From Fort Lauderdale: Day Trip to Bimini

Bimini is close enough to Florida for a proper day trip, yet the two-hour ferry ride puts you in a different country, with clear water, island food, and time to slow down. You can spend your six hours at the beach, explore by golf cart, or simply enjoy the Hilton beach facilities if you buy the optional pass.

I like the comfortable high-speed ferry, especially for a crossing that can otherwise feel like a long travel day. I also like the freedom once you arrive: there is no fixed island sightseeing schedule, so you can choose a beach day, local food, a little shopping, or an outing on the water.

The main drawback is the timing. With about six hours on Bimini and no hotel pickup, this is a long day built around transport, and unclear instructions about island shuttles and reboarding can make the visit feel less simple than it should.

Key points at a glance

• Two-hour crossing from Fort Lauderdale: Ride aboard a modern 600-passenger ferry with economy or business class seating.
• About six hours on Bimini: The usual island window is approximately 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• A genuinely flexible island day: Choose local food, a beach visit, kayaking, dolphin activities, shopping, or a golf-cart outing.
• Clear water and an easy beach day: Chairs and umbrellas may be available at some beach areas, though costs and facilities vary.
• Optional Resort World access: A day pass for the Hilton Resort World Bimini can be purchased onboard, but the supplied details list both $30 and $40, so confirm the current price.
• Bring the right documents: You need a valid passport and any required re-entry authorization or visa before boarding.

The appeal of a Bahamas day trip from Florida

The clever idea here is simple: you do not need to arrange a multi-night island holiday to see Bimini. You board at Port Everglades Terminal 21, cross the water, spend roughly six hours in the Bahamas, and return to Florida the same day.

That makes this a good choice if you are based in South Florida and want a change of scene without booking a flight. Bimini is not presented as a packed sightseeing destination. Its draw is the combination of bright water, beaches, casual island food, and the freedom to make your own plan.

I would think of this as a ferry outing with a full island afternoon, not as a guided tour of Bimini. That distinction matters. If you want a guide explaining every stop, this may feel too loose. If you prefer to decide your own pace, the open schedule is the best part.

Gray Line Miami operates the experience, and the onboard host or greeter speaks English. No individual guide names are provided, so you should expect general assistance rather than a named personal guide leading you around the island.

Leaving Port Everglades on the 600-passenger ferry

The ferry ride takes about two hours each way. The vessel is described as modern, high-speed, and comfortable, with room for up to 600 passengers. You can book economy or business class, depending on the option selected.

That two-hour crossing is long enough to settle in but short enough to keep Bimini within reach for a day. I like having a full bar and snack service onboard, along with a duty-free gift shop. These are useful touches when you want something to eat, a drink, or a small purchase without planning ahead.

The boat itself is a major part of the value. The listed price is $270 per person, so you are paying for more than a simple short boat ride. The fare covers roundtrip ferry tickets, and the convenience of crossing directly from South Florida is what makes the outing possible in one day.

Business class may be worth considering if you care strongly about seating comfort, but the available details do not explain the exact differences between the two classes. I would compare the booking options carefully rather than assuming the upgrade includes extra island benefits.

The ferry schedule also shapes the whole day. The usual free time on Bimini is approximately 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, though the activity lasts around 18 hours from start to finish. That long total duration likely includes early arrival, boarding, customs procedures, and the return process. Plan for a very full day, not six relaxed hours from door to door.

Six hours to make Bimini your own

Once you arrive, you have approximately six hours at leisure. This is the point where you need to make a choice: organize one clear activity, or keep the day loose and enjoy the island at your own speed.

A beach day is the easiest option. The water is described as clear enough to see your feet, and several visitors found the beaches beautiful and relaxing. One useful detail is that chairs and umbrellas may be provided free at some beach areas, while another beach experience involved an umbrella costing $25. I would not assume every beach has the same arrangement. Ask about the exact beach facilities before settling in.

You can also take a local taxi to the beach. That may suit you if you want a straightforward day by the water and do not need to cover much of Bimini. The downside is that transport becomes your responsibility, and the island transfer arrangements are not always explained clearly.

For a more active afternoon, kayaking and dolphin activities are listed as possible choices. The supplied details do not say whether these are included in the ferry price or booked separately, so treat them as optional activities requiring their own arrangements and cost checks.

The flexible format works best when you decide what matters before you arrive. Beach lovers can head directly to the shore. Curious eaters can seek out local food. Independent explorers can rent a golf cart and see more of the island.

Exploring by golf cart, taxi, and shuttle

A golf cart is one of the most appealing ways to use six hours. A previous visitor rented one and drove to the far end of the island, finding a shipwreck, rays, hermit crabs, local food, and the Straw Market along the way.

I like this option because it turns a short port stop into a small island adventure. You can set your own route instead of spending the entire afternoon at one resort. Six hours is still limited, so keep an eye on the time and leave plenty of room to return to the ferry boarding point.

The practical weakness is the local transport information. Shuttle service is available after docking, but the exact arrangement may not be obvious. One concern raised was that the minibus served the resort rather than circling the island. Another issue involved a traveler being told to return to Fisherman Wharf to catch the tram back to the ferry.

That means you should ask three questions as soon as you arrive:

• Where does the shuttle leave from?
• Which beach or resort does it serve?
• Where and when must you return for ferry boarding?

Do not wait until the last hour to sort this out. The operator warns that delays can result from weather, the Bahamian Coast Guard, or Bahamian Immigration, so the return schedule deserves your full attention.

Resort World Bimini and the optional beach pass

You can purchase a day pass for the Hilton Resort World Bimini facilities onboard the vessel. The supplied information gives two different prices, $30 in one place and $40 in another, so confirm the current amount before buying.

The resort can make the day easier if you want organized beach access, chairs, food, drinks, and hotel facilities in one place. Several people enjoyed the beach club and Hilton property, while others were perfectly happy staying on the public beach without paying for resort access.

This is a question of travel style. I would consider the pass if you value convenience and want a polished beach setting. I would skip it if your priority is keeping the day inexpensive or seeing more of the island.

The pass is not included in the ferry fare. Nor does the base price include hotel pickup and drop-off, food, drinks, island transportation, or any activities you arrange in Bimini. At $270, the day already carries a significant cost, so add-ons can change the value quickly.

What the $270 price really buys you

At $270 per person, this is not a bargain ferry commute. It is a convenient same-day international outing that includes roundtrip transportation between Fort Lauderdale and Bimini.

The strongest value is time saved in planning. You do not need to book a separate flight, arrange a hotel, or coordinate a multi-day island stay. For someone already in South Florida, that simplicity may justify the price.

The value is weaker if you are traveling from Miami or another distant base and must arrange your own transport to Port Everglades. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, and one person found the journey from Miami costly and time-consuming. Check your route to the terminal before booking, especially if you are relying on public transport.

Food and drinks onboard are available at reasonable prices according to one account, but your island spending depends entirely on your choices. A taxi, golf cart, beach umbrella, resort pass, meal, and activities can add a substantial amount.

I would book this for the convenience of crossing to Bimini in one day, not because it delivers the cheapest possible beach visit.

Border control, passports, and the return to Florida

This is an international trip, even though the ferry ride is short. You must carry a valid passport and have the right re-entry authorization for returning to the United States. Citizens of some countries may also need a Bahamian entry visa.

Check the Bahamian immigration requirements before booking. The responsibility for correct documents rests with you, and the operator cannot fix missing paperwork at the terminal.

The return through customs and immigration can take time. One account described more than 1.5 hours waiting because only two agents were working, while another reported a two-hour delay caused by a family boarding without the required documents.

These incidents may not happen on your date, but they show why you should avoid scheduling a tight connection after the ferry returns. The trip is already about 18 hours, and border delays can stretch the day further.

Who will enjoy this day trip most

I would recommend the trip to you if you:

• Want a quick Bahamas experience from South Florida
• Enjoy beaches, clear water, and unstructured free time
• Are comfortable arranging your own island activities
• Like the idea of renting a golf cart or finding local food
• Have passports and immigration paperwork ready
• Can handle a long day with ferry travel and possible customs delays

Families with older children may enjoy the novelty of crossing to another country, though infants under six months are not permitted. The ferry is wheelchair accessible for foldable wheelchairs only, so check your equipment carefully before booking.

This is less suitable if you want a detailed guided tour, guaranteed resort facilities, or door-to-door transport. It is also a poor match if you dislike uncertainty around shuttles, customs, or return timing.

Practical packing and timing advice

Bring your passport, a towel, comfortable clothes, and any public transport ticket you need for reaching the terminal. Swimwear and sun protection make sense for a beach day, although the supplied requirements specifically mention the towel and comfortable clothing.

I would keep your bag simple. You need enough for the ferry, beach, and return crossing, but not so much that moving between the terminal, shuttle, beach, and ferry becomes awkward.

Arrive prepared for a full day. The approximate Bimini time is 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, but ferry boarding and immigration create a much longer schedule. Keep your return instructions close at hand, and make sure you know where to go back to the boat.

The tour operates only on selected dates, so check the calendar before building other plans around it. Free cancellation is available up to two days in advance for a full refund, which gives you some protection if your schedule changes.

Should you book the Fort Lauderdale to Bimini trip?

I would book this if your ideal Bahamas visit means clear water, a beach, local food, and the pleasure of saying you crossed to another country for the day. The comfortable ferry, six hours of free time, and option to explore by golf cart make it more than a simple beach transfer.

I would not book it expecting a carefully managed island tour. You must handle your passport, terminal transport, optional activities, and much of the island planning yourself. The shuttle instructions also deserve improvement, and customs can delay your return.

The smartest approach is to choose your Bimini plan before boarding. Pick a beach, resort facilities, golf-cart outing, or local exploration, then confirm the shuttle and ferry return details when you arrive. If you accept the long schedule and the $270 price, this is a practical way to sample Bimini without staying overnight.

FAQ

How long does the trip last?

The full activity lasts approximately 18 hours. The ferry ride takes about two hours each way, and the usual free time on Bimini is approximately 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Where does the ferry leave from?

The stated starting and ending point is Port Everglades Terminal 21. The exact meeting point may vary depending on the option booked.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must arrange your own transportation to and from Port Everglades Terminal 21.

Do I need a passport?

Yes. You need a valid passport and any required re-entry authorization because the trip includes Bahamian Customs and Immigration. Some nationalities may also need an entry visa.

Is the Resort World Bimini day pass included?

No. The pass is an extra purchase available onboard the ferry. The supplied information lists both $30 and $40, so confirm the current price before buying.

Can I choose what to do in Bimini?

Yes. You have approximately six hours at leisure. Options listed include local food, beach time, dolphin activities, kayaking, golf-cart exploration, and shopping.

Is the ferry wheelchair accessible?

The tour is wheelchair accessible for foldable wheelchairs only. Check that your wheelchair meets this requirement before booking.