Ferry to Bimini from Miami
The ferry to Bimini Island
The ferry to Bimini from Bimini is the shortest ferry connection to the Bahamas. It's super easy to book and and an easy way to reach Bimini without the usual airport hassle.
Miami or Fort Lauderdale?
Technically you'll be leaving from Fort Lauderdale, while Ft. Lauderdale is still part of the “Miami Metropolitan Area” it's considered a major city in and and of itself.
Getting to Bimini
Balearia Caribbean operates the only ferry line linking Miami (Fort Lauderdale) to Bimini. There are however multiple things you need to know about this crossing, the ferry and about Bimini, we collected all possible Bahamas info you could need. Let's start with the interactive your on the map.
Ferry Map to Bimini from Miami
The route to Bimini is the route going South, the other route is the connection to Freeport. When you zoom in on the map on the Bimini Island and look closely, you see that the ferry to South Bimini is not the same place as the ferry you'll be arriving on. Quite an important little ferry as many people travel to Bimini to go Shark Diving. Read more about this connection below.
About the ferry and crossing
You'll be traveling with the Jaume II, a fast ferry built in Australia by Incat in 1996[1], famous for the many fast Catamaran ferries. On board, you'll find a Coffee Shop and a Gift Shop. It's not a very luxurious ferry, but this one will get you to your destination fast. In all our experiences, seasickness is rare on this route. However, if you unsure, check out our seasickness guide.
Balearia Ferry Jaume II to Bimini Island
Timetable and Pricing to Bimini
The price of the ferry is $80 to $150 per person for a single crossing and it takes about 2 hours
Ferry to Bimini & Grand Bahama
| Route | Day | Check-in Opens | Suggested Check-in Time | Terminal Closes | Sailing Time | Time or Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| to Bimini | Up to 3 Times/Week | 6:00 AM | 6:15 AM – 6:45 AM | 8:00 AM | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM | 11:00 AM |
| to G. Bahama | Up to 2 Times/Week | 6:00 AM | 6:15 AM – 6:45 AM | 8:00 AM | 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM | 12:00 AM |
Check-in and Arrival for the ferry to Bimini
The guidance from Balearia Caribbean is obvious on the Check-in time: It starts every day at 6:00 AM. They strongly advise you, however, to be there from 6:15 to 6:45. This is early as the ferry leaves every day at 9:00 AM. The Terminal doors close at 8:00 AM. So don't be late. They are strict at controlling these times, so do follow the guidelines!
Things you must know
The price of bringing a cat or dog along is expensive. It's an additional $150,- per pet per leg (for a one-way trip). You can't book a pet with the engine, you have to add them to your reservation by e-mailing customer service.
In 2023, we already found it pricey at $100 for a one-way trip. Since then, the cost has increased to $150..
Other Routes to the Bahamas
There are no real alternatives because this island is secluded from the other Bahamas. From Fort Lauderdale, you can also leave to Grand Bahama. However, this is only an alternative to the complete trip as this is a completely different destination.
- All ferries to the Bahamas
- The trip to Grand Bahama from Miami
- Video driving down North Bimini Island (on a golf cart, good island impression).
- Official Website of the Bahamas
All trips from Miami:
Shark Diving in South Bimini
If you're visiting Bimini for shark diving, especially to see the great hammerhead, South Bimini is the place to be! The area is home to several popular scuba centers and even a shark research center. After arriving by ferry, here’s how you can get to South Bimini:
It’s about a 25-minute walk south to the Bimini Ferry Stop. Just head in that direction, and you’ll easily find it.
For a quicker and more enjoyable trip, consider renting a bike from Eclipse Rentals Bimini. You can take the bike on the ferry to South Bimini, which makes getting around the island a breeze. Once you’re there, biking will get you to your destination in just 5 minutes!
Finally, hop on the ferry for the short ride to South Bimini. The fare is usually around $10. It's a small ferry, so it’s a cozy trip!
The Hammerhead Shark you'll want to spot when in Bimini
Booking this trip
You can compare pricing, tickets and actually book your ticket through our booking module:
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