From Fort Lauderdale: Day Trip to Bimini

Bimini is close enough to Florida for a genuine Bahamas day trip, and the two-hour ferry crossing keeps the journey pleasantly simple. Once you arrive, you have about six hours to choose your own pace: beach time, local food, a golf cart ride, or a visit to the resort area.

I like the comfortable modern vessel, with a full bar, snacks, and duty-free shopping onboard. I also like having free time rather than being tied to a guide’s schedule. The main drawback is that the day can feel short, especially if customs, shuttles, or island transport eat into your six hours.

Key points to know before booking

• A real Bahamas day trip: Cross from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini in roughly two hours each way.
• Six hours on the island: You set the pace, with beaches, food, shopping, and optional activities.
• A comfortable 600-passenger ferry: Economy and Business Class tickets are available.
• Golf carts make exploration easier: You can see more than the immediate beach area during your free time.
• Resort access costs extra: A Resort World Bimini day pass is offered onboard, but the supplied information gives both $30 and $40 prices, so confirm the current amount.
• Passport rules matter: You are crossing an international border and must handle your own entry and re-entry documents.

A short ferry ride from Florida to Bimini

The appeal here is simple: you can leave mainland Florida in the morning and spend the afternoon beside Bahamian water. The ferry takes about two hours, which is long enough to settle in but short enough that the crossing does not become the main event.

The vessel is a modern, high-speed boat with room for about 600 passengers. You can choose Economy or Business Class, depending on the option you book. The boat has a full bar, snacks, and a duty-free gift shop, so you do not need to arrive with a packed picnic or a plan for every minute onboard.

I would treat the ferry as useful transportation with a few comforts, not as a sightseeing cruise. The key value is getting you across the channel efficiently. Some departures are described as smooth and comfortable, though weather can affect the schedule and the operator is not responsible for delays caused by weather, the Bahamian Coast Guard, or Bahamian Immigration.

The starting point is Port Everglades Terminal 21. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the terminal. This matters if you are staying in Miami, South Beach, or another part of South Florida. One person specifically found the trip from Miami to Port Everglades costly and time-consuming, so check the transport plan before you pay for the ferry.

Six hours to shape your own Bimini day

The listed free time in Bimini is approximately 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. That gives you a useful block of time, but not an unlimited one. You need to allow time for arrival procedures, finding your transfer, arranging island transport, and getting back to the ferry before departure.

The lack of a fixed sightseeing program is both the strength and weakness of this trip. If you want to swim, eat, sit under an umbrella, or simply watch the water, you can do that without keeping up with a group. If you expect someone to guide you from the dock to every major sight, you may find the arrival too loose.

The island transfer deserves special attention. A shuttle service is available around the dock and resort area, but directions have not always been clear. Make sure you know where you are going after leaving the boat and where you must return for the ferry. One useful warning from a past departure: the correct route back involved returning to Fisherman’s Wharf to take the tram, rather than simply walking straight to the ferry.

That sounds minor, but on a six-hour visit, a missed shuttle or wrong turn can cost a large part of your afternoon. Ask for clear instructions as soon as you arrive. Keep the return time visible, and do not assume every island vehicle goes directly to the ferry.

Beach time, clear water, and the resort option

For many people, the beach is the main reason to book this trip. Bimini’s water can be exceptionally clear, with one account describing visibility down to the feet while standing in chest-deep water. The beach is a good match for a relaxed day rather than a packed sightseeing schedule.

At some beach areas, chairs and umbrellas are available. One account noted that chairs and umbrellas were free at a beach club, while another said an umbrella cost $25. That difference likely reflects separate beach facilities or changing local prices, so do not assume every beach has the same setup. Bring a towel, as requested in the practical information, and plan for strong sun.

The Resort World Bimini facilities are available through an optional day pass purchased onboard. The supplied details give two different prices, $30 in the activity description and $40 in the exclusions, so confirm the current price before committing. The pass is not included in the ferry ticket.

The resort option may suit you if you want an organized beach setting with facilities nearby. It may not suit you if your main goal is to see local Bimini, eat at an independent restaurant, or explore beyond the resort area. A past passenger had a lovely beach day without buying the hotel access, so you do not need the pass to enjoy the island.

The resort can also be expensive once food, drinks, chairs, and umbrellas are added. If you prefer to keep costs under control, compare the resort pass with a local taxi ride to a public beach or a simple walk around the island area.

Rent a golf cart and see more than the dock

A golf cart is one of the most useful ideas for making six hours feel longer. Several people used one to explore beyond the immediate beach area, including the far end of the island. One account described finding a shipwreck, rays, hermit crabs, local food, and the Straw Market during a golf cart outing.

Those details show what you miss if you stay only at the resort. Bimini can work as a beach day, but it also gives you a chance to see local streets and small businesses at your own pace. You can stop when something catches your eye instead of waiting for an organized excursion.

The tradeoff is time and responsibility. Renting a golf cart means arranging the rental, learning where you are going, and watching the clock. The tour does not include a guided island circuit, and the minibus does not necessarily take you all around the island. If you choose this plan, leave enough time to return the cart and reach the ferry boarding point.

This option suits confident independent visitors best. If you mainly want the beach, taking a local taxi may be easier. One birthday visitor used a taxi to reach the beach and had a very enjoyable day without trying to cover the island.

Food, drinks, and local shopping

Bimini gives you several ways to spend the afternoon. You might choose local food, a beach restaurant, drinks, or a quick stop at the Straw Market. The food received strong praise, though beachside dining can be pricey. I would budget for at least one meal and a drink, then ask about prices before ordering if you are watching your spending.

The ferry also sells drinks and snacks, which is handy on the outward and return crossings. Prices onboard were described as reasonable by one passenger. The duty-free shop gives you another way to pass the time, though I would not book the trip for shopping alone.

Do not expect every shop to be open. One visit found that many shops were closed, which is a useful reminder that Bimini operates on island time and selected dates may feel quiet. That can be a plus if you want an unhurried afternoon, but it is a drawback if you want a full shopping program.

The most rewarding plan may be a mix: spend part of the day at the water, eat somewhere local, and use any remaining time for the Straw Market or a short island ride. Trying to visit every possible area in six hours is likely to make the day feel rushed.

What the $270 price really buys you

At $270 per person, this is not a cheap ferry ride. The price includes the roundtrip ferry ticket, in either Economy or Business Class according to your selection. It does not include hotel transport, food, island activities, or the Resort World Bimini day pass.

The value depends on what you want from a day in the Bahamas. If you are already in Fort Lauderdale, the ferry provides an easy international outing without paying for a hotel night. You get the boat, the border crossing, and about six hours in Bimini. For a special occasion, a clear-water beach day, or a first taste of the Bahamas, that can be worthwhile.

The value is weaker if you are staying far from Fort Lauderdale or need to add costly ground transport. A person coming from Miami may spend extra time and money just reaching Port Everglades. Add meals, taxis, golf cart rental, beach costs, and the optional resort pass, and the final bill can rise quickly.

I would compare this with the cost of staying overnight in Bimini before booking. An overnight stay gives you more time and removes some pressure, while this tour offers convenience and a fixed, compact schedule. The day trip makes the most sense when you value the novelty of crossing by ferry and want a quick island sample.

Border control and the return journey

This is an international trip, not a domestic boat excursion. You must bring a valid passport and the correct authorization to re-enter the United States. Some nationalities may also need a Bahamian entry visa, so check the Bahamian immigration website before booking.

The responsibility for correct paperwork is yours. Do not assume that a passport alone covers every situation. If your citizenship, residency, or re-entry status is complicated, confirm the rules before paying.

Allow patience for customs and immigration on the way back. One past journey took more than an hour and a half at customs, while another experienced a two-hour delay after a family boarded without the required documents. These events may not happen on your departure, but they show why you should avoid scheduling a tight evening connection after returning to Florida.

The operator also warns that delays can result from the weather, the Bahamian Coast Guard, or Bahamian Immigration. That is normal border-crossing risk, but it matters when the tour is sold as an 18-hour experience. The ferry ride and island time add up to roughly ten hours, with the rest of the day taken by terminal procedures, transfers, and the long travel window.

Who will enjoy this day trip most

I would recommend this trip to you if you:

• Want a quick Bahamas experience from South Florida
• Enjoy making your own plans instead of following a guide
• Are happy with beach time, local food, and casual exploration
• Can manage a long travel day
• Have your passport and border documents ready
• Do not mind arranging your own transport to Port Everglades

It is less suitable if you want a detailed guided tour, guaranteed shopping, or a fully organized schedule from dock to beach. It is also a poor fit for anyone who dislikes uncertainty around customs and ferry timing.

The tour is wheelchair accessible for foldable wheelchairs only. Infants under six months are not permitted. English is the stated language, and no individual guide names are provided, so expect ferry staff and local transfer assistance rather than a named personal guide.

Cancellation is flexible enough for changing plans: you can cancel up to two days in advance for a full refund. The trip sails only on selected dates, so check availability before arranging flights or other fixed plans.

Should you book the Bimini ferry?

Book it if the idea of waking up in Florida and spending the afternoon beside clear Bahamian water sounds worth a long day and a sizeable price. The ferry is comfortable, the crossing is manageable, and six hours gives you enough time for a beach, a meal, and either a golf cart outing or local shopping.

I would book with a plan. Decide in advance whether you want the resort, a public beach, a taxi, or a golf cart. Confirm the current resort pass price, study your route to Port Everglades, bring the right documents, and keep the return schedule in mind.

Skip it if you need a tightly managed excursion or cannot tolerate possible border delays. For everyone else, this is a practical way to sample Bimini in one day, as long as you see it for what it is: a ferry trip with free island time, not a fully guided tour.

FAQ

How long does the ferry take from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini?

The ferry crossing takes approximately two hours each way.

How much free time do I have in Bimini?

You have approximately six hours of free time, generally from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must arrange your own transport to and from Port Everglades Terminal 21.

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.

Is the Resort World Bimini day pass included?

No. The pass is an extra cost purchased onboard. The supplied information lists both $30 and $40, so confirm the current price before purchase.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, but only foldable wheelchairs are accepted. Infants under six months old are not permitted.