Your Complete Guide to Every Bahamas Island by Ferry

Skip the expensive flights — these paradise islands are just a ferry ride away!

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!

Closest to USA
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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 from Fort Lauderdale ⏱️ Just 2 hours each way 💰 From $98 round trip 📅 Daily departures in season

Mark's Pro Tip

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

Full Island Guide Book Ferry
Best Value
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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 from Fort Lauderdale ⏱️ 3.5 hours crossing 💰 From $118 round trip 📅 Wed, Fri, Sun schedule

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."

Full Island Guide Book Ferry
Hidden Gem
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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 ⏱️ 2.5 hours direct 💰 From $155 round trip 📅 Multiple weekly sailings

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!"

Full Island Guide Book Ferry
Instagram Famous
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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:

🚢 Fast ferry from Nassau (weekends) ⏱️ 3 hours direct 💰 From $250 round trip 🚤 Or fly + water taxi combo

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."

Full Island Guide Book Ferry
Adventure Island
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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 boats from Nassau ⏱️ 6-8 hours overnight 💰 From $70 one way 📅 Check current schedules

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 Island Guide Book Ferry
Boater's Paradise
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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:

🚢 Bahamas Ferries from Nassau ⏱️ 3-4 hours to Marsh Harbour 💰 From $180 round trip 🚤 Local ferries to outer cays

Mark's Pro Tip

"Still rebuilding after Dorian, but the spirit is strong! The ferry to Hope Town from Marsh Harbour is a must — that lighthouse view is unbeatable."

Full Island Guide Book Ferry
Off the Beaten Path
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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 ⏱️ 5-8 hours depending on stop 💰 From $50 one way 📅 Various weekly schedules

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 Book Ferry
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 to Freeport ⏱️ 3.5 hours from Fort Lauderdale 💰 From $118 round trip 📅 3 times weekly

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!"

Full Island Guide Book Ferry

Hard-earned wisdom from 50+ trips

Island Hopping Like a Pro

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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!

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Best Time to Island Hop

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

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Pack Light, Pack Smart

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

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Mix Ferry Types

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

Ready to Start Your Island Adventure?

Don't wait for "someday" — these islands are calling your name! Let's find the perfect ferry schedule for your dream trip.

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