Separated by around 56 nautical miles, a day cruise to the Bahamas makes for a magical day cruise from Miami.
(Photo: US2U Tours / Courtesy GetYourGuide.com)
While many travellers choose to make the short journey by light aircraft, perhaps the most enjoyable way to traverse the brief stretch of ocean that lies between the Floridian mainland and the glorious islands of the Bahamas is by cruise. For those wanting to make the trip in just a single day, there are a wide choice of day cruises available – and we’ve compared three of them below.
Grand Bahama Day Trip by Ferry
This day trip by ferry takes you to Grand Bahama, the northernmost Bahamian island featuring white-sand beaches, coral reefs, mangrove forests and eco-adventure opportunities. After a scenic three-hour ferry ride, you’ll disembark and spend about four hours exploring the island. There’ll be time to discover the famous Crystal Beach, where you can meet and swim with the area’s iconic swimming pigs, as well as embark on a variety of optional activities, such as parasailing and snorkelling. Later, you’ll hop back on the ferry for a relaxing cruise back to Florida. From $283 per person.
Roundtrip Bimini Ferry with Hotel Transfers
(Photo: Ines Hegedus-Garcia via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)
Another popular Bahamas destination easily reachable from Miami is Bimini, the westernmost district of the Bahamas and known for its turquoise waters, big-game fishing and connections to Ernest Hemingway. With hotel pick-up and drop-off included, this day cruises adds convenience to your experience. After collection, you’ll be transported to the cruise terminal where you’ll take a high-speed ferry to Bimini in just 2 hours. On arrival, you’ll get to soak up all that the island has to offer at your own pace, with 6 hours of free time. Relax on the beach, partake in water sports, explore on a rented golf cart, or sample the local restaurants, before re-boarding your ferry for the return leg. From $289 per person.
Ferry to Freeport Grand Bahama
(Photo: Larry Syverson via Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0)
Freeport, the main city on Grand Bahama, is a relaxed island hub known for its beaches, duty-free shopping, water sports and easy access to nature spots like reefs and mangroves. This one-day cruise from Miami takes you by fast ferry to the island and back in a single day. You’ll meet at the Miami cruise terminal before heading to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale for a 2.5-hour crossing. Direct sailings run Tuesdays and Saturdays, departing at 9am and returning at 6.30pm., giving you around 6.5 hours to explore. On board, guests can enjoy food and drinks, duty-free shopping, Wi-Fi, entertainment and outdoor seating. Pets are welcome too. From $173 per person.