well if the Crystal Beach area and swimming pigs are your main reason for going, but you need to arrange the details in advance or on the ferry.

The ferry crossing to the Bahamas

Once the boat leaves Florida, the day slows down. You can watch the water from the deck, sit in the air-conditioned cabin, or buy a snack from the onboard bar. The guaranteed seat is useful because the trip is long, particularly on the Grand Bahama route.

The ferry ride is also where you should set realistic expectations. The route is described as a short trip from Florida, but the full transport day includes check-in, boarding, customs, the crossing, disembarkation, and the return process. One account of the day described the total ferry and check-in time as roughly five hours in the morning and five hours in the evening. That may reflect waiting and border procedures as well as time underway, but it makes the key point clear: this is a long day built around fixed boat times.

If you are prone to seasickness, bring whatever you normally use. The information provided does not promise calm water or a particular seating location. You should also bring sun protection, since the deck can be bright and exposed, although food and drinks are not included in the fare.

Bimini: the better choice for a longer beach day

Bimini is presented as a laid-back island escape with clean beaches and a quieter pace. You arrive around 11 AM, giving you the longest block of free time on land in this program.

The activity is self-guided. You can spend the afternoon on a beach, look around on your own, or arrange an optional activity through the ferry service desk. The trip does not include a guide, a meal, island transportation, or a set sightseeing route, so you must be comfortable making your own plan.

That independence can be a strength. If all you want is sand, sun, and time near clear water, you are not tied to a large group schedule. You can keep the day simple and avoid paying for activities that do not interest you.

It can also be a weakness. If you arrive without a plan, your five and a half hours may feel less useful. Confirm the location of your beach, the cost of any day pass, and how you will get around before leaving the ferry. The fare includes the boat, not the complete island visit.

Bimini is likely the more forgiving choice for first-time visitors who want an easy beach day. The extra island time gives you some breathing room if transport or activity arrangements take longer than expected.

Grand Bahama and the Crystal Beach option

Grand Bahama offers a different reason to book. The headline attraction is Crystal Beach, with the possibility of meeting swimming pigs. That visit is not included, however. You must reserve the activity yourself, and transportation on Grand Bahama is also extra.

This is where the price needs careful thought. A separate account of the day described only about two hours at the beach and a $210 taxi cost. That may reflect a particular arrangement rather than a fixed cost for every departure, but you should treat it as a serious warning to confirm transport prices before booking.

With only about four hours on Grand Bahama, an expensive taxi or a poorly timed transfer can consume much of your island visit. If swimming pigs are the main purpose of your trip, secure the complete package in advance, including transportation, admission, and the time needed to return to the ferry.

Crystal Beach may suit you if you want a specific, memorable activity rather than a completely open afternoon. Grand Bahama is less suitable if you hope to arrive with no plan and simply wander. The island is larger than the small area immediately around your arrival point, and the included ferry ticket does not solve the transport problem.

What the $259 price really covers

At $259 per person, this is not a cheap beach transfer. The cost pays for the roundtrip ferry from Port Everglades, a reserved seat, and the convenience of reaching another country and returning to Florida in one day.

That convenience has real value. You avoid arranging separate flights, hotel nights, and airport transfers. For a short Florida holiday, the ferry creates a simple way to add the Bahamas to your plans.

Still, you need to budget beyond the headline price. The following are not included:

• Island transportation
• Beach passes
• Swimming-pig visits
• Other island activities
• Food and drinks
• Hotel pickup and drop-off

The extra costs matter more on Grand Bahama, where a taxi can take a large bite out of your budget. On Bimini, the added expense depends on the beach or activity you choose, but you still need to ask about transport and access.

I would compare the full cost with a normal beach day in South Florida before booking. If your goal is simply to lie in the sun, the ferry may feel expensive once you count meals and transfers. If you specifically want to set foot in the Bahamas and enjoy the novelty of an international day trip, the price may feel reasonable.

Passport, border control, and other firm rules

You must bring a valid passport or passport card, along with authorization to re-enter the United States. ESTA or a similar authorization may apply. Citizens of the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, and Switzerland do not require a Bahamian visa under the stated conditions, while other nationalities may need one.

Check the Bahamian immigration requirements before booking. Full names and passport information are required for every person, and missing information can mean no refund.

This is not a trip for leaving documents in your hotel room or arriving casually at the port. Border procedures take time in both directions. Keep your passport secure and accessible throughout the day.

Infants under six months are not permitted, and the activity is listed as unsuitable for pregnant women. The ferry operator also does not accept responsibility for delays caused by weather, the Coast Guard, or immigration services. Those risks are part of booking an international boat trip on a fixed schedule.

How to make the island hours count

I would decide on your main goal before arriving at Port Everglades. Choose one of three simple plans: a beach day, a paid island activity, or independent time exploring.

For a beach day, confirm the beach location and whether a day pass is required. Ask how you will get there and how long the return trip takes. Do not assume that the prettiest beach is beside the ferry terminal.

For an organized activity, use the ferry service desk to learn what is available and what the schedule allows. On Grand Bahama, swimming with pigs and visiting Crystal Beach require separate arrangements. Leave a generous margin before the return ferry.

For independent exploring, accept that the day will be less structured. You may find local sights and island culture on your own, but the provided information does not include a guide or a planned walking route. This option suits people who enjoy making decisions as they go.

Bring a passport, comfortable clothes, swimwear, sun protection, and money or a payment method for food and activities. Since meals are not included, plan to buy food or bring whatever is permitted for the crossing. The ferry has a snack bar, but that does not replace a full meal plan for a 16-hour day.

Families, couples, and solo visitors

Families can appreciate the reserved seats and the straightforward ferry format. The day is easy to understand: check in, cross the water, spend several hours on an island, and return. But the early check-in and long day may test young children, and babies under six months cannot join.

Couples may like the built-in sense of occasion. A day in the Bahamas feels more memorable than another ordinary beach outing, especially if you arrange a special beach pass or the swimming-pig experience. Just remember that a romantic day can lose its charm if you spend too much of it waiting for taxis or watching the clock.

Solo visitors get freedom but also more responsibility. You will need to handle your own activity choices, transport, and timing. Bimini may be easier for a solo beach day because it provides more free time, while Grand Bahama demands tighter planning.

This trip suits you if you enjoy a long transport day in exchange for a change of country and scenery. It is a poor match if you want a relaxed, all-inclusive resort experience or a guided tour with every detail handled.

Timing, cancellations, and the final return

The planned Florida departure is around 9 AM. Bimini arrival is around 11 AM, with a return ferry around 6 PM and Florida arrival around 8 PM. Grand Bahama arrival is around noon, with a return around 5 PM and Florida arrival around 8 PM.

Times can vary by season. Treat the schedule as a framework, not a promise to the minute. You should avoid booking an evening event in Florida that depends on a perfectly punctual return.

The activity allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility helps if your Florida plans are not settled, but it does not protect you from the practical risks of weather or border delays on the day itself.

The overall rating is 4.4 from 34 ratings, and the strongest praise centers on the beauty of the destination. That matches the appeal of the trip: the turquoise water, white sand, and simple pleasure of reaching the Bahamas by boat. The main complaint is not the island itself, but the amount of time and money required to make a short beach visit happen.

Should you book this ferry day trip?

Book it if you want the novelty of a Bahamas day trip, accept an early start, and are willing to pay extra for the island portion. I would favor Bimini if you want the longest beach break and a little more flexibility.

Choose Grand Bahama if Crystal Beach and swimming pigs are your priority, but arrange transportation and activities before you go. A last-minute taxi can change the value of the entire outing.

Skip it if you want several hours of effortless beach time for the lowest possible price. The $259 ferry fare is only the starting cost, and the full day can include a great deal of sitting, waiting, and border processing.

For the right person, this is a memorable way to add another country to a Florida holiday. Just book it for the crossing and the experience of reaching the Bahamas, not because you expect a cheap, fully arranged beach excursion.

FAQ

Where does the ferry leave from?

The roundtrip ferry leaves from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

What time should I arrive for check-in?

Check-in closes sharply at 7:30 AM. The ferry is expected to depart Florida at about 9 AM.

How long is the trip to Bimini?

The ferry ride to Bimini takes about two hours. Arrival is expected around 11 AM, with roughly five and a half hours of island time before the return ferry.

How long is the trip to Grand Bahama?

The ferry ride to Grand Bahama takes about three hours. Arrival is expected around noon, with roughly four hours of free time before the return ferry.

Are beach passes and island activities included?

No. Beach passes, swimming-pig visits, other activities, and transportation on Grand Bahama must be arranged and paid for separately.

What documents do I need?

You need a valid passport or passport card and authorization to re-enter the United States, such as ESTA or a similar authorization when applicable. Full names and passport information are required for everyone booking.