Ferries to the Bahamas
Ferries to the Bahamas 
β΄οΈ
Your complete guide to ferry routes between Florida and the Bahamas β and how to island hop once you're there.
Ferries from Florida to the Bahamas
The Bahamas are just off the Florida coast and can be reached quickly by ferry. Two main routes are operated by Balearia Caribbean, departing from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale:
So let's first have a glance at the visual map to have an idea of what we are looking at:
Map: Ferries to Bimini and Freeport (Grand Bahama)
Within the Bahamas, mailboat routes
- Regular ferry
- Mailboat that takes passengers
- Cancelled
About the crossings to the Bahama's
1. Miami (Fort Lauderdale) β Bimini
- β±οΈ Duration: ~2 hours
- π Frequency: Up to 6 sailings per week
- π΅ From: ~$180
- Distance: ~51 miles
- Great for short stays or day trips
- Extensive guide on the Miami Bimini routeΒ π
2. Miami (Fort Lauderdale) β Grand Bahama (Freeport)
- β±οΈ Duration: ~2h 30 mins
- π Frequency: Daily (seasonal)
- π΅ From: ~$198
- Distance: ~80 miles
- Extensive guide on the Grand-Bahama Fort Lauderdale routeπ
Travel Documents:
All U.S. travelers must present a valid passport book or passport card. Customs clearance is required on both sides. Exceptions and updates can be found in our USβBahamas ID guide π.
Airport Access Tip:
The ferry terminal is only about 15 minutes from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, making it easy to connect via taxi or shuttle.
| Route/Crossing | Sailing time | Departures | Price (approx) | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami β Bimini | 2h | Up to 6Γ/week | $180β$220 | Balearia Caribbean |
| Miami β Grand Bahama (Freeport) | 2h 30m | Daily (seasonal) | $198β$240 | Balearia Caribbean |
| Nassau β Harbour Island / Spanish Wells | ~2h | Fri & Sun | ~$105 | Bahamas Ferries (Bo Hengy III) |
| Local Ferries (e.g., Abaco, Green Turtle Cay) | 30β60 mins | $15β$45 | Various small operators |
No direct ferry to NassauΒ
There are no ferries from Florida to Nassau, but you can reach Nassau from other Bahamian islands using mailboats or domestic flights. If you're adventurous, continue your journey via the Mailboat system.
Mailboat Routes in the Bahamas
Mailboats are the slow, traditional transport lifelines of the islands β not luxurious, but rich in local flavor. Many still carry passengers.
Here are a few key passenger mailboat routes:
Bahama Mailboat routes
| Route/Crossing | Operator | Sailings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freeport β Nassau | The Mailboat Company | Weekly | Often departs late at night |
| Nassau β Cat Island | The Mailboat Company | Weekly | Passenger space available |
| Nassau β Spanish Wells / Harbour Island | Bahamas Ferries | Fridays & Sundays | Operated by modern ferry (Bo Hengy III) |
About Mailboats:
- Expect basic comfort, long travel times
- Bring cash for tickets
- Schedules can change without notice β confirm in advance
- Locals use mailboats for freight + inter-island transport
π€ Local & Inter-Island Ferries
Some smaller private ferries operate shorter routes between nearby islands, especially around Abaco and Exuma.
Freeport – Nassau Mailboat
About 70% of the inhabitants of The Bahamas live in the city of Nassau which is located on the island of New Providence.[1]Nassau (Bahamas), Wikipedia.com You can get there by mailboat from Freeport. The departure is often in the middle of the night, and it takes some time, but it will be an adventure for sure!
It is possible to travel by mailboat from Freeport to Nassau.
- Website: The Mailboat Company | Schedule
Nassau – Cat Island Mailboat
There is only one other Mailboat on which you can board as a passenger. This is from Nassau to Cat Island.
- Website: The Mailboat Company | Schedule
Nassau – Spanish Wells – Harbor Island
On Fridays and Sundays, you can take the ferry from Nassau toΒ Spanish Wells & Harbour Island. This ferry is operated by Bahamas Ferries. This company also operates on many other routes, but these are freight only.
- Website:Β Bahamas FerriesΒ |Β Schedule
Grand Bahama – Abaco
Great Abaco is an Island in the North and you can get there directly from Freeport, the arrival harbor from the ferry from Lauderdale. The other option is to take the ferry from McLeans town. This is a short crossing, but you first have to travel from Freeport to McLeans town. The distance is around 48 miles / 78km and you can travel by taxi. Please note that a taxi is not guaranteed to be available upon arrival at Crown Haven, so it is best to book it in advance.
- Website: Pinders Ferry
- Website: Wave Marine Ferry
Marsh Harbour – Hope Town
Off the coast of Abaco are several small islands. With G and L ferries you can easily get here. If you're in the area, a visit to Hope town is worth it.
- Website: G and L Ferry
Marsh Harbour – Man-O-War
- Website: G and L Ferry
Marsh Harbour – Guana Cay
- Website: G and L Ferry
Abaco – Green Turtle Cay
- Website: Green Turtle Ferry Service
Acklins – Crooked Island
There is a small ferry between Lovely Bay, Acklins, and Cove Point, Crooked Island. On-demand charter service can be arranged at a cost.
- Call:Β (242)344-3250
More info can also be found on the official website of the Bahamas.
Bahama Mailboat routes
| Route/Crossing | Operator | Sailings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freeport β Nassau | The Mailboat Company | Weekly | Often departs late at night |
| Nassau β Cat Island | The Mailboat Company | Weekly | Passenger space available |
| Nassau β Spanish Wells / Harbour Island | Bahamas Ferries | Fridays & Sundays | Operated by modern ferry (Bo Hengy III) |
Booking Tips
Book online when possible via Balearia β‘οΈ or comparison tools like our booking module below. Mailboat tickets must often be purchased on-site.
βοΈ Fly or Ferry?
Flying is often the faster and more flexible way to get around the Bahamas β especially for farther islands. However, combining ferry + flight can be a rewarding, scenic, and cost-effective way to explore.
π¨ Final Tips
- β Bring cash, especially on smaller islands and ferries
- π§Ύ Check documents early (passport required!)
- π Confirm schedules, particularly for mailboats
- π§ Be flexible β this is island time, after all
- π Book taxis in advance for remote docks like Crown Haven
On board, vessels & route maps
Booking Your Ferry Tickets
You can compare prices, timetables, and availability using the online booking system with just a few clicks. Enter your travel dates and select the crossing that best suits your needs. Itβs simple and saves time.
Pro Tip: During peak seasons, ferries can book up quickly. Secure your tickets early, especially if traveling with a vehicle.
References
| ↑1 | Nassau (Bahamas), Wikipedia.com |
|---|
Im currently with family @ fort Lauderdale. Do we need passports to go explore the Bahamas for a day or 2 in ferry?
These mailboats are tough to understand, whil the time schedules don't change a lot: the actual timing does change. You should see this as more of an adventure than the large ferries from and to Bimini and/or Miami. You must literally expect the unexpected when booking tickets for these mailboats, and you have to call the dockmaster before you depart (like 5 days in advance). I've taken the Eleuthera Express many times now, it's a 5 to 9 hour trip for 40 USD, quite cheap and also ‘different' then just flying from A to B.
Just my 2 cents,
Big M
Hello,
I'a m trying to find our which port I would be dropped off when I book a ferry from Fort Lauderdale to Freeport? Where would I find this information?
If i want to wisit thhe Bahamas on vacation, and travel between the islands, itΒ΄s very hard to figure out the best way to transport my self.
Is there a good fery vebsite?
and se how many islands has bridges between them?
Hi. Trying to find out do u need a passport to travel via ferry from FL to Bahamas?
Vou desembarcar em nassau,tenho que ir a bimini ,barco ou aviΓ£o…
Mais nΓ£o tenho visa americano.
NΓ£o estou encontrando transporte de nassau a bimini
De nassau direto pra bimini …
Ou de freeport direto pra bimini ..
Tenho transporte?????
Obrigado
My team and I are wanting to go from Nassau Bahamas to acklands Island so how do we get there? This will be an adventure because we will be looking for pirate treasure. Anyone wanting to join us?
Email : sirwilliam53333@aol.com