Baleària Caribbean's Jaume II from Fort Lauderdale to Freeport in about 3 hours — beaches, Lucayan caves and a real island, not just a day trip.
| Island size | 96 miles long, 4th largest in the Bahamas |
|---|---|
| Main settlements | Freeport, Lucaya, West End, Eight Mile Rock, McLean's Town |
| Crossing time | ~3 hours (Fort Lauderdale ferry) or 8+ hours (Nassau mail boat) |
| One-way fare from | $254 (Baleària foot passenger, 2026) |
| Ferry vessel | HSC Jaume II — Incat catamaran, 654 passengers, ~37 knots |
| Ferry days | Typically Wednesday & Sunday year-round |
| Currency | Bahamian dollar (1:1 with USD — USD widely accepted) |
| Hurricane season | 1 June – 30 November (peak Aug–Sep) |
Real talk from families who've done both Bimini and Grand Bahama
"Look, we did Bimini for years because it's quick and easy. But Grand Bahama? Game changer! Yeah, the ferry's longer and you need wheels when you get there. But you get a REAL island experience — Gold Rock Beach alone is worth it. Port Lucaya for shopping and dining, Lucayan National Park with underwater caves, and beaches that go on forever. We'll never go back to crowded Bimini weekends!"
Fast modern ferry or authentic mail boat adventure
Baleària Caribbean — HSC Jaume II
From
$254
One-way (avg ≈ $528 round-trip)
M/V Mailboat Fiesta (cargo + passengers)
Budget option
~$50
One-way (approx, cash at dock)
The Freeport ferry terminal is in an industrial port area — 15 miles from beaches, hotels, and attractions. You MUST arrange transportation before arrival!
Five places worth the longer ferry ride from Florida
The standout. A long undeveloped beach inside Lucayan National Park with a low-tide sandbar that draws photographers. Time your visit around low tide for the famous ripple-pattern sand. Bring water and snacks — there are no facilities at the beach itself.
Shopping, dining and live music around Count Basie Square. The marina is the launch point for most fishing charters and dolphin/snorkel tours. Lucaya is also where most of the island's open hotels cluster — about 6 miles from the ferry terminal.
40-acre park with one of the longest underwater cave systems on Earth (Ben's Cave, Burial Mound Cave). Boardwalk trails cross mangrove and pine forest before opening to Gold Rock Beach. Entry is roughly $5; allow 2–3 hours minimum.
The Gulf Stream runs just offshore — half-day mahi and wahoo charters depart Port Lucaya and Old Bahama Bay. UNEXSO at Lucaya is one of the longest-running dive operations in the Caribbean and runs reef, wreck and shark dives.
The far western tip of the island is a quiet contrast to Lucaya — small marina, low-rise resorts, easy west-facing sunsets. About 28 miles from the ferry terminal; a half-day rental car trip.
12-acre botanical garden in Freeport with waterfalls, a labyrinth, a small chapel and a flamingo enclosure. Easy half-day stop with kids and the on-site Smith's Point Garden Café for lunch.
Learn from our mistakes so you don't have to!
Most ferry visitors stay in Lucaya — the dining, beach and dive hub. Compare live rates across Booking.com, Expedia and Hotels.com below.
Verified properties with availability through Booking.com (Stay22 auto-affiliate).
Lucaya · Beachfront · ~7 mi from ferry
From ~$220 / night
Largest beachfront resort in Lucaya, directly on Lucaya Beach with multiple pools, golf and easy walking access to Port Lucaya Marketplace. Best pick if you want a full-resort feel close to the ferry.
Check AvailabilityPort Lucaya · Marina-side · ~7 mi from ferry
From ~$200 / night
Boutique-feel waterfront hotel right next to Port Lucaya Marketplace. Excellent for couples and divers — UNEXSO and the marina are a 5-minute walk. No private beach, but Lucaya Beach is one block away.
Check AvailabilityFortuna Beach · All-inclusive · ~10 mi from ferry
From ~$190 / night (all-inclusive)
All-inclusive on a quiet stretch of east-Freeport beach. Family-friendly, multiple restaurants, kids' club. A bit further from the ferry — taxi transfer ~$25/person.
Check AvailabilityWest End · Marina · ~28 mi from ferry
From ~$180 / night
Quiet, low-rise marina resort at the western tip of Grand Bahama. Best for fishing or boating travelers — far from Lucaya, so plan on a rental car.
Check AvailabilityFreeport / International Bazaar · ~6 mi from ferry
From ~$110 / night
Simple, well-located budget option in central Freeport. Pool, on-site restaurant, walking distance to a few local restaurants. Closest "real" budget option to the ferry terminal.
Check AvailabilityWilliams Town · Beachfront timeshare · ~8 mi from ferry
From ~$130 / night
Condo-style suites with kitchenettes on a quiet beach east of Lucaya. Good for families wanting space and self-catering. Pool bar and small restaurant on-site.
Check AvailabilityDisclosure: BahamasHopping earns a commission when you book through these links. Stay22's auto-affiliate handles the tracking — your price is identical to booking direct. Learn more.
Lock in the Wednesday or Sunday Jaume II departure — and a Lucaya hotel for the night.
The questions we get asked most often
"Plan at least 3 nights to make the ferry time worth it. Wednesday out, Sunday back is the natural long-weekend rhythm. Book your rental car the same day you book the ferry — Lucaya supply gets thin around school holidays. And budget half a day for Lucayan National Park; the boardwalk plus Gold Rock Beach is the part of the island you'll remember."
Last updated: 4 May 2026 · Schedule and pricing verified against baleariacaribbean.com.
