Baleària Caribbean Ferry 2026: Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas

Q: What vessel does Baleària Caribbean use, and how many passengers does it carry?

Baleària Caribbean operates the Jaume II, a high-speed wave-piercing catamaran built by Incat (Tasmania) in 1996. It carries up to about 650 passengers and cruises at roughly 35 knots, making the Fort Lauderdale–Bimini crossing in about 2 hours. These Caribbean sailings are for foot passengers.

Q: How long is the Baleària Caribbean ferry from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini and Grand Bahama?

Fort Lauderdale to Bimini takes about 2 hours; Fort Lauderdale to Freeport (Grand Bahama) takes about 3 hours. Both routes depart Port Everglades Terminal 21 at 9:00 AM.

Q: What days does the Baleària Caribbean ferry sail in 2026?

In 2026 the Bimini route typically sails Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, check the live schedule for additional dates. The Grand Bahama (Freeport) route runs about twice a week — Baleària publishes the exact days only in its booking calendar, with no fixed weekday pattern. Always reconfirm exact days at booking.

Q: How much does the Baleària Caribbean ferry cost?

Round-trip fares start from about $199 (taxes included) to Bimini; for Grand Bahama, Baleària publishes a lead-in fare from $235 (2026). One-way Bimini economy starts around $93 plus taxes. Prices vary by date and demand, so book 2–3 weeks ahead for the lowest fares.

Q: Where does the Baleària Caribbean ferry depart from?

It departs from Port Everglades, Terminal 21, 2021 Eller Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 — about 30 miles north of Miami. Check-in opens at 6:00 AM and the terminal doors close at 8:00 AM for the 9:00 AM departure; the recommended arrival is 6:15–6:45 AM. Port Everglades parking runs roughly $20–30 per day.

Q: Do I need a passport for the Baleària Caribbean ferry?

Yes. A valid U.S. passport (book or card) is required for every passenger, including children and infants; a birth certificate is not enough. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from your travel date.

Baleària Caribbean ferry at a glance

Vessel: Jaume II — a high-speed Incat catamaran (~650 passengers, ~35 knots), foot passengers only on the Caribbean routes.
Routes: Fort Lauderdale → Bimini (~2 hours) and Fort Lauderdale → Freeport, Grand Bahama (~3 hours).
Departs: Port Everglades Terminal 21, Fort Lauderdale, at 9:00 AM.
2026 schedule: Bimini typically Wed / Fri / Sun; Grand Bahama twice weekly (typically Tue & Sat in fall 2026, no fixed pattern).
Fares: Round-trip from $199 (Bimini, taxes incl.) / from $235 (Grand Bahama, operator lead-in); one-way Bimini economy from ~$93 + taxes.
Passport: A valid U.S. passport (book or card) is required for every passenger, children included.

Last updated: August 12, 2026 · Source: Baleària Caribbean, 2026 (prices vary by date & demand)

Baleària Caribbean ferry key facts by route
Detail	Fort Lauderdale → Bimini	Fort Lauderdale → Grand Bahama
Crossing time	~2 hours	~3 hours
Departure time	9:00 AM	9:00 AM
Typical days (2026)	Wed · Fri · Sun	Wed · Sun
Departure port	Port Everglades, Terminal 21, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Arrival	Bimini Bay / Fisherman's Village, North Bimini	Freeport Harbour, Grand Bahama
Fares from	$199 round-trip (taxes incl.)	$235 (operator lead-in)
Vessel	Jaume II high-speed catamaran (~650 passengers)

Your Express Balearia Caribbean Ferry to the Bahamas

The Balearia Caribbean ferry operates the fastest ferry service from Fort Lauderdale Florida to Bimini and Freeport Grand Bahama. With modern high-speed catamarans, you'll be sipping cocktails on pristine beaches before you know it! This fast ferry gets you there in style.

Fort Lauderdale to Bimini

~2 hours on the Jaume II catamaran

Typical days (2026) Wed, Fri & Sun

Departure Port Port Everglades Terminal 21, Fort Lauderdale

Arrival Bimini Bay / Fisherman's Village, North Bimini

Departure Time 9:00 AM (check-in from 6:00 AM, terminal doors close 8:00 AM)

Starting Price Round-trip from $199 (taxes incl.)

Check Bimini fares

Fort Lauderdale to Freeport, Grand Bahama

~3 hours on the Jaume II catamaran

Typical days (2026) Twice weekly — typically Tue & Sat in fall 2026 (no fixed pattern)

Departure Port Port Everglades Terminal 21, Fort Lauderdale

Departure Time 9:00 AM (arrives ~noon local time)

Arrival Port Freeport Harbour, Grand Bahama

Starting Price From $235 (operator lead-in)

Check Grand Bahama fares

Book Your Balearia Caribbean Ferry Tickets

Ready to escape to the Bahamas? Here's everything you need to know about booking your fast ferry tickets

How to Get the Best Deals on Balearia Caribbean Ferry

When booking your Balearia Caribbean ferry tickets, always check for promo codes before finalizing. The booking system will prompt you to "enter promotion code" during checkout. These codes are only applicable to certain departure dates and routes, so read the fine print!

Pro Booking Tips:
• Book at least 2–3 weeks ahead for the best fares
• Wednesday departures usually carry the lowest fares of the week
• Compare round-trip vs. two one-ways — round-trip is often the better value
• Group bookings get special rates — call Baleària at 1-866-699-6988
• Check-in opens 6:00 AM, terminal doors close 8:00 AM; recommended arrival 6:15–6:45 AM

Important: Your selected departure or arrival port may have specific requirements. Fort Lauderdale Florida departures require parking fees at Port Everglades ($20-30/day). For Grand Bahama Bahamas arrivals, pre-arrange your ground transportation as taxis can be limited.

The Vessel: Jaume II

Baleària Caribbean runs the Jaume II, a high-speed wave-piercing catamaran built by Incat in Tasmania in 1996. It joined Baleària in 2006 and now serves the Fort Lauderdale–Bimini–Grand Bahama routes, carrying up to about 650 passengers at a service speed of roughly 35 knots.

Baleària Caribbean Jaume II high-speed catamaran at Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale — HSC Jaume II at Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale. Photo: Cruise ship portal · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Free WiFi Onboard

Stay connected on your Balearia Caribbean ferry journey! Post those ocean selfies in real-time while cruising to paradise

Café & Bar Service

An onboard café and bar serves coffee, snacks and drinks once the ferry departs — handy on the morning crossing.

Duty-Free Shopping

Score deals on perfumes, spirits, and souvenirs aboard the Balearia Caribbean ferry. Pro tip: Shop on the return trip!

Premium Lounge Access

Upgrade to premium on your fast ferry trip for extra legroom, complimentary drinks, and priority boarding

Open-Air Decks

Spacious outdoor decks let you stretch your legs and take in the ocean air mid-crossing — a nice break on the longer Grand Bahama run.

Onboard Screens & Seating

Air-conditioned cabin seating with screens keeps the crossing comfortable. Premium seating with extra room is available for an upgrade.

What the Crossing Is Like

The Baleària Caribbean crossing from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini takes about two hours on a high-speed catamaran.

The vessels are modern high-speed catamarans with indoor seating, a snack bar and an outdoor deck.

The ferry departs from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, not Miami. Check-in opens at 6:00 AM and the terminal doors close at 8:00 AM for the 9:00 AM departure; plan to arrive between 6:15 and 6:45 AM, and toward the early end on busy weekends. Friday sailings tend to be the busiest, and a midweek Wednesday departure is usually quieter and often cheaper.

Turquoise water along the west side of North Bimini, the view as the ferry approaches

Insider Tips for Your Balearia Caribbean Ferry Journey

Check-in, seating, luggage and customs

Arrive Early for Check-In

Check-in opens at 6:00 AM, the terminal doors close at 8:00 AM for the 9:00 AM departure, and the recommended arrival is 6:15–6:45 AM. Check-in and Port Everglades parking get busy on Friday sailings — don't cut it close.

Smart Seat Selection

Upper deck = best views on the fast ferry but can get hot. Lower deck = cooler but less scenic. Middle seats = most stable if you're seasickness-prone. Choose based on your priorities!

Pack for the Journey

Soft bags are easier to stow on the Balearia Caribbean ferry than hard suitcases. Bring a light jacket - the AC can be arctic! Don't forget sunscreen for the deck time.

Scoring the Best Deals

Always enter promotion code if you have one! Baleària Club members get exclusive discounts. Code is only applicable to certain dates, so be flexible with your departure date for savings.

Weather & Cancellations

The fast ferry will cancel for rough seas (safety first!). You'll get 24+ hours notice. Book flexible dates during hurricane season. Alternative departure or arrival options may be offered.

Customs Reality Check

Returning to Fort Lauderdale Florida? Budget an extra hour for customs. The lines can be brutal. Bring snacks for the wait.

Port Everglades Parking

Parking at the Fort Lauderdale Florida departure port runs $20-30/day. Book parking online in advance during peak season. Consider Uber/Lyft if staying nearby.

Mobile Tickets Work!

The Balearia Caribbean ferry accepts mobile tickets. Screenshot them before boarding in case WiFi is spotty. Keep confirmation emails handy too.

Food & Drink Strategy

Skip the meal package on this fast ferry. Café food is decent and cheaper à la carte. The bar opens after departure - those sunrise mimosas hit different at sea!

Where to Stay: Fort Lauderdale & Bimini

With a 9:00 AM departure, many travelers spend the night near Port Everglades the evening before — then base themselves in Bimini for an overnight or longer stay. Live prices for Bimini are listed below.

See all stays in Bimini Sponsored

📍 Bimini, Bahamas

Resorts World Bimini

The island's largest resort, a short walk from the ferry's Fisherman's Village arrival at Bimini Bay. Marina, pools and beach access — the easiest no-transfer base if you arrive by ferry. Rates vary by season, so check live prices.

Check availability

📍 Fort Lauderdale (pre-ferry)

Hotels near Port Everglades

Staying near Port Everglades / 17th Street the night before makes the 9:00 AM check-in stress-free. Options like the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina sit minutes from Terminal 21 with easy parking. Compare current rates below.

Check availability

Disclosure: BahamasHopping may earn a commission when you book through these links, at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Baleària Caribbean Ferry FAQ

The questions travelers ask most about the Jaume II fast ferry

What vessel does Baleària Caribbean use, and how big is it?

Baleària Caribbean operates the Jaume II, a high-speed wave-piercing catamaran built by Incat (Tasmania) in 1996. It carries up to about 650 passengers and cruises at roughly 35 knots, making the Fort Lauderdale–Bimini crossing in about 2 hours. These Caribbean sailings are for foot passengers.

How long is the crossing to Bimini and Grand Bahama?

Fort Lauderdale to Bimini takes about 2 hours; Fort Lauderdale to Freeport (Grand Bahama) takes about 3 hours. Both routes depart Port Everglades Terminal 21 at 9:00 AM.

What days does the ferry sail in 2026?

The Bimini route typically sails Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, check the live schedule for additional dates. The Grand Bahama (Freeport) route runs about twice a week — Baleària publishes the exact days only in its booking calendar, with no fixed weekday pattern. Always reconfirm your exact day at booking.

How much does the Baleària Caribbean ferry cost?

Round-trip fares start from about $199 (taxes included) to Bimini; for Grand Bahama, Baleària publishes a lead-in fare from $235 (2026). One-way Bimini economy starts around $93 plus taxes. Prices vary by date and demand — book 2–3 weeks ahead for the lowest fares.

Where does the ferry depart from?

From Port Everglades, Terminal 21, 2021 Eller Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 — about 30 miles north of Miami. Check-in opens at 6:00 AM and the terminal doors close at 8:00 AM for the 9:00 AM departure; the recommended arrival is 6:15–6:45 AM. Port Everglades parking runs roughly $20–30 per day.

Do I need a passport?

Yes. A valid U.S. passport (book or card) is required for every passenger, including children and infants; a birth certificate is not enough. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from your travel date.

Ready to Book Your Baleària Caribbean Ferry?

Compare live fares for the Jaume II fast ferry from Fort Lauderdale and lock in your departure date.

Check Schedules & Book Fort Lauderdale → Bimini Route Details

Baleària Caribbean Ferry