The Bahamas has more than 700 islands and over 2,000 cays, but only a handful are connected by scheduled passenger ferries. This guide covers the most practical ferry routes, a 7-day itinerary that strings them together, and the tips that save you time and money.
Bimini is just 50 miles from Florida, making it one of the easiest Bahamian islands to reach by ferry.
Yes, you can island hop the Bahamas by ferry—but only on specific routes. The most useful visitor routes connect Nassau to Harbour Island and Spanish Wells, and Fort Lauderdale to Bimini and Freeport. For Exuma, Andros, or Long Island, you’ll likely need a flight or organized tour instead of a passenger ferry.
The table below summarizes the main ferry routes available to travelers. Prices are as of May 2026 and should be confirmed at booking.
| Route | Duration | Cost (round-trip) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Lauderdale ↔ Bimini (Balearia Caribbean) | ~2 hours each way | From $198 | Not daily; check schedule. Dolphin sightings common. |
| Fort Lauderdale ↔ Freeport (Balearia Caribbean) | ~2 hours each way | From $155 | Tuesday and Saturday sailings only. |
| Nassau → Eleuthera (Governor’s Harbour) (Bahamas Ferries) | ~2 hours | From $155 one-way | Fast ferry; confirm current schedule. |
| Nassau → Harbour Island / Spanish Wells (Bahamas Ferries) | Varies | Check operator | Weekends only; limited sailings. |
| Abacos local ferries (Albury’s Ferry) | 20–30 min per hop | Cash fares | Connects Marsh Harbour, Hope Town, Man-O-War, Guana Cay. |
Each island has its own personality and access quirks. Here’s a quick look at the key stops in this guide.
7-Day Island Hopping Itinerary
This itinerary uses the most reliable ferry routes and includes one short inter-island flight. It’s built around real schedules from Balearia Caribbean and Bahamas Ferries.
Catch the morning Balearia Caribbean fast ferry from Port Everglades. Arrive 90 minutes before sailing for check-in and parking. The crossing takes about 2 hours; dolphin sightings are common. Check into the Hilton at Resorts World Bimini or a smaller guesthouse on North Bimini. Spend the afternoon at Radio Beach (calm, family-friendly) and grab dinner at a conch shack on Alice Town’s main strip. Check current Balearia schedules.
Rent a golf cart (~$80/day) and explore North Bimini end to end. Snorkel at Rainbow Reef or the SS Sapona wreck. Lunch at Stuart’s Conch Stand for conch salad. In the afternoon, shell at Blister Beach. For sunset, head to a beachfront bar near Bailey Town. See our snorkeling guide for Bimini spots.
No scheduled passenger ferry runs Bimini to Nassau. Take a short flight with Western Air or Bahamasair (~30 minutes, from $140 one-way). Check into a downtown Nassau hotel, walk Bay Street, and have dinner at Arawak Cay Fish Fry for conch fritters and cracked lobster. Book Bahamasair flights here.
Book a small-plane or fast-boat day tour to the Exuma Cays (typically $300–$500 per adult, including lunch and park fees). Highlights: swimming pigs at Big Major Cay, iguanas at Allen’s Cay, snorkeling at Thunderball Grotto, and the sandbar at Pipe Cay. Operators with good reviews include Powerboat Adventures and Bahamas Air Tours. Return to Nassau by early evening.
Take the morning Bahamas Ferries fast ferry from Potter’s Cay in Nassau to Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera (~2 hours; tickets from $155 one-way). Rent a car at the dock—book ahead, as the fleet is small. Lunch in Governor’s Harbour, then head to French Leave Beach for the afternoon. Overnight in Governor’s Harbour or Bannerman Town. Book Bahamas Ferries tickets.
Start early at Queen’s Bath (low tide only—check tide tables) and the Glass Window Bridge for photos. Lunch at Tippy’s near Pineapple Fields (reservations recommended in season). Drive north to Three Island Dock and take the water taxi to Harbour Island (~10 minutes, $5 each way) for pink sand beach. Return to Eleuthera and catch the evening Bahamas Ferries boat back to Nassau. Explore Harbour Island’s pink sand beaches.
Spend the morning at Cabbage Beach (free public access) or, if you have a resort pass, Atlantis Aquaventure. Do last-minute shopping at the Straw Market on Bay Street, then taxi to Lynden Pindling International Airport for your flight home.
Ferry Schedules, Costs, and Insider Tips
Getting the most out of Bahamas ferry travel comes down to planning around schedules and a few key realities.
Understanding Ferry Schedules
Not all ferries run daily. Nassau to Harbour Island operates weekends only. Bimini ferries have Tuesday blackouts. Always confirm current schedules directly with the operator before booking accommodations. Balearia Caribbean and Bahamas Ferries post updated timetables online.
Cash and Packing
Local water taxis, small ferry operators, and many island restaurants take cash only. Hit an ATM in Fort Lauderdale or Nassau before heading out—Out Island ATMs are unreliable. Bring at least $500 for a week. Pack light: one carry-on and one personal bag per person. Soft-sided bags are much easier to haul on and off ferries and water taxis.
Book ferries directly on the operator’s website. Balearia often runs promos, and Tuesday/Thursday sailings tend to be cheaper. Kids under 2 travel free; under 12 get half price.
Booking and Buffers
Harbour Island has only about 10 hotels; Hope Town even fewer. During peak season (December–April), book accommodation at least three weeks ahead. Add a full buffer day between major ferry hops—weather can cause delays, and missing a weekend-only ferry means waiting days for the next one.
Weather and Travel Insurance
Best months for smooth seas: March–May and November–December. Hurricane season runs June 1–November 30, peaking August–September. Travel insurance is worth it when your trip involves multiple ferries, flights, and hotels. Check marine forecasts before each crossing.
Bimini to Nassau has no scheduled passenger ferry—you’ll need to fly. The same goes for Exuma unless you book an organized day tour from Nassau. Don’t assume every island is connected by ferry.
- Plan your ferry schedules first, then book hotels—not the other way around.
- Pack light in soft-sided bags; you’ll be hauling them on and off boats and golf carts.
- Carry at least $500 in cash for water taxis, small ferries, and local food stalls.
- Add a buffer day between major hops, especially when using weekend-only ferries.
Before You Go to the Bahamas
Can you really island hop the Bahamas by ferry?
Yes, but only on specific routes. The most practical for visitors are Fort Lauderdale to Bimini and Freeport, and Nassau to Harbour Island and Spanish Wells. For Exuma, Andros, or Long Island, you’ll need a flight or organized tour—there’s no simple passenger ferry service.
Do US citizens need a passport for Bahamas ferries?
Yes. Balearia Caribbean requires a passport book or passport card for all passengers, including children. Birth certificates are not accepted. For domestic ferry travel within the Bahamas, carry a government-issued ID, but keep your passport available for hotel check-ins and flights.
What’s the best time for ferry island hopping?
Mid-March to mid-May and mid-November to mid-December offer the best mix of calm seas, lower prices, and dry weather. Peak season (December–April) brings crowds and higher rates. Hurricane season (June–November) means fewer tourists but more cancellations and rough seas.
Is there a ferry from Nassau to Exuma?
Bahamas Ferries lists Exuma as a destination, but in practice the passenger service is limited. Most travelers fly to Great Exuma or book a day tour from Nassau by fast boat or plane. The famous Exuma Cays (swimming pigs, sandbars) are best visited via organized excursion.
Closing
The Bahamas may be spread across 700 islands, but with the right ferry routes and a little planning, you can see more of them in a week than you’d think possible. Start with the routes that actually run, pack light, and leave room for the unexpected—that’s the real secret to island hopping like a pro. For more on exploring the Out Islands, check out our guide to Eleuthera’s pink sand beaches.
References
Balearia Caribbean. “Fort Lauderdale to Bimini & Freeport Ferry.” baleariacaribbean.com, 2026. ↗
Bahamas Ferries. “Nassau to Eleuthera, Harbour Island & Spanish Wells.” bahamasferries.com, 2026. ↗
NOAA. “Atlantic Hurricane Season Dates.” noaa.gov. ↗
If you’re planning a longer trip, our snorkeling hotspots guide covers the best underwater spots on each island. And for a different pace, see how sailing the Bahamas compares to ferry hopping.
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This Post Has One Comment
Hi!!
I need help finding a ferry to transport cargo. Sorry I know y’all are for passengers but could you help me locate one for 20′ containers and trucks carrying the containers?