Look, I'll be honest — taking three kids on a ferry sounds like a recipe for disaster. But after our latest Bimini trip on the Balearia Caribbean (our 20-something-th time), I'm here to tell you it's actually EASIER than flying. Way easier. And about $843 cheaper for our family of five. Here's exactly what we did, what worked, and what I'd do differently next time.
The Real Numbers That Made Us Ferry Converts
First, let me blow your mind with the math. For our July trip with Tyler (13), Sophia (11), and our youngest (who shall remain nameless because she hates when I write about her), here's what we spent:
🚢 Ferry Option (What We Paid):
- 2 adults @ $180 each = $360
- 2 kids (12 & under) @ $90 each = $180
- 1 teen @ $180 = $180
- Parking at Port Everglades (3 days) = $45
- Total: $765 round trip
✈️ Flying Option (What We Would've Paid):
- 5 tickets FLL to BIM @ $289 average = $1,445
- Baggage fees (inevitable with kids) = $120
- Airport parking = $43
- Total: $1,608
Savings: $843! That's literally our hotel for three nights. But honestly? The money isn't even the best part.
Why the Ferry is a Game-Changer with Kids
1. The Packing Freedom
You know that panic when you're trying to cram everything into carry-ons? Forget it. We brought:
- Tyler's entire fishing setup (3 rods, tackle box, the works)
- Sophia's snorkel gear collection (yes, she has multiple sets)
- A soft cooler with sandwiches and drinks
- Beach toys that would NEVER fit in airplane luggage
- My wife Jennifer's "emergency" bag (fellow parents, you know)
No weight limits. No TSA judgment. No "$50 per bag" surprises. Just throw it all in the car and go.
2. The Journey IS Part of the Adventure
Dad, look! Dolphins! ACTUAL DOLPHINS!
I'm not exaggerating — we see dolphins almost every trip. The kids spend the entire 2 hours either spotting marine life, exploring the ferry (it's huge — 427 passengers!), or actually enjoying the trip instead of being strapped into airplane seats whining about their ears.
Our Exact Game Plan (Steal This!)
The Night Before
- Check in online — Saves 20 minutes at the terminal
- Pack the car — Everything except the cooler
- Charge ALL devices — The ferry has outlets, but they're popular
- Print tickets — Yeah, I'm old school. Phone dies? No problem.
Departure Day Timeline
5:30 AM: Wake up (I know, but trust me)
6:00 AM: Leave Fort Lauderdale house
6:30 AM: Arrive at Port Everglades Terminal 21
6:45 AM: Parked and walking to terminal
7:00 AM: In line (we're usually 20th-ish)
8:00 AM: Boarding starts
9:00 AM: Ferry departs
11:00 AM: Hello, Bimini!
Pro tip: That 90-minute early arrival they recommend? Not a suggestion. The parking lot fills up, especially on Fridays and Sundays. We've seen people miss the ferry because they couldn't find parking.
The Balearia Ferry Experience with Kids
Getting the Right Seats
After 20+ trips, here's the secret: Upper deck, middle section, port side (left when facing forward). Why?
- Less engine vibration than lower deck
- Better views for dolphin spotting
- Quick access to outdoor deck
- Close to the good bathrooms
Skip the Premium upgrade unless you really want the free snacks. The regular seats are perfectly comfortable, and kids don't care about slightly wider seats — they're barely in them anyway.
Keeping Three Kids Happy for 2 Hours
Our Ferry Entertainment Kit
🎮 Digital Distractions
- iPads with downloaded movies (WiFi works but barely)
- Nintendo Switch with Mario Kart
- Portable chargers (crucial!)
- Headphones for EACH kid (no sharing = no fighting)
🍿 Snack Strategy
- Individual snack bags (prevents the "he got more!" argument)
- Water bottles (ferry water fountain tastes weird)
- Dramamine crackers (just in case)
- Special ferry-only candy (bribery works)
But honestly? They spend most of the time on the outdoor deck looking for dolphins and flying fish. The ferry ride has become part of the vacation, not just transportation.
Dealing with Immigration (It's Actually Easy)
This freaked me out the first time, but Bahamian immigration is super chill:
- Officers board the ferry in Bimini — You don't even leave your seat
- Have passports ready — Kids need their own (learned that the hard way)
- Fill out immigration cards on the ferry — They hand them out 30 minutes before arrival
- Keep kids seated and quiet — The officers appreciate it and move faster
- The whole process takes maybe 20 minutes
Parent Hack: Let each kid hold their own passport. They feel important and are less likely to wander off during the immigration check. Win-win.
Our Bimini Success Formula
Where We Stay
We've tried a bunch of places, but with kids, location beats luxury every time. We book condos walking distance from Radio Beach. Why Radio Beach? It's basically a giant kiddie pool — crystal clear, no waves, shallow forever. Sophia learned to snorkel there when she was 7 because she could stand up anywhere she got nervous.
Getting Around
Rent a golf cart the second you get off the ferry. I mean it — they run out on busy weekends. $200-250 for a 6-seater for the whole day, and the kids think it's the BEST THING EVER. Tyler's been "helping" me drive since he was 10 (on the quiet roads, relax).
The Must-Do Kid Stuff
- Radio Beach: All day, every day. Free, perfect, and there's a bar for parents.
- Dolphin House: Weird local museum made of shells and bottles. Kids love it. Adults... tolerate it.
- Joe's Conch Shack: Conch fritters and the best rum punch on the island (for us, not them)
- Stuart's Conch Stand: Watch them crack fresh conch — fascinating and slightly gross, kids are obsessed
- Fishing off the dock: Tyler caught his first bonefish here. Free entertainment for hours.
What I'd Do Differently (Learn from My Mistakes)
⚠️ My Rookie Mistakes:
- Not bringing reef shoes the first time — The ferry dock area has some rocky spots
- Overpacking toys — They literally need: snorkel gear, maybe one floatie, done.
- Not downloading enough movies — Ferry WiFi is basically decorative
- Forgetting cash — Many places in Bimini are cash only
- Not booking the golf cart in advance — Nearly ruined our first trip
The Seasickness Question (Everyone Asks)
My wife Jennifer (she's a pediatric nurse, so she knows her stuff) has this down to a science:
- Kids' Dramamine 30 minutes before boarding — Not on the ferry, BEFORE
- Sit in the middle of the ferry — Less motion
- Look at the horizon — Old trick, still works
- Fresh air helps — That outdoor deck is your friend
In 20+ trips, we've had exactly ONE kid get queasy, and that was during 6-foot seas when they almost canceled the sailing. The Balearia ferry is HUGE and stable. This isn't some tiny boat bobbing around.
The Wednesday Secret
💰 HUGE TIP: Wednesday departures are consistently $20-30 cheaper per ticket than Friday/Sunday. For a family of 5, that's $100-150 saved just by being flexible. We've started doing Wednesday-Saturday trips instead of Friday-Sunday. Same vacation, way cheaper, and less crowded everywhere.
Real Talk: Is It Perfect?
No. Let me be honest about the downsides:
- If weather is really bad, ferries cancel (happened to us once in 5 years)
- You're on their schedule — miss the ferry, you're waiting days
- Some people do get seasick (rare on calm days)
- The ferry terminal isn't exactly luxurious
- Coming back Sunday evening = tired kids Monday morning
But compared to the airport nightmare alternative? I'll take the ferry every single time.
Our Next Trip Is Already Booked
We're going back in three weeks. Same ferry, same Radio Beach, same Joe's Conch Shack rum punch waiting for me. The kids are already counting down days and planning which movies to download.
You know what's crazy? My kids now think flying to islands is weird. 'Why would anyone sit in a tiny airplane seat when you could be on a ferry spotting dolphins?' Sophia asked me last week. That's when I knew we'd converted them for life.
Your Turn to Save Big
Look, I get it. The first time is scary. Will the kids freak out? Will everyone get seasick? Will it actually be easier than flying?
Take it from a dad who's done this 20+ times: YES, it's easier. YES, it's cheaper. And YES, your kids will probably like it better than flying.
Start with a long weekend. Book Wednesday departure for the best prices. Pack light (but bring the snorkel gear). And prepare for your kids to ask "When can we take the ferry again?" before you even get home.
Ready to Save $800+ on Your Bimini Trip?
Check schedules and grab those Wednesday deals before they're gone!
Search Balearia Ferry TimesFinal Dad Wisdom
After all these trips, here's what I know for sure: The best family memories aren't made in airport security lines. They're made on outdoor ferry decks, spotting dolphins together. They're made on Radio Beach, teaching your kid to snorkel in crystal-clear water. They're made on golf carts, letting your teenager "help" navigate while the younger ones shriek with joy in the back.
The ferry isn't just transportation — it's the beginning of the adventure. And at $843 less than flying? That's money for another trip. Or college funds. (Just kidding, it's definitely another trip.)
See you on the ferry deck! We'll be the family with three kids, too much beach gear, and huge smiles.