The day cruise to Bahamas from West Palm Beach is a popular travel attraction. It gives you the opportunity to explore the nearby archipelago nation without having to spend more than a day out of the States. Curious what exactly you’ll get to do?
Read on to learn about seven things to do on a day trip to Bahamas from West Palm Beach.
7 Things to Do on a Day Cruise to Bahamas From West Palm Beach
Getting to the Bahamas
The Freeport shops are a popular attraction on a Palm Beach cruise to Bahamas.
While the traditional Miami to Bahamas ferry option is a popular way to get to the Bahamas, you might be better off skipping the boat and hopping on a plane. That’s because the ride is:
- Crowded: The ferry can accommodate 200 people
- Uncomfortable: Expect a rough journey as you churn through the waves
- Time-consuming: Getting there and back will take six or more hours
Luckily, you’re not stuck taking the Palm Beach cruise to Bahamas – you can now choose to travel by air! Doing so lets you travel in comfort on a private-class plane and reach the country in two hours. You also get to explore the Exumas, a region that’s less touristy and more beautiful than Freeport or Bimini.
Here are seven things to enjoy when you skip the day cruise to Bahamas from West Palm Beach and travel by air.
Swaying palms and azure water: some of the many sites to see on a day cruise to Bahamas from West Palm Beach.
1. Staniel Cay
The ferry from West Palm Beach to Bahamas skips the entirety of the Exumas, including the quaint island of Staniel Cay. However, when you travel by plane, you’ll use Staniel Cay as a base to explore the surrounding waters and cays.
Besides housing a small airport, Staniel Cay also features a charming town and a famous yacht club. On a day trip Miami to Bahamas by plane, it’s the place where you’ll eat lunch!
2. Sharks at Compass Cay
Thanks to movies like Jaws, many people still view sharks as dangerous man-eaters. But when you take a day cruise to Bahamas from West Palm Beach that travels by plane, you get to see how big of a misconception that really is.
At Compass Cay, schools of nurse sharks swim around the waters of the local marina. It’s the perfect place to observe the amazing animals up close or even jump in the water to stand alongside them.
3. Iguanas at Bitter Guana Cay
Besides sharks, the chance to see endangered iguanas is another reason to pass on going from West Palm Beach to Bahamas by boat excursion. As you only go to one of two destinations, you don’t get a chance to see them. However, when you travel by plane, you do.
A Palm Beach cruise to Bahamas by plane lets you see Bitter Guana Cay, a stunning island that’s also home to the endangered Bahamian rock iguana.
Bring your best camera, as you’ll want to remember seeing them!
4. The Exuma Pigs at Big Major Cay
While not everyone has traveled to the Bahamas, most people have heard about the famous Bahamas Swimming Pigs.
These friendly and outgoing creatures have lived alone on the island for decades. However, as nearby farmers bring them food, they now associate the arrival of boats with feeding time. So don’t be surprised when you see them wade into the water and start paddling out to greet you!
The Miami to Bahamas ferry won’t let you see the Exuma pigs — only a day trip by plane will!
Besides watching them from the boat or the shores of Big Major Cay, you can even jump into the water to be alongside them. That experience will definitely make your day trip Miami to Bahamas one you won’t forget!
5. Sand Bars at Pipe Creek
While the Bahamas has many beautiful, sandy beaches, the sand bars at Pipe Creek are in a league of their own. As they pop out of the water when the tides recede, exploring them on your day trip to Bahamas from West Palm Beach by plane is something you won’t soon forget.
As with many of the other sites on the trip, you’ll want to take many pictures, so have your camera ready.
6. Underwater Plane Wreck
When Colombian drug cartels were at the height of their power, they used many parts of the Caribbean as smuggling routes, including the Bahamas. One of their planes didn’t make it to its destination and instead crashed down in the waters around Staniel Cay.
Today the Exuma Plane Wreck, it serves as a fantastic snorkeling spot and one of the highlights of a day cruise to Bahamas from West Palm Beach by plane.
7. Thunderball Grotto
Skipping the Miami to Bahamas ferry or the ferry from West Palm Beach to Bahamas allows you to see another famous site in the Exumas: Thunderball Grotto.
Thunderball Grotto is a collection of underwater caves teeming with marine life. It’s a great place to snorkel or swim, so much so that it was featured in a James Bond film. And you won’t get to see it if you sign up for a West Palm Beach to Bahamas by boat trip. So take the plane to the Exumas, instead!
Consider Skipping the Day Cruise to Bahamas From West Palm Beach
The day cruise to Bahamas from West Palm Beach is a popular choice, but it’s not the best one. You end up wasting time, seeing lackluster sites, and having an uncomfortable experience.
The best way to explore the Bahamas is by plane. Discover our Exuma Tours by Plane.
Learn more in our travel guide and reach out to us today to start planning your trip!
