Your route to paradise
Nassau to Harbour Island Ferry Service 2026
The only direct ferry connecting Nassau to the famous pink sand beaches — three sailings a week, not daily
Bahamas Ferries - M/V Bo Hengy III
The high-speed workhorse of Bahamian island hopping
Nassau to Harbour Island Ferry Schedule (2026)
| Leg | Outbound | Return |
|---|---|---|
| Nassau (Potter's Cay) | dep 8:00 AM | arr 6:30 PM |
| Spanish Wells | arr 10:10 AM · dep 10:25 AM | arr 4:10 PM · dep 4:20 PM |
| Harbour Island (Government Dock) | arr 11:10 AM | dep 3:40 PM |
Check-in: 6:45–7:45 AM at the Bahamas Ferries terminal, Potter's Cay Dock.
One caveat worth knowing: published sources disagree on the third sailing day. The operator's own timetable lists Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, while several established island guides still list Sunday. Bahamas Ferries also notes that holidays and special events override the standard schedule, and every sailing runs "weather permitting". Confirm your exact date on bahamasferries.com or by phone at +1-242-323-2166 before you book flights around it.
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 sailing days don'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 — about 5 minutes, ~$5 per person (shared run; drop-offs at private docks cost more).
- 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
With only three sailings a week, the Bo Hengy III fills up 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. If you arrive on the Baleària ferry from Florida, Baleària Caribbean accepts only a valid US passport book or US passport card, from adults and minors alike, and states in writing that birth certificates, photo ID and naturalization certificates are no longer accepted. General WHTI sea-travel rules are more permissive — which is why many guides say otherwise — but the carrier's condition is the one applied at check-in. See our Bahamas ferry passport guide.
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. 20-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 hotel (Condé Nast Gold List 2026) with the Pink Mermaid bistro and its own beach bar. Mid-luxury alternative with a more relaxed atmosphere than the Dunmore.
From ~$400/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. 17 rooms, a private dock with 40-slip marina, and the Sunset Bar & Grill. 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.
Prefer a Guided Day Trip?
This bookable boat tour visits Harbour Island, Eleuthera and Current from Nassau in one day — free cancellation up to 2 days before:
Nassau to Harbour Island Ferry FAQ
How long is the ferry from Nassau to Harbour Island?
The ferry from Nassau to Harbour Island takes about 3 hours 10 minutes, including the stop at Spanish Wells. You depart Potter's Cay at 8:00 AM, call at Spanish Wells around 10:10 AM and reach Harbour Island's Government Dock at 11:10 AM.
How much does the Nassau to Harbour Island ferry cost?
Bahamas Ferries publishes an adult fare from $139 one-way or $257 round-trip. Children aged 2–11 pay from $103 one-way or $185 round-trip. Those published rates include taxes, but they shift with season and holiday sailings — treat them as a starting point and check the total at checkout.
What days does the ferry run from Nassau to Harbour Island?
Bahamas Ferries lists the Bo Hengy III as sailing Wednesday, Friday and Saturday — three days a week, not daily. Be aware that several well-known island guides still print Sunday as the third day, so this is one fact worth confirming with the operator before you lock in flights. On the remaining days, fly to North Eleuthera and take the roughly 5-minute water taxi (~$5) across to Harbour Island.
Can I visit Pink Sand Beach from Nassau in one day?
Yes. You arrive at 11:10 AM and the single return sailing leaves at 3:40 PM, giving you about 4.5 hours ashore. That covers the pink sand beach, lunch and a walk through Dunmore Town — but it is a tight day, and missing the 3:40 PM departure means finding a room at short notice on an island where that gets expensive fast.
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. Check-in runs 6:45–7:45 AM — arrive when it opens.
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. If you reach the Bahamas on the Baleària ferry from Florida, Baleària Caribbean accepts only a valid US passport book or US passport card, from adults and minors alike, and states in writing that birth certificates, photo ID and naturalization certificates are no longer accepted. General WHTI sea-travel rules are more permissive — which is why many guides say otherwise — but the carrier's condition is the one applied at check-in. See our Bahamas ferry passport guide.
Which boat runs this route, and is it being replaced?
The route is served by the M/V Bo Hengy III, a fully air-conditioned high-speed catamaran that joined the fleet in 2015 and carries roughly 130–155 passengers depending on the routing. It remains the vessel listed for the Nassau–Spanish Wells–Harbour Island run on the operator's fleet page, and we are not aware of any announced replacement. One point of confusion worth clearing up: Seaventure is the name of the parent company (Seaventure Holdings Limited), not a new ferry — you may see it in the operator's branding and footer.
Ready for Pink Sand Paradise?
Only three sailings a week, and one return boat a day — book direct with Bahamas Ferries once your dates are set.
Check Availability