Bimini is easiest from Miami via the Fort Lauderdale fast ferry; seaplanes cost more but can land in about 25 minutes.
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Planning how to go to Bimini from Miami starts with one catch: the regular public ferry does not leave from PortMiami. Most travelers go north to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, then cross to Bimini by fast ferry in about two hours.
The ferry is the best fit for most trips because it is direct, simple, and cheaper than flying. A seaplane is the splurge option if time matters more than price, while private boats only make sense for experienced boaters or arranged charters.
Once you know your travel date, compare the live route options before locking in a hotel or day trip:
Best Way From Miami To Bimini For Most Travelers
The best way from Miami to Bimini for most travelers is to drive, shuttle, or rideshare to Port Everglades, then take the Baleària Caribbean fast ferry to North Bimini. The total trip usually takes most of a half day after check-in, customs, the road transfer, and the two-hour crossing.
Port Everglades sits north of Miami, so build a buffer into the first leg. From Miami International Airport or downtown Miami, the drive can be about 35 to 75 minutes depending on traffic, cruise-port congestion, and where in Miami you start.
The ferry arrives at Fisherman’s Village near Resorts World Bimini on North Bimini. That arrival point is useful because many stays, beaches, golf-cart rentals, and marina areas sit nearby, so you avoid an extra island transfer after landing.
Miami To Bimini Routes: Ferry, Seaplane, And Private Boat
Miami to Bimini routes fall into three real groups: scheduled ferry, small-aircraft flight, and private boat. The ferry is the value route, the seaplane is the time-saver, and private boating depends on weather, paperwork, and the captain’s experience.
| Route Option | Typical Time | Rough Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Miami to Port Everglades plus fast ferry | 35-75 minutes by road, then about 2 hours by ferry | Published ferry fare banners often start around $180-$235 before date-specific changes |
| Same-day ferry trip | Early road transfer, 2-hour crossing, evening return | Ferry fare plus ground transfer; tight but workable on select sailing days |
| Overnight ferry trip | Same crossing time, with one or more nights on Bimini | Ferry fare plus hotel; better value if you want beach time |
| Scheduled seaplane from Fort Lauderdale Sheltair | About 25 minutes in the air to North Bimini | Usually much higher than the ferry; fare changes by date and seat |
| Private seaplane or air charter from Miami | Often under 1 hour in the air, plus clearance time | Quote-based; best for groups or tight schedules |
| Commercial flight connections through The Bahamas | Often a half day or longer after connections | Can cost more than the ferry once bags and transfers are added |
| Private boat from South Florida | About 2-3+ hours in good conditions, plus customs | No fixed public fare; fuel, marina, and clearance costs vary |
Baleària’s Fort Lauderdale to Bimini route page lists Port Everglades as the Florida departure point, Fisherman’s Village as the Bimini arrival point, an approximately two-hour sailing, and a passport requirement for travelers.
How Many Hours Does The Miami To Bimini Trip Take?
A Miami to Bimini ferry day usually takes 4 to 5 hours door to door before you start enjoying the island. The boat ride is only about two hours, but check-in and the Miami-to-Fort Lauderdale transfer add real time.
For a ferry day trip, plan the morning like an airport departure. Baleària tells passengers to arrive at least two hours before departure, and the terminal number can vary, so check the operator message before you leave Miami.
A seaplane can cut the travel day sharply. Tropic Ocean Airways lists Bimini as about 25 minutes from South Florida and uses North Bimini Seaplane Base, which avoids the South Bimini airport-to-water-taxi step that some air routes require.
Documents, Timing, And Luggage Before You Leave
Travelers from the United States should treat Bimini as an international trip, not a casual Florida day cruise. Bring a valid passport, proof of return or onward travel, and enough time for immigration checks on both sides.
Bahamas Immigration says visitors must present a passport valid for at least six months, proof of departure, and proof they can support themselves during the stay. Passport cards are not accepted by the Bahamas Immigration rule quoted on its entry page, so a passport book is the safer document for this route.
- Pack light for a ferry day trip because you may be carrying bags between a Miami hotel, rideshare, terminal, and island transport.
- Use the same legal name on your ferry or flight reservation that appears in your passport.
- Check weather the day before travel because Gulf Stream crossings can feel rough when winds rise.
- Do not plan a same-day return flight from Miami too close to the ferry’s evening arrival.
Where To Stay After The Crossing
Bimini is better with at least one night if your schedule allows it. Staying overnight gives you beach time after the ferry crowd leaves and reduces the risk of a rushed return if weather or clearance slows the day.
North Bimini is the easiest base for first-time visitors because the ferry arrives there and many golf-cart routes, marinas, beaches, and restaurants are close together. South Bimini works better when you arrive by air at South Bimini Airport or want a quieter base.
Use a map before choosing a room because distance on Bimini is short, but transfers between docks, beaches, and the airport still shape the day:
What To Arrange Before Travel Day
A smooth Miami-to-Bimini trip comes down to locking the crossing first, then building the Miami transfer and island plan around it. The ferry schedule is the fixed piece; your hotel, rideshare, golf cart, and beach time should fit around that sailing.
| Task | When To Do It | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Check ferry or seaplane dates | Before booking a hotel | Not every option runs at every hour or every day |
| Confirm the Port Everglades terminal | The day before departure | Baleària notes the terminal number can vary |
| Set a Miami pickup time | At least 3 hours before sailing | Traffic plus check-in can eat the morning |
| Bring a passport book | Before leaving home | Bimini is outside the United States |
| Reserve a golf cart if staying overnight | Before peak weekends | Golf carts are the main visitor transport on North Bimini |
| Check marine weather | 24 hours before travel | Rough water can change comfort and schedules |
| Leave slack after the return | Same evening or next morning | Customs, traffic, and weather can delay your Miami arrival |
Pick The Right Route For Your Trip
Choose the ferry if you want the simplest and most budget-friendly way to go from Miami to Bimini. It is the right call for most weekend trips, overnight stays, and day trips when the schedule lines up.
Choose a seaplane if you are short on time, connecting to a resort stay, or traveling with a group that can absorb the higher fare. Choose a private boat only if the operator knows the Gulf Stream crossing, Bahamas clearance rules, and Bimini marina logistics.
For most travelers, the clean plan is: spend the night before in Miami or Fort Lauderdale, leave early for Port Everglades, take the fast ferry, stay one night on North Bimini, then return with enough room in the schedule for customs and traffic.
References & Sources
- Baleària Caribbean.“Ferry From Fort Lauderdale To Bimini.”Supports the ferry departure port, arrival port, sailing time, check-in guidance, and passport requirement.