Bimini crossing
Ferry from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini
Check the departures for your travel date, then continue to the ticket for the sailing that fits your plans
- About 2 hours across the Gulf Stream to North Bimini
- High-speed catamaran with air-conditioned lounges and a bar
- Same-day return sailings make a real day trip possible
Table of Contents
The crossing at a glance
Fort Lauderdale - Bimini is the shortest scheduled link between the United States and the Bahamas: about 2 hours on a high-speed catamaran, operated by Balearia Caribbean. It is a real international crossing in miniature - passport check, customs, open sea - compressed into a morning. Sailings run on set weekdays rather than daily; the timetable shows what actually leaves on your date.
Getting to the terminal and checking in
Departures leave from Terminal 21 at Port Everglades, 2021 Eller Drive, Fort Lauderdale - inside the port, a short drive from both Fort Lauderdale airport and downtown. Coming from Miami, plan the extra distance: the port is about 30 miles north of downtown, and the Miami page compares car, train and picked-up day-tour options.
Check-in opens 3 hours before departure and the terminal doors close a full hour before the vessel leaves - beyond that, boarding is not guaranteed. Security checks at the port entrance can queue at busy times, so treat the door-closing time as your real deadline and arrive with margin.
On board
The vessel is a fast catamaran with air-conditioned lounges, a bar-café with snacks and drinks, a small duty-free shop and open deck space. There are no cabins - at 2 hours, none are needed. Each adult brings one carry-on free of charge plus a small bag; heavier or bulky luggage checks in against a fee, listed on the prices page. Dogs and cats can travel in kennels on deck if they are registered with the operator at least 72 hours ahead.
Arrival on Bimini
The ferry docks at Fisherman's Village on Bimini Bay, North Bimini - the marina at the Resorts World complex, north of Alice Town. Immigration and customs are handled at the small terminal; from there, resort trams, golf carts and taxis cover the island. North Bimini is small enough that nothing is far: the beaches on the west side are minutes away, Alice Town lies to the south. For the return, remember the Bahamas-side deadlines: check-in opens 2 hours before departure and doors close 1 hour before.
Tickets and changes
Fares are dynamic; a live from-price is shown on this page and the binding amount appears in the booking step. Flexible and basic fares differ in how freely you can move the date and what a cancellation refunds - the ladder is on the prices page. Book the return leg with the outward one, and re-check the departure in the timetable the day before you travel back.
Fort Lauderdale - Bimini
The shortest way to the Bahamas
Fort Lauderdale - Bimini is the corridor's flagship: a scheduled fast-ferry crossing of 51 miles, linking Port Everglades with Fisherman's Village on North Bimini in about 2 hours. It is a border crossing, not a harbour hop - passports and customs are part of the trip.
The rhythm favours short stays: outbound sailings in the morning, returns in the evening, so the island works as a day trip or a weekend. The vessel is a working fast catamaran, and the ride across the Gulf Stream is part of the experience.
- Crossing
- about 2 h
- Operator
- Balearia Caribbean
- Frequency
- several sailings a week
- From price
- €169
Next departures
FAQ Fort Lauderdale - Bimini
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the Fort Lauderdale - Bimini crossing.
How long does the Fort Lauderdale to Bimini ferry take?+
About 2 hours for the 51 miles from Port Everglades to North Bimini. The binding times for your date are in the timetable and on your booking confirmation.
When do I have to check in?+
Check-in at Port Everglades Terminal 21 opens 3 hours before departure, and the terminal doors close 1 hour before - after that, boarding is no longer guaranteed. Port security can back up traffic, so the operator advises reaching the port at least an hour early.
Do I need a passport for Bimini?+
Yes - every traveller needs a valid U.S. passport book or passport card, children included. Birth certificates, photo ID and naturalization certificates are not accepted for boarding. Details and the customs process are in the FAQ.
Can I take a car to Bimini?+
No - the crossing is passenger-only; there is no car deck. On Bimini that is no loss: North Bimini is compact, golf carts are the local rental standard, and the arrival marina connects to the resorts and Alice Town on foot or by tram and cart.
Does a same-day return work?+
Yes, and it is the route's speciality: morning out, evening back on the same day. The day-trip guide walks through the timing, what fits into the hours ashore and how the return check-in works.
What does the crossing cost?+
The fare moves with season, day and demand, so this page shows a live from-price and the prices page explains what moves it - including the extra fees for heavy luggage and pets. The binding amount always appears in the booking step.