Bahamas, minus the overnight hotel. This full-day ferry trip is a fun way to trade South Florida heat for Bahamas beach time, with sea views and lots of freedom once you land. I especially like the guaranteed-seat ferry ride with restrooms and a snack bar, plus the easy rhythm of morning departure and a return sailing that gets you back around 8 PM. One small catch: the ferry air-conditioning can be intense, so bring a sweater (I’d even pack a light towel for warmth).

You’ll also want your paperwork set before you go. You travel through U.S. Customs and Immigration, so bring your passport and your required U.S. re-entry authorization (like ESTA or similar, depending on your citizenship). If you don’t have the exact details right at booking time, the tour won’t refund you—so double-check everything before you pay.

Key Takeaways Before You Go

• Two island choices: Bimini for a classic island beach day, or Grand Bahama for extra scenic cruising time on the schedule
• Ferry ride comfort: air-conditioned seats, restrooms, and a snack bar make the 2–3 hour crossing feel manageable
• Bring layers for the ferry: strong A/C is real, and a towel can work as an improvised blanket
• Crystal Beach and pigs are not included: you can’t count on that experience in this package
• Plan your budget carefully: the ferry roundtrip is included, but food and most island activities are extra
• Your day is timed tightly: check-in closes at 8 AM sharp, with departures around 5–6 PM depending on the island

Why This 16-Hour Ferry Day Feels Like a Smart Shortcut

This is the kind of trip that works when you want Bahamas scenery without rearranging your whole vacation. The islands are about 80 km off Florida’s coast, so you’re not looking at a multi-day getaway just to see the water sparkle. It’s also a good “first Bahamas taste” if you’re deciding whether you want a longer stay later.

The schedule is built around a simple idea: you spend the morning crossing, enjoy a solid block of island time, and return to Florida in the evening. You get the sea breeze and the bright Caribbean-style light during the ferry ride, then you get to choose how much effort you want once you’re on land—sit on the beach, walk around, or add optional water activities for an added charge.

The value angle is clear: you pay a single rate for the roundtrip ferry from Port Everglades, and you don’t have to coordinate separate transportation to the island. That said, the price can feel steep if you show up expecting food and activities to be included. Most of the on-island extras are paid separately, so you’ll get the best deal by planning ahead and keeping your day focused.

Getting to Port Everglades (or Eller Drive) Without Losing Time

Your pickup is not just one place. You’ll either meet the group at Port Everglades or at Eller Drive. That matters because check-in is strict: you need to be there by 8 AM sharp, since the ferry departure is around 9 AM.

This is one of those tours where being late can turn into a day-ruiner. I’d treat 8 AM as the last possible minute, not a target. If you’re coming from Miami, allow extra buffer for traffic and parking so you’re not stressing at the dock.

After you board, you’ll be spending about 2–3 hours on the ferry (the crossing time can feel longer if you’re cold, so yes—bring layers). Then the island arrival time depends on which island you’re going to: Bimini is around 11 AM, while Grand Bahama is around noon.

The Ferry Experience: Seats, Restrooms, and the Strong A/C Reality

The ferry itself is what makes this day trip work. The boats are air-conditioned and come with comfortable seating, restrooms, and a snack bar. You’ll also get info onboard about popular water activities on the island, which is useful if you want to decide what to do once you arrive without scrambling around for details.

Here’s the practical part you should plan for: the air-conditioning can run cold enough to feel like it’s set for a polar expedition. A light sweater helps, and if you get cold easily, take a towel too—people have used towels like a blanket to cut through the chilly air on long seat time.

And then there’s the view. You’re heading out from Florida toward the Bahamas, and the ferry ride is one of the best parts for photos and just plain enjoying the moment. Expect crystal-bright water shimmering in the sun, plus that gentle sea breeze that makes the trip feel like more than just transport.

Bimini vs. Grand Bahama: Pick the Day You Want

This tour runs to either Bimini or Grand Bahama, and the experience tone shifts with the island. Both are close enough to feel spontaneous, but the schedule and time blocks create different vibes.

If You Land in Bimini

Bimini is the closer-feeling option on the clock. You arrive around 11 AM and you’re back on the ferry for the ride home around 6 PM (seasonal changes can shift this). In other words, you’re not stuck running a tight program all day—you can build your day around beach time and your own pace.

You can choose independent time on the island: wander, relax, and enjoy the tropical shoreline. If you want added fun, you can purchase optional activities on the island, including water sports such as snorkeling, jet skiing, parasailing, and banana boating—at an extra cost.

If You Land in Grand Bahama

Grand Bahama typically means a more structured day. You arrive around noon, and your return ferry is around 5 PM in the general schedule (again, it can vary by season). The itinerary includes multiple blocks of time labeled as boat cruise and scenic views—two separate 3-hour segments appear in the day plan—so you’re likely to spend more time on the water than if your sailing is going to Bimini.

That doesn’t automatically mean less beach time, but it does mean you should think about how you want your afternoon to feel. If you’re the type who likes water views and cruising, this can be a plus. If your ideal day is mostly sand and shade, you’ll want to treat the island time as something you actively manage once you arrive.

Crystal Beach and the Pigs: Know What You’re Not Getting

One of the most talked-about parts of Grand Bahama is Crystal Beach and its famous pigs. In this specific tour, that experience is explicitly not included. If pigs are a must-do on your Bahamas list, you’ll need to arrange it separately rather than assuming it’s part of the package.

That’s not a deal-breaker—it just prevents disappointment. You can still enjoy Grand Bahama’s beaches and clear water, but don’t build your day around pigs unless you’ve planned for them separately.

What Those Scheduled Boat-Cruise Blocks Actually Mean for Your Day

On paper, Grand Bahama includes two longer stretches marked as boat cruise and scenic views. Practically, that’s a built-in reason the day feels full even though it’s only 16 hours total.

I like this setup when I’m visiting somewhere for the first time because it gives you a guided look at the coast and surrounding water without you needing to book additional transport. You get time looking out at bright, open ocean views and you get to see the island from a moving vantage point.

The trade-off is simple: structured scenic time can crowd out pure beach lounging if you don’t plan. If you’re the sort who wants to spend your whole day stretching on a towel, I’d mentally set aside the beach part as a priority before you arrive. Otherwise, the day can feel like you’re always between activities instead of fully switching into relax mode.

Beach Time Strategy: How to Maximize Relaxation Without Overspending

The best part of this day trip is the beach window. Both islands are known for white-sand shorelines and warm, turquoise water, and the whole point of the ferry ride is to turn that into real time on land.

But remember: food and beverages are not included. The ferry has a snack bar, so you can grab something there, yet island meals, drinks, and snacks on the beach are on your own budget. If you want a calmer day, plan to buy a simple meal or bring snacks in a way that fits your personal style (food rules can vary, so keep it practical).

Optional activities are also paid separately. Some activities like beach day access or beach chair rentals are purchased at surcharge, and you may need to buy certain beach-related add-ons through the ferry setup while you’re still onboard. Water sports like snorkeling, jet skiing, parasailing, and banana boating can be great if you want an action highlight, but they’ll add up fast.

Here’s how I’d play it: do one paid extra if you really want it, then spend the rest of your time on the beach with minimal stress. This keeps your overall value strong, because the ferry roundtrip is already covered.

Price and Value: What $259 Really Buys (and What It Doesn’t)

At about $259 per person for a 16-hour day, this tour is best viewed as a transport-and-time package. The included part is the roundtrip ferry from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. That’s the big cost driver and the reason the day is so seamless.

What’s not included is almost everything that makes a beach day feel complete: food and beverages, transportation on the island, and any optional activities (including any beach day pass-style add-ons). The Crystal Beach pigs visit is also not included.

So the value depends on you. If you plan to spend most of your day relaxing and you only add one optional activity, you’ll likely feel like the price matches the experience. If you want to do water sports plus multiple paid island experiences plus full meals on the beach, your total spend can rise quickly.

One more note: the tour has a solid overall rating of 4.2 out of 5 based on 22 reviews. That’s not a guarantee, but it suggests most people find the day works for them—especially because the ferry ride is comfortable enough to handle the crossing and the island time is long enough to feel like you actually escaped.

Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Should Skip It)

This is a great fit if you want a day trip with clear timing and minimal planning. You get a morning departure around 9 AM, a check-in cutoff at 8 AM, island arrival around late morning, then a return trip that gets you back to Florida around 8 PM. If you like the idea of doing the beach first and deciding on extras later, you’ll probably enjoy it.

It’s also good for travelers who like a balance of structure and freedom. The ferry info helps you decide, but once you’re on the island, you can generally explore and relax on your own.

On the other hand, skip it if you’re pregnant. Also note that infants under 6 months old are not permitted. And if you’re coming without the right documents, don’t take chances: you need a valid passport (or passport card) and you must have the required U.S. re-entry authorization for re-entry.

Finally, be realistic about delays. The provider is not responsible for setbacks caused by weather, Coast Guard issues, or immigration processing. That’s normal for ferry travel in this region, but it’s worth keeping in mind when you’re planning a tight itinerary.

Quick Booking Guidance: My Checklist for a Smooth Day

If you book, I’d do these things first:

• Pack a light sweater or layer for the ferry. A towel can work as backup warmth.
• Bring your passport and make sure your re-entry authorization is sorted.
• Show up early enough that 8 AM check-in feels easy, not stressful.
• Decide your priorities on the island: beach time, one paid water activity, or mostly exploration.
• Remember the pigs at Crystal Beach are not included, so don’t count on them as part of the plan.

If you’re someone who likes “set it and forget it,” this tour can feel efficient. If you’re someone who hates ferry schedules and wants total flexibility, you might find the timed day a bit restrictive.

Should You Book This Bahamas Full-Day Ferry Trip?

I’d book it if you want a straightforward Bahamas taste, with a comfortable ferry ride and enough island time to actually relax. The day is long enough to feel like a true escape, and the ferry makes the logistics easy because the roundtrip transport is handled for you.

Skip or rethink if you want food and most activities included, or if Crystal Beach and the pigs are the main reason you’re going to Grand Bahama. In this package, those extras are on your own.

If your ideal day is: ferry out early, beaches in the afternoon, and back before night gets too late, this is a strong option. Just plan for the cold ferry air and budget for island extras.

FAQ

Do I need a passport for this ferry trip to the Bahamas?

Yes. You must have a valid passport (or passport card). You also need U.S. re-entry authorization (such as ESTA or similar) because you go through U.S. Customs and Immigration.

What time does the ferry leave and when is check-in?

Ferry departure from Florida is around 9 AM, and check-in closes at 8 AM sharp.

Where are the pickup and drop-off locations?

Pickup options include Port Everglades and Eller Drive. Drop-off locations are Eller Drive and Port Everglades.

How long is the ferry ride and when do you arrive on the islands?

The ferry ride takes about 2–3 hours. Arrival times are approximately 11 AM for Bimini and noon for Grand Bahama.

Are Crystal Beach and swimming with pigs included?

No. Crystal Beach and swimming with pigs are not included in this tour.

Are food and beverages included?

No. Food and beverages are not included. You may find a snack bar on the ferry, but meals and drinks on the island are on your own.