Ferries to the Bahamas
Ferries to the Bahamas from Florida operate on two key routes. Thanks to high-speed ferries operated by Balearia Caribbean, destinations like Bimini and Grand Bahama are easy to reach.
There are no regular ferry services linking these northern islands to the wider Bahamas. To continue by water, you’ll have to rely on smaller boats toward places like Great Abaco or on slow and infrequent cargo mailboats to Nassau.
From Miami to the Bahamas
Ferry services depart from Miami, or more specifically Fort Lauderdale, and take around 2 to 3 hours, making both longer stays and day trips a good option.
Showing all 2 services
Miami to the Bahamas: ferries, speedboats & island travel
Traveling from Miami to the Bahamas by ferry is fast and straightforward, and even suitable for day trips. However, if you want to travel further across the Bahamas, you’ll quickly notice that there is no extensive ferry network connecting the islands. Island hopping is therefore more challenging, as you’ll need to rely on smaller speedboats for short distances and mailboats for longer journeys toward Nassau.
Traveling beyond Bimini and Grand Bahama
- From Bimini: South Bimini can be reached by a short local boat crossing. If you want to travel to other islands, you’ll generally need to rely on flights from here onward.
- From Grand Bahama: Small speedboats in McLean’s Town connect to Great Abaco.
- From Freeport: Mailboats connect Grand Bahama with Nassau and with more remote islands. These services mainly carry cargo and operate on flexible schedules. Departures are often weekly and can change depending on weather and demand. Facilities are basic and planning ahead is essential.
Want to understand how ferry routes are structured across the islands? Explore the full network on our Bahamas ferry map.
