The closest Bahamian island to Florida — Fort Lauderdale to Alice Town in about 2 hours by Baleària Caribbean ferry.
Last updated: August 20, 2026
Population
~2,361
Best For
Families & Fishing
Currency
USD accepted
Language
English
Bimini is the westernmost district of the Bahamas — three small islands (North, South, and East Bimini) sitting roughly 50 miles east of Florida. The combined land area is only about 9 square miles, North Bimini itself is around 7 miles long, and Alice Town is the main settlement and ferry pier. Two practical things make Bimini stand out for short trips from the US:
What it is not: a mega-resort destination like Nassau or Atlantis. Outside Resorts World Bimini, the island leans local, low-rise, and quiet.
The only year-round scheduled passenger ferry between Florida and Bimini is operated by Baleària Caribbean. The route runs from Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale (Terminal 21, 2021 Eller Drive) to the Resorts World Bimini Pier in Alice Town. Crossing time is approximately 2 hours each way on a high-speed catamaran.
Operated by Baleària Caribbean
| Period | Typical days | Departure | Arrival | Fare (one way) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year-round | Wed / Fri / Sun 3× per week, all seasons |
9:00 AM Port Everglades Terminal 21 |
11:00 AM same time zone as Florida |
From $235 round trip incl. taxes Economy one-way ~$93–98 + taxes; Premium ~$30 more |
| Return sailing: Departs Bimini at 7:00 PM in summer, 6:00 PM from mid-September onward, arriving Fort Lauderdale about two hours later. Always confirm exact times on the operator's site before booking — Baleària adjusts the timetable seasonally and on holidays. | ||||
Sources: baleariacaribbean.com and rwbimini.com, retrieved August 2026.
This guide covers the island as a whole. For the crossing itself — full 2026 timetable, terminal directions, parking at Port Everglades, fare classes and booking walkthrough — see our dedicated Fort Lauderdale to Bimini ferry page, or read up on the operator in our Baleària Caribbean profile.
A lot of Bimini guides claim the ferry adds sailings or runs daily in peak summer. It does not. We checked Baleària's own booking calendar across the published 2026 schedule and it is Wednesday, Friday and Sunday throughout — including all of August, with only occasional extra departures around US holidays. Build your trip around those three days rather than assuming a midweek option exists, and note that a day trip has to fall on one of them.
Two ways most travelers underpay for Bimini: (1) book a Sail & Stay package from Baleària — it bundles round-trip ferry with 2 or 3 nights at Resorts World Bimini from $399 per person, all taxes included (a summer promotional rate from $299 per person has also been advertised), and is often cheaper than buying the two separately; (2) because there are only three sailings a week, peak summer weekends, US holidays and spring break sell out earlier than travelers expect — book 4–6+ weeks ahead for those dates rather than hunting for a last-minute deal.
Package small print worth knowing: rates are per person in a standard queen room, packages must be booked at least 24 hours before sailing, blackout dates apply, and resort fees and meals are not included. Source: Resorts World Bimini.
See live availability and current Baleària fares for your dates.
Book Day Trip — Free Cancellation Compare Ferry PricesBimini's coastline divides cleanly: the western, leeward side faces the Florida Straits with calm, shallow water; the eastern, Atlantic side gets more wave action. The three beaches most travelers spend time on:
Public beach on the western side of North Bimini. Shallow, generally calm water and a long sandbar make it the most popular family swim beach. No entrance fee.
Private beach attached to Resorts World Bimini. Day passes (when available) typically include lounger and pool access, and Baleària currently bundles a free Resorts World Bimini day pass with its day-trip product — worth checking before you pay separately. Confirm current day-pass availability and pricing directly with the resort.
Atlantic-side beach in the King's Highway area. Bigger surf and stronger currents than Radio Beach — better for body-boarding and beach-combing than for small children swimming unsupervised.
Pack reef-safe sunscreen (selection on the island is limited and prices are high), water shoes, and any snorkel gear you want to use. Snorkel and golf-cart rentals are widely available in Alice Town but cost more than on the mainland.
For an island this small, Bimini punches above its weight on water-based activities. Highlights:
Bimini is one of the few places worldwide with reliable seasonal great hammerhead encounters (typically December–March). Operated by local dive shops; expect ~$200+ per person. Confirm season and minimum age with the operator.
Folk-art house built by local historian Ashley Saunders from recycled materials. A short walk from the ferry pier; small entry donation typically requested.
Bimini has been a sport-fishing destination since the 1930s. Half-day flats and offshore charters are widely available; pricing varies by boat and season — book direct via the Big Game Club marina or local guides.
The most practical way to see North Bimini end to end. Rentals are easy to find in Alice Town; daily rates typically run around $80–100.
Underwater rock formation off the northwest coast of North Bimini, popular with snorkelers and divers. Often associated (geologically inconclusively) with the "Atlantis" legend.
Concrete-hulled cargo ship grounded off South Bimini in 1926. Easy snorkel site with the wreck partially above water — most boat tours combine it with a stingray or shark stop.
Ernest Hemingway spent extended periods on Bimini between 1935 and 1937, fishing offshore aboard his boat Pilar and writing parts of To Have and Have Not. The historic Compleat Angler Hotel, where Hemingway often stayed, was destroyed by fire on January 13, 2006 and was not rebuilt — many older guides still mistakenly list it as operating. Today, the Hemingway connection is mostly visible at the Bimini Big Game Club (period photos, marina history) and at the small Bimini Museum in Alice Town.
For a longer list with operators, seasons and costs, see our full things to do in Bimini guide.
Almost all visitor accommodation is concentrated in Alice Town on North Bimini, within walking or short golf-cart distance of the ferry pier. The map below pulls live availability and prices from major booking sites — handy for comparing dates side by side.
| Hotel | Style | Typical price (2026) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resorts World Bimini | Resort & casino | From ~$299/night + daily resort charge (~$25/room/night) |
Resort amenities, pools, private beach, casino |
| Bimini Big Game Club Resort & Marina | Boutique marina hotel | Deals from ~$302/night averages nearer ~$390 |
Sport fishing, marina-front rooms, central Alice Town |
| Sea Crest Hotel & Marina | Local hotel | From $165 standard double $174.90 dockside · $199.65 marina view · suites $312.40–$412.50 · all taxes included |
Budget travelers, walking distance to ferry and Radio Beach |
Prices are typical 2026 rates from Booking.com / KAYAK / official hotel sites; actual fares vary by season and demand. Sea Crest rates are taken directly from the hotel's own published rate sheet (updated 20 August 2026), which states all taxes and fees are already included.
The largest resort on the island, with 305 rooms and suites, multiple pools, a private beach, an on-site casino, and a marina. The Baleària ferry docks at the Resorts World pier, which makes this the easiest "step off the boat and check in" option. A daily resort charge (around $25 per room per night) applies on top of the room rate and is collected at check-in.
Name note: this property spent several years branded as the Hilton at Resorts World Bimini. The Hilton flag has since been dropped and the resort now markets itself simply as Resorts World Bimini. Some booking sites and URLs still carry the old Hilton name — it is the same property.
Historic sport-fishing resort in the heart of Alice Town with 51 rooms, cottages and suites, an outdoor pool, and a 75-slip full-service marina. Walking distance to restaurants, shops, and the Bimini Museum. A solid mid-range pick if your trip centers on fishing or you want a more "local" feel than the big resort.
Family-run hotel and marina in central Alice Town. Air-conditioned rooms with ocean or bay views, basic amenities, free Wi-Fi, and the lowest published rates of the three main options. A short walk to Radio Beach, the ferry pier, and conch shacks. Best for travelers who plan to spend most of their day outside the room anyway.
The hotel publishes its rates openly and states that the price shown is the final price per night — 10% Bahamas VAT and all fees included, with no resort charge on top. Standard double $165, dockside double $174.90, dockside double with marina view $199.65; suites with full kitchen run $312.40 (2-bedroom) to $412.50 (3-bedroom). Maximum four people per room outside the suites, and the property takes Mastercard and Visa but not American Express.
Disclosure: BahamasHopping earns a commission when you book through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Want more than the three main options? Our full Bimini accommodation guide compares guesthouses, rentals and marina stays across the island.
Bimini's restaurant scene is small and concentrated in Alice Town. The local specialty is conch — usually served as fritters, in salad (raw, similar to ceviche), or cracked. A few well-known options:
Joe's Conch Shack and Stuart's Conch Stand are the two long-standing waterfront conch stands near the King's Highway / ferry area. Casual, mostly cash-only, plates typically run $10–20. Conch salad is freshly chopped to order.
Restaurant inside the Bimini Big Game Club marina. Broader menu (burgers, steaks, fish), table service, and views over the marina. Mid-range pricing — typically $20–35 for a main course.
Long-time local pizzeria in Alice Town. Useful change of pace from seafood; pizza, burgers, and chicken. Cash-friendly.
The resort has multiple on-site dining options open to non-guests, including casual poolside food and sit-down restaurants. Pricier than the village but convenient if you are staying at the resort.
Bimini imports almost everything, so groceries and restaurant bills are noticeably more expensive than mainland Florida. If you have a kitchenette, picking up breakfast and snacks at a local market and eating dinner out is the standard cost-saving move.
Many small restaurants, conch shacks, and golf-cart rentals prefer or require cash. ATMs exist on the island but are limited and may charge fees. USD is accepted everywhere.
Sand flies ("no-see-ums") can be a problem at dawn and dusk, especially after rain. Bring a DEET- or picaridin-based repellent.
Taxis meet most ferries. Golf carts (~$80–100/day) are the standard way to explore North Bimini. Most of Alice Town is walkable.
The Bahamas is international roaming for US carriers. Add a Bahamas roaming pass before you sail or rely on hotel/restaurant Wi-Fi, which is widely available but variable.
Imported goods (sunscreen, OTC medication, baby supplies) cost noticeably more than on the mainland and selection is limited. Bring essentials with you.
Summer afternoons often bring brief thunderstorms. Plan beach time in the morning, indoor activities or naps in the early afternoon.
The Baleària Caribbean crossing takes approximately 2 hours each way between Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale, Terminal 21) and the Resorts World Bimini Pier in Alice Town.
Baleària Caribbean publishes this route from $235 round trip including taxes. Resellers list Economy one-way fares from roughly $93–$98 plus taxes and fees — taxes are commonly quoted around $70 per person, which lands you near $155 all-in one way. Premium adds roughly $30 per direction. Sail & Stay packages bundling round-trip ferry plus 2 or 3 nights at Resorts World Bimini start at $399 per person with all taxes included, and a summer promotional rate from $299 per person has also been advertised. All of these are starting points: peak weekends, US holidays and last-minute bookings cost more.
Three sailings a week year-round — Wednesday, Friday and Sunday — leaving Fort Lauderdale at 9:00 AM and arriving in Bimini at 11:00 AM. The return departs Bimini at 7:00 PM in summer and 6:00 PM from mid-September onward. There is no daily summer service. Baleària's booking calendar keeps the same three-day pattern through the published 2026 schedule, including all of August, with only occasional extra departures around US holidays. Always confirm your specific date on baleariacaribbean.com — Baleària adjusts the timetable seasonally and on holidays.
Yes — every passenger, children included. Baleària Caribbean accepts only a valid US passport book or US passport card, from adults and minors alike, and states in writing that birth certificates, photo ID and naturalization certificates are no longer accepted. General WHTI sea-travel rules are more permissive — which is why many guides say otherwise — but the carrier's condition is the one applied at check-in. See our Bahamas ferry passport guide. The passport card is accepted for sea travel only (not for the return trip if you fly back), so the book is the safer choice. Non-US citizens should check Bahamian visa requirements before booking.
March through May gives the best balance of comfortable temperatures (~75–85°F), generally calm seas, and manageable crowds. The official Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 – November 30, with peak risk in August and September.
The three main options in Alice Town are Resorts World Bimini (the island's largest resort, formerly branded Hilton at Resorts World Bimini; from ~$299/night plus a daily resort charge), Bimini Big Game Club Resort & Marina (boutique marina hotel, deals from ~$302/night with averages nearer ~$390), and Sea Crest Hotel & Marina (budget, from $165/night for a standard double with all taxes and fees included). See the Where to Stay section for details and live availability.
Yes. The 2-hour ferry crossing is short enough for most kids, Radio Beach is shallow and generally calm, and the island is small and walkable. The Dolphin House Museum, golf-cart island tours, and snorkeling at the SS Sapona wreck are popular family activities.
Yes — the schedule supports it on most sailing days. Day-trippers typically arrive around 11:00 AM and re-board for the late-afternoon return. Realistically, a 2-night stay gives you a full beach day plus a fishing or boat tour without rushing.
Compare current Baleària sailings, then check hotel availability for your dates. Most travelers book the ferry first.
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