Hi! I'm Sophia! 📸
So my dad said I could write about taking photos on the ferries since I've been doing it since I was 7. I've taken like a bazillion photos (okay, maybe just thousands) on every ferry route from Fort Lauderdale to all the islands. My Instagram has gotten pretty popular because of my ferry pics, and everyone always asks me where I take them from!
Fun fact: I've won 3 photography contests at school with my ferry photos, and one of them is hanging in the principal's office! 🏆
Most people just go straight to the upper deck thinking that's where all the good shots are. But trust me, after 4 years of taking ferry photos, I've found WAY better spots. Some of them my dad doesn't even know about (sorry Dad! 😅).
Oh, and before we start — IMPORTANT — always hold onto your phone or camera super tight! My brother Tyler dropped his phone overboard once and... yeah, it's still swimming with the fishes. Get a wrist strap or one of those floating cases!
Photo-spot cheat sheet
| Ferry | Best spot | Best time of day | What you'll capture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balearia Jaume II | Bow, lower passenger deck | Right after departure (9–10 AM) | Dolphins surfing the wake |
| Balearia Jaume II | Port (left) side, upper deck | 4–6 PM return | Sunset + Fort Lauderdale skyline |
| Bahamas Ferries Bo Hengy III | Covered upper deck, starboard | Departure from Nassau (8 AM) | Atlantis, Paradise Island, lighthouse |
| Bahamas Ferries Bo Hengy III | Snack-bar windows | Mid-crossing in calm seas | Stingrays + clear-water shots |
| G&L Ferry | Rear (stern) deck | Final 2 min into Hope Town | Hope Town lighthouse + cottages |
| G&L Ferry | Starboard (right) side | Marsh Harbour → Man-O-War | Sea turtles in shallow flats |
Balearia Caribbean
Fort Lauderdale to Bimini & Grand Bahama
The Secret Bow Spot
Okay, so everyone goes to the upper deck, right? But here's the thing — on Deck 3, there's this little area at the very front (the bow, my dad says) where hardly anyone goes. You can get AMAZING shots of the water splitting around the boat, and when dolphins show up, you're literally right above them!
Sophia's Pro Tip:
Go here right after the boat leaves port. That's when the dolphins usually show up to surf in the boat's wake!
The Sunset Deck (Port Side)
If you're on the afternoon ferry back to Fort Lauderdale, go to the LEFT side of the boat (port side — I learned that from the captain!). About 30 minutes before we dock, the sun starts setting and the whole sky turns pink and orange. It's literally magical! Plus, you can see the Fort Lauderdale skyline all lit up.
Sophia's Pro Tip:
Use portrait mode if you have someone with you. The sunset makes the BEST background for pics with your family!
The Stairwell Window Trick
This is my SECRET SECRET spot! The stairwell on the Balearia has these tall windows between the passenger decks, and on the way up you get this super wide view of the open ocean through the glass. Best part: barely anyone stops on the stairs, so you get the shot to yourself for like 10 seconds!
Sophia's Pro Tip:
Clean the glass with your sleeve first! Also, turn off your flash or you'll just get a reflection.
Bahamas Ferries (Bo Hengy III)
Nassau to Eleuthera, Harbour Island & Exuma
The Captain's Deck Overhang
On the Bo Hengy III, there's this spot right under where the captain drives the boat. It's covered (so no sunburn!) but you can still see everything. The best part? When we're leaving Nassau harbor, you get the PERFECT shot of the Atlantis resort without all the people in your photo!
Sophia's Pro Tip:
Stand on the right side when leaving Nassau. You'll get Paradise Island AND the lighthouse in one shot!
The Snack Bar Window
This sounds weird, but hear me out! The snack bar has these big windows that nobody stands at because everyone's buying food. But from there, you can see straight down into the water when it's that super clear turquoise color. I got my best stingray photo from here!
Sophia's Pro Tip:
Ask the snack bar lady (Miss Cheryl) nicely, and she'll sometimes let you stand on a chair for a better angle!
G&L Ferry Service
Marsh Harbour to Hope Town, Man-O-War & Guana Cay
The Lighthouse Approach Spot
OMG, the Hope Town lighthouse is SO pretty! Everyone tries to photo it from the dock, but the BEST spot is from the back of the ferry about 2 minutes before we dock. The captain always swings the boat around, and for like 30 seconds, you get the lighthouse with the cute colorful houses all in one shot!
Sophia's Pro Tip:
Have your camera ready BEFORE the captain starts turning. You only get like one chance for the perfect shot!
The Turtle Spotting Zone
Between Marsh Harbour and Man-O-War, there's this shallow part where sea turtles hang out. Stand on the RIGHT side of the boat (starboard — boom, another boat word!) and look down. I've seen turtles here like 8 out of 10 times!
Sophia's Pro Tip:
Turn off your flash and zoom in instead of leaning over. Safety first! Plus, the flash scares the turtles.
Sophia's Super Secret Photo Tips ✨
Golden Hour Magic
The best lighting is always in the morning (like 7-9 AM) or late afternoon (4-6 PM). The noon sun makes everything look washed out and gives you weird shadows on faces!
Water Color Secrets
The water looks most turquoise when the sun is BEHIND you. So if you want those crazy blue water shots everyone loves, make sure your shadow is pointing toward what you're photographing!
Phone Camera Hacks
Turn on "Grid" in your camera settings! It helps you keep the horizon straight. Nobody likes a tilted ocean! Also, tap and hold on your screen to lock focus before the boat starts moving.
Dolphin Photography
Burst mode is YOUR BEST FRIEND! Hold down the photo button and take like 50 pics when dolphins show up. You'll get at least one good jumping shot, I promise!
My Favorite Ferry Shots 📸
Where to Stay for the Best Ferry Photo Trip
Two nights on either side of the crossing is the photographer's sweet spot — sunrise from a Florida balcony, then golden hour from your Bahamas hotel. Use the map below to compare prices across Booking.com, Hotels.com, Expedia and Airbnb in one view (Stay22 auto-affiliate; no extra cost to you).
Top picks by photo subject
Stay in downtown Nassau or on Paradise Island itself the night before your Eleuthera/Harbour Island crossing — easy walk to Potter's Cay for the 8 AM Bo Hengy III departure.
Compare Nassau hotels →Sleep in Fort Lauderdale near Port Everglades — 5 minutes to Terminal 1 for Balearia's 9 AM Jaume II to Bimini or Freeport.
Compare Fort Lauderdale hotels →Stay on Elbow Cay itself for sunrise and sunset shots from the base of the lighthouse, or in Marsh Harbour for easy G&L ferry access in both directions.
Compare Abacos hotels →Disclosure: BahamasHopping earns a commission when you book through these links — Stay22 rewrites the booking links automatically. The price you pay doesn't change. Learn more.
Ferry Photography FAQ
When is the best time to take ferry photos in the Bahamas?
Golden hour — roughly 7:00–9:00 AM right after departure and 4:00–6:00 PM on the return — gives the warmest light. Midday sun washes colors out and creates harsh shadows. For Atlantic crossings from Fort Lauderdale, the 9:00 AM Balearia departures put you on the water during the best morning light.
Can I bring a real camera (DSLR or mirrorless) on Bahamas ferries?
Yes. Balearia Caribbean, Bahamas Ferries and G&L allow handheld cameras in addition to phones, including DSLR and mirrorless. Tripods and monopods are typically not allowed in passenger areas because of the deck motion and other passengers. A wrist strap or camera leash is strongly recommended on any outdoor deck.
Which Bahamas ferry has the best photo opportunities?
Balearia's HSC Jaume II between Fort Lauderdale and Bimini/Freeport gives the widest open-ocean shots and the best chance of dolphins in the wake. Bahamas Ferries' Bo Hengy III out of Nassau is the only ferry that delivers Atlantis and Paradise Island skyline shots. G&L Ferry in the Abacos is the smallest of the three but offers postcard-perfect Hope Town lighthouse approaches.
What should I avoid when taking photos on a Bahamas ferry?
Never lean over outer railings — boat motion is unpredictable and phones do not float. Avoid using the on-camera flash through windows (you'll only get a reflection). Don't shoot directly into noon sun; turn so the sun is roughly behind you to get the brightest turquoise water tones. And keep a microfiber cloth handy because ocean spray ends up on every lens within minutes.
Are drones allowed on Bahamas ferries?
Drones may not be flown from a moving ferry. In the Bahamas, drones are also regulated under Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority rules — recreational drones over 250 g require registration, and flights near airports, ports, ships and crowds are restricted. Plan drone shoots from land at your destination, not from the deck.
Before You Go...
DON'T FORGET: 📱 Charge your phone the night before! There aren't many outlets on the ferries, and you don't want to miss dolphin shots because your battery died. I learned this the hard way... twice. 🤦♀️
Also, bring a small towel or lens cloth. The ocean spray gets on EVERYTHING, and you can't take good pics with water drops on your lens. My mom always packs extra in her beach bag for me.
One last thing: Be nice to other passengers! If someone's in "your" photo spot, just wait a minute. They probably don't know it's the best spot, and they'll move soon. Plus, sometimes they'll take a pic of you with YOUR camera, which is super nice!
Ready to Take Amazing Ferry Photos?
Pick a route, book the ferry, then save a hotel near the terminal — and you're all set for the kind of shots Sophia talks about above.