Bahamas Islands by Ferry: 8 Islands, Real 2026 Schedules

From Bimini in 2 hours to the pink sand of Harbour Island — compare every Bahamas island you can reach by ferry.

Compare 8 Islands ↓ Book Ferry from Florida

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Last updated: · Sources: Balearia Caribbean, Bahamas Ferries, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism.

2026 Ferry Snapshot — All 8 Bahamas Islands
Island Ferry From Crossing From (RT) Operator
BiminiFort Lauderdale2 h$190Balearia Caribbean
FreeportFort Lauderdale3.5 h$135Balearia Caribbean
EleutheraNassau~5 h$160Bahamas Ferries
Harbour IslandNassau~3 h$235Bahamas Ferries
ExumaNassau12–14 h overnight$70 OWMail boat
Abacos (Marsh Harbour)Nassau~13 h overnight$115 OWMail boat / Bahamas Ferries
AndrosNassau5–8 h$50 OWMail boat
Grand Bahama (West End)Fort Lauderdale3.5 h to Freeport$135Balearia Caribbean

Prices are starting indicative round-trip fares per adult, taxes included where stated. Mail-boat fares are typically one-way (OW). Always verify with the operator before booking.

MS

Hey, I'm Mark Sullivan!

Fort Lauderdale dad • 50+ island hopping trips • 12 islands explored

Look, I'll be honest — when we first moved to Florida, I thought the Bahamas was just Nassau and maybe Paradise Island. Boy, was I wrong! After 8 years and over 50 ferry trips with my family (yes, with three kids!), I've discovered that each island has its own personality, its own magic.

From the fishing paradise of Bimini (just 50 miles from Florida!) to the pink sand beaches of Harbour Island, every island offers something special. And here's the kicker — you don't need a yacht or private plane to explore them. Just hop on a ferry and let the adventure begin!

Choose Your Island Adventure

Top Bahamas Islands Accessible by Ferry

Real schedules, honest reviews, and insider tips for each island — from someone who's actually been there!

Aerial view of Bimini, Bahamas
Closest to USA

Bimini

The fishing capital of the world

  • World-class sport fishing (my son Tyler's favorite!)
  • Crystal clear waters perfect for snorkeling
  • Historic sites like the Bimini Road
  • Beach bars where Hemingway used to hang

Ferry Options:

🚢 Balearia Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale ⏱️ 2 hours each way (high-speed) 💰 From $190 round trip 📅 Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun in season

Mark's Pro Tip

"Book the 8am Friday ferry — less crowded and you'll have the whole weekend. Radio Beach is where locals go, skip the touristy spots!"

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Gold Rock Beach in Lucayan National Park, Grand Bahama
Best Value

Freeport

Grand Bahama's adventure playground

  • Miles of uncrowded beaches
  • Port Lucaya Marketplace for shopping
  • Lucayan National Park with underwater caves
  • Amazing local fish fry on Thursday nights

Ferry Options:

🚢 Balearia Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale ⏱️ 3.5 hours crossing 💰 From $135 round trip 📅 Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun in season

Mark's Pro Tip

"Rent a car! Everything's spread out. Skip the cruise ship beaches and head to Gold Rock Beach — it's like having paradise to yourself."

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Tippy's Beach on Eleuthera, Bahamas
Hidden Gem

Eleuthera

110 miles of pink sand perfection

  • Famous Glass Window Bridge
  • Queen's Bath natural pools
  • Pineapple fields and local farms
  • Some of the best surfing in the Bahamas

Ferry Options:

🚢 Bahamas Ferries from Nassau ⏱️ ~5 hours to Governor's Harbour 💰 From $160 round trip 📅 Wed, Fri, Sun

Mark's Pro Tip

"This island is LONG — 110 miles! Stay central in Governor's Harbour. The Friday night fish fry is legendary, and my kids still talk about it!"

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Pink Sands Beach on Harbour Island, Bahamas
Instagram Famous

Harbour Island

Home of the famous pink sand beaches

  • 3 miles of stunning pink sand beach
  • Charming colonial architecture
  • Golf cart island — no cars needed!
  • Celebrity spotting (but we don't gossip!)

Ferry Options:

🚢 Bahamas Ferries from Nassau ⏱️ ~3 hours to Harbour Island 💰 From $235 round trip 📅 Wed, Fri, Sun (return same day)

Mark's Pro Tip

"Yes, it's pricey, but worth it for a special trip. Book golf carts in advance! My daughter Emma's favorite — she took 500 photos of that pink sand."

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Famous swimming pigs of Big Major Cay, Exuma
Adventure Island

Exuma

Swimming pigs & pristine cays

  • Famous swimming pigs of Big Major Cay
  • Swimming with nurse sharks at Compass Cay
  • Iguana feeding at Allen's Cay
  • 365 cays to explore (one for each day!)

Ferry Options:

🚢 Mail boat (Grand Master) from Nassau Potter's Cay ⏱️ 12–14 hours overnight to George Town 💰 From $70 one way 📅 ~Weekly — confirm at Potter's Cay

Mark's Pro Tip

"The mail boat is an adventure itself! Bring a sleeping bag. Once there, join a day tour to see the pigs — trying to do it yourself is complicated."

Full Route Guide Island Guide
Candy-striped Elbow Reef Lighthouse in Hope Town, Abaco
Boater's Paradise

Abaco Islands

The sailing capital of the Bahamas

  • Hope Town's candy-striped lighthouse
  • World-class sailing and boating
  • Charming loyalist cays
  • Incredible reef diving and snorkeling

Ferry Options:

🚢 Mail boat / Bahamas Ferries from Nassau ⏱️ ~13 hours overnight to Marsh Harbour 💰 From $115 one way (mail boat) 🚤 Albury's Ferry to Hope Town, Man-O-War, Guana Cay

Mark's Pro Tip

"Recovery from Dorian (2019) is well underway — Hope Town and Marsh Harbour are firmly back on the map. Albury's Ferry to Hope Town is a must; that lighthouse view is unbeatable."

Full Island Guide Inter-Cay Ferries
Church's Blue Hole on Andros Island, Bahamas
Off the Beaten Path

Andros

The Bahamas' best-kept secret

  • World's third-largest barrier reef
  • Legendary bonefishing flats
  • Mysterious blue holes to explore
  • Untouched nature and wildlife

Ferry Options:

🚢 Mail boats from Nassau Potter's Cay ⏱️ 5–8 hours depending on settlement 💰 From $50 one way 📅 Weekly — confirm at Potter's Cay

Mark's Pro Tip

"This is for serious anglers and divers. Not much else to do, which is exactly the point! The bonefishing here made my fishing-obsessed Tyler cry with joy."

Full Island Guide Mail Boat Schedule
Garden of the Groves botanical park, Grand Bahama
Family Favorite

Grand Bahama

More than just Freeport

  • Lucayan National Park's cave systems
  • Garden of the Groves botanical paradise
  • West End's authentic fishing villages
  • Deadman's Reef for snorkeling

Ferry Options:

🚢 Balearia Caribbean to Freeport ⏱️ 3.5 hours from Fort Lauderdale 💰 From $135 round trip 📅 4 days/week in season

Mark's Pro Tip

"Everyone goes to Freeport, but drive 30 minutes to West End for the real Bahamas. Smith's Point fish fry on Wednesdays is where locals party!"

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Hard-earned wisdom from 50+ trips

Island Hopping Like a Pro

💵

Save Big on Multi-Island Trips

Book round-trip to Nassau, then use local ferries. We saved $1,200 last summer doing this with the kids!

📅

Best Time to Island Hop

May and September — fewer crowds, calmer seas, better prices. Avoid December holidays unless you book WAY ahead.

🎒

Pack Light, Pack Smart

Soft bags only on smaller ferries! Bring reef-safe sunscreen, cash for tips, and your own snacks.

🚤

Mix Ferry Types

Fast ferries to get there, mail boats for the experience. My kids loved sleeping on deck under the stars!

Hotels & Resorts

Where to Stay Across the Islands

Compare hotels across all reachable Bahamas islands on one map. Use it as a starting point — every island has its own character and price level.

Disclosure: BahamasHopping earns a commission on hotel bookings made through this map at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

Quick Answers

Bahamas Island Ferry FAQ

Which Bahamas islands can you reach by ferry?

From Florida (Fort Lauderdale): Bimini and Freeport via Balearia Caribbean. From Nassau: Eleuthera, Harbour Island, Spanish Wells via Bahamas Ferries; Exuma, Andros, and the Abacos via overnight mail boat. Inter-island links connect Marsh Harbour to Hope Town, Man-O-War Cay, and Guana Cay (Albury's Ferry).

What is the cheapest Bahamas island to reach by ferry from Florida?

Bimini is the cheapest from Florida — Balearia Caribbean fares start around $190 round trip from Fort Lauderdale, taxes included. The crossing takes only 2 hours. Day-trip fares can be lower in low season.

Do US citizens need a passport to ferry to the Bahamas?

Yes. US citizens need a valid US passport book for both air and sea travel to the Bahamas in 2026. A US passport card is accepted on closed-loop sea voyages, but not for flights. Children under 16 may travel with a certified birth certificate plus photo ID.

How long does the ferry from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini take?

Balearia Caribbean's high-speed ferry takes about 2 hours from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini. Departures are typically Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday in season. Verify current schedules at baleariacaribbean.com.

Can you ferry directly from Nassau to Exuma?

Yes, but only via overnight mail boat from Potter's Cay Dock in Nassau. The crossing to George Town, Exuma takes 12–14 hours and runs roughly weekly. There is no fast ferry. Most travelers fly Nassau–Exuma in 35 minutes instead.

When is hurricane season in the Bahamas?

The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 – November 30, with peak activity in August and September. Ferry sailings can be cancelled for safety. Travel insurance is recommended for trips between June and November.

What is the best time of year to island-hop the Bahamas?

May and late September–early November are sweet spots: warm seas, fewer crowds, and lower hotel prices. Peak season (mid-December to mid-April) brings perfect weather but the highest fares. Avoid late August through mid-October if possible due to hurricane risk.

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Last updated: · Schedules and prices verified against operator websites at the time of writing. Always confirm before booking.