Look, I get it. When you're planning a Bahamas trip, your first instinct is to check flights. That's what we did too — until we discovered the ferry. Now, nine years and 50+ trips later, we've saved enough money to literally pay for a year of college. Yeah, you read that right: $40,000+ saved by skipping the airport and hopping on a boat instead.
The Short Version
- Cheaper for Bimini & Grand Bahama: the ferry usually beats flying once you count baggage, parking and airport hassle.
- Fort Lauderdale to Bimini in about 2 hours on the Balearia fast catamaran; fares from around $99 each way.
- No direct ferry to Nassau or Exuma from Florida — those destinations still need a flight.
- Everyone needs a valid passport, children included.
- Generous baggage allowance — a big win if you travel with coolers, fishing or snorkel gear.
The Day Everything Changed
It was spring 2017, and we were planning our first Bahamas trip since moving to Fort Lauderdale. My wife Jennifer (she's a nurse, so she's all about the budget) was comparing flight prices when our neighbor Mike knocked on the door.
"You guys flying to Bimini?" he asked, seeing her laptop screen. "Why the heck would you do that when the ferry's right there?"
That conversation changed our entire approach to island travel. Mike showed us his receipts from his last trip — a family of four, round trip to Bimini for under $500. Meanwhile, flights alone were gonna cost us $1,200+, not counting baggage fees, parking, and all that airport nonsense.
Let's Talk Real Numbers (Because Math Doesn't Lie)
Now multiply that by the 4-5 trips we take every year, and you're looking at serious money. That's how we've saved over $40k — it's not magic, it's just math!
But Wait, There's More (I Sound Like an Infomercial, But It's True!)
Dolphins Every. Single. Time.
I'm not exaggerating — we've seen dolphins on literally every ferry trip. My kids have probably seen more dolphins than most marine biologists. Try getting that view from 30,000 feet!
Pack Like You're Moving
Last trip? We brought 3 coolers, fishing gear, snorkel equipment, a volleyball net, and enough snacks to feed a small army. Cost for all that baggage? Zero. Zilch. Nada.
Actually Faster Door-to-Beach
Show up 90 minutes early, 2-hour cruise, walk off at Alice Town. Total: 3.5 hours. Flying? 2 hours early, security, boarding, flight, land at South Bimini, wait for water taxi... 4+ hours easy.
The Stuff Nobody Tells You About
© Wikimedia / CC BY-SA 4.0
© Peter Asprey / CC BY-SA 3.0
© Pietro / CC BY-SA 2.0
Here's what really sealed the deal for us: the ferry is actually FUN. My kids beg to take the ferry now — they've made friends with other families, they love spotting sea life, and they can actually walk around instead of being strapped into a tiny airplane seat.
Plus, you meet the coolest people on ferries. We've made lifelong friends with families from Miami, learned secret fishing spots from locals, and even got invited to a beach wedding because we hit it off with another family on the boat. You don't get that crammed into economy class!
OK, But What About the Downsides?
I'm gonna be real with you — it's not always perfect. Weather can mess with ferry schedules, especially during hurricane season (June 1–November 30, with the roughest stretch in August and September). We've had two trips canceled in nine years, but honestly? The ferry company was good about rebooking us, and we just went the next day. If you travel in those months, book a flexible fare and consider travel insurance.
And yeah, if you get seasick easily, you might want to pop a Dramamine. My wife swears by those pressure point wristbands (she got them on Amazon for like $8). But the boats are huge and stable — nothing like those tiny water taxis that'll have you feeding the fish.
Mark's Money-Saving Ferry Hacks
- Book your round-trip online and well ahead — fares climb as the sailing date gets closer
- Travel mid-week (Wed/Thurs) — those sailings are usually the cheapest
- Use an off-port parking lot near Port Everglades instead of the terminal garage — often about half the price
- Bring your own snacks and drinks — there's no airport-style liquid limit on the ferry
- Sign up for the ferry operator's newsletter to catch seasonal fare sales before they sell out
- Infants often ride free and older kids at reduced fares — always check the current child rates when you book
- Compare ferry + hotel booked together vs. separately — sometimes a package shaves money off both
The Bottom Line (From a Dad Who's Been There)
Look, I'm not saying flying is always wrong. If you're heading to Nassau or Exuma, you'll need to fly (no direct ferries from Florida yet). But for Bimini, Freeport, or Grand Bahama? Taking the ferry is a no-brainer.
We've literally saved enough money to pay for my oldest daughter's first year of college. That's not an exaggeration — I've got a spreadsheet (yeah, I'm that dad). Every dollar we didn't spend on overpriced flights went straight into her college fund.
But honestly? Even if the savings weren't so crazy, we'd probably still take the ferry. There's something special about starting your vacation the moment you board, watching the Miami skyline fade away, and knowing that in 2 hours you'll be walking on a beach in another country.
Plus, my kids would probably disown me if I suggested flying at this point. They're already planning our next ferry adventure — apparently, we NEED to try the Freeport run next so they can explore Grand Bahama and snorkel somewhere new.
Take it from a dad who's done this 50+ times: skip the airport stress, save a boatload of money (pun intended), and make the journey part of the adventure. Your wallet — and your family — will thank you.
Last updated: May 22, 2026 — fares, routes and schedules checked against current Balearia Caribbean information. Prices are guidance only and change with season and demand.