Miami/Ft Lauderdale: Bimini or Grand Bahama Day Trip

The appeal is simple: in one long day, you can trade Florida’s coast for white sand and clear Bahamian water. The ferry crossing is part of the outing, with sea views, a guaranteed seat, restrooms, and a snack bar.

I like the choice between laid-back Bimini and larger Grand Bahama. I also like the useful freedom once you arrive: you can buy an optional beach pass or water activity on the ferry, then spend your island hours as you please.

The catch is the clock. You must reach Port Everglades early, and immigration, boarding, and disembarking take a good part of the day. Grand Bahama also requires you to arrange your own island transport, which can make the $282 price feel much higher.

Key points to know before booking

• Bimini gives you more island time: The crossing takes about two hours each way, leaving roughly five and a half hours on the island.
• Grand Bahama has a longer crossing: Plan on about three hours each way and around four hours ashore.
• The ferry leaves from Port Everglades: Hotel pickup is not included, so you must reach Eller Drive on your own.
• A passport is essential: You also need permission to reenter the United States, such as ESTA when applicable.
• Island activities cost extra: Beach passes, swimming with pigs, transport, food, and drinks are not part of the ticket.
• This is a long day: Check-in closes sharply at 7:30 AM, and the return to Florida is expected around 8 PM.

A Bahamas day trip that begins before breakfast

This excursion works because the Bahamas are close to South Florida. Bimini is about 50 miles from the Florida coast, so the trip offers a genuine change of country without requiring a hotel stay or a full vacation plan.

That convenience comes with a trade-off. A 15-hour schedule is not a quick side trip. You will need to be at Port Everglades well before the ferry leaves at about 9 AM. The return crossing brings you back around 8 PM, depending on seasonal schedules and conditions.

You get a reserved seat on an air-conditioned ferry, plus restrooms and a snack bar. The service desk can explain optional activities and island choices, but this is not a guided sightseeing tour. No guide accompanies you around the island, and you are responsible for deciding how to use your time.

The ferry itself is best viewed as practical transportation with a scenic bonus. You can sit inside or spend time on deck, feel the sea air, and watch the water change as Florida fades behind you. Still, do not book this expecting a polished cruise. The boat may feel older and basic, and limited seating, cleanliness, and occasional odor problems have been reported.

Picking between Bimini and Grand Bahama

The island choice matters more than the booking title suggests. The two options have different crossing times, different amounts of free time, and different practical demands.

Bimini is the easier choice if your main goal is a relaxed beach day. The ferry takes about two hours each way, with arrival around 11 AM and departure around 6 PM, though the schedule can change by season. That gives you about five and a half hours on the island.

Bimini is presented as a quiet escape with beaches and a laid-back feel. You can spend the afternoon near the water, shop, look around, or purchase an activity through the ferry service desk. The shorter crossing also means less of your day is spent sitting on the boat.

Grand Bahama gives you about four hours ashore. The ferry generally arrives around noon and departs near 5 PM, after a crossing of about three hours each way. That leaves less room for a complicated plan.

Grand Bahama is the choice connected with Crystal Beach and the possibility of seeing swimming pigs. Be careful with that wording: a visit to Crystal Beach and swimming with pigs is not included in the base fare. You must reserve and pay for that separately, and the tour does not provide transportation around the island.

For a first-time visitor who wants the simplest beach-focused day, I would favor Bimini. Grand Bahama can work if you have a firm plan and understand the transport costs before boarding.

Port Everglades check-in and the early start

The departure point is Port Everglades on Eller Drive in Fort Lauderdale. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the port and allow time to find the correct area.

The check-in cutoff is 7:30 AM sharp. That is the detail most likely to cause trouble. The ferry leaves at about 9 AM, but you should not treat that as your arrival time. Missing the cutoff can ruin the whole day, particularly because the operator requires complete names and passport information for every person.

The port portion may feel slow. Large numbers of people must check in, clear border procedures, board the vessel, and later repeat parts of the process on the return. If you dislike standing in lines or tightly timed departures, this trip will test your patience.

Once onboard, the guaranteed seat is useful. You can rest, have a snack, use the restroom, and watch the water through the windows or from the deck. Bring your own food if you prefer more choice, since meals and drinks are not included.

The ferry crossing: scenic, useful, and not luxurious

The ride is one of the more pleasant parts when the weather is good. The water shimmers in the sun, and the open deck gives you a refreshing breeze. The crossing also provides a natural break between Florida and the Bahamas, rather than making the destination feel like another beach reached by road.

The ferry has an air-conditioned interior, which matters in strong sun or rougher weather. You also have a snack bar, though you should budget for anything you buy onboard.

The service desk is worth visiting early. Staff can explain available island activities, including optional beach day passes. This is also where you may find information about water activities, though the cost is extra and the schedule must fit your limited time ashore.

Expect a basic transport experience rather than a comfortable luxury vessel. Some departures have been criticized for an older boat, unpleasant smells, dirty areas, and not enough seating. Conditions can vary, but the sensible approach is to bring modest expectations. The views are the reward, not the onboard style.

Weather, Coast Guard instructions, and immigration can delay the schedule. The operator does not accept responsibility for those delays, so avoid booking a tight evening connection or an important event soon after the planned 8 PM return.

What your Bimini afternoon can look like

Bimini offers the better time ratio. After arriving around 11 AM, you have roughly five and a half hours before the return ferry. That is enough time for a beach stop and some browsing, but not enough for a long list of separate activities.

You can spend the afternoon on a beach, buy a pass to a beach facility, look around the island, shop, or arrange a water activity. The important point is to choose one main plan. If you try to cover too much, transport and boarding time will eat into the afternoon.

The strongest reason to choose Bimini is the chance to slow down. Put your bag down, find a place near the sand, and let the water do most of the work. This option suits you if the perfect day means sun, a swim, and a little island wandering rather than a packed sightseeing program.

You still need to confirm where your chosen activity is located and how you will reach it. The base ticket does not promise a transfer from the ferry terminal to a beach or attraction. Ask at the service desk and check the return meeting time carefully.

What your Grand Bahama afternoon can look like

Grand Bahama is larger, and that size creates the main practical problem. The ferry ride takes about three hours, leaving around four hours ashore. That is enough for one well-organized activity, but not much room for delays or a long island tour.

Crystal Beach is the headline attraction, especially if you want the optional swimming-pig experience. It is not included, and the tour does not include transportation on Grand Bahama. You must reserve the activity yourself and work out how to get there.

A taxi can add a meaningful amount to the cost. A reported example was about $20 per person for transport, with three people paying roughly $60 round trip. Prices can vary, but this gives you a useful warning: the advertised fare is only the starting point for a Grand Bahama day.

Golf cart rental has also been offered at around $90 for the day. With only four hours available, that may not be good value unless you have a specific route and several stops planned. You might find that a simple taxi arrangement or a single beach activity makes more sense.

Some parts of the island may feel quiet, and shopping options may be limited. Do not choose Grand Bahama expecting a full day of sightseeing. Choose it for one clear purpose, such as Crystal Beach, a beach pass, or a short independent look around.

The real cost of a $282 ticket

At $282 per person, the fare is not cheap. The ticket covers the roundtrip ferry from Port Everglades, but almost everything that turns the crossing into a full island outing costs extra.

Plan for:

• Transport to and from Port Everglades
• Food and drinks
• Taxis or other transport on the island
• Beach day passes
• Water activities
• Crystal Beach access
• Swimming with pigs
• Any shopping or rentals

For Bimini, the shorter ride and longer island stay make the price easier to justify if you mainly want a change of scenery and beach time. For Grand Bahama, the extra transport and shorter afternoon can weaken the value.

This trip makes more financial sense for a group that can share island transport. A solo visitor may have to absorb the full taxi cost, while three people can split a vehicle. Before you book, price the exact activity you want and ask how far it is from the ferry arrival point.

The ticket can still be worthwhile for someone who strongly values the convenience of a same-day international outing. It is less attractive if you expect a guided tour, included transfers, or a full schedule of attractions.

Who will enjoy this long island day

I would recommend the trip to families with older children, couples, and independent visitors who are happy to make their own plan. The reserved ferry seat, restrooms, and air conditioning make the crossing manageable, and the beach time gives you a clear reason for the long day.

It is also a good fit if you are already staying in South Florida and want one Bahamian day without paying for a hotel. Bimini is particularly suitable for a simple beach afternoon.

I would hesitate if you dislike early starts, border procedures, or uncertain ferry timing. Pregnant women are not considered suitable for this activity, and infants under six months are not permitted.

You also need to carry a valid passport or passport card and the authorization required to reenter the United States. Citizens of the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, and Switzerland do not need a Bahamian visa under the stated conditions, while other nationalities may need one. Check the Bahamian immigration rules before paying.

Should you book this ferry trip?

Book it if you want a real beach day in the Bahamas, accept a long schedule, and are comfortable arranging your own transport and activities. I would choose Bimini for the better balance of crossing time and island hours.

Grand Bahama is worth considering only when you have confirmed the location, transport, and cost of your chosen activity. For either island, arrive early, bring your passport, carry food or money for the snack bar, and keep your return plans flexible.

This is not a fully arranged island tour. It is a ferry ticket with several hours of free time in the Bahamas. If that independence suits you, it can be an enjoyable escape. If you want transfers, a guide, and activities included, the final bill and long waits may leave you disappointed.

FAQ

How long does the full activity last?

The activity lasts about 15 hours, with the planned return to Florida around 8 PM.

Where does the ferry leave from?

The ferry leaves from Port Everglades on Eller Drive in Fort Lauderdale.

What time should I arrive for check-in?

Check-in closes sharply at 7:30 AM. The ferry departure is planned for about 9 AM.

How long is the ferry ride to Bimini?

The Bimini crossing takes about two hours each way. Arrival is planned for around 11 AM, with departure near 6 PM, depending on the season.

How long is the ferry ride to Grand Bahama?

The Grand Bahama crossing takes about three hours each way. Arrival is planned for around noon, with departure near 5 PM, depending on the season.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You must arrange your own transport to and from Port Everglades.

Are island activities included?

No. Activities such as beach day passes, water activities, Crystal Beach visits, and swimming with pigs must be reserved and paid for separately.

What documents do I need?

You need a valid passport or passport card and authorization to reenter the United States, such as ESTA or a similar authorization when required.

Can infants or pregnant women join?

Infants under six months old are not permitted, and the activity is not suitable for pregnant women.