A day cruise to Bahamas from Florida is a fantastic way to explore the 700-island country without having to worry about accommodations, transportation, or other logistics. You also get the chance to see some of the top sites in the country, including the Exuma Pigs.
Here’s what to know about Florida day trips to Bahamas.
Day Cruise to Bahamas: The Ultimate Bahamas Day Trip
Taking the Boat From Miami to Bahamas
The boat from Miami to Bahamas is one of the most popular ways to enjoy a day cruise to Bahamas. However, it’s not the best way to reach the island nation.
When you travel by boat, the travel time alone eats up several hours of your day. Combined with the time required to check in at the ferry terminal means that almost half your day gets spent in queue or in transit.
Besides being a time-waster, a one day cruise to Bahamas by boat only lets you go to one of two destinations:
- Freeport
- Bimini
While both are beautiful, neither offers an authentic, non-touristy experience.
One Day Cruise to Bahamas by Air
Luckily, it’s also possible to sign up for a day cruise to Bahamas that travels by plane. Like a standard tour by boat from Miami to Bahamas, these take you to the archipelago and then back to Florida that evening.
However, they also sidestep many of the problems that go along with the boat.
Air travel offers an unbeatable day cruise to Bahamas experience.
For example, as air travel is much more efficient, you can reach destinations much farther away, such as Big Major Cay, home to the Exuma Pigs. The region around Pig Island is much quieter, in general.
Air travel is also much more comfortable than the standard ferry. Flying lets you avoid the crowds of people and sit back and relax while enjoying the views outside the cabin windows.
Plane vs Boat on a Bahamas Day Trip:
- Bahamas Day Trip by Plane
- $949per person
- Fly to Exuma Islands
- Stunning Aerial Views
- Visits 7 Exuma Attractions
- Guaranteed Small Group Size
- Weather Cancellation Rare
- Inclusive Pricing
- Private Upgrades Available
- 5-Star Reviews
- Bahamas Day Trip by Ferry
- $300per person
- Ferry to Freeport
- 3 hour journey, each way
- Does not visit Swimming Pigs
- 600+ People per Ferry
- Frequent Cancellation
- Price is Transport only, no Tour included
- No Private Options
- Very poor Reviews
Day Trips by Plane – Departure Locations
Bahamas Day Trip to Exuma
As mentioned, you’re not stuck traveling to a tourist trap for a couple of hours on a day cruise to Bahamas that travels by plane. Flying lets you explore the Exuma Cays, a district of 365 islands within the country.
Big Major Cay, the official name of Pig Beach, is a highlight of the trip, but it’s not the only island in the area you visit. On a one day cruise to Bahamas to Exuma, you’ll also stop at:
- Staniel Cay (the island you fly into)
- Compass Cay
- Bitter Guana Cay
- Thunderball Grotto
- An underwater plane wreck
- Pipe Creek
All of these sites house unique attractions worth exploring. Here’s a deeper look at three Pig Island tour destinations:
1. The Swimming Pigs
Unsurprisingly, the Swimming Pigs are the highlight of any day cruise to Bahamas. They’ve lived on Big Major Cay for years now, greeting everyone who arrives at their home.
As residents from other islands have traveled to Pig Beach to feed them, they’ve become accustomed to visitors – to the point that they really do greet visitors.
The friendly, beach-loving Swimming Pigs are a highlight of day trips to Bahamas.
While no one can say with 100% certainty how they made their way to Big Major Cay, the Swimming Pigs have become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Bahamas and one of the most recognizable sites in the world.
2. Thunderball Grotto
Thunderball Grotto is a system of underwater caves that features all sorts of marine life. It’s a great spot for swimming, snorkeling, and diving, making it another great stop on a day cruise to Bahamas by plane.
Besides being another site teeming with natural beauty, Thunderball Grotto is also a site of cultural significance. It was one of the filming locations for the James Bond film, Thunderball.
Today, it’s a great spot to see some of the marine life that makes the Bahamas famous. It’s also not a bad site to feel like a super spy from a movie!
3. Nurse Sharks
Whereas Big Major Cay is home to the Exuma Pigs, nearby Compass Cay is home to another amazing creature: nurse sharks.
The owner of the island’s marina “tamed” a school of nurse sharks who’ve stuck around the island ever since. Today, the site is one of the best places in the world to swim with sharks.
On your day cruise to Bahamas from Florida, you’ll have the chance to see the sharks up close and personal. Whether you jump in the water with them is up to you (don’t worry, it’s safe), but either way, expect the experience to be a memorable one.
Swim with nurse sharks on a one day cruise to Bahamas by plane.
Day Trips to Bahamas by Plane: The Best Way to Travel
A day cruise to Bahamas is the best way to explore the archipelago, but make sure you fly instead of taking the boat.
Doing so saves you time, offers unbeatable views, and lets you travel in comfort and style. It also makes it easy to reach the stunning Exuma Cays.
Get in contact with us today to begin planning your Bahamas day trip!
