TL;DR — Ferry vs Flight in 30 Seconds
- ✅ Cheaper for families: Baleària Caribbean from $115 + tax one-way (~$230 + tax round-trip). Round-trip flights to South Bimini typically start near $250 and run $350–$500+ in peak season.
- ✅ Comparable door-to-door time: ferry is ~2 hours dock-to-dock; flights are 30 minutes air time but 3.5–4+ hours including security, transfer and the South Bimini boat.
- ✅ More baggage: Baleària’s standard fare includes one carry-on plus one checked bag. Coolers, fishing rods and beach gear are typically allowed within the published allowance.
- ✅ Direct to Alice Town: the ferry docks at North Bimini. Flights land on South Bimini and require a short water-taxi transfer.
- ⚠️ Where the flight wins: daily availability, less weather sensitivity, and the only realistic option for Nassau, Eleuthera or Exuma from the US mainland.
Last updated: · Sources: baleariacaribbean.com, bahamas.com.
The Complete Cost & Time Breakdown
2026 prices — Fort Lauderdale to Bimini (the most-booked route)
| Factor | Ferry (Baleària Caribbean) | Flight (Silver, Tropic, Western) | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-way Base Fare | from $115 + tax | from ~$130 (often $180–$250+ in season) | Ferry on most dates |
| Round-trip per Adult | from ~$230 + tax | from ~$250, peak $400+ | Ferry on most dates |
| Family of 4 (2 adults + 2 kids) | ~$700 round-trip (kids under 12 ~half fare) |
~$1,400–$1,800 round-trip | Ferry saves $700+ typically |
| Baggage | 1 carry-on + 1 checked included | $35–$50+ per checked bag | Ferry |
| Door-to-door Time | ~3.5–4 h (90-min check-in + 2 h sail + walk-off) | ~3.5–4 h (airport buffer + 30-min flight + boat to North Bimini) | Tie |
| Arrival Point | North Bimini (Alice Town dock) | South Bimini Airport + water taxi (~$5–$10) | Ferry — closer to most hotels |
| Check-in / Buffer | Open 2.5 h before, close 1 h before sailing | Recommended 2 h domestic + customs/preclearance | Roughly even |
| Schedule | 3–6 sailings/week (typically Wed/Fri/Sun, more in summer); 9:00 AM departure | Daily, multiple times | Flight |
| Weather Sensitivity | Occasional cancellations in rough seas / hurricane season | Less affected | Flight |
Fares are starting prices; actual cost varies by season, day of week and accommodation class. Always confirm on baleariacaribbean.com before booking.
Ferry vs Flight: The Real Experience
What it's actually like traveling each way
Taking the Ferry
Baleària Caribbean from Port Everglades
- Dolphin sightings are common in the Gulf Stream crossing
- Coolers, fishing gear and beach gear within standard allowance
- Open seating — kids can move around the cabin
- Snack bar, duty-free shop and full bathrooms onboard
- Upper observation deck with ocean views
- Docks directly at Alice Town, North Bimini
- Weather can cause cancellations or delays in rough seas
- Typically 3–6 sailings/week (Wed/Fri/Sun + more in summer)
- 9:00 AM departure means an early start
Flying to Bimini
Silver, Tropic Ocean Airways or Western Air
- Daily flights from Fort Lauderdale and Miami
- Less affected by sea conditions
- Air time is only ~30 minutes
- Arrives at South Bimini Airport — water taxi to Alice Town
- TSA security and liquid restrictions
- Checked-bag fees ($35–$50+ per bag)
- Smaller turboprop or seaplane equipment
- Less luggage flexibility for fishing/snorkel gear
- Door-to-door time often comparable to ferry once airport buffer is included
What Bimini Travelers Tell Us
Three patterns we hear over and over from BahamasHopping readers
For families of four or five, the ferry is hard to beat once you add baggage fees and the South Bimini water taxi. Most readers tell us they save several hundred dollars on a single round-trip — and they get to bring fishing rods and a cooler without paying extra.
Door-to-door, the math is closer than people expect. The flight is faster in the air, but airport buffer, security and the South Bimini boat transfer typically narrow the gap to under an hour. For a day trip, the ferry’s 9:00 AM departure plus afternoon return often delivers more usable beach time than a same-day flight itinerary.
The ferry isn’t the right choice for everyone. If you’re heading to Nassau, Eleuthera or Exuma, there’s no direct ferry from Florida — you’ll need to fly. And during the active part of hurricane season (August–October), the flight is more reliable in unsettled weather. Pick the ferry when it fits the route and the season; otherwise, fly without guilt.
Insider Tips to Save Even More
From families who've mastered the ferry game
Book Mid-Week Sailings
Wednesday departures tend to run roughly 10–15% cheaper than Friday or Sunday and are noticeably less crowded. Worth shifting your trip by a day if dates are flexible.
Round-Trip Beats One-Way
Round-trip fares price better than booking each leg separately, and locking in the return saves stress on busy holiday weekends.
Take the 9 AM Departure
Morning seas are usually calmer than afternoon, and a 9 AM departure delivers a full beach day in Bimini before the return.
Bring a Cooler
Food and drinks on Bimini are imported and priced accordingly. Pack a cooler with snacks and water within Baleària’s baggage allowance — the savings add up over a long weekend.
Bundle with a Hotel
Many travelers pair the ferry with one or two nights in Alice Town. See our Where to Stay in Bimini guide for the current pick of resorts and guesthouses.
Have Your Passport Ready
US adults 16+ need a valid US passport book for the Bahamas by ferry or flight. Children under 16 can travel with a certified birth certificate. Confirm names match exactly when booking.
Common Questions About Ferry vs Flight
Everything you need to know before choosing
Usually, yes — especially for Bimini and Freeport. Baleària Caribbean tickets to Bimini start from $115 + tax one-way, with round-trip fares from roughly $230 + tax per adult. Round-trip flights from Fort Lauderdale or Miami to South Bimini typically start near $250 and climb to $400+ in peak season. Once you add baggage fees and the South Bimini water taxi, the ferry usually wins for two or more travelers. Final fares vary by season and day of week — always confirm on baleariacaribbean.com.
About 2 hours dock to dock on Baleària Caribbean’s high-speed catamaran. Departure is typically 9:00 AM. Check-in opens 2.5 hours before sailing and gates close 1 hour before departure, so plan to arrive by about 7:30–8:00 AM at Port Everglades, Terminal 1.
The Baleària Caribbean catamarans are large and stabilised, and most days the Gulf Stream crossing is comfortable. If you’re prone to motion sickness, stay on the open upper deck with the horizon visible, avoid heavy meals before sailing, and consider an over-the-counter remedy like Dramamine or Bonine taken 30–60 minutes before boarding. Rougher conditions are more common in winter cold fronts and during tropical storm activity.
Ferries are more weather-sensitive than flights, particularly during hurricane season (June–November, peak August–October). If Baleària cancels for safety, they typically rebook you on the next available sailing or refund your fare. Travel insurance is a smart add-on if you’re booking non-refundable hotels around the ferry date.
Generally yes. Baleària’s standard fare includes one carry-on plus one checked piece of luggage. Coolers, fishing rods, snorkel gear and beach equipment are typically allowed within the published baggage allowance, with extra-bag fees if you exceed it. Weapons, hazardous items and most live bait are restricted. Check current rules on baleariacaribbean.com before sailing.
From the US mainland, there’s no direct ferry to Nassau, Eleuthera or Exuma — you’ll need to fly. Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, which used to offer a Florida–Grand Bahama service, ceased operations in 2022; Margaritaville at Sea now sails from the Port of Palm Beach to Grand Bahama. From Nassau, inter-island ferries (Bahamas Ferries, Pinder’s Ferry) connect to Eleuthera, Harbour Island and the Abacos. See our full ferry routes overview for details.
Where to Stay (Either Way)
Whether you ferry or fly, these hotel hubs cover the full trip
In Bimini
Resort and guesthouse picks in Alice Town, including Resorts World Bimini and the Bimini Big Game Club — with current Booking.com pricing.
Pre-Ferry in Fort Lauderdale
If you’re flying in to catch the 9 AM ferry, an overnight near Port Everglades makes the early start painless.
Pre-Trip in Miami
Flying in via MIA the night before? These Miami hotels are an easy ride to Port Everglades or to South Bimini-bound flights.
Disclosure: BahamasHopping earns a commission when you book hotels through our partner links, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Ready to Compare Ferry & Flight for Your Trip?
Get current 2026 schedules, fares and terminal details for the Baleària Caribbean ferry to Bimini — or check the hotel options if you’re still planning the dates.