A 50-mile ferry ride changes the whole mood. This is one of the easiest ways to turn a Florida day into a real Bahamas break, with a fast, comfortable trip from Port Everglades and hours to relax on island beaches. I like that the ferry comes with a guaranteed seat, restrooms, and an on-board snack bar, so you’re not spending the day stuck in lines or chasing basics. I also like the on-ferry service desk idea, where you can get straight answers on island activities before you arrive. The main consideration: it’s a long day with limited included stuff on the islands, so you’ll want a plan for how you’ll use your free time.

You choose your vibe with two islands. Bimini tends to feel laid-back, with a shorter ferry ride and longer leisure block, while Grand Bahama includes an option to go to Crystal Beach and see the famous swimming pigs—though those island activities are not included.

This works best if you’re happy to trade “guided sightseeing” for sea air, beach time, and flexible self-exploring. It’s not the best fit if you want a packed, tour-led itinerary. Also note it isn’t suitable for pregnant women, and infants under 6 months can’t join.

Key Things I’d Pay Attention To

• Guaranteed seating on a fast ferry: fewer hassles, more time in the sunshine
• Two island options with different leisure time: pick based on how you want to spend the afternoon
• Crystal Beach and pigs aren’t included: you’ll need to reserve and pay separately if you want them
• Check-in closes at 7:30 AM sharp: build in buffer time, even if you live nearby
• Food and island transport aren’t included: bring cash/credit for meals and getting around

The Big Idea: One Day, Two Countries, Real Beach Time

This day trip is built for the “I want the Bahamas, but I don’t want a whole week away” crowd. You’re starting in Fort Lauderdale and crossing to the Bahamas on a fast ferry, then spending the bulk of the day on your chosen island. It’s simple, and that simplicity is part of the value.

What makes it feel like more than a quick excursion is the timing. You get a morning departure (about 9:00 AM), then you arrive around late morning to start your island time with daylight left. You also get a return trip back to Florida in the evening, arriving around 8:00 PM—so it’s still a full day, not a half-day compromise.

On the ferry, you’re surrounded by open water and that salt-air feeling that’s hard to fake on land. The schedule is long enough that you can actually settle in—lie on the deck, watch the light play on the water, and use the on-board facilities without rushing every five minutes.

Bimini vs Grand Bahama: Pick Your Afternoon First

This is the decision that matters most, because it shapes what your island time can realistically be.

Bimini: Laid-Back Energy With Extra Island Hours

If you choose Bimini, you’re looking at about a 2-hour ferry ride, then roughly 5.5 hours of leisure on the island. That extra island time is a big deal on a day trip. It gives you breathing room to do what most people actually came for: beach time, slow wandering, and downtime.

Bimini is described as the gateway to the Bahamas, with a calmer feel. If your ideal day is mostly sand + sun with minimal planning, Bimini usually matches that better.

One practical note: the tour doesn’t include transportation on the island, and food and beverages aren’t included either. So if you want to go beyond one beach area, you’ll likely need to handle taxis or other local options on your own.

Grand Bahama: More Structure, Plus an Optional Iconic Stop

If you choose Grand Bahama, your arrival is around noon and the leisure time is closer to 4 hours. That’s still enough for a solid beach block, but it’s tighter if you want to add a longer excursion.

Grand Bahama is where you get the option to visit Crystal Beach, including the chance to meet the swimming pigs. But here’s the key point: those activities are not included in the tour price. You’ll need to reserve or purchase them separately, and you’ll need to plan transportation locally as well.

The trade-off is that Grand Bahama gives you more “named” targets. If you’ve pictured Crystal Beach and the pig meet-up, this option can turn your day trip from relaxing into memorable.

Morning Logistics From Port Everglades (And Why Timing Feels Cruel)

Your day starts at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. The ferry departs Florida at about 9:00 AM, and check-in closes at 7:30 AM sharp. That gap is where people get burned—not because they did anything wrong, but because “nearby” is not the same as “on time.”

So plan to arrive earlier than you think you need. Bring your passport and be ready to move through whatever checkpoints you hit that morning. This isn’t a “walk up and go” day trip.

Also, this crosses an international border. You’re going through U.S. Customs and Immigration as part of the process, and you’ll need the right documents for re-entry. The requirement list is clear: you must have a valid passport (or passport card where allowed), plus U.S. re-entry authorization such as ESTA or similar if that applies to you.

On the Fast Ferry: What You’re Really Buying

You’re paying for two things at once: transportation and a controlled schedule. The ferry gives you an air-conditioned ride with a guaranteed seat, restrooms, and an on-board snack bar. Those details matter more than they sound, especially on a day trip where every hour is precious.

The ferry ride is also where you get the “wow” factor for free. The idea is to enjoy the gentle sea breeze, refreshingly different air, and the view of the crystal-clear water as it catches the sun. Even if you don’t plan a single extra activity, the ferry portion itself helps justify the trip.

There’s also an on-board service desk. Visit it if you want guidance on popular water activities once you land. It’s one of the smartest ways to avoid arriving and then trying to figure things out while your leisure time is ticking down.

One practical caution: the operator isn’t responsible for weather, Coast Guard, or immigration delays. That doesn’t mean it will happen, but it’s real enough to keep expectations flexible.

Island Time: How to Use Your Free Hours Without Stress

Once you arrive, you get the island to yourselves. That’s the design: you’re not stuck in a bus loop, and you’re not forced into an organized schedule. The downside is you have to think like a traveler for a few hours.

Here’s the most useful way I’d plan it:

1. Decide your beach priority first. Don’t start with a random walk. Pick where you want to be when the sun peaks.
2. Leave time to get settled. On an island day, the first 30–60 minutes often disappear into changing, water, and finding your bearings.
3. If you want Crystal Beach or the pigs, plan it early. Those parts are not included, and you’ll want to avoid last-minute scrambling.

For Grand Bahama: Crystal Beach and the Pigs, If You Want Them

Crystal Beach and the swimming pigs are iconic, and they’re tempting as a “main event.” Just remember: they require your own reservation and payment, and the tour doesn’t include transportation on Grand Bahama.

So treat them like a separate mini plan inside your day trip. If you’re going for that, build the rest of your time around it. If you aren’t, you can still have a great beach-focused day, but you’ll want to know what you’ll do if the rest of the island feels far from your chosen spot.

For Bimini: Beach-First Days Tend to Feel Best

Bimini’s leisure block is longer, which usually helps. If your style is “show up, chill, go back when you’re ready,” this option plays nicely.

Again, because food and local transport aren’t included, you’ll want to budget for meals and getting around if you want more than a single beach zone. If your expectations are mostly sand, sun, and floating time, you’ll likely feel satisfied.

The Return Trip: Evening on the Ferry, No Big Plans Needed

Your return ferry leaves around 5:00 PM from Grand Bahama or 6:00 PM from Bimini, with arrival back in Florida around 8:00 PM. That’s a good structure for people who don’t want to spend the whole evening on the road.

The nice part is that you’re heading home right when energy starts to dip. You can rest on the ferry, rinse off the day, and let the sea carry you back without another decision to make.

And because you’re going back the same day, you don’t have to worry about where you’ll sleep. You’re paying for a single-day rhythm: depart, arrive, leisure, depart again.

Price and Value: Is $259 Worth a Day Trip?

$259 per person is not a budget impulse buy, but it can be good value if you compare it to the cost of stitching together transport plus lodging plus meals. This price covers your roundtrip ferry ride from Port Everglades. That’s the big fixed cost you’d otherwise need to solve on your own.

What you should understand up front is what you still pay for separately:

• Food and beverages
• Any island activities (including Crystal Beach and swimming pigs)
• Transportation on the island

That means your real cost depends on how “beach-only” your day becomes. If you’re okay keeping things simple—beach, water, maybe a snack—then the money goes mainly into getting there and back. If you want paid activities and taxis, the day can add up quickly.

One of the strongest insights from the overall experience is that you shouldn’t count on having an all-included program once you hit the island. This is more like buying a clean, scheduled ferry connection to paradise, then using your free hours wisely.

Who Should Book This (And Who Should Skip It)

This tour makes sense for:

• Families who want a straight shot to the Bahamas without a multi-day plan
• Couples looking for sun and sea in one day
• Solo travelers who are comfortable making a simple island game plan
• People who want the Bahamas feel but can’t commit to overnight travel

It’s a tougher fit for:

• Anyone who needs a guided, step-by-step itinerary on the island
• People who want meals and excursions included
• Pregnant women (not suitable)
• Infants under 6 months (not permitted)

If you’re the kind of person who loves planning, this works. If you prefer to buy “everything in one price,” you may feel underfed—literally and mentally—by the end of the day.

Small Print You Should Not Ignore

A few “know before you go” items can save your day:

• Bring your passport.
• You must have valid documents for travel and U.S. re-entry authorization where applicable.
• Check-in closes at 7:30 AM sharp.
• Ferry departure from Florida is about 9:00 AM.
• Ferry arrival is about 11:00 AM for Bimini and 12:00 noon for Grand Bahama.
• Departure back is around 6:00 PM for Bimini and 5:00 PM for Grand Bahama (season can shift this a bit).
• If your party’s full names and passport info are missing, there’s no refund.

Also, some optional beach day passes and island add-ons can be purchased on the ferry. That can help if you decide on the spot.

Should You Book This Day Trip?

Book it if you want the Bahamas with minimal friction: a fast, air-conditioned ferry, scheduled timing, and a real chunk of beach time. Pick Bimini if you want a calmer, beach-forward afternoon with more leisure hours. Pick Grand Bahama if Crystal Beach and the swimming pigs are on your must-do list, and you’re willing to handle those costs and logistics separately.

Skip it if you’re hoping for an all-in-one guided day with meals and included attractions. This trip shines when you treat it like a transport-and-time purchase: you’re buying the ferry connection, then making the most of island hours yourself.

If you want, tell me which island you’re leaning toward (Bimini or Grand Bahama) and what kind of day you picture. I’ll help you map a simple plan that fits the timing.

FAQ

How long is the trip from Florida to Bimini or Grand Bahama?

The total experience runs about 16 hours.

Where does the ferry leave from and when do you return?

The roundtrip ferry leaves from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale and returns to Florida around 8:00 PM.

What time does check-in close?

Check-in closes at 7:30 AM sharp.

How much leisure time do I get on each island?

Grand Bahama includes about 4 hours of leisure time. Bimini includes about 5.5 hours of leisure time.

Are Crystal Beach and swimming with pigs included?

No. Crystal Beach and swimming with pigs are not included, and you must reserve them on your own.

Do I need a passport?

Yes. You must have a valid passport (or passport card, where applicable) and the right U.S. re-entry authorization for border processing.