From picturesque beaches to a colorful atmosphere, Miami has a lot to offer visitors. But in addition to the city’s attractions, it’s also possible to go sailing from Miami to Bahamas, letting you explore another beautiful part of the world.
Wondering what to expect on the boat from Miami to Bahamas? Here’s what you should know.
Sailing From Miami to Bahamas: What to Expect
The Boat From Miami to Bahamas
When people talk about sailing from Miami to Bahamas, most refer to the ferry boat ride from Miami to Bahamas. This takes travelers on a day trip to the Bahamas, letting them get a taste of the country before returning home.
If you decide to take the boat trip from Miami to Bahamas, you’re in for quite a journey. The boat ride from Miami to Bahamas takes around three hours each way, with the tour company often needing additional time to check everyone in. If the water is rough, the trip can become even longer.
Sailing from Miami to Bahamas happens on a Cruise Ship (pictured in Nassau Port).
Many people have it in their heads that the boat ride to Bahamas from Miami is a comfortable, relaxing sail. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case, as the ferry has to cross through the rough, open waters of the Atlantic. If you’re someone who experiences motion sickness, the journey might be especially unpleasant!
Freeport and Bimini
Once the boat ride from Miami to Bahamas ends, you’ll find yourself in one of two places:
- Freeport, around 100 miles northeast of Miami
- Bimini, approximately 45 miles east of Miami
These are the closest Bahamian islands to Miami, so there the only ones that can accommodate the Miami to Bahamas boat time.
While both places have pretty sites, given their popularity for Bahamas day trips, they’re often quite crowded and touristy. If you’re hoping for a peaceful and serene beach day, sailing from Miami to Bahamas might leave you disappointed.
The Exumas
Again, Freeport and Bimini have their charm, but they’re not the place we recommend day-trippers travel to. That award goes to the Exumas.
The Exumas is a chain of 365 islands located to the south of Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. The islands are famous for their beauty, with the water, in particular, being renowned for its clarity. It’s also the home of the famous Exuma pigs!
While all parts of the Bahamas are worth a visit, the Exumas are the best option for Bahamas day trips. They allow you to get a taste of what the Bahamian culture is really like, as they’re not just over-hyped tourist traps. However, as they’re farther away, you’ll need to get there by plane.
Traveling by plane lets you:
- Save time
- Travel in comfort
- Avoid the crowds
- Reach the beautiful Exumas
Enjoy views like this on a plane ride from Miami to Bahamas.
3 Sites to See in the Exumas
You get to see a lot when you skip sailing from Miami to Bahamas and instead take the plane. Here are three of the many Exuma attractions!
1. Exuma Pigs on Pig Island
As mentioned, the Exuma pigs are one of the highlights of the region and the country in general. Many travelers arrive at Big Major Cay not knowing what to expect and end up leaving with smiles on their faces.
When you skip the traditional boat trip from Miami to Bahamas and instead travel to the Exumas, you’ll understand why.
The pigs are friendly and eager to greet anyone who arrives at their island. They’re happy to swim next to your boat or even paddle alongside you if you hop in the water with them.
You won’t get to see the Exuma pigs on the boat from Miami to Bahamas.
2. Nurse Sharks at Compass Cay
Given how long the boat ride to Bahamas from Miami is, you don’t get a chance to see much of anything. You certainly won’t get a chance to see anything close to the schools of nurse sharks that swim around the waters of Compass Cay!
The owner of the Compass Cay marina befriended the sharks, and over the years, they’ve multiplied. There are now so many swimming around the docks nature documentaries have come to film them.
But besides just getting to observe them, you can also choose to get in the water with them! Doing so is perfectly safe, provided you don’t:
- Try and feed the sharks
- Get rough with them/try to provoke them
- Have an open cut/wound
3. Iguanas at Bitter Guana Cay
As if sharks and the Exuma pigs weren’t enough, Bahamas day trips also give you the chance to see endangered Bahamian rock iguanas at Bitter Guana Cay. Of course, that’s another site the popular boat trip from Miami to Bahamas doesn’t let you see.
The iguanas are striking, as is their island home. Bring a good camera, as you’ll want to capture them and their tropical surrounding in all of their glory!
A Better Choice Than Sailing From Miami to Bahamas
While sailing from Miami to Bahamas might sound dreamy, there are better ways to traverse the country and experience the beauty of the Bahamas. Save yourself the headache of having to deal with the Miami to Bahamas boat time by signing up for a Pig Island Tour that travels by plane.
Our guide can help you learn more about the experience. Get in touch with us today to help make your dream trip a reality!
