Bahamas Ferry with Kids

Look, I'll be honest — when my wife first suggested taking our three kids on a ferry to the Bahamas, I thought she'd lost her mind. Fast forward 50+ trips later, and we're total converts. Here's why the ferry beats flying every single time for families:

"What about seasickness?"

As a pediatric nurse, I was SO worried about this. But these ferries are huge and stable — nothing like small boats. In 50+ trips, we've had exactly ONE kid get queasy, and that was during 6-foot seas (they cancelled the next sailing). Give Dramamine 30 minutes before boarding and you'll be fine. The bigger ferries have stabilizers that really work!

"Are the ferries safe for kids?"

Absolutely! They have life jackets in all sizes, the crew does safety briefings, and honestly, I feel safer than at the airport. The railings are high, doors to outside decks can be controlled by parents, and the crew is super helpful with families. Plus, no TSA stress!

"What if my toddler has a meltdown?"

Been there! The ferry noise actually helps mask crying, and fellow passengers are usually understanding (many are families too). There's space to walk around, outdoor decks for fresh air, and honestly? 2 hours goes faster than you think. Way better than being trapped in an airplane seat!

"Is there enough to do for 2 hours?"

Between boarding excitement, snacks, bathroom trips, dolphin watching, and a movie, the time flies. My kids now complain the ferry ride is too SHORT. Pro tip: save something special (new toy, special snack) for the halfway point.

Terminal Strategies

• Arrive 90 minutes early — not the suggested 3 hours. Plenty of time, less waiting with antsy kids
• Park in the garage — Worth the extra $5/day for covered parking and shorter walk
• Bathroom everyone before boarding — Ferry bathrooms are fine but small
• Bring your own luggage cart — Terminal carts are often all taken

Money-Saving Hacks

• Book Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday for lowest prices
• Kids under 2 free but MUST have a ticket (don't forget!)
• Pack lunch — save $75+ versus buying on board
• Round-trip saves 10% automatically
• Check for promo codes — we've saved 15-20% multiple times

What Nobody Mentions

• The AC is FREEZING inside — seriously, bring blankets
• Boarding in Bimini uses stairs — tricky with strollers
• Ferry WiFi exists but barely works — download everything
• The outdoor deck gets WET — bring towels
• Customs forms provided on return trip — bring your own pen

Bimini (Our Top Pick!)

Only 2 hours from Fort Lauderdale, making it perfect for first-timers or families with young kids. Radio Beach is heaven — crystal clear, no waves, shallow forever. The Hilton has a great pool if kids need a break from sand. Rent a golf cart and explore! Dolphin House is quirky and fun for kids.

Harbour Island

The pink sand beach is MAGICAL — kids are amazed! Very family-friendly vibe, safe for kids to explore. Golf cart island makes transportation easy. More expensive but worth it for a special trip. The ferry from Nassau adds adventure.

Eleuthera

Less touristy = more authentic experience. Queen's Bath is incredible for older kids who can swim. Glass Window Bridge will blow their minds. Lots of beaches to explore means nobody gets bored. Local restaurants super welcoming to families.

Skip for Now: Exuma

Swimming pigs sound fun but can actually be aggressive (they bite!). The extra travel time is tough with little ones. Save this for when kids are older and stronger swimmers. Better as a teen trip honestly.

Look, I get it — taking kids on any trip can be stressful. But something magical happens on that ferry. Maybe it's the excitement of seeing dolphins (my kids have a 90% success rate). Maybe it's eating snacks while watching the Miami skyline disappear. Maybe it's just having 2 hours where nobody's asking "are we there yet?" every 5 minutes.

What I know for sure: my kids have learned that getting there really can be half the fun. They've made friends with kids from around the world in the ferry play areas. They've learned to spot flying fish and sea turtles. They've discovered that adventure doesn't require a plane ticket.

And yeah, saving $800+ per trip doesn't hurt either. That's money for ice cream, golf cart rentals, snorkeling trips, and maybe even a babysitter so mom and dad can have a beach dinner alone!