Navigate Bahamas Ferry Terminals Like a Pro

Address: 2021 Eller Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 (Cruise Terminal 21)

GPS Tip: Search "Balearia Caribbean Terminal" — NOT just "Port Everglades". The cruise terminals share the same port complex and I ended up at the wrong one twice on early trips.

• From I-95: Exit Eller Drive East
• Follow signs for the ferry terminal, not the cruise ship piers
• Look for Terminal 21 signs

• Garage (Covered): from around $20/day — worth it in summer
• Open Lot: from around $15/day — car gets hot
• Valet: available at the terminal entrance if you're running late
• Uber/Lyft: drop-off is easy; pickup at the end of a sail day can take 20+ minutes

Rates fluctuate seasonally — check the Port Everglades website the week of your trip.

• Check-in opens: 2–2.5 hours before departure (Balearia requires being checked in at least 1 hour before)
• Café: basic coffee and sandwiches, on the expensive side
• Restrooms: clean, use before boarding
• WiFi: free, can be spotty when the terminal is full
• Seating: limited — arrive early if you want a real seat
• AC: aggressive — bring a layer

From Downtown / Cruise Port: ~10 minute taxi, typically $8–$12

From Paradise Island: ~15 minute taxi, typically $12–$18

From Lynden Pindling Airport (NAS): ~30 minutes, typically $30–$40 (Bahamas taxi rates are fixed by zone — confirm fare before getting in)

• Tell the driver "Potter's Cay for the mail boat / Bahamas Ferries" — not the cruise port
• The dock is right under the Paradise Island Bridge on the east end
• Look for the fish market and conch stalls — terminal is right there

• Check-in: typically opens ~90 minutes before departure (varies by operator — confirm with your ticket)
• Parking: limited along East Bay Street — most travelers arrive by taxi
• Food: the famous Potter's Cay conch stalls line the dock (cracked conch, conch salad, fish fry)
• Shade: minimal at the dock itself — bring a hat
• Bathrooms: basic but functional
• ATM: nearest reliable ATMs are in downtown Nassau — pull cash before you arrive

• Right in downtown Alice Town — Balearia docks at the public ferry pier
• Golf cart rentals just up the King's Highway
• Bahamas Customs & Immigration handled in the same building on arrival
• Small snack bar and gift shop on site
• WiFi at most ferry-front cafés if you need a connection

• Modern terminal at Lucayan Harbour with an air-conditioned waiting area
• Taxi stand right outside (zone fares — confirm before getting in)
• Rental car desks inside the terminal building
• Small café and concessions; cards usually accepted
• ATM available — generally working but bring backup cash

• Tiny dock at Government Dock, Dunmore Town — basically a pier
• Water taxis run on demand from North Eleuthera (Three Island Dock); fares vary, typically a few dollars per person
• Minimal facilities — use the bathroom before you board on the Eleuthera side
• Golf cart rentals are the way to get around; book ahead in winter peak
• One of the most beautiful arrival views in the Bahamas — pink sand straight off the bow

• Albury's Ferry runs from Crossing Beach / Conch Inn area to Hope Town, Man-O-War Cay and Guana Cay
• Walking distance to most shops, marinas and restaurants in town
• Multiple small docks — double-check which one your operator uses; they are NOT interchangeable
• Many businesses are still rebuilding post-Dorian (2019) — be flexible