The Complete Cost Breakdown
Real prices from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini (our most popular route)
| Factor | Ferry | Flight | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Ticket Price | $99-139 per person | $131-405 per person | Ferry saves 25-66%! 💰 |
| Family of 5 Total | $495-695 round trip | $1,310+ round trip | Ferry saves $815+! 💰 |
| Baggage Fees | FREE - bring coolers! | $35-70 per bag | Ferry - unlimited! 🎒 |
| Total Travel Time | 2 hours dock to dock | 4+ hours (with airport time) | Ferry is faster! ⏱️ |
| Arrival Location | North Bimini (Alice Town) | South Bimini + $10 boat | Ferry - direct! 📍 |
| Check-in Time | 90 minutes early | 2-3 hours early | Ferry - less waiting! ⏰ |
| Experience | Ocean views, dolphins! | Airport stress | No contest! 🐬 |
Ferry vs Flight: The Real Experience
What it's actually like traveling each way
Taking the Ferry
The island adventure starts now!
- Dolphins almost every trip (seriously!)
- Bring coolers, fishing gear, anything
- Kids can move around freely
- Snack bar and full bathrooms
- Upper deck with amazing views
- Meet other island-hoppers
- Drop you at Alice Town dock
- Weather can cause cancellations
- Only Wed, Fri, Sun (daily in summer)
Flying to Bimini
The traditional way
- Daily flight options
- Less affected by weather
- Faster actual travel time (30 min)
- Arrive at South Bimini (wrong island!)
- Need $10 boat to Alice Town
- TSA security hassles
- Liquid restrictions
- Expensive baggage fees
- Small planes can be scary
- No fun for kids
Real Stories from Fellow Travelers
Why families keep choosing the ferry
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. The ferry isn't just transportation — it's part of our Bahamas adventure. We bring our fishing gear, coolers full of snacks, and even beach games. Try doing that on a plane!
I used to fly every time until I discovered the ferry. Game changer! Last month we brought our entire fishing setup, a huge cooler of drinks, and my daughter's floaties — all for FREE. On our last flight, they charged us $280 just for baggage! Plus, the ferry drops you right at Alice Town. When you fly, you land on South Bimini and need another boat. Such a hassle with kids!
Pro tip from someone who's done both 100+ times: The ferry wins unless you're in a massive hurry. Yeah, the flight is technically 30 minutes, but add airport time, security, boarding, then the boat transfer from South Bimini... you're looking at 4+ hours total. The ferry? 2 hours of pure relaxation. Grab a beer, watch for dolphins, meet cool people. It's vacation mode from the moment you board!
Insider Tips to Save Even More
From families who've mastered the ferry game
Book Wednesday Departures
Wednesday ferries are always $20-30 cheaper than Friday or Sunday. We plan our trips around this and save $150+ for our family of 5!
Always Book Round Trip
Save 10% automatically with round-trip tickets. Plus, you're guaranteed a spot on the return ferry during busy seasons.
Take the 9 AM Departure
Morning seas are calmer, and you avoid afternoon thunderstorms. Plus, you get a full day in Bimini!
Pack Smart, Save Big
Bring your own cooler with drinks and snacks. Food in Bimini is pricey — we save $200+ per trip by bringing our own!
Combine with Hotels
Balearia offers ferry + hotel packages that can save another 15-20%. Perfect for longer stays!
Group Bookings Rock
Traveling with 10+ people? Ask about group rates — we saved 25% on our family reunion trip!
Common Questions About Ferry vs Flight
Everything you need to know before choosing
Honestly? Rarely! The Balearia ferries are huge and stable — nothing like small boats. In 50+ trips, I've seen maybe 2-3 people feel queasy, usually because they went below deck. Stay on the upper deck with fresh air and watch the horizon. If you're worried, take Dramamine 30 minutes before boarding. My kids have never had issues!
Ferries are more weather-dependent than flights, true. But here's the thing: in 8 years, we've only had 3 cancellations, and Balearia always rebooked us or refunded immediately. Pro tip: avoid hurricane season (Sept-Oct) and you'll be fine. Morning ferries rarely cancel — it's the afternoon returns that sometimes get bumpy.
Pretty much! We've brought massive coolers, fishing poles, snorkel gear, inflatable kayaks, cases of beer, boxes of groceries — all FREE. The only limits are weapons and illegal stuff (duh). Last trip, the family next to us brought 5 coolers for a wedding. Try that on a plane!
Official recommendation is 90 minutes, but honestly? We usually roll up 75 minutes early and we're fine. Parking can fill up on Fridays, so add 15 minutes if it's a busy day. Nothing like the 3-hour airport nightmare! Check-in is quick, customs is smooth, and you can grab coffee while you wait.
Total time? Absolutely! Flight is 30 minutes, but add: 2-hour early arrival, security, boarding, landing, taxi to South Bimini dock, wait for water taxi, 15-minute boat to North Bimini... you're at 4+ hours. Ferry? Show up 90 minutes early, 2-hour cruise, walk off at Alice Town. Done in 3.5 hours, plus you enjoyed the ride!
For Bimini and Freeport, ferry wins hands down. For Nassau, Exuma, or Eleuthera, you'll need to fly (no direct ferries from Florida). But here's a secret: take the ferry to Freeport, then hop a local flight to other islands. Still cheaper than flying direct from the US, and way more fun!
Ready to Save $815 on Your Bahamas Trip?
Join 50,000+ smart travelers who skip the airport hassle and save big. See dolphins, bring everything you need, and start your vacation the moment you board!
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