The Baleària Caribbean ferry from Port Everglades reaches Bimini in roughly two hours. That crossing is the first of three connections — ferry to Bimini, then flights to Nassau and Exuma — that string together a week’s worth of experiences no single resort could deliver. This 7-day itinerary covers three islands with distinct personalities: Bimini’s laid-back fishing-village vibe, Nassau’s resort energy and historic core, and Exuma’s remote cays and famous swimming pigs.
Bahamas has over 700 islands and 2,400 cays, but only about 30 are inhabited. A well-planned itinerary lets you taste the range without spending your whole vacation in transit.
This 7-day, 6-night itinerary connects three islands via ferry and two short flights, giving you a sampling of the Bahamas’ range without feeling rushed.
The route runs Fort Lauderdale → Bimini (ferry), Bimini → Nassau (flight), Nassau → Exuma (flight), then back through Nassau to home.
Yes, you can cover three islands in 7 days — but the key is locking down your inter-island flights early. Western Air’s Bimini–Nassau departures cluster between 10:20 AM and 3:20 PM with no evening option, and the early Bahamasair flight to Exuma is the one you want. Miss those windows and your itinerary unravels.
The three-island pace works best for travelers comfortable with early mornings and tight connections — the payoff is a trip that covers swimming pigs, Atlantis, and a fishing village in one week.
Each island has a different character, and the itinerary is designed to let you experience each one’s best without overpacking your days.
First-time island hoppers
Families with kids 8+
Budget-conscious travelers
Here’s how the itinerary breaks down across the three destinations, with costs and logistics for each.
Use the table below to compare at a glance, then dive into each island’s details.
| Island | Duration | Highlights | Transport | Per-Person Cost (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bimini | 2 days / 1 night | Radio Beach, Honeymoon Harbour stingrays, Alice Town | Ferry from Fort Lauderdale (~2h, from $115) | ~$230 ferry + $150–$250 hotel + $80–$120 food |
| Nassau & Paradise Island | 3 days / 3 nights | Atlantis Aquaventure, Queen’s Staircase, Arawak Cay fish fry | Flight from Bimini (Western Air, ~30 min, from $198) | ~$400–$750 hotel + Atlantis day pass (book ahead) + $150–$250 food |
| Great Exuma | 2 days / 1 night | Swimming pigs, Compass Cay nurse sharks, Thunderball Grotto | Flight from Nassau (Bahamasair, ~45 min, $180–$250 RT) | ~swimming pigs tour (book ahead) + $150–$300 hotel + $60–$100 food |
Bimini: Ferry-In, Flight-Out
The ferry check-in at Port Everglades closes 90 minutes before departure — arriving by 7:30 AM gives you time to park, queue, and clear any last-minute confusion about which terminal Baleària is using (the check-in location has moved before, so confirm on your ticket). The boat itself is comfortable enough for a 2-hour crossing, and by 11:00 AM you’re through customs on Bimini.
Radio Beach is the first stop — a broad stretch of sand with chair rentals for about $10 and calm water. Lunch at Stuart’s Conch Stand (fresh conch salad and cracked conch, about half what you’d pay at a resort) sets the local-food tone. Alice Town’s colorful streets and Hemingway haunts fill the afternoon. Day two starts with breakfast at Captain Bob’s — try the johnny cakes. A boat tour to Honeymoon Harbour runs around $60 and gets you in the water with stingrays, then a golf cart (roughly $80/day) lets you cover North Bimini at your own pace. Plan around Western Air’s mid-afternoon departure — the last Bimini–Nassau flight leaves around 3:20 PM, and there’s no evening option. Allow 30 minutes to reach South Bimini Airport: a water taxi plus short cab ride from Alice Town.
Bimini’s ferry check-in closes 90 minutes before departure — arriving by 7:30 AM gives you a comfortable buffer. Midweek ferry fares run about $50 lower than Friday or Sunday crossings.
Nassau & Paradise Island: Balancing the Big Ticket With the Free Stuff
Atlantis Aquaventure gets the headlines — and for good reason: the Leap of Faith water slide and Predator Tunnel aquarium are genuinely impressive. But Nassau’s downtown walking tour (Queen’s Staircase, Fort Fincastle, Parliament Square) and a fish fry at Arawak Cay cost nothing and deliver just as much character. The trick is balancing the big-ticket day pass against the free stuff.
Non-guests must book Atlantis day passes in advance through the official site or app — daily quantities are capped, and popular dates sell out. Pricing is seasonal: roughly $195 per adult (13+) and $95 per child (4–12), climbing past $250 on peak spring-break and holiday dates. One night at the resort includes access and often works out similarly for a family of four. Lunch at Marina Village, then hit the water slides and The Dig aquarium. Day 4: walk the Queen’s Staircase, explore Fort Fincastle, then head to Arawak Cay for fried fish and sky juice. Cable Beach is free and walkable from Margaritaville or Baha Mar, with water sports available. Day 5: Blue Lagoon Island (around $189) for dolphin encounters, or save the money and spend the morning on Cable Beach before your flight to Exuma. Bay Street offers nightlife with bars, restaurants, and live music downtown.
Exuma: Pigs, Sharks, and the Early Flight That Makes It Possible
Bahamasair flight UP370 departs Nassau at 6:50 AM and lands in George Town at 7:35 AM — early enough to join a same-day swimming pigs tour. That early start is worth the alarm: shared full-day boat tours from Great Exuma start around $275 and go up to $400 per person, including lunch and multiple stops, while a fly-and-boat day trip from Nassau runs $750–$850.
Most tours depart from Barraterre Dock, about a 55-minute drive north of George Town — confirm whether transfers are included when you book. The pigs at Big Major Cay swim out to meet boats on a set feeding schedule; crews ask visitors not to bring their own snacks. Compass Cay’s nurse sharks are next — shallow water, calm guides, easy for hesitant swimmers. Lunch on a private sandbar, then snorkel Thunderball Grotto (the James Bond location). A stop at Iguana Beach comes with a firm rule: Bahamian rock iguanas are critically endangered and protected under the Wild Animals (Protection) Act. Feeding or handling is prohibited — guides set the rules, and the Bahamas National Trust has publicly called out visitors who ignore them. Return to George Town around 5:30 PM for sunset drinks on the beach. Day 7: a last swim at Tropic of Cancer Beach before flying to Nassau and connecting home.
Bahamian rock iguanas are critically endangered and protected by law. Feeding or handling them is prohibited — the Bahamas National Trust has publicly called out visitors who break this rule. Keep your distance and follow your guide’s instructions.
Budget & Transport: Where Your Money Goes
The total per-person cost for this itinerary ranges from about $1,800 (budget) to $4,800+ (luxury), with the mid-range sweet spot around $2,800. The biggest savings come from three decisions.
| Budget (~$1,800) | Mid-Range (~$2,800) | Luxury (~$4,800+) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport | $550 (ferry RT $230 + flights $280) | $700 (ferry $270 + flights $430) | $1,000 (ferry $350 + flights $650) |
| Accommodation (6 nights) | $600 | $2,000 | $2,000+ |
| Activities | $900 (pig tour $275, other $100) | $1,115 (pig tour $300, Atlantis $195, other $115) | $1,685+ (pig tour $420+, other $265) |
| Food & drinks | $500 | $500 | $500 |
Book the Baleària ferry midweek — fares run about $50 lower each way compared to Friday or Sunday crossings. Stay in Alice Town (Bimini) instead of Resorts World to save $100–$150 a night. Skip the Atlantis day pass if your dates don’t line up with availability, or if the cost gives you pause — the island’s public beaches are a solid alternative. And book your swimming pigs tour from Exuma rather than as a fly-and-boat day trip from Nassau: the Nassau version bundles a return flight and typically runs $750–$850 per person, while a boat tour from Great Exuma covers the same stops for $275–$400. Eat at local spots like Stuart’s Conch Stand (Bimini) and Arawak Cay (Nassau) — half the price of resort dining, and the food is better.
Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, with peak risk from mid-August through September. A storm can cancel the Bimini ferry or an inter-island flight at short notice. Western Air’s Bimini–Nassau route has only about 8 flights a week — miss one and the next might not come until the following day. Book refundable rates and consider travel insurance that covers weather disruption if you’re traveling during this window.
- Book inter-island flights as soon as your dates are firm — capacity is limited and schedules are thin.
- Skip the Atlantis day pass if budget is tight; Cable Beach is free and the historic downtown costs nothing.
- Eat at local spots — Stuart’s Conch Stand in Bimini and Arawak Cay in Nassau serve better food at half the resort price.
- Book your swimming pigs tour before your flight to Exuma — popular operators sell out well in advance.
Before You Go — Bahamas Multi-Island Itinerary
Do I need a passport for this trip?
Yes — a valid U.S. passport booklet is required for the ferry to Bimini and for inter-island flights. The U.S. State Department recommends at least 6 months of validity beyond your return date. A passport card is not accepted on the flights.
Can I do this in 5 days instead of 7?
Yes — skip Bimini and fly directly to Nassau (2 nights) then Exuma (2 nights). You’ll lose the ferry adventure and Bimini’s fishing-village pace, but the swimming pigs and Atlantis are still on the table. The 5-day version requires the same early booking discipline on flights.
When’s the best time to go?
Late April through May offers the best balance of good weather
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