Miami has a lot of fun things to see and do. That said, its close location to the Bahamas also makes it a great place to embark on a Miami to Bahamas day trip. Wondering what exactly you can expect on such a journey?
Read on to learn about what to see on a Bahamas day trip from Miami.
What to See on a Miami to Bahamas Day Trip
Travel Options: The Ferry
Most people who embark on day trips to Bahamas from Miami do so by taking the ferry. And, while the boat might sound like an easy way to enjoy a Bahamas day trip, the ferry ends up being more trouble than it’s worth.
For one, it’s slow – it takes around three hours to get to the nearest destinations of Freeport and Bimini. And while both of those places have their charm, their touristy and don’t give you the chance to appreciate the authentic Bahamian culture.
On top of that, the ferry also has to carry the crowds of people through rough, open waters. Depending on the weather and the season, this can make it a very uncomfortable experience – especially if you’re someone who gets sick.
A Better Option
Thankfully, the ferry isn’t the only way to travel on a Miami to Bahamas day trip anymore. Traveling by plane lets you:
- Stay comfortable
- Skip the crowds
- Save time
Traveling by plane makes it easy to avoid all the problems that plague a day trip to Bahamas by boat. Air travel also makes it possible to reach the Exumas – a more remote and far more beautiful part of the country.
Come Swimming with Pigs on the Exuma Tour from Miami by Plane.
Let’s look at some of the top things to see on a day trip to Bahamas from Miami.
7 Things to See on a Day Trip Miami to Bahamas
1. Staniel Cay
If you choose to embark on a day trip to Bahamas from Miami, you’ll land at the small airport in Staniel Cay. From there, you’ll hop on a boat and explore the surrounding sites.
Besides housing the local airport, Staniel Cay also features a quaint town with a yacht club. When you travel on a Miami to Bahamas day trip, you’ll stop there to eat lunch!
Staniel Cay is also the place to partake in different water activities. From swimming and snorkeling to kayaking and paddle boarding, there’s no shortage of adventure opportunities.
2. Compass Cay
Compass Cay is one of the most famous sites in the Exumas and the Bahamas. Once you visit there and stop by the local marina, you’ll quickly understand why.
The waters around the marina are full of schools of nurse sharks. As they’ve become “friends” with the marina’s owner, they never stray too far away. That makes Compass Cay the perfect place to get up close and personal with the incredible animals.
Another highlight on a Bahamas day trip: the Compass Cay nurse sharks.
That makes a stop at Compass Cay one of the highlights of a Bahamas day trip from Miami.
3. Bitter Guana Cay
The Bahamas are home to one of the most endangered animals in the world: the Bahamian rock iguana. With a wild population of less than 5,000, Bitter Guana Cay is one of the only places in the world to see and appreciate them. And on a Miami to Bahamas day trip, that’s exactly what you’ll get to do.
As you pull up to the island, you’ll see the iguanas inch their way out of the vegetative undergrowth. After that, you can snap pictures of them and appreciate the beauty of their island home.
4. Pig Beach/Big Major Cay
While the nurse sharks and iguanas are popular stops, the Exuma pigs at Pig Beach might be the highlight of a day trip Miami to Bahamas.
With the exception of a couple of goats and cats, the pigs have Big Major Cay all to themselves; there are no humans on the island. However, they’re friendly and eager to greet visitors, which is just what they’ll do when the boat pulls up to the island.
Day trips to Bahamas from Miami aren’t complete without a stop at Pig Island.
5. Thunderball Grotto
The Bahamas is famous for its marine life, and Thunderball Grotto is a great place to observe it up close. With an underwater cave system full of fish, coral, and other creatures, it’s a stop that any sea-lover can’t pass up.
The site is so iconic that it was even featured in a James Bond film!
6. Underwater Plane Wreck
In the waters around Staniel Cay, you’ll find something besides bountiful marine life: an underwater plane wreck. Flown by drug smugglers when the Colombian drug empire was at its height, the Staniel Cay plane wreck is one transport vehicle that never made it to its destination.
Since crashing, it’s become the home for coral, fish, and other marine life, making it the perfect spot to explore on a Miami to Bahamas day trip.
7. Pipe Creek
Day trips to Bahamas from Miami aren’t complete without a stop at the Pipe Creek sandbars. Visiting them at low tide gives you the chance to get off the boat, walk around them, and admire the stunning scenery around you.
Picturesque sandbars are a must-see on a Miami to Bahamas day trip.
Make the Most of a Miami to Bahamas Day Trip
There’s a lot to see on a Miami to Bahamas day trip, but only if you skip the ferry and travel by plane. Make a point to do that so you can enjoy all the sites mentioned above.
Ready to start planning your Bahamas day trip? Download our guidebook and get in touch with us today!
