Master the art of hopping between paradise islands — without breaking the bank or losing your mind!
These combos work like magic — trust me, we've done 'em all!
3 days, 2 nights
5 days, 4 nights
10 days, 9 nights
7 days, 6 nights
8 days, 7 nights
6 days, 5 nights
Learned these the hard way so you don't have to!
Not all ferries run daily! Nassau to Harbour Island? Weekends only. Bimini ferries? Check for Tuesday blackouts. Always plan your trip around ferry schedules, not the other way around. Trust me on this one!
Local water taxis, small ferry operators, and many island restaurants only take cash. Hit the ATM in Fort Lauderdale or Nassau — Out Island ATMs are spotty at best. We bring $500 minimum for a week.
You'll be hauling bags on and off ferries, water taxis, and golf carts. One carry-on and one personal bag per person MAX. Soft-sided luggage is way easier to manage than hard cases.
Weather happens. Ferries get delayed. Add a full buffer day between major hops, especially if catching a weekend-only ferry. Missing that Harbour Island ferry means waiting 5 more days!
Harbour Island has maybe 10 hotels total. Hope Town? Even less. During season (December-April), book at least 3 weeks ahead or you'll be scrambling. We learned this the expensive way!
Best months for smooth sailing: March-May and November-December. July-October can get rough (but also way less crowded!). Always check marine forecasts, not just regular weather.
This is the exact trip I recommend to all first-timers!
Catch the 9am Balearia ferry (arrive by 7:30am for parking!). 2-hour cruise with dolphin spotting. Check into Hilton at Resorts World. Afternoon at Radio Beach — kids love the calm, clear water. Dinner at Joe's Conch Shack.
Rent a golf cart ($80/day) and explore North Bimini. Morning snorkeling at Rainbow Reef. Lunch at Stuart's Conch Stand (best conch salad ever!). Afternoon at Blister Beach for shelling. Sunset at Luna Beach Club.
Catch morning flight to Nassau ($180/person) or brave the mailboat if you're adventurous! Check into British Colonial Hilton. Walk Bay Street for shopping. Fish Fry at Arawak Cay for dinner — total local experience!
Book a day trip to Exuma ($200/adult, $150/kid). Swimming pigs at Big Major Cay (overrated but kids insist!). Iguana feeding at Allen's Cay. Snorkeling at Thunderball Grotto. Back to Nassau by 5pm.
Morning Bahamas Fast Ferry to Eleuthera ($155/adult). Rent a car at dock (book ahead!). Drive to Rainbow Bay for lunch. Afternoon at French Leave Beach — most beautiful beach we've found. Stay in Governor's Harbour.
Morning at Queen's Bath (natural pool — amazing!). Glass Window Bridge for photos. Lunch at Tippy's (if you can get in!). Afternoon exploring Harbour Island via water taxi. Pink sand beach is unreal. Ferry back to Nassau evening.
Morning at Atlantis water park (day pass $195 but worth it for kids). Afternoon flight home or if taking Balearia ferry Friday, enjoy beach day at Cabbage Beach. Last-minute souvenir shopping at Straw Market.
Use our interactive trip planner to map out your route, check ferry schedules, and estimate costs!
Launch Trip PlannerHow we save thousands every year
Here's the truth: we're not rich. I'm a real estate broker, my wife's a nurse. But we've figured out how to give our kids incredible island adventures without breaking the bank. Ferry hopping instead of flying saves us $800+ per trip. That adds up to real money — like, college fund money!
Skip the booking sites! Balearia's website often has promos. Tuesday/Thursday ferries are cheaper. Kids under 2 are free, under 12 half price. Group rates kick in at 10+ people.
Skip the resorts! Vacation rentals on VRBO are half the price. Many include golf carts on Out Islands. Kitchen = huge savings on food. We save $200+ per night this way.
Resort restaurants will kill your budget. Hit local spots: fish fry stands, conch shacks, bakeries. Peas 'n rice with fried fish = $12. Same meal at resort = $45. Do the math!
It's about way more than saving money
Look, I could talk about the money we've saved (over $40k!) or the stamps in our passports. But what really matters? My kids have swum with dolphins, caught their first fish, made friends with Bahamian kids, and learned that adventure doesn't require a trust fund. They've discovered that the journey really can be as amazing as the destination. That's worth more than any amount of money saved.
Join thousands of families discovering the better way to explore the Bahamas!
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