Bimini Day Cruise from Fort Lauderdale with Round-Trip Miami Transfer

Bimini is close enough to reach by ferry from South Florida, yet different enough to make a beach day feel like a quick trip abroad. This 11-hour excursion pairs the sea crossing with about six hours on the island, where you can swim, sunbathe or arrange water sports.

I like two things about the plan: you get a taste of the Bahamas without booking a hotel, and the included ground transport around Resorts World Bimini can save time getting between the terminal, casino and restaurants. The catch is that the day can stretch well beyond its advertised length when boarding, docking or passport control runs late.

• Six hours in Bimini: Enough time for a beach visit and a little exploring, but not a leisurely stay.
• Early departure: The listed start is 5:00 a.m. at Port Everglades, with Miami pickup options that require advance confirmation.
• Passport required: You need a current valid passport, and passport details are required when booking.
• Some local transport is included: Ground transport around Resorts World Bimini is included, but the Hilton day pass is not.
• Water sports cost extra: Reef snorkeling, dolphin swims, jet skis and parasailing are optional activities, not part of the $289 fare.
• Plan for a long day: Delayed ferries and customs lines can turn the return into a late night.

From Port Everglades to Bimini by ferry

The trip starts at Port Everglades, at 1850 Eller Drive in Fort Lauderdale. The listed start time is 5:00 a.m., so this is a before-sunrise outing. If you choose Miami pickup, the shuttle serves select Miami Beach locations along Collins Avenue from First to 96th Street. Downtown pickup is available only at the Holiday Inn Downtown, 340 Biscayne Boulevard, with a listed pickup time of 5:50 a.m.

You must tell the operator where you are staying and confirm the exact pickup instructions in advance. If your hotel is on Washington Avenue or a nearby street, the pickup may be at a Collins Avenue location instead. Don’t assume the shuttle will pull up outside your door. Check the meeting point and arrival time directly before the trip, especially because some people have reported confusion about where and when to meet.

The ferry ride is part of the appeal. You pass Miami Beach and get broad ocean views on the way to the Bahamas. The crossing is often described as around two hours, but the schedule is not a promise: weather and ferry delays can add time. The boat has air conditioning, bathrooms and food and drinks for purchase. This is transport by ferry, not a calm-water cruise, so expect to feel the movement of the sea. Rough conditions have made some crossings uncomfortable, and motion sickness can spoil the day for people who are prone to it.

Boarding and getting off can also take longer than you might expect. Passengers have reported slow loading and unloading, including long waits after docking. That matters because the six hours on Bimini start only after you reach the island, and delays can cut into your beach time.

Six hours on Bimini: beach, resort and island time

Bimini is your only scheduled stop. You have about six hours to use as you like, with beach time and optional activities competing for that short window. The island’s beaches are the main reason to make the trip. People who have enjoyed the day often point to the sand and swimming as the payoff, and some find the beaches better than those close to Miami.

The package includes ground transportation within the Resorts World Bimini grounds, including transport to the casino and restaurants. It also lists access to a beach. But don’t confuse that with the Hilton resort day pass, which is not included. A day pass may be needed to use particular resort facilities, such as pools, and access can be affected by resort conditions or a private event. Confirm what beach access means for your date before you count on a specific stretch of sand or pool.

The island offers more than a resort stop. You can spend the day swimming and sunbathing, or pay separately for activities such as reef snorkeling, dolphin swims, jet skis and parasailing. If you want to see more of Bimini, golf carts are sold or rented locally, according to accounts from people who have visited. That can help you get beyond the resort area, but it is another cost and takes time to arrange.

A stop in town can add a different layer to the visit. Bimini has local shops and places to eat, and one named option people have enjoyed is Big John’s. There is also history to notice: Adam Clayton Powell, the American politician, was born on Bimini. If you want a beach-only day, you can keep things simple. If you want to see the island, plan your time and transport rather than leaving it until the final hour.

Six hours sounds generous until you account for disembarking, finding the right shuttle, arranging activities and returning to the ferry. I’d choose one main priority before arrival: a beach day, a resort pass or a quick look around the island. Trying to fit every option into one visit can turn a tropical afternoon into a timetable exercise.

What the $289 fare covers, and what it doesn’t

At $289 per person, this is not just a ferry ticket. The price includes transport, landing and facility fees, ground transport around Resorts World Bimini and listed beach access. Miami hotel transfers are offered from specific locations, but you need to confirm your pickup arrangement rather than assume every Miami hotel is covered.

Food and drinks are available for purchase on board, but meals are not included. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all extra, as are the island’s water sports. A Hilton day pass is also excluded. Add those costs together before booking, because a day that starts with ferry snacks and ends with a resort pass and an activity can cost considerably more than the headline fare.

The value depends on what you want. If your goal is to put your feet on a Bahamian beach without planning an overnight stay, the trip can make sense. If you want a low-cost day at the beach, the ferry fare plus food, local transport or resort charges may be harder to justify. One account also found that booking directly through the ferry company was cheaper, so compare current prices and check that you are comparing the same transport and pickup arrangements.

There is a trade-off between convenience and control. A hotel shuttle can spare you the drive to Port Everglades, but it ties you to designated pickup points and the group’s schedule. Going to the port yourself gives you more control over your arrival, but the trip still depends on ferry timing and border processing.

Customs, late returns and the details that shape the day

This is an international trip, so bring a current valid passport. You must provide each participant’s passport name, number, expiry date and country when booking. The health visa once required for day-trip passengers is no longer required, but the passport rule remains essential. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the minimum drinking age is 21.

On the return, you must clear U.S. passport control. Lines can take a long time, particularly when many passengers arrive together. Some accounts describe waits of 30 to 40 minutes, while others report lines of more than two hours. This is one reason the stated 11-hour duration should be treated as an estimate, not a firm door-to-door schedule.

Delays can compound: a late departure, slow unloading and a customs queue each add time. Some people have arrived home late at night or even in the early hours. If you have a dinner reservation, a flight or an early commitment the next morning, this is not the day to schedule it tightly.

The ferry and port experience can be uneven. Some trips have been described as smooth, tidy and well served by a friendly crew. Others have involved rough seas, late departures or limited updates during waits. There have also been reports of loud, intoxicated arguments aboard and concerns about the lack of visible security. That is not a certainty, but it is a real consideration, especially if you are travelling with children or would feel uneasy in a crowded setting.

Weather can affect the crossing, and the activity requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. If you are prone to motion sickness, prepare before sailing and consider whether a long crossing in rough water is right for you.

The maximum group size is 100. Service animals are allowed, and the trip is near public transportation. For pregnancy, anyone who is 31 weeks or more along when boarding cannot sail. At 24 to 30 weeks, a letter from a physician confirming the pregnancy stage and fitness to sail must be submitted before departure.

Is this Bimini day trip worth booking?

I’d book this if the main goal is a taste of the Bahamas, especially the beaches, and you are comfortable with an early start, a full day of travel and some uncertainty around delays. The clearest reward is the contrast: leave South Florida in the morning, cross the water and spend part of the day on Bimini.

I would think twice if you need a predictable schedule, dislike rough seas or want an all-inclusive resort day. The ticket does not cover meals, optional activities or the Hilton day pass, and customs and ferry delays can shrink your time on the island or push your return late. Before paying, confirm your pickup point, what beach access applies on your date and whether the current fare is competitive with booking the ferry directly.

FAQ

How long is the Bimini day cruise?

The listed duration is approximately 11 hours, with about six hours on Bimini. Ferry, docking and customs delays can make the full day longer.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Port Everglades, 1850 Eller Drive, Fort Lauderdale. The listed start time is 5:00 a.m.

Is pickup available from Miami hotels?

Pickup is offered at select Miami Beach locations along Collins Avenue, from First to 96th Street. Downtown pickup is available only at the Holiday Inn Downtown at 340 Biscayne Boulevard. Contact the operator in advance to confirm your location and instructions.

Do I need a passport?

Yes. A current valid passport is required on the day of travel. Passport name, number, expiry date and country are required for every participant at booking.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are available for purchase on board, but breakfast, lunch and dinner are not included. Meals on Bimini are also at your own expense.

Are water sports included in the price?

No. Reef snorkeling, dolphin swims, jet skis and parasailing are optional activities and are not included.

Is the Hilton resort day pass included?

No. The Hilton day pass is not included. The package lists beach access and transport around Resorts World Bimini, but you should confirm which facilities you can use on your travel date.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.