Build your perfect multi-island adventure — we'll figure out all the ferry connections!
| Route | Operator | Time | From (one-way) | Typical days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Lauderdale → Bimini | Balearia | ~2 hrs | from $93 | Wed, Fri, Sun |
| Fort Lauderdale → Freeport | Balearia | ~3.5–4 hrs | from $127 | Select days |
| Nassau → Harbour Island | Bahamas Ferries | ~2 hrs | from $100 | Select days |
| Nassau → Eleuthera | Bahamas Ferries | ~2 hrs | from $115 | Mon, Wed, Fri |
| Nassau → Exuma (mail boat) | Grand Master | ~14 hrs (overnight) | from $40 | ~weekly |
| Marsh Harbour → Hope Town | G&L Ferry (formerly Albury's) | ~25 min | from $25 round trip | Daily |
Fares are starting prices and vary by season — always confirm with the operator before booking. Sources: Balearia, Bahamas Ferries, Albury's Ferry, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism (2026).
Last updated: June 6, 2026
Bahamas island hopping is tricky because no two islands share one timetable — a route that looks easy on a map might mean a weekend-only ferry or a connection through Nassau. We built this tool so you can string islands together and instantly see which ferries actually connect them, what days they run, and a rough cost, before you commit to dates and hotels.
Popular Trips
3 days, 2 nights
Perfect weekend getaway! Depart Friday morning, enjoy 2 full days of beaches and fishing, return Sunday evening. (Balearia runs Wed/Fri/Sun.)
5 days, 4 nights
Experience the famous pink sand beaches! Bahamas Ferries runs select days, so check the schedule before fixing your dates.
10 days, 9 nights
The full Bahamas experience! Note: Bimini → Nassau has no direct ferry, so you'll connect via Nassau or a short flight.
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Pro Planning Tips
Not all ferries run daily! Inter-island routes like Nassau to Harbour Island or Eleuthera operate only a few days a week. Always plan around ferry schedules, not the other way around.
Harbour Island and Hope Town have limited rooms. During peak season, book at least 3 weeks ahead or you'll be scrambling!
You'll be lugging bags on and off ferries. One carry-on and one personal bag per person is plenty — trust me on this!
Add a full day between major connections. Weather delays happen, and you don't want to miss that weekend-only ferry!
Many ferry operators and water taxis only take cash. Hit the ATM in Fort Lauderdale or Nassau — Out Island ATMs are spotty.
Best months for smooth seas: March-May and November-December. July-October can be rough (but also less crowded!).
Most island-hopping trips mean at least one overnight on each island, often built around the ferry days. Use the map below to compare hotel prices across booking sites for any Bahamas island. Booking through these links supports BahamasHopping at no extra cost to you.
The hub for inter-island ferries — handy for a first or last night. Plenty of options from beach resorts on Cable Beach to budget guesthouses downtown.
Find Nassau hotelsFamous pink sand and a handful of boutique hotels — rooms are limited, so book early, especially in peak season.
Find Harbour Island hotelsClosest island to Florida and an easy weekend stop. Resorts cluster around Alice Town and the marina, with simpler guesthouses nearby.
Find Bimini hotelsDisclosure: BahamasHopping earns a commission when you book through these links. This doesn't affect the price you pay. Learn more
No. There is no single ferry network linking every island. International fast ferries run from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini and Freeport (Balearia). Within the Bahamas, Bahamas Ferries connects Nassau with Eleuthera, Harbour Island and Spanish Wells, while mail boats and small operators like Albury's Ferry serve the Out Islands. Many island-to-island trips require connecting through Nassau or a short flight.
Ferry fares start around $93 one-way Fort Lauderdale to Bimini, from about $100 Nassau to Harbour Island, and from $40 on the overnight mail boat to Exuma. A typical multi-island trip ranges from roughly $200 to $500 in ferry fares, plus hotels. Always book early and check current operator prices, as fares vary by season.
Not all of them. The Balearia Fort Lauderdale to Bimini ferry runs on select days (typically Wednesday, Friday and Sunday). Inter-island Bahamas Ferries routes operate only a few days a week, and the Exuma mail boat is roughly weekly and overnight. Always build your itinerary around the ferry schedule, not the other way around.
About 2 hours on the Balearia fast ferry. Fort Lauderdale to Freeport takes roughly 3.5 to 4 hours. Inter-island fast ferries from Nassau to Eleuthera or Harbour Island take around 2 hours.
Yes. U.S. citizens need a valid passport book to enter the Bahamas by ferry or air. Carry it for every island hop, even on domestic inter-island ferries, and check entry requirements at bahamas.com before you travel.
