Bahamas Ferry Operators 2026

From Baleària's high-speed catamaran out of Fort Lauderdale to weekly mail boats out of Potter's Cay — every ferry company that connects the islands, compared.

Book Florida–Bahamas Ferry Find a Hotel

Last updated: 27 May 2026 — schedules, fleets and fares verified against operator websites.

TL;DR — Who runs which ferry?

The Bahamas Ferry Fleet at a Glance

5 Active Ferry Operators
15+ Scheduled Routes
700+ Islands & Cays
2 hrs Fastest Florida Crossing

The Big Players in Bahamas Ferry Travel

From international high-speed ferries to local island hoppers, here's who runs the show

HSC Jaume II — Baleària Caribbean high-speed catamaran in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Photo: Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Baleària Caribbean

The only true high-speed ferry from Florida to the Bahamas

Most Popular
Main Routes Fort Lauderdale → Bimini
Fort Lauderdale → Freeport (Grand Bahama)
Fleet High-speed catamaran
~600 passenger capacity (Sirena & Neptuno class)
Journey Time ~2 hrs to Bimini
~3 hrs 45 min to Freeport
Schedule & Fares 9:00 AM departure, check-in from 6:00 AM
Round-trip from $199 (taxes included)
"We use Baleària for the Bimini day-trip with kids three or four times a year. Onboard amenities are real (cafe, duty-free, free Wi-Fi in the lounge). Pro tip: book Neptuno seats — the extra $30 buys quieter forward seating and faster disembark in Alice Town."
Routes & Fares Book Direct
Government Dock on Harbour Island, the Bahamas Ferries arrival point from Nassau Photo: Larry Deack, Public domain

Bahamas Ferries Ltd.

Inter-island fast ferry — Nassau to the northern Out Islands

Main Routes Nassau → Spanish Wells → Harbour Island
Nassau → Exuma (Sandy Point)
Seasonal: Nassau → Andros
Flagship M/V Bo Hengy III (launched 2015)
Named after legendary Harbour Island boat builder
Schedule Wed, Fri, Sun — 8:00 AM departure
Check-in 6:30 AM at Potter's Cay Dock, Nassau
Journey Times ~2 hrs 10 min to Spanish Wells
~3 hrs to Harbour Island (return 3:40 PM)
"The Bo Hengy is the only realistic way to do Harbour Island as a day-trip from Nassau, but you only get a few hours on the Pink Sands beach before the 3:40 PM return. Stay a night if you can — see our Harbour Island hotel picks below."
Full Schedule Book Tickets
Hope Town candy-striped lighthouse, Elbow Cay, Abaco — a short ferry hop from Marsh Harbour Photo: Ernest Lehmann, CC BY 2.0

Albury's Ferry & G&L Transportation

The lifeline of the Abacos — Marsh Harbour to the cays

Merged 2024
Main Routes Marsh Harbour → Hope Town (Elbow Cay)
Marsh Harbour → Man-O-War Cay
Marsh Harbour → Great Guana Cay / Bakers Bay
Fleet Small open-deck passenger ferries
20–40 passenger capacity
Frequency Every 1–2 hours, 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Reduced Sundays
Journey Time 20–45 minutes per crossing
Cash or card on the dock
"G&L and Albury's merged in 2024, which actually made things easier — one schedule, one ticket counter at the Marsh Harbour dock. They'll wait a couple of minutes if they see you sprinting down the dock. Pack a soft bag — there is no real luggage compartment."
Abacos Routes Current Schedule
Green Turtle Cay harbor, Abaco — short ferry crossing from Treasure Cay to New Plymouth Photo: Gregor Julien Straube, CC BY-SA 4.0

Green Turtle Cay Ferry

Treasure Cay → New Plymouth, in 15 minutes

Main Route Treasure Cay Ferry Dock
→ Green Turtle Cay (New Plymouth / Black Sound)
Schedule ~8 crossings daily
~6:30 AM – 5:00 PM, weather permitting
Journey Time ~15 minutes
Open-deck small ferry
Tip Golf carts wait at the New Plymouth dock
Essential for exploring the loyalist village
"Short ride, stunning water. New Plymouth feels like a Cape Cod fishing village dropped into turquoise sea — colonial cottages, narrow streets, the Albert Lowe Museum. The last ferry leaves around 5 PM, so plan dinner accordingly or stay over."
Abaco Guide Compare Abaco Routes
Downtown Nassau, near Potter's Cay Dock where mail boats depart for the Out Islands Photo: Bluerasberry, CC BY 4.0

Bahamas Mail Boats

Government-subsidised lifeline of the Out Islands — and pure adventure

Adventure Mode
Coverage Eleuthera, Exuma, Andros, Long Island,
Cat Island, San Salvador, Inagua, Crooked Island
Departure Point Potter's Cay Dock, under the Paradise Island Bridge
Mostly evening / overnight departures
Journey Time 5–12+ hours
Weekly cycle per island
What to Expect Cash only on the dock, no online booking
Basic deck / bunk seating, cargo alongside passengers
"Not a tourist service. Show up at Potter's Cay an hour before the captain casts off, ask which boat is heading where, pay in cash, find a quiet spot on deck. Bring water, snacks and a light jacket. You'll arrive at sunrise in a sleepy Out Island settlement — unbeatable."
Mail Boat Guide Routes & Tips

Quick Operator Comparison

Find the right ferry for your island adventure

Operator Best For Schedule Wi-Fi Food A/C Fare (from)
Baleària Caribbean Florida → Bahamas Daily to Bimini, Tue/Sat to Freeport ✓ ✓ ✓ from $199 RT
Bahamas Ferries Nassau → Out Islands Wed / Fri / Sun 8:00 AM ✗ Snacks & bar ✓ from $155 RT
Albury's / G&L (Abacos) Abacos island hopping Every 1–2 hrs, 7 AM – 5 PM ✗ ✗ Open air from $20 OW
Green Turtle Cay Ferry Treasure Cay → New Plymouth ~8 daily crossings ✗ ✗ Open air from $20 OW
Mail Boats Out Islands / adventure Weekly per island ✗ BYO Limited from $45 OW

Fares shown are operator-published starting prices and exclude seasonal surcharges, fuel adjustments and government taxes where listed separately. RT = round-trip, OW = one-way. Verified against operator websites May 2026.

Insider Tips from a Ferry Regular

Little secrets that'll make your journey smoother

Book Direct vs. Third Party

For Balearia, their website often has flash sales. For smaller operators, calling directly sometimes gets you group discounts they don't advertise online.

Arrival Times Matter

Show up 45 minutes early for international ferries, 20 minutes for domestic. But for mail boats? The departure time is more of a suggestion!

Pack Smart

Smaller operators have limited storage. Soft bags work better than hard suitcases. Always bring a light jacket - A/C can be arctic!

Cash is King

Big operators take cards, but smaller ferries and mail boats often prefer cash. ATMs on Out Islands can be sketchy, so stock up in Nassau.

Seasickness Strategy

Dramamine 30 minutes before boarding. Sit in the middle of the boat, eyes on the horizon. Ginger candy helps too!

Stay Connected

Save operator phone numbers in your phone. Cell service can be spotty on islands, but most docks have decent signal for last-minute changes.

Need a hotel near the ferry dock?

Whether you're catching the 9:00 AM out of Fort Lauderdale or the 8:00 AM Bo Hengy from Potter's Cay, a pre-trip hotel makes the morning calm rather than chaotic. Compare rates across Booking, Expedia and Hotels.com in one place — bookings support BahamasHopping at no extra cost to you.

Fort Lauderdale Hotels Miami Hotels Nassau Hotels Freeport Hotels Bimini Hotels

Bahamas Ferry Operators FAQ

The questions we get asked most often — answered with the latest 2026 operator data.

Is Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line still running?

No. Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line ceased operations in 2022. The West Palm Beach → Freeport overnight route is now run by Margaritaville at Sea — but that is a 2-night cruise, not a ferry. For true ferry service from Florida, only Baleària Caribbean is currently operating.

Which is the fastest ferry from Florida to the Bahamas?

Baleària Caribbean's Fort Lauderdale → Bimini catamaran at about 2 hours, departing 9:00 AM. The same operator's Fort Lauderdale → Freeport service runs roughly 3 hours 45 minutes. Both are faster than any cruise option.

Does Bahamas Ferries run daily between Nassau and Harbour Island?

No — the M/V Bo Hengy III currently runs Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Departure is 8:00 AM from Potter's Cay Dock, Nassau (check-in 6:30 AM). Spanish Wells arrival is around 10:10 AM, Harbour Island around 11:00 AM. Return from Harbour Island is 3:40 PM — so a day-trip leaves you only about 4 hours on the Pink Sands. Most people stay a night.

Have Albury's Ferry and G&L Transportation merged?

Yes. G&L Transportation and Albury's Ferry Service merged their Abacos operations in 2024. All historical routes (Marsh Harbour → Hope Town / Man-O-War / Great Guana Cay) continue, with a unified schedule and ticket counter at the Marsh Harbour main dock.

How much does the ferry from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini cost?

Baleària Caribbean round-trip fares start at about $199 per person including taxes for Sirena (standard) seating. Neptuno premium tourist class adds roughly $30–$50. Prices are seasonal — peak weekends and US holidays cost more. Book direct on baleariacaribbean.com for the latest fares.

Can I take a mail boat to the Out Islands?

Yes — government-subsidised mail boats leave Potter's Cay Dock in Nassau on weekly schedules to Eleuthera, Exuma, Andros, Long Island, Cat Island, San Salvador, Inagua and Crooked Island. Trips run 5–12+ hours, often overnight. Tickets are paid in cash on the dock; there is no online booking. This is an authentic local lifeline, not a tourist service — see our mail boats guide before you go.

Are there ferries between Bahamian Out Islands?

There is no comprehensive inter-island ferry network. Bahamas Ferries connects Nassau with Spanish Wells, Harbour Island, North Eleuthera and Exuma. The Abacos have a dense local network (Albury's/G&L, Green Turtle Cay Ferry). For most other inter-island moves you fly with Bahamasair or take a mail boat from Nassau.

Do I need a passport for the ferry to the Bahamas?

Yes. US citizens need a valid US passport for all sea travel to the Bahamas in 2026 (a passport card is also accepted for sea-only travel, but not for the flight home). Children under 16 may travel with an original birth certificate plus government-issued photo ID. Non-US citizens follow their normal Bahamian entry rules — see our passport requirements guide.

Sources & fact-check trail