The Ultimate Bahamas Ferry Guide

Everything we've learned from 50+ ferry trips with our family — so you don't make the same mistakes we did!

$40,000+ Saved vs Flying
50+ Ferry Trips
12 Islands Visited

Why Take the Ferry Instead of Flying?

Look, I'll be honest — when we first moved to Fort Lauderdale 8 years ago, I thought ferries were for tourists who couldn't afford to fly. Boy, was I wrong! After our first trip to Bimini, we were hooked. Here's why we've taken the ferry 50+ times since:

Factor Ferry Flight Winner
Cost (Family of 5) $495 round trip $1,310+ round trip Ferry saves $815! 💰
Total Travel Time 2 hours dock to dock 4+ hours (including airport time) Ferry wins! ⏱️
Baggage Unlimited! Coolers welcome $35+ per bag, liquid restrictions Ferry by a mile! 🎒
Experience Dolphins! Ocean views! Airport stress No contest 🐬

"We've saved over $40,000 taking ferries instead of flights over the past 8 years. That's literally a year of college tuition! Plus, my kids have seen more dolphins than most marine biologists."

— Mark Sullivan, Fort Lauderdale Dad

The Real Benefits Nobody Talks About

  • Bring EVERYTHING: Fishing gear, coolers full of snacks, beach toys, even your lucky beach chair
  • No TSA hassle: Show up 90 minutes early instead of 3 hours
  • Part of the adventure: Kids actually enjoy the journey (try saying that about flights!)
  • Flexible timing: Miss your ferry? Next one's in 2 days, not 2 weeks
  • Meet locals: Ferry regulars know all the best spots

Choosing the Right Route for Your Trip

After 50+ trips, here's my honest take on each route. Some are perfect for families, others... not so much.

Fort Lauderdale → Bimini (Our Favorite!)

Mark's Rating: 10/10

  • Duration: 2 hours (smooth seas)
  • Best for: Families, first-timers, weekend trips
  • Schedule: Wed, Fri, Sun (daily in summer!)
  • Why we love it: Quick, cheap, and Bimini is PERFECT for kids

Fort Lauderdale → Freeport

Mark's Rating: 7/10

  • Duration: 3 hours 45 minutes
  • Best for: Longer stays, resort trips
  • Schedule: Tue, Sat only
  • Pro tip: Longer ride = higher chance of seasickness

Nassau → Harbour Island

Jennifer's Favorite: 9/10

  • Duration: 3 hours (with stop)
  • Best for: Pink sand beach lovers
  • Schedule: Weekends only!
  • Warning: 8 AM departure is ROUGH

Pro tip: Start with Bimini. It's the easiest, most frequent, and most family-friendly route. Once you're comfortable, branch out!

Booking Like a Pro (Save Money & Stress)

I've made every booking mistake possible. Learn from my pain!

1

Book 2-3 Weeks Early

Summer ferries sell out FAST. We learned this the hard way when we had to explain to three disappointed kids why we weren't going to Bimini.

2

Friday = Most Expensive

Wednesday departures are $20-30 cheaper per person. That's $150 saved for a family of 5!

3

Round Trip Saves 10%

Always book round trip unless you're island hopping. The savings add up quick.

4

Check Multiple Sites

Prices vary! Check Direct Ferries, Balearia directly, and aggregator sites. I've seen $40 differences.

5

Kids Under 2 = FREE

But they need a ticket! Don't forget to add them when booking or you'll have issues at check-in.

6

Screenshot Everything

WiFi at the terminal sucks. Have your tickets downloaded and screenshot confirmation emails.

Ready to Book Your Ferry?

Compare all routes and find the best prices in one place

Search Ferry Tickets

What to Pack (From a Mom Who's Done it 50+ Times)

As a nurse and mom of three, I've perfected the ferry packing list. Here's exactly what you need:

Jennifer's Ultimate Ferry Packing List

Documents (CRITICAL!)

  • Passports (not just birth certificates!)
  • Printed tickets (screenshot too)
  • Hotel confirmations
  • Travel insurance info
  • Cash for tips/taxis

Health & Comfort

  • Dramamine (take 30 min before!)
  • Ginger candies for nausea
  • Reef-safe sunscreen
  • Light jacket (AC is COLD)
  • Sea bands for kids
  • Basic first aid kit

Food & Drinks

  • Reusable water bottles
  • Snacks (ferry café is pricey)
  • Sandwich stuff in cooler
  • Gatorade for hydration
  • Crackers for queasy stomachs

Entertainment

  • Downloaded movies/shows
  • Books/e-readers
  • Card games
  • Headphones for everyone
  • Portable chargers

Jennifer's Pro Tip

"Pack a complete change of clothes in your carry-on bag. If someone gets seasick (it happens!), you'll thank me. Also, bring plastic bags — they're lifesavers for wet swimsuits or... other situations."

Your Ferry Day Timeline (Don't Be Late!)

Here's our exact timeline for the Fort Lauderdale to Bimini 9 AM ferry. Adjust for your route!

The Night Before

  • 8 PM: Pack everything, check passports AGAIN
  • 9 PM: Charge all devices
  • 10 PM: Early to bed (5:30 AM comes fast!)

Ferry Day Morning

  • 5:30 AM: Wake up (I know, it's brutal)
  • 6:00 AM: Quick breakfast, Dramamine for anyone prone to seasickness
  • 6:30 AM: Load car, final bathroom stop
  • 7:00 AM: Leave house (Fort Lauderdale traffic is real)
  • 7:30 AM: Arrive at Port Everglades
  • 7:35 AM: Park ($20/day in garage, worth it for covered parking)
  • 7:45 AM: Check in at Balearia terminal
  • 8:00 AM: Through security, grab coffee
  • 8:30 AM: Boarding begins
  • 8:45 AM: Find seats (upper deck, middle of boat)
  • 9:00 AM: Ferry departs ON TIME

"They will NOT wait for you. I've seen families sprinting with luggage at 8:58 AM and the gangway was already up. That 90-minute early arrival isn't a suggestion — it's mandatory!"

— Mark Sullivan

Avoiding Seasickness (Nurse-Approved Tips)

As a pediatric nurse, I've dealt with every type of motion sickness. Here's what actually works:

Prevention is Everything

1

Medication Timing

Dramamine: Take 30-60 minutes BEFORE boarding. Not after you feel sick!

2

Seat Selection

Middle of the boat, lower deck = least motion. Avoid the bow!

3

Look at Horizon

Outside, eyes on horizon. Never read or look at phones if feeling queasy.

4

Ginger Works!

Ginger candies, ginger ale (real ginger), or ginger pills all help.

5

Light Breakfast

Toast and banana, not pancakes and bacon. Trust me on this.

6

Fresh Air

Outside deck if you feel sick. The AC inside can make it worse.

Jennifer's Nurse Note

"In 50+ trips, only Tyler got seasick once — because he ate three donuts before boarding and forgot his Dramamine. The big ferries are incredibly stable. If you're worried, the Bimini route is shortest and smoothest. Don't let fear of seasickness keep you from trying!"

Customs & Immigration (Easier Than Airport!)

Good news: Ferry customs is SO much easier than airport customs. Here's the drill:

Departing USA (Fort Lauderdale)

  • Show passport at check-in
  • That's it! No forms, no questions
  • Security is like TSA lite — keep liquids accessible

Arriving in Bahamas

  1. Stay seated when ferry docks
  2. Immigration officers board the ferry
  3. They'll call rows to exit
  4. Quick passport stamp at terminal
  5. Usually takes 20-30 minutes total

Returning to USA

  1. Fill out customs form on ferry (crew provides)
  2. Have passports ready
  3. Quick declaration (usually nothing)
  4. CBP is super friendly at Port Everglades

Important: What You Can't Bring Back

  • Conch shells: Illegal! $500 fine
  • More than 1 liter alcohol: Per adult
  • Cuban cigars: Still complicated
  • Fresh fruit: Usually confiscated

Traveling with Kids (Real Talk from Parents)

Three kids, 50+ ferry trips, and we're still married! Here's how we keep everyone happy:

Entertainment Strategy

  • 0-30 minutes: Excitement of boarding keeps them busy
  • 30-60 minutes: Snack time! (Pack lots)
  • 60-90 minutes: Tablets/phones come out
  • 90-120 minutes: Dolphin watching on deck

Age-Specific Tips

Toddlers (2-5)

  • Bring a stroller — terminals are huge
  • Pack extra clothes (accidents happen)
  • Favorite stuffed animal is a must
  • Download Bluey episodes!

Kids (6-12)

  • Let them pack their own backpack
  • Bring cards or travel games
  • Promise ice cream on the island
  • Camera for dolphin photos

Teens (13+)

  • Portable chargers are ESSENTIAL
  • Let them bring a friend (game changer!)
  • Give them some independence on board
  • They'll actually put phones down for dolphins

"The ferry is where my kids learned that the journey can be just as fun as the destination. Now they actually request the ferry over flying. As a mom, that 2-hour crossing is quality family time you just don't get at 30,000 feet."

— Jennifer Sullivan

Common Mistakes (We've Made Them All!)

Learn from our 8 years of oops moments:

❌

Showing Up "On Time"

9 AM departure ≠ 9 AM arrival. We missed our first ferry thinking we could show up at 8:45. Expensive lesson!

❌

Wrong Port Everglades Terminal

It's Terminal 21! Not the cruise terminals. GPS often takes you to the wrong spot.

❌

Forgetting Cash

Bahamas runs on cash. ATMs on islands charge $5-8 fees. Bring at least $200.

❌

Overpacking

You'll be hauling bags on/off ferries. One rolling suitcase + backpack per person MAX.

❌

No Offline Entertainment

Ferry WiFi is basically decorative. Download everything before boarding.

❌

Flying Home Same Day

Weather delays happen. Never book a flight the same day as your return ferry.

Final Words of Wisdom

"After 50+ trips, the ferry isn't just transportation — it's part of our Bahamas experience. My kids have grown up on these boats. They've seen countless dolphins, made friends with crew members, and learned that sometimes the best adventures start with a 5:30 AM wake-up call. Give it a try. Start with Bimini. Pack light, arrive early, and prepare to save a fortune while making memories. See you on the water!"

— Mark Sullivan, Professional Ferry Dad

Ready for Your First Ferry Adventure?

Start with our most popular route — Fort Lauderdale to Bimini!

Check Bimini Ferry Schedule