Fort Lauderdale to Bimini takes about two hours on the Balearia Caribbean fast ferry, with one-way fares starting around $99. That dock-to-dock speed changes how you think about a Bahamas island-hopping trip — you can cover meaningful ground without spending half your vacation in transit.
Fort Lauderdale to Bimini ferry: ~2 hours, from $99 one-way — the fastest way to start a multi-island week.
This guide lays out a seven-day itinerary that blends ferries, one short flight, and day trips, with practical tips on booking windows, packing light, and handling weather gaps. It’s built for first-time island hoppers, families, and anyone who wants to see more than one Out Island without a logistics headache.
A 7-day loop using the Fort Lauderdale → Bimini ferry, a flight to Nassau, then inter-island ferries to Eleuthera and Harbour Island gives you the best mix of beach time, snorkeling, and local culture — but only if you book ferries 2–3 weeks ahead and leave a buffer day for weather.
First-time island hoppers
Families with kids
Budget-conscious travelers
| Day | Where | What | Time Needed | Key Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Fri) | Fort Lauderdale → Bimini | 2-hr ferry, Radio Beach, Alice Town conch shacks | Full day | Arrive 90 min early at Port Everglades; parking ~$20/day |
| 2 (Sat) | Bimini | Golf cart rental, snorkel Rainbow Reef or SS Sapona, Blister Beach | Full day | Rent golf cart at the dock; Stuart’s Conch Stand for lunch |
| 3 (Sun) | Bimini → Nassau | No passenger ferry; fly Western Air (~30 min, ~$140) or mailboat | Half-day travel | Book flight early; Arawak Cay Fish Fry for dinner |
| 4 (Mon) | Nassau → Exuma day trip | Small-plane or fast-boat tour: swimming pigs, iguanas, Thunderball Grotto | Full day | Costs $300–$500; operators like Powerboat Adventures fill up |
| 5 (Tue) | Nassau → Eleuthera | Bahamas Ferries to Governor’s Harbour (~2 hrs, ~$155 one-way), rent car, French Leave Beach | Full day | Ferries run Wed/Fri/Sun only — adjust schedule |
| 6 (Wed) | Eleuthera → Harbour Island → Nassau | Queen’s Bath, Glass Window Bridge, water taxi to Harbour Island, return ferry to Nassau | Full day | Water taxi $5, ~10 min; evening Bahamas Ferries back to Nassau |
| 7 (Thu) | Nassau → Home | Cabbage Beach, Straw Market, taxi to LPIA | Half-day | Cabbage Beach is free and usually less crowded than Atlantis |
Catch the 9:00 AM Balearia Caribbean ferry from Port Everglades. Arrive Bimini around 11:00 AM. Afternoon: Radio Beach (free public access) and dinner at conch shacks in Alice Town. Booking details — round trip saves ~10%.
Rent a golf cart (about $60/day) to cover North and South Bimini. Snorkel the SS Sapona wreck or Rainbow Reef. Lunch at Stuart’s Conch Stand. Blister Beach in the late afternoon. Carry at least $500 cash — ATMs are unreliable on Out Islands.
No passenger ferry exists between Bimini and Nassau. Book a Western Air or Bahamasair flight (~30 min, ~$140 one-way). Alternatively, take the mailboat (cheaper but slow). Evening: Arawak Cay Fish Fry for conch fritters and fried fish. Book the flight at least a week in advance.
Join a small-plane or fast-boat tour (costs $300–$500 per person). Highlights: swimming with pigs at Big Major Cay, iguanas at Allen’s Cay, snorkeling Thunderball Grotto, and the sandbar at Pipe Cay. Operators like Powerboat Adventures and Bahamas Air Tours fill quickly — book 2–3 weeks ahead. This is the most expensive day; skip if budget is tight.
Take the 8:00 AM Bahamas Ferries fast ferry from Potter’s Cay to Governor’s Harbour (~2 hours, ~$155 one-way). Rent a car upon arrival (book ahead, limited availability). Lunch in Governor’s Harbour, then French Leave Beach for pink sand. Ferries run Wed/Fri/Sun only — plan accordingly.
Morning: Queen’s Bath (low tide only) and Glass Window Bridge. Then drive to Three Island Dock for a water taxi to Harbour Island (~$5, 10 minutes). Lunch at Tippy’s near Pineapple Fields. Return water taxi to Eleuthera, then catch the afternoon Bahamas Ferries back to Nassau. This is a long day — prioritize Harbour Island’s pink sand beach over the inland stops if you’re short on time.
Spend the morning at Cabbage Beach (free, less crowded than Atlantis) or shop at the Straw Market. Taxi to Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) takes about 20 minutes. Junkanoo Beach is another free option closer to downtown.
Practical Tips for Your Bahamas Ferry Itinerary
| Route | Cost (one-way) | Duration | Frequency | Seasickness Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Lauderdale → Bimini | ~$99 | 2 hours | 3+ sailings/week | Low |
| Fort Lauderdale → Freeport | ~$129 | 3.5 hours | 2+ sailings/week | Moderate |
| Nassau → Harbour Island | ~$130 | ~2 hours | Wed/Fri/Sun | Low |
| Nassau → Eleuthera | ~$155 | ~2 hours | Wed/Fri/Sun | Low |
Ferry schedules are not daily — Bimini routes have Tuesday blackouts, and Nassau to Harbour Island runs only Wed/Fri/Sun. Miss one and you’ll need to rebook flights, which can add $100–$200 to your trip. Add a buffer day between major hops.
Booking Windows
For Balearia Caribbean, book 2–3 weeks ahead to secure the best price. Round trips save about 10%. Wednesday departures are often cheaper. For Bahamas Ferries, book at least a week out, especially for Harbour Island and Eleuthera routes. Screenshot your tickets — cell service can be spotty on Out Islands.
Packing Light
Ferries have limited overhead space; aim for one carry-on plus one personal bag. Soft-sided luggage is easier to stow. Bring Dramamine (take 30 minutes before boarding), reef-safe sunscreen, a light jacket for air conditioning, and a reusable water bottle. If you’re still weighing which side of the island to sleep on, this interactive map of the Bahamas’ hotels and rentals makes it easier to compare proximity to ferry docks and beaches.
Costs & Cash
Budget $1,500–$2,500 per person for a week (ferries, budget hotels, food, excluding international flights). Carry at least $500 in cash — ATMs are scarce on Out Islands and often charge high fees. Many small restaurants and taxi drivers don’t accept cards.
Before You Go: Bahamas Ferry & Island Hopping Questions
Do I need a passport for the ferry?
U.S. citizens age 16+ need a valid passport for flights. For sea travel, a passport card or certified birth certificate plus government ID may be accepted, but a passport is safest. Arrive 90 minutes before sailing.
What if I get seasick?
Sit mid-ship on the lower deck, watch the horizon, and take Dramamine 30–60 minutes before departure. Ginger candies and a light breakfast help. The Fort Lauderdale–Bimini route is typically smooth, but the longer Freeport crossing can be rougher.
Can I bring a car on the ferry?
Yes, Balearia Caribbean allows cars on the Fort Lauderdale–Bimini and Fort Lauderdale–Freeport routes. It’s useful if you’re staying on one island, but for a multi-island itinerary, a car becomes a liability — you’ll pay extra for each crossing.
Is it worth flying instead of the ferry?
Ferry cost from ~$99 one-way vs flight from ~$200 one-way. But total travel time for the ferry is about 2 hours dock-to-dock, while a flight includes airport transfers, security, and wait time — often 4+ hours. The ferry also lets you bring coolers, fishing gear, and meet locals. Our detailed comparison breaks it down.
What about hurricane season?
Hurricane season runs June 1–November 30, with peak in August/September. Travel insurance is strongly recommended. The best weather windows for island hopping are March–May and November–December.
One Week, Seven Islands, One Smart Loop
That morning ferry from Fort Lauderdale, with the kids spotting dolphins off the bow, set the pace for the whole trip — unhurried but deliberate. Island hopping in the Bahamas is less about ticking off spots and more about letting each island’s rhythm reset your schedule. The ferry makes that possible without the airport hassle. If you plan around the limited schedules and leave a buffer day for weather, you’ll finish the week with a genuine sense of the Out Islands, not just a stack of hotel receipts. For more on the best beaches and wildlife encounters, our pink-sand beach guide and wildlife encounters post are great next reads.
References
Bahamas Shopping. “Bahamas Island Hopping Guide.” 2023. ↗
Bahamas Shopping. “Bahamas Ferry Ultimate Guide.” 2023. ↗
Christoph Albeck. “Bahamas for Backpackers: Islandhopping on a Budget.” 2023. ↗
After reading this guide, you might want to explore the quieter side of the Bahamas — seven islands beyond Nassau that are worth the extra ferry ride, or the sea turtle encounters at Pink Sands Beach that made our Harbour Island stop unforgettable.
Explore Places to Stay in the Bahamas
Feel free to zoom in and out of the map to explore the area and find the best place to stay for your trip.