If you’re planning a Florida vacation, you might want to consider embarking on a day trip to Bahamas from Fort Lauderdale. But to do that, you’ll need to know all about the most popular way to get there: the Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas ferry.
Read on for five things to know about the day cruise to Bahamas from Fort Lauderdale.
5 Things to Know About the Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas Ferry
1. There Aren’t Many Destinations to Choose From
Many travelers to Fort Lauderdale or Miami choose the ferry because it seems like the simplest way to leave the country and explore the Bahamas. However, it’s important to keep in mind that due to the Bahamas being an archipelago, you don’t have many destinations to choose from.
In fact, the Miami to Bahamas ferry can only take you to two destinations. These are:
- Freeport
- Bimini
The ferry from Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas is a popular choice.
While both have their charm, they’re touristy and don’t provide you with the opportunity to appreciate the authentic Bahamian lifestyle. Luckily, you can now choose to embark on a day trip to Bahamas from Fort Lauderdale that leaves by air. Doing so gives you the chance to explore the Exumas and even see the famous Exuma Pigs at Pig Island.
2. You’ll Be Sharing the Boat With Crowds of People
As mentioned, given how simple a day cruise to Bahamas from Fort Lauderdale appears, the boat you travel on is often loaded up with dozens of other travelers. This can make it difficult to enjoy the experience, as everywhere you turn, you’ll see people blocking the views.
If covid is a concern of yours, you probably also won’t feel safe riding the ferry as so many people will be all around you.
The crowds of people are another thing you get to avoid when you skip the Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas ferry and instead choose to travel by air. A day trip to Bahamas from Miami by air lets you fly in a private-class plane, ensuring that you have uninterrupted views of the turquoise waters and pristine sand bars without a problem.
If you wish to have a completely personal experience, you can even charter a plane or book a private trip.
3. The Ferry Is Slow
One of the problems with the Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas ferry is the fact that it takes a while to travel by water. You’ll need between two and a half and three hours to reach the ferry destinations. However, when the waters of the Atlantic and Caribbean are rough (which happens quite often), travel time can become even longer.
Besides not being exciting, the lengthy travel time also limits the number of activities you can do once you arrive. By the time you disembark, you’ll have just enough time to explore the local tourist traps and snap a few pictures. Then, it’ll be time to reboard the Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas ferry and start the journey back.
Opting with a day trip to Bahamas from Miami that travels by air sidesteps these problems. It gets you to the Bahamas in just two hours and takes you to a much more interesting part of the country — the Exumas.
Once you’re there, you won’t have to worry about rushing around. You’ll hop on a boat that will take you to some of the local highlights, such as:
- The Exuma Pigs at Pig Beach/Big Major Cay
- Compass Cay, where you can see schools of nurse sharks
- Endangered iguanas at Bitter Guana Cay
- The sandbars at Pipe Creek
- Underwater caves at Thunderball Grotto
- The yacht club at Staniel Cay
- The underwater plane wreck near Staniel Cay
Skipping the Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas ferry lets you see the famous Exuma pigs.
4. Expect Seasickness
Rough waters don’t just make the journey longer. They also cause many travelers that ride the ferry from Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas to get seasick. Even if you’re someone who doesn’t usually experience motion sickness, giant swells and heavy waves can cause even the strongest stomach to turn.
If the waters are too rough, the ferries will often cancel their service altogether. If they do that at short notice, you might find yourself unable to get into the Bahamas at all.
Skipping the Miami to Bahamas ferry and traveling by air ensures that you have a comfortable, seasickness-free journey.
5. It’s an Impersonal Experience
When you’re just a number in a crowd of people like you are on the Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas ferry, you don’t have much of a say as to what your journey looks like. You’re stuck going to the same touristy towns and beaches as everyone else.
The Miami to Bahamas ferry stops at Freeport, a popular tourist destination.
However, when you pass up the ferry from Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas and travel by air, you get a completely customizable experience. There is a preset travel plan, but if you and your companions decide to spend more time at a particular spot (like the Exuma pigs), you can do that.
That makes the trip more memorable, and certainly one you’ll never forget!
Skip the Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas Ferry
The Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas ferry seems like an easy way to explore the nearby archipelago from the States. However, the experience is often a letdown. Consider skipping it and flying in style and comfort to see the Exuma pigs and other top sites in the region, on a one-of-a-kind Exuma Tour from Miami.
Get in contact with us to start planning your dream vacation today!
Plane vs Ferry: For 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
