Your route to paradise
Nassau to Harbour Island Ferry Service 2026
The only direct ferry connecting Nassau to the famous pink sand beaches - operating weekends only
Bahamas Ferries - M/V Bo Hengy III
The weekend warrior of island hopping
Nassau to Harbour Island Ferry Schedule (2026)
Departure: 8:00 AM from Potter's Cay Dock, Nassau
Check-in opens: 6:30 AM at the Bahamas Ferries terminal
Spanish Wells stop: ~10:10 AM
Harbour Island arrival: ~11:00 AM at Government Dock
Return: 3:40 PM from Harbour Island, arriving Nassau ~6:30 PM
Confirm your sailing date directly on bahamasferries.com — schedules occasionally shift around national holidays and weather windows.
Nassau to Harbour Island Ferry Fares (2026, taxes included)
Fares vary by season and class. The current published fare is shown at checkout on bahamasferries.com — book direct to lock in availability.
If the weekend ferry doesn't fit
Alternative Routes from Nassau to Harbour Island
Two reliable backups when the Bo Hengy III isn't running on your travel day.
Fly to North Eleuthera + Water Taxi
The standard weekday option — runs daily.
- Fly Nassau (NAS) to North Eleuthera (ELH) — about 30 minutes, multiple daily flights with Pineapple Air, Western Air and Bahamasair.
- Taxi from ELH airport to Three Island Dock — about 5 minutes, around $5 per person shared.
- Water taxi to Harbour Island Government Dock — 10 minutes, $7–$10 per person.
- Total: roughly 1.5 hours door to door, $150–$200 per person depending on flight fare.
More expensive than the ferry, but available any day of the week and significantly faster than the 3-hour catamaran crossing.
Private Charter from Nassau
For groups of 6–10 or weekday travelers willing to pay for direct service.
Charter boats run direct from Nassau to Harbour Island in roughly 2 hours. Typical pricing is $2,500–$3,500 for the boat, split across the group. Operators include Powerboat Adventures and several private captains operating from Paradise Island Marina. Useful for weddings, multi-family trips or anyone who needs to travel midweek.
Practical advice
Nassau to Harbour Island Ferry Tips
Six points that consistently make or break the trip for first-time travelers.
Book at least 3 days ahead
Bo Hengy III sells out on most weekends in high season (December–April). Book on bahamasferries.com once your travel dates are firm — walk-up tickets are not guaranteed.
Getting to Potter's Cay
Ask the taxi for "Potter's Cay Dock, under the Paradise Island bridge." Fares run roughly $15–$20 from downtown Nassau and Cable Beach hotels. Leave by 6:00 AM to clear morning traffic on East Bay Street.
Bring breakfast
Most cafés around Potter's Cay are not open before 7 AM. Grab coffee and a pastry at your hotel or pack a thermos. The onboard snack bar is limited to soft drinks, beer, chips and pastries.
Pink Sand Beach access
The ferry docks at Government Dock in Dunmore Town. Pink Sand Beach is a 15-minute walk via Bay Street or a 5-minute golf-cart ride. Cart rental at the dock is roughly $40–$50 for half a day — book ahead in winter peak.
Seasickness prevention
The leg between Spanish Wells and Harbour Island crosses an open Atlantic stretch and can get choppy in winter. Take Dramamine or Bonine 30–60 minutes before boarding and sit mid-cabin facing forward.
Passport and ID
US citizens need a valid US passport book — passport cards are not accepted on return flights. Children under 16 may travel by sea with a certified birth certificate plus photo ID, but a passport is strongly recommended.
Hotels near Pink Sand Beach
Where to Stay on Harbour Island
A short walk or golf-cart ride from Government Dock, every hotel below sits on or near the Pink Sand Beach side of the island.
Harbour Island is small — under 4 square miles — so most of the recognised properties cluster between Pink Sand Beach to the east and Bay Street/Government Dock to the west. The interactive map shows live rates from Booking.com, Hotels.com, Expedia and Airbnb side by side. Booking through these links supports BahamasHopping at no extra cost to you.
Top Hotel Picks on Harbour Island
Pink Sands Resort
Luxury cottages directly on Pink Sand Beach. 25-acre estate with private beach access, spa and beachfront restaurant. Closest "wake-up-on-the-pink-sand" experience on the island.
From ~$700/night (high season)
Check Availability →Coral Sands Hotel
14 acres on Pink Sand Beach. Boutique 33-room property with the popular Latitude 25 restaurant. Mid-luxury alternative with a more relaxed atmosphere than the Dunmore.
From ~$450/night (high season)
Check Availability →Valentines Resort & Marina
Harbour-side, opposite Government Dock. 39 suites, marina, pool and the Boathouse restaurant. Best fit if you arrive by ferry and want to drop bags before exploring — beach is a short golf-cart ride.
From ~$320/night (high season)
Check Availability →Romora Bay Resort
Boutique resort on the harbour side. 26 rooms, private dock, and Latitude 25's sunset rival — the Hangout Beach Bar. A short walk to Bay Street restaurants and shops.
From ~$280/night (high season)
Check Availability →Disclosure: BahamasHopping earns a commission when you book through these links. This does not affect the price you pay. Learn more.
Nassau to Harbour Island Ferry FAQ
How long is the ferry from Nassau to Harbour Island?
The ferry from Nassau to Harbour Island takes approximately 3 hours total, including a stop at Spanish Wells. You'll depart Nassau at 8:00 AM and arrive at Harbour Island around 11:00 AM.
How much does the Nassau to Harbour Island ferry cost?
The Nassau to Harbour Island ferry costs $135 per adult one-way or $250 round-trip. Children aged 2-11 pay $100 one-way or $180 round-trip. All prices include taxes, and there are no additional fees.
What days does the ferry run from Nassau to Harbour Island?
The ferry from Nassau to Harbour Island operates only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. There is no ferry service Monday through Thursday. If you need to travel on weekdays, you'll need to fly to North Eleuthera and take a water taxi.
Can I visit Pink Sand Beach from Nassau in one day?
Yes, you can visit Pink Sand Beach on a day trip from Nassau using the ferry. You'll arrive at 11:00 AM and must return at 3:40 PM, giving you about 4.5 hours on Harbour Island. It's enough time to see the pink sand beach, have lunch, and explore a bit of Dunmore Town.
Where does the Nassau ferry depart from?
The Nassau to Harbour Island ferry departs from Potter's Cay Dock, located beneath the Paradise Island bridge in Nassau. It is roughly a 10–20 minute taxi ride from most New Providence and Paradise Island hotels. Plan to arrive by 6:30 AM — check-in closes about 30 minutes before sailing.
Do US citizens need a passport for this ferry?
Yes. All US citizens travelling to the Bahamas need a valid US passport book. A passport card is accepted at sea checkpoints but is not accepted on the return flight, so most travelers carry a passport book for the round trip. Children under 16 may travel by sea on a certified birth certificate plus photo ID under WHTI sea-only rules — confirm current requirements with US Customs and Border Protection before booking.
Is the Bo Hengy III being replaced in 2026?
Bahamas Ferries has announced a new vessel — the SeaVenture — joining the fleet in May 2026. The Bo Hengy III is expected to remain in service on the Nassau–Spanish Wells–Harbour Island route. We will update this page once the operator publishes the SeaVenture's deployment schedule.
Ready for Pink Sand Paradise?
Book your Nassau to Harbour Island ferry now - those weekend spots fill up fast!
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