The Out Islands' Original Lifeline

Bahamas Mail Boats: How Locals Reach the Out Islands

Working freight-and-passenger boats sail weekly from Potter's Cay in Nassau to Exuma, Andros, Eleuthera, Bimini and Grand Bahama — from about $35 one way.

See Mail Boat Routes Where to Stay in Nassau
Photo: panoramio / CC BY 3.0

Last updated: 2026 · Source: Bahamas Port Department / Potter's Cay Dockmaster. Mail-boat times change week to week — always reconfirm before you travel.

Mail boats in brief

  • What they are: government-contracted freight boats that also carry passengers — the traditional supply line to the Family (Out) Islands.
  • Where they leave: Potter's Cay Dock in Nassau, under the Paradise Island bridge. Tickets are bought at the dock.
  • Who they suit: budget and adventurous travellers with flexible plans — not anyone on a tight schedule or with a flight to catch.
  • Cost: roughly $35–$65 one way depending on the island (confirm at the dock).
  • Faster alternatives: Bahamas Ferries fast catamarans and scheduled flights cover many of the same routes in a fraction of the time.
Bahamas mail boat key facts
Departure pointPotter's Cay Dock, Nassau (New Providence)
Islands servedExuma, Andros, Eleuthera, Bimini, the Berry Islands, Grand Bahama & more
FrequencyTypically once or twice weekly per route
Journey time~5 hours (Eleuthera/Andros) to 12–14 hours (Exuma/Bimini, often overnight)
One-way fareFrom about $35–$65 (paid at the dock)
BookingIn person at the dock; Dockmaster's Office (242) 393-1064
OperatorPrivately owned vessels under government mail contracts

Mail boats are not a tourist product — they are how building materials, groceries and islanders themselves still move between Nassau and the Family Islands. Travelling on one is cheap, slow and genuinely local: you may share deck space with cargo, sleep under the stars on an overnight run, and leave whenever the boat is loaded rather than at a posted minute. Facilities are basic and "island time" is real, so this is a route for flexible travellers, not for anyone with a flight to catch. If you want speed and a fixed schedule, take a Bahamas Ferries fast cat or fly instead. For the experience — and the price — nothing else compares.

⏰ Schedules are indicative, not guaranteed. Departure days, times and even which vessel runs a route change with the weather, cargo and the season — the days below reflect the long-running Potter's Cay pattern, not a fixed 2026 timetable. Always reconfirm with the Dockmaster's Office at (242) 393-1064 a day or two before you travel, and never book a mail boat if you have a flight within 48 hours.
Turquoise water at Emerald Bay, Great Exuma — destination of the MV Grand Master mail boat Photo: Nils Fretwurst / CC BY-SA 3.0

MV Grand Master

Nassau → George Town, Exuma

Typically Tuesday (sometimes also Thursday)
Around 12 hours, usually overnight
Serves George Town & the Exuma settlements
Limited basic bunks — ask when booking
One way from $50
Spanish Wells, North Eleuthera — served by the MV Bahamas Daybreak III mail boat Photo: Jerry "Woody" / CC BY-SA 2.0

MV Bahamas Daybreak III

Nassau → Eleuthera

South Eleuthera (Mon), North Eleuthera (Wed)
Around 5 hours
Connects for Harbour Island & Spanish Wells
Spanish Wells is the Bahamas' lobster capital
One way from $40
Church's Blue Hole, Andros — North Andros is served by the MV Lady Rosalind mail boat Photo: Tim Horton / CC BY-SA 2.5

MV Lady Rosalind

Nassau → North Andros

Typically Thursday
Around 5–6 hours
Morgan's Bluff & Nicholls Town
Gateway to Andros' famous blue holes
One way from $35
Caribbean reef shark off Andros — South Andros is served by the MV Captain Moxey mail boat Photo: Leineabstiegsschleuse / Public Domain

MV Captain Moxey

Nassau → South Andros

Typically Monday (sometimes Wednesday)
Around 7 hours, usually overnight
Kemps Bay, The Bluff & Long Bay Cays
World-class bonefishing flats
One way from $35
Sunset over Bimini — served by the MV Sherice M mail boat via Cat Cay and the Berry Islands Photo: SerenityNow / CC BY-SA 3.0

MV Sherice M

Nassau → Cat Cay, Berry Islands & Bimini

Typically Tuesday
Around 12 hours, usually overnight
Bimini is a famous big-game fishing base
Long linked with Ernest Hemingway
One way from $50
Gold Rock Beach, Grand Bahama — Freeport is served by the MV Fiesta mail boat Photo: Marc Averette / CC BY 3.0

MV Fiesta

Nassau → Freeport, Grand Bahama

Typically Monday & Thursday
Around 8–10 hours
One of the larger mail boats on the run
Grand Bahama beaches & Lucayan park
One way from $45

Real Talk: What to Expect on a Mail Boat

This ain't no cruise ship, folks!

Sleeping Arrangements

Basic bunks if you're lucky (book early!), otherwise it's deck camping. Bring a sleeping bag, pillow, and maybe a foam mat. Many folks just grab a spot on deck – honestly, falling asleep under the stars is magical!

Food Situation

Usually there's basic grub onboard (think rice & peas with chicken), but smart travelers pack snacks, sandwiches, and plenty of water. The dominos games are legendary though – bring your A-game!

Island Time is Real

"5 PM departure" might mean 7 PM... or midnight. Weather, cargo, mechanical issues – it all affects timing. NEVER book a mail boat if you have a flight within 48 hours. This is adventure travel!

Facilities Check

Let's be real – bathrooms are basic at best. Ladies, pack tissues and hand sanitizer. Gents, you might appreciate the ocean breeze at the rail. It's all part of the authentic experience!

You're Cargo Too!

Mail boats are freight vessels first. You'll share space with everything from building supplies to goats (yes, really!). It's a fascinating glimpse into how island life actually works.

Seasickness Strategy

These boats ride waves differently than cruise ships. Take meds BEFORE boarding, stay midship where there's less motion, and keep your eyes on the horizon. Fresh air on deck helps too!

How to Book Your Mail Boat Adventure

It's easier than you think!

Potter's Cay Dock - Your Starting Point

Location: Nassau, New Providence (near Paradise Island Bridge)

Dockmaster's Office: Call (242) 393-1064 - These folks know everything!

Best booking method: Show up 2 days before and buy tickets in person. Some boats have offices at the dock, others you pay the captain directly.

Pro tip: Call ahead to confirm schedules - they change based on weather and cargo. And always, ALWAYS reconfirm the day before departure!

Insider Secret

Want the real scoop? Head to Potter's Cay early morning (around 7-8 AM) when captains are prepping their boats. Chat them up - they'll tell you about schedule changes, best spots to sleep on deck, and might even invite you to join the crew meal. Bring fresh conch from the dock vendors as a peace offering!

Where to Stay Near Potter's Cay

Most mail boats load and leave from Nassau — base yourself nearby the night before

Mail-boat departures are early and unpredictable, so staying in Nassau the night before saves a lot of stress. The map below compares live hotel prices across booking sites near Potter's Cay, downtown Nassau and Paradise Island.

Comfort Suites Paradise Island

From ~$210/night

Walkable to Paradise Island and a short ride from Potter's Cay, with pool access to the neighbouring Atlantis facilities — handy for a pre-departure night.

Check Availability

British Colonial Nassau

From ~$250/night

Historic downtown landmark on Bay Street, close to the Potter's Cay bridge and the cruise port — central for catching an early mail boat.

Check Availability

Towne Hotel, Downtown Nassau

From ~$130/night

Simple, budget-friendly guesthouse in central Nassau — a practical match for the no-frills mail-boat traveller watching their spend.

Check Availability

Disclosure: BahamasHopping earns a commission when you book through these links, at no extra cost to you. Learn more. Rates are indicative and vary by season.

Mail Boat FAQ

The questions travellers ask most before boarding

How much does a Bahamas mail boat cost?

One-way fares run roughly $35–$65 depending on the island, paid in cash at the dock. Shorter runs like Eleuthera or North Andros are at the lower end; longer overnight trips to Exuma or Bimini cost more. Fares change, so confirm the current price when you buy your ticket.

Where do the mail boats leave from?

All Nassau mail boats depart from Potter's Cay Dock, tucked under the Paradise Island bridge on the north side of New Providence. There is no central ticket office — you buy from the boat's agent or the captain at the dock. The Dockmaster's Office can help: (242) 393-1064.

Can tourists ride the mail boats?

Yes. Mail boats are freight vessels first, but they carry paying passengers and visitors are welcome. Just go in understanding the basics: limited facilities, long journeys, and departure times that flex with weather and cargo.

Are mail boats reliable enough to plan a trip around?

Not on a tight schedule. "Island time" is real — a posted 5pm departure can slip by hours. Never book a mail boat if you have a flight within 48 hours, and always reconfirm the day before with the Dockmaster at (242) 393-1064.

What's the difference between a mail boat and Bahamas Ferries?

Bahamas Ferries runs scheduled, faster catamarans with fixed timetables and online-style booking. Mail boats are slower, cheaper, cargo-first and far less predictable — chosen for the experience and the price rather than convenience.

Do mail boats have cabins or beds?

A few vessels offer a small number of basic bunks, but most passengers find a spot on deck for overnight runs. Bring a sleeping mat or bag, water and snacks. Ask about bunk availability when you book.

Plan Your Out Island Adventure

Mail boats have connected the Bahamas' islands for generations. Plan your route, then reconfirm times with the Potter's Cay Dockmaster before you travel.

Plan Your Route Compare Fast Ferries