A day ferry into the Bahamas feels surprisingly simple. You get a guaranteed seat and those turquoise-water views that roll past while the islands get closer. The one real catch: the ferry air-conditioning can run cold, so bring a sweater.

I like that you’re not trapped on a tight schedule. You’re free to lounge on the deck, then spend your afternoon on your own—beach, swim, and optional activities—without needing a rental car. Just remember that the day trip is long, and it’s easy to spend extra once you’re on the island.

Logistics are straightforward but strict: check-in closes at 8 AM sharp, and the trip includes a US entry/exit day where you’ll need proper documents. If you’re pregnant, this one isn’t recommended, and if you’ve got little ones, infants under 6 months aren’t allowed.

Key things to know before you go

• Guaranteed seat on board: You board the air-conditioned ferry with assigned seating.
• Two island choices: Your day is either Bimini or Grand Bahama, depending on the departure you book.
• Extra-cost activities on the ferry: Beach day passes and water sports are purchasable on board.
• Ferry has basics: Comfortable seats, restrooms, and a snack bar.
• Plan for cold AC: Light layers can save your day on the boat.
• Pigs at Crystal Beach aren’t included: It’s a well-known option, but not part of the tour package.

Ferry Day Basics From Port Everglades (and Eller Drive)

This is a true day trip built around one thing: getting you from Florida to the Bahamas by ferry and back again. The roundtrip starts at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, with pickup also offered at Eller Drive. There’s no hotel pickup, so you’ll want to plan to reach your listed pickup point in time.

The timing matters. Check-in closes at 8:00 AM sharp, and the ferry typically departs around 9:00 AM. That early cutoff keeps the whole operation moving, but it also means you should treat 8:00 AM as the real deadline, not the “maybe I’ll be there then” time.

The trip is built for convenience: you’re not trying to coordinate multiple tickets or transfers. You’ll do the crossing with the tour ferry, then handle your island time independently before returning to Florida on the return sailing.

Sea Breeze Crossing: The 80 km, 16-Hour Reality

The Bahamas sit about 80 km off Florida’s coast, and the ferry ride gives you a front-row seat to the shift from mainland light to island water. On a clear day, you’ll notice the sea takes on that bright, shimmering look as you approach—exactly the kind of visual payoff you can’t get from a quick landing.

You’re on board for about 2–3 hours each way, depending on whether you’re headed to Bimini or Grand Bahama. During the crossing, you can relax on the deck or stay in the air-conditioned interior when you need a break from the sun.

And yes, the ferry AC is the story. One of the best practical tips from past experience is simple: bring a sweater. The air-conditioning can be strong enough that a towel can even become a makeshift blanket for comfort. If you run cold, pack accordingly—your future self will thank you.

On board, you’ll find restrooms and a snack bar, plus comfortable seating. There’s no promise of full meals included, so think of the snacks as a bonus, not a plan.

Bimini or Grand Bahama: Choosing Your Afternoon Vibe

Your ferry day splits into two island options: Bimini (arrival around 11:00 AM) or Grand Bahama (arrival around 12:00 noon). That difference may not sound huge, but it affects how you feel once you’re finally on land—especially if you want time to settle in, rinse off, and then get beach time.

The core idea is the same either way:

• You arrive in time for a long afternoon.
• You do your own beach time and explore at your pace.
• Optional activities are available for extra cost.

If you want a day that feels more relaxed and beach-forward, Bimini is often the easier choice in spirit because the schedule is more straightforward once you’re off the boat. You’ll have time to enjoy the shoreline and plan your own stops without being pulled into extra segments.

If you’re going to Grand Bahama, you should expect more of the day to be organized around ferry-to-island movement and scenic programming. That can be a plus if you like structure, or a minor drawback if you were hoping for pure free time immediately after arrival.

Grand Bahama’s Scenic Cruising Segments (and Why They Matter)

On the Grand Bahama route, the day includes boat cruise and scenic views segments. The details in the schedule show repeats of cruise-and-scenery timing (two stretches of about 3 hours each), which suggests the day is designed to give you time on water plus time on land rather than a simple ferry in, ferry out.

This matters because it changes how you’ll spend your energy. Instead of rushing to the beach the moment you arrive, you get a chance to see the water and coast from a boat perspective first. For many people, that’s a good trade: you’re not just traveling, you’re getting a view-heavy “part of the day” built in.

The downside is equally real. If you want maximum beach hours under the sun, any scenic segments can feel like they eat into your free time. My advice: if you’re beach-obsessed, treat the day as a mix, not a pure beach day—even though the Bahamas are built for beaches.

Either way, the big win stays the same: you’re getting water views on both the ferry crossing and on the island-route cruising portion.

Beach Time and On-Island Planning: What You Can Do

Once you land, you control your afternoon. The tour includes the ferry ride, but food, beverages, and transportation on Grand Bahama are not included. That means you’ll want to budget for drinks and snacks and also plan how you’ll get around if you want anything beyond walking distance.

You’ll also have optional activity choices, but they’re not bundled into the base price. At surcharge, you can add things like:

• snorkeling
• jet skiing
• parasailing
• banana boating
• beach chairs (rental)

Beach day passes and similar add-ons are purchased on the ferry, so don’t assume you’ll be able to pay for everything only after you arrive. If you know you want a specific activity, decide before you reach the island so you don’t lose beach time.

This is also where you’ll feel the difference between “cheap day out” and “full experience.” The base trip gets you to the Bahamas. The extra activities are what turn it into the kind of day where you remember the water sports as much as the sand.

Crystal Beach and the Pigs: What’s Famous vs What’s Included

The Bahamas are known for white sand, warm water, and lots of small-island atmosphere. On Grand Bahama, one of the most talked-about places is Crystal Beach, famous for pigs.

Important: the actual pigs experience—including Crystal Beach and swimming with pigs—is not included in this ferry day trip. So if that’s your must-do, you’ll need to plan for it separately.

I still think it’s worth knowing about ahead of time even if you don’t do it. It shapes how you’ll picture Grand Bahama before you arrive. It also means you can decide calmly, based on your energy level, whether spending extra makes sense for you.

Price and Value: Is $259 a Good Deal?

At $259 per person, this isn’t a budget throw-in. You’re paying for one of the best parts of this kind of trip: the hassle-free roundtrip ferry from Port Everglades with a guaranteed seat, plus time on either Bimini or Grand Bahama.

Here’s what that price covers:

• the ferry ride roundtrip
• the core day structure that gets you to the island and back

Here’s what it does not cover:

• hotel pickup/drop-off (you handle getting to the pickup point)
• food and beverages
• island transportation (at least on Grand Bahama)
• most activities (snorkeling, jet skis, parasailing, etc.)
• the Crystal Beach pig experience
• any beach chair rentals

So is it worth it? Usually, yes, if you use the included day well: you’ll spend serious time on the island, and you’ll avoid the extra cost and stress of assembling multiple transport pieces yourself. It’s also a solid price if you don’t plan to add many paid activities, because your main “spend” becomes meals and optional rentals.

If you’re the kind of traveler who wants several paid water sports, the final total climbs fast. In that case, treat $259 as the starting point, not the finished bill.

Who This 16-Hour Ferry Trip Suits Best

This trip is built for people who want a Bahamas day without committing to overnight travel. You’re looking at a full 16-hour experience, roughly departing around 9:00 AM and returning around 8:00 PM to Florida.

It fits best if:

• you want beach time and sea views, not a heavy touring itinerary
• you’re okay spending extra for optional water activities
• you prefer a set ferry schedule rather than planning transit on your own

It’s not a great fit if:

• you need hotel pickup (it isn’t included)
• you hate cold indoor air on boats (pack that sweater)
• you’re pregnant (not suitable)
• you’re traveling with an infant under 6 months (not permitted)

If you like the idea of letting the Bahamas happen in your own order—sun first, then swim, then snack—this ferry day style is exactly the sort of plan that works.

Small Print That Can Save Your Day

This tour asks for real documents. You’ll need a passport and you must have USA re-entry authorization such as an ESTA or similar if you’re not a US citizen. You’ll go through US Customs and Immigration, so don’t treat passport validity as an afterthought.

Also, if you provide false or incorrect passport data at booking time, there is no refund. That’s not the kind of risk you want on a day trip, so double-check everything before you pay.

Weather and official services can also affect timing. The provider isn’t responsible for delays caused by weather, Coast Guard issues, or immigration services. That’s normal at sea, but it’s good to know so you don’t build a tight evening plan right after you get back to Florida.

FAQ

FAQ

Where does the ferry depart from?

The ferry departs from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.

Are there pickup options besides Port Everglades?

Yes. Pickup is offered at Port Everglades and also at Eller Drive.

What time does the ferry leave Florida?

Departure from Florida is about 9:00 AM. Check-in closes at 8:00 AM sharp.

When do you arrive in Bimini and Grand Bahama?

Arrival is about 11:00 AM for Bimini, and about 12:00 noon for Grand Bahama.

What time do you return to Florida?

Return departures are about 6:00 PM from Bimini and about 5:00 PM from Grand Bahama, with arrival back in Florida around 8:00 PM.

How long is the day trip?

The duration is listed as 16 hours.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Are activities like snorkeling or jet skiing included?

No. Optional water activities are at surcharge. You purchase optional activities on the ferry.

Is Crystal Beach and swimming with pigs included?

No. A visit to Crystal Beach and swimming with pigs is specifically not included.

Who is this tour not suitable for?

It is not suitable for pregnant women, and infants under 6 months old are not permitted.

Should You Book This Miami Bahamas Full-Day Ferry Trip?

Book it if you want an efficient Bahamas day—ferry comfort, sea views, and long island beach time—without the work of building transport yourself. The $259 price makes sense when you treat it as: you’re buying a smooth roundtrip crossing and a full-day island break, then choosing only the extras you really care about.

Skip it (or at least plan carefully) if you’re sensitive to cold indoor air, you need multiple included activities, or you’re counting on the pig experience at Crystal Beach being part of the deal. Pack a sweater, bring your passport, and plan your afternoon so you’re ready to enjoy the beach the moment you arrive.