The Bahamas has over 700 islands and cays, but only about 30 are inhabited — which means a single-resort vacation barely scratches the surface. A well-planned 7-day itinerary can hit three very different ones: Bimini, Nassau, and the Exumas. The ferry from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini takes about two hours and costs from $115 one-way, making this route surprisingly accessible for a first-time island hopper. Whether you’re traveling on a budget or looking to splurge, the same spine of islands works for both — you just choose where to stay and which extras to add.
Bimini, Nassau & the Exumas — three distinct Bahamian worlds in seven days, with a cost range from $1,800 to $4,800 per person.
First-time island hoppers
Families with kids 8+
Budget-conscious travelers
| Leg | How to Get There | Duration | Highlights | Cost per Person (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bimini (Days 1–2) | Baleària ferry from Fort Lauderdale | ~2 hours crossing | Radio Beach, Honeymoon Harbour stingrays, Alice Town | Ferry from $230 RT + hotel from $150/night |
| Nassau & Paradise Island (Days 3–5) | Western Air flight from Bimini | ~30 minutes | Atlantis Aquaventure, Queen’s Staircase, Arawak Cay Fish Fry | Flight from $198 + hotel from $210/night |
| Great Exuma (Days 6–7) | Bahamasair flight from Nassau | ~45 minutes | Swimming pigs, Thunderball Grotto, Compass Cay nurse sharks | Flight RT $180–$250 + tour $275–$400 |
Bimini: The Laid-Back Gateway
The day starts before dawn. Check-in at Port Everglades closes 90 minutes before the Baleària ferry departs — that’s usually around 7:30 a.m. for a 9:00 a.m. sailing. The crossing across the Gulf Stream takes roughly two hours; you’ll clear customs on arrival and grab a $15 taxi to your hotel. By lunchtime you’re on Radio Beach, where chair rentals run $10 and the water is calm enough for a first-day snorkel.
Arrive at Port Everglades by 7:30 a.m. for the ~9:00 a.m. departure. Book your ticket on Baleària Caribbean in advance — midweek fares run about $50 cheaper than peak weekend sailings. The terminal location has changed before, so check the email confirmation for the exact berth.
Clear customs, taxi to your hotel (~$15), and drop bags. If you’re staying in Alice Town — Bimini Big John’s from ~$160/night — you’re a short walk from Radio Beach and the main strip. Resorts World Bimini, the larger resort on North Bimini, runs from ~$280/night and includes a pool complex and casino.
Radio Beach for swimming (chairs $10), then lunch at Stuart’s Conch Stand for fresh conch salad. Walk Alice Town’s colorful streets and see Hemingway’s old haunts before sunset dinner at Big John’s Bar & Grill.
Day two is for the water. Book a boat tour to Honeymoon Harbour (~$60 per person) to swim with stingrays in the shallows. A golf cart rental (~$80/day) is the best way to cover North Bimini’s beaches and the small museum. Your flight to Nassau departs South Bimini Airport mid-afternoon (the last Western Air departure is around 3:20 p.m.), so allow 30 minutes for the water taxi from North Bimini plus a short cab ride.
Book the Baleària ferry at least two weeks ahead, especially for Friday and Sunday departures. Midweek crossings can be ~$50 cheaper, and you lock in the cheaper rate.
Nassau & Paradise Island: History Meets a Water Park
A 30-minute Western Air flight lands you in the capital by late afternoon. Nassau is the hub for good reason: you’ve got colonial history, the sprawling Atlantis Resort, and the island’s best food scene within a few miles. Spend three nights here to cover the highlights without rushing.
Day three is all about Atlantis. Non-guest day passes for the Aquaventure water park must be bought in advance through the official Atlantis site or app — daily quantities are capped, and spring-break dates often sell out weeks ahead. Pricing starts around $195 for adults (13+), $95 for children (4–12), and can top $250 on peak holidays. The pass includes the water park, resort pools (except The Cove), the Predator Tunnel, and The Dig aquarium. If you’re staying one night at the resort, water park access is included — sometimes that’s cheaper than two day passes.
Day four shifts to Old Nassau. Start at the Queen’s Staircase — 66 limestone steps carved in the 1790s — then walk up to Fort Fincastle for a harbor view. Parliament Square’s pink colonial buildings are a five-minute walk away. For lunch, head to Arawak Cay’s Fish Fry, a row of open-air shacks serving fresh conch salad, grilled fish, and cold Sands beer. It’s the most authentic food experience on the island.
If you have energy left, Cable Beach is a long stretch of white sand with calm water — free and walkable from most hotels. For a splurge, Blue Lagoon Island runs dolphin encounters and beach days from ~$189 per person, but you’ll need to book that excursion separately.
Atlantis non-guest day passes sell out well in advance, especially during spring break, Thanksgiving, and Christmas weeks. If you see availability, grab it — don’t wait until you arrive. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.
The Exumas: Pigs, Sharks & James Bond Caves
The early flight is worth it. Bahamasair’s UP370 departs Nassau at 6:50 a.m. and lands at George Town, Great Exuma, around 7:35 a.m. — early enough to join a full-day boat tour that leaves around 10:00 a.m. The alternative flight at 5:33 p.m. would eat a whole day. Book your Bahamasair ticket as soon as the dates are confirmed; inter-island seats are limited and fill fast.
Check in at Nassau’s domestic terminal (Lynden Pindling International) by 6:00 a.m. The flight is 45 minutes. Once you land, your boat tour operator will likely arrange a transfer from the airport or a meet point in George Town. Confirm whether the tour includes pickup from Barraterre Dock — about a 55-minute drive north.
Shared tours cost $275–$400 per person and include lunch, snorkel gear, and multiple stops. You’ll visit Big Major Cay for the swimming pigs (feed only what the operator provides), Compass Cay to swim with nurse sharks in the marina, and Thunderball Grotto — a sea cave used in the James Bond films. Many tours also stop at a private sandbar for a swim and grilled lunch.
Tours return to George Town around 5:30 p.m. Check into your hotel — Peace & Plenty Resort from ~$180/night or Augusta Bay from ~$210/night — and grab sunset drinks. Day seven is a beach morning at Tropic of Cancer Beach before flying back to Nassau to connect home.
The swimming pigs are the headline, but the Exumas have more to offer. Compass Cay’s nurse sharks are remarkably docile — you can kneel in the water and they’ll swim past. Thunderball Grotto requires a low-tide snorkel through a cave entrance; inside, shafts of light illuminate tropical fish. Iguana Beach hosts endangered Bahamian rock iguanas; keep your distance and don’t feed them — they’re protected under Bahamian law.
Book the 6:50 a.m. Bahamasair flight (UP370) — it’s the only one that gets you to George Town in time for a same-day pig tour. The afternoon flight at 5:33 p.m. arrives too late for any organized excursion that day.
Booking & Logistics
The three legs of this itinerary rely on a ferry and two short flights, each with limited capacity. Miss one connection and the knock-on effect can cost you a day. Here’s how to keep everything on track.
When to Book
Book the Baleària ferry, all inter-island flights, hotels, and the Exuma boat tour at least two weeks ahead. Atlantis day passes also need advance purchase — they sell out unpredictably. Restaurants, golf cart rentals, and local Bimini tours can be arranged on arrival.
Weather & Season
The most reliable weather runs from December through April (75–85°F, low rainfall). May and November offer similar conditions with roughly 30% lower prices. August through October is peak hurricane season — book flexible fares and consider travel insurance. The ferry cancels a handful of times per year in rough seas, and Western Air’s ~8 weekly Bimini–Nassau flights mean a missed departure could strand you overnight.
Total Trip Budget (per person)
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transportation | $550 | $700 | $1,000 |
| Accommodation (6 nights) | $600 | ~$2,000 | — |
| Activities | $900 | ~$1,000+ | — |
| Food & Drinks | $500 | — | — |
| Total | $1,800 | $2,800 | $4,800+ |
Note: Prices are per person, exclude international flights to/from Fort Lauderdale, and are based on 2026 estimates from official operators. Always confirm current rates before booking.
Money-Saving Tips
- Book the Baleària ferry midweek — fares can be ~$50 lower than Friday/Sunday.
- Stay in Alice Town, Bimini (Bimini Big John’s ~$160/night) instead of Resorts World — saves $100–$150/night.
- Skip the Atlantis day pass if your hotel is near Cable Beach — it’s free and walkable.
- Book the swimming pigs tour from Great Exuma, not as a fly-and-boat day trip from Nassau; the Nassau version often costs $750–$850 per person.
- Eat at local spots: Stuart’s Conch Stand in Bimini, Arawak Cay in Nassau — half the price of resort restaurants and better food.
Before You Go — Bahamas Island Hopping
Do I need a passport for this trip?
Yes. U.S. citizens need a valid passport booklet (not the card) for the ferry to Bimini and for all inter-island flights. Six months of validity is recommended. The passport card is not accepted for domestic air travel in the Bahamas.
What happens if a flight or ferry gets cancelled?
Baleària cancels a few times a year in rough seas; the ferry operator will rebook you. Western Air and Bahamasair have limited daily frequencies — a missed flight could mean waiting until the next day. Travel insurance (especially June–November) and refundable hotel rates build in a safety net.
Is this itinerary suitable for kids?
The swimming pigs, nurse sharks, and Atlantis water park are big hits with children 8 and up. Under 5 might find the ferry long and the boat tour tiring. A shorter 5-day version (skip Bimini, fly direct to Nassau then Exuma) works better with younger kids.
When is the best time to go?
December through April offers the best weather (75–85°F, low rain) but highest prices. May and November are the sweet spot — similar conditions, roughly 30% cheaper. Avoid August through October unless you have flexible tickets and insurance.
One Week, Three Islands
This 7-day route doesn’t try to cover everything — it gives you a real taste of three distinct Bahamian personalities: Bimini’s slow beach life, Nassau’s history and water-park energy, and the Exumas’ wild marine encounters. You can adjust the budget up or down without changing the spine. For a deeper look at Nassau’s after-dark scene, check out our guide to nightlife in Nassau from Junkanoo to rooftop bars — it’s a great way to cap off your time in the capital.
References
Baleària Caribbean. “Ferry to Bimini.” 2026. ↗
Western Air. “Bimini–Nassau Flights.” 2026. ↗
Bahamasair. “Nassau–George Town Schedule.” 2026. ↗
Atlantis Paradise Island. “Aquaventure Day Passes.” 2026. ↗
For more Bahamas travel ideas, explore our guides on powerboat adventures in the Exumas and snorkeling the Abacos’ underwater caves — two very different ways to see the islands beyond this classic route.
Explore Places to Stay in the Bahamas
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