Grand Bahama crossing
Ferry from Fort Lauderdale to Freeport
Check the departures for your travel date, then continue to the ticket for the sailing that fits your plans
- About 3 hours across to Grand Bahama Island
- Usually the cheaper of the two Bahamas crossings
- Arrives at Freeport Harbour, taxis connect to the Lucaya beaches
Table of Contents
The crossing at a glance
Fort Lauderdale - Freeport is the corridor's long leg: about 3 hours on the fast catamaran to Grand Bahama, the fourth-largest island of the Bahamas. It runs on set days each week, in the current schedule with early-morning and evening slots - which is why the timetable matters more here than on routes that sail daily.
Getting to the terminal and checking in
The crossing shares its Florida side with the Bimini route: Terminal 21 at Port Everglades, 2021 Eller Drive, Fort Lauderdale. Check-in opens 3 hours before departure, terminal doors close 1 hour before, and the operator advises arriving at the port with at least an hour's margin for the security queue at the entrance. For an early-morning slot, that means planning the night before - coming from Miami, see the Miami page for the ways to cover the 30 miles at that hour.
On board
Three hours on a working fast ferry: air-conditioned lounges, a bar-café, duty-free and open deck. No cabins, and none needed. The luggage allowance is one free carry-on per adult plus a small bag; heavier pieces, coolers and sports gear check in against fees listed on the prices page - and oversized gear must be registered with U.S. Customs and Border Protection 24 hours before travel. Dogs and cats travel in deck kennels if registered with the operator at least 72 hours ahead.
Arrival in Freeport
The ferry docks at Terminal 2, Freeport Harbour on Grand Bahama. The harbour is an industrial and cruise port west of Freeport city - not a walk-to-the-beach arrival. Taxis meet the sailings, and the ride to the Lucaya area with its beaches and resorts is short but necessary; a rental car is worth considering for a longer stay on an island this size. Immigration and customs run at the terminal on arrival. For the return, Bahamas-side deadlines apply: check-in opens 2 hours before departure, doors close 1 hour before.
Tickets and changes
Fares are dynamic and usually undercut the Bimini crossing; the live from-price is on this page, the binding amount in the booking step. Flexible fares move dates freely until close to departure, basic fares against a fee - the full ladder is on the prices page. In hurricane season, re-check your sailing in the timetable shortly before travel: the operator adjusts schedules around storms, and your booking confirmation is the authoritative source.
Fort Lauderdale - Freeport
The longer run to the bigger island
Fort Lauderdale - Freeport covers 85 miles to Grand Bahama in about 3 hours - the corridor's longer leg, and usually its cheaper ticket. Like the Bimini run it is a full border crossing: passports, customs, and a fast catamaran doing the work.
Grand Bahama rewards more time than a day: the island is large, the harbour lies outside the resort areas, and the ferry rhythm leaves fewer hours ashore than on the Bimini route. Treat it as the way to a stay, not a lunch visit.
- Crossing
- about 3 h
- Operator
- Balearia Caribbean
- Frequency
- set days each week
- From price
- €110
Next departures
FAQ Fort Lauderdale - Freeport
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the Fort Lauderdale - Freeport crossing.
How long does the Fort Lauderdale to Freeport ferry take?+
About 3 hours for the 85 miles from Port Everglades to Freeport Harbour. The binding times for your date are in the timetable and on your booking confirmation.
How often does the ferry sail?+
The route runs on set days rather than daily, with morning and evening slots in the current schedule. Check the timetable for your date - and in hurricane season, re-check it shortly before travelling.
Is Freeport the cheaper crossing?+
Usually yes - the Freeport crossing tends to price below the Bimini run despite the longer distance. Live from-prices for both routes are on the prices page; the binding amount appears in the booking step.
Does the ferry arrive near the beaches?+
No. The ferry arrives at Terminal 2, Freeport Harbour, west of the city and away from the beach areas - plan a taxi or arranged transfer to Lucaya or your resort. Rental cars make sense on Grand Bahama; distances are real.
Can I continue from Freeport to Nassau by ferry?+
No scheduled passenger ferry currently connects Freeport with Nassau - searches for one are common, a bookable service is not. The Nassau page explains the realistic connections.
What documents and deadlines apply?+
Yes - every traveller needs a valid U.S. passport book or passport card, children included; birth certificates are not accepted for boarding. Terminal doors close 1 hour before departure. The FAQ has the full document and check-in rules.