Getting to the ferry
Bahamas ferry from Miami
The short answer first - the ferry leaves from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, about 30 miles north of downtown Miami. Here is how to make that work.
- Departure port is Port Everglades, Terminal 21 - not Miami
- About 30 miles from downtown Miami, straight up I-95
- Day tours with Miami pickup exist if you would rather not drive
- Live departures and fares for both crossings
Table of Contents
The short answer
Searches for a "ferry from Miami to the Bahamas" find a real product with a misleading label: the crossings exist - to Bimini in about 2 hours and to Freeport in about 3 - but they leave from Terminal 21 at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, 2021 Eller Drive, about 30 miles north of downtown Miami. No scheduled passenger ferry departs from Miami itself. The distance is manageable; what needs respect is the clock, because terminal doors close a full hour before departure.
Getting from Miami to Port Everglades
By car or rideshare. The direct route is I-95 north; from downtown Miami plan 45 minutes to an hour in normal traffic, and noticeably more in the morning rush. Port Everglades has paid parking near the terminals - for a day trip, parking at the port and walking to check-in is the simplest pattern.
By train. Brightline runs from MiamiCentral to Fort Lauderdale station in about 35 minutes, comfortable and rush-hour-proof - but the station is not at the port, so add a short taxi or rideshare leg to Terminal 21 and margin for the changeover.
With a picked-up day tour. Day-trip products with Miami hotel pickup bundle the transfer and the crossing into one booking. They remove the early-morning logistics entirely, at a higher price than driving yourself - worth it when you are staying on Miami Beach without a car.
Timing it right
Work backwards from the door-closing time, not the departure time. Doors close 1 hour before the sailing; the security check at the port entrance can queue; and check-in opens 3 hours before departure. A comfortable plan leaves downtown Miami about 3 hours ahead of the sailing - early, but the alternative is watching the doors close with your ticket in hand. The timetable shows the departures for your date, and the day-trip guide walks through the same-day return version of this plan.
FAQ ferry from Miami
Frequently asked questions
Questions about reaching the Bahamas ferry from Miami.
Is there a ferry direct from Miami?+
No - there is currently no scheduled passenger ferry from Miami itself to the Bahamas. The corridor runs from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, and even the booking channels label it "Fort Lauderdale (Miami)". The 30 miles in between are the real planning task, and this page covers them.
How long does Miami to the terminal take?+
By car via I-95 or with a rideshare, allow 45 minutes to an hour from downtown in normal traffic - more at rush hour. The Brightline train runs Miami to Fort Lauderdale in about 35 minutes, with a taxi or rideshare leg to the port on top. For a 9:00 departure with doors closing at 8:00, leave Miami early.
When should I leave Miami?+
Check-in opens 3 hours before departure and terminal doors close 1 hour before - after that, boarding is not guaranteed. Add the port's security queue and the drive from Miami, and a comfortable plan leaves downtown about 3 hours before the sailing.
Can I book the ferry with a Miami pickup?+
Yes - day-trip products with hotel pickup in Miami exist, bundling the transfer and the ferry crossing to Bimini or Grand Bahama into one booking. They cost more than driving yourself, and solve exactly the problem this page describes: getting to Port Everglades on time in the early morning.
Does a ferry go from Miami to Nassau?+
No - no ferry connects Miami (or anywhere in Florida) with Nassau. For Nassau, fly or arrive by cruise; the Nassau page compares the options. The ferry reaches Bimini and Freeport.