Ferry Tickets Only, Non-Refundable

Gray Line issues ferry tickets only here: Economy from $270, with a Premium tier also shown at $309.

Overview

This is a transport-only day trip: round-trip ferry tickets from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini, with no guide, no island activities, and no organized program once you land. The ferry leaves from 2021 Eller Drive in Fort Lauderdale, and the full outing runs about 15 hours door to door. Check-in opens at 6:15am and doors close at 8:00am, with the vessel departing at 9:00am and arriving in Bimini around 11:00am.

Once ashore, the time is yours. The listing puts free time on the island at roughly 11:00am to 6:00pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, and 11:00am to 7:00pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, though the exact schedule depends on the sailing date, so the booking calendar should be checked before reserving. Reviewers describe Bimini as beautiful, with beaches and clear water among the things people enjoyed on their own. One traveller felt the island time was too short, which is worth weighing before committing to the day.

It suits independent travellers who are comfortable planning their own hours and do not need a guide. It does not suit anyone expecting transfers in Miami, meals, or included activities, since none of those are part of the ticket. A valid passport and re-entry authorization are mandatory for every traveller, and the booking requires full traveller details, including passport numbers, before it is confirmed.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Check in at Fort Lauderdale terminalArrive at 2021 Eller Dr, Fort Lauderdale. Check-in runs from 6:15am until 8:15am, and the operator states that being inside the terminal at least 1:30 hours before departure is mandatory.
2. Board the ferryBoarding doors close at 8:00am, with no exceptions, ahead of the 9:00am departure.
3. Sail to BiminiThe crossing is scheduled to arrive in Bimini at 11:00am. The listing warns that vessel clearance by local and federal authorities can take about an hour at the port before passengers can disembark.
4. Free time on BiminiExplore independently. Approximate free time is 11:00am to 6:00pm on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, and 11:00am to 7:00pm on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Activities, food and the Resort World Bimini day pass are extra.
5. Return ferry to Fort LauderdaleThe return transfer brings the day back to the same meeting point in Fort Lauderdale, with total duration around 15 hours.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points come up again and again in the listing and in traveller reviews, and they shape the day more than anything else.

• Bring your passport. A valid passport and re-entry authorization are required, since the trip passes through Customs and Immigration both ways. US citizens can use a valid American passport or the US passport card. Non-citizens and visitors should confirm their own entry requirements for the Bahamas before booking, because the operator grants no refunds for missing paperwork.
• Arrive early, expect waiting. The listing is strict about check-in and boarding times, and reviewers back that up. One described lots of waiting on both legs and suggested different show-up times at the boat could have cut that down by a couple of hours, while another found boarding in Fort Lauderdale crowded and confusing. Treat the published check-in window as a real deadline, not a suggestion.
• Plan your own day. There is no guide or program on the island, so bring a plan. Reviewers enjoyed the beaches and the clear water, and one traveller called Bimini a small island. Anything you want to do beyond walking and swimming costs extra.
• Pack food and snacks. Food and beverages are not included, apart from a complimentary snack for Premium ticket holders on one leg. Bringing snacks for the crossing is a reasonable move.
• Mind the weather. The crossing depends on conditions. One reviewer described a very choppy ride in windy weather, while others reported smooth crossings both ways. If the sailing is cancelled for poor weather, the operator offers a different date or a full refund, but the operator is not responsible for delays caused by weather or by the Bahamian Coast Guard or immigration services.
• Check the calendar first. This day trip sails only on selected dates, and the booking calendar must be checked for both departure and return before reserving. The booking also requires full names, gender, date of birth, passport number, expiration date and nationality for every traveller, or the reservation stays unconfirmed.

Common issues. The listing states plainly that no refunds are granted for missing paperwork, and the operator is not responsible for delays caused by weather or by the Bahamian Coast Guard or immigration services. One reviewer flagged lots of waiting on both legs, and another found the Fort Lauderdale boarding process crowded and confusing. One reviewer felt the island time was too short, and a different reviewer called Bimini a small island with not much to do on a windy day. Infants under 6 months are not permitted, and the Resort World Bimini day pass is an extra per-person charge if you want it.

Before The Ferry