Bahamas ferry questions answered

Two scheduled routes, both run by Balearia Caribbean from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale: to Bimini in about 2 hours and to Freeport on Grand Bahama in about 3 hours. Both have live departures and a booking route on this site. Everything else on the water - Nassau, the out islands, inter-island ferries - is covered as orientation only.

No. The departure port is Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, about 30 miles north of downtown Miami. The Miami page shows how to cover that distance by car, Brightline train or with a day tour that includes pickup.

No ferry connects Florida with Nassau - and no bookable service connects Freeport with Nassau either. To reach Nassau, fly from Florida or arrive by cruise. The Nassau page compares the realistic options and explains the inter-island ferries beyond it.

A valid U.S. passport book or passport card - for every traveller, children and infants included. The operator does not accept birth certificates, photo ID or naturalization certificates for boarding, and recommends more than 6 months of remaining passport validity. Non-U.S. citizens should additionally check their Bahamas entry and U.S. re-entry requirements before booking.

For re-entering the United States by sea, U.S. Customs and Border Protection accepts a passport book, passport card, Enhanced Driver's License or Trusted Traveler card, and children under 16 can present a birth certificate. For boarding this ferry, the stricter carrier rule applies all the same: passport book or passport card for everyone. Bring the passport - it satisfies both sides.

Check-in at Port Everglades Terminal 21 opens 3 hours before departure; the terminal doors close 1 hour before, and after that boarding is not guaranteed. Port security can back up traffic at the entrance, so the operator advises arriving at the port at least an hour early. Departing from the Bahamas, check-in opens 2 hours before departure and doors also close 1 hour before.

Immigration and customs run on both ends: U.S. exit formalities are minimal, Bahamas immigration stamps you in on arrival, and on the way back you clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Plan the deadlines around it - the checks are why the doors close a full hour before departure.

No - both crossings are passenger-only fast ferries without a vehicle deck. On Bimini, golf carts are the local standard; on Grand Bahama, taxis and rental cars cover the distances. Bicycles travel as oversized luggage against a fee, listed on the prices page.

One carry-on per adult travels free (up to 26.5 lbs, max 22 x 18 x 10 inches) plus a small purse or backpack; a child in the booking adds one more free piece. Heavier pieces, coolers and sports gear check in against fees - the prices page lists them - and oversized gear must be registered with U.S. Customs and Border Protection 24 hours ahead.

Dogs and cats can cross in kennels on deck - kennels are provided, service dogs stay with their owner. The operator requires registration by e-mail at least 72 hours before departure, and the fee is on the prices page. Emotional-support animals count as pets, not service dogs. Check the Bahamas' animal import rules separately before you plan the trip.

Yes - on its sailing days the Bimini route is timed for it: morning out, evening back, with a real afternoon on the island in between. The day-trip guide walks through the timing. Freeport is not built for a day visit: three hours each way leaves little shore time.

From Nassau, Bahamas Ferries Ltd. - a separate company, not related to this site or to Balearia - serves the out islands: Harbour Island, Spanish Wells, Eleuthera, Exuma and more. Those sailings are booked with that operator directly; this site shows no live times for them.

In hurricane season (June to November) schedules can shift around storms at short notice. The operator informs booked passengers; your booking confirmation is authoritative. Re-check the timetable shortly before travelling, and prefer flexible fares if your plans depend on a specific day.