Balearia Caribbean ferry routes to the Bahamas
Balearia Caribbean sails from Port Everglades, Terminal 21, in Fort Lauderdale (Florida) to two destinations in the Bahamas: Bimini and Freeport, on Grand Bahama. Both routes are operated by the fast ferry Jaume II. This is how each route works, when it sails and who uses it.
Ready to choose your route? Check live availability and fares for every Balearia Caribbean sailing from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini and Freeport.
Fort Lauderdale – Bimini
The most popular route among Florida travelers, usually called the Bimini ferry. The ferry leaves Port Everglades at 9:00 AM and reaches Bimini in about two hours, so most of our customers book a day trip, out and back on the same day. Stays of 2 to 4 nights on the island are also popular, and the hotel our customers choose most is the Hilton at Resorts World Bimini.
Sailing days: Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with extra days in high season. The cheapest ticket is the Wednesday day trip, from $199 per adult.
Timetable, fares and Ferry + Hotel packages: Fort Lauderdale to Bimini ferry.
Bimini – Fort Lauderdale
The return from Bimini leaves at 6:00 or 7:00 PM and arrives at Port Everglades about two hours later. Many Bimini residents use it to shop in Fort Lauderdale for their businesses and families.
Sailing days: Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, plus Monday and Saturday in high season. Tickets and timetable: Bimini to Fort Lauderdale ferry.
Fort Lauderdale – Freeport (Grand Bahama)
The key route for Grand Bahama. Freeport is the largest city on the island and the second largest in the Bahamas, after Nassau. The ferry leaves Port Everglades at 9:00 AM and arrives in Freeport around 12:00 PM, so a day trip gives you about six hours on the island.
Sailing days: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, plus some Sundays. Timetable, fares and packages: Fort Lauderdale to Freeport ferry, or the Grand Bahama day trip.
Freeport (Grand Bahama) – Fort Lauderdale
The return leaves Freeport at 6:30 PM (5:30 PM on some dates) and arrives at Port Everglades about three hours later. Grand Bahama residents use it to shop, study and visit family in Florida.
Sailing days: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, plus some Sundays. Tickets and timetable: Freeport to Fort Lauderdale ferry.
Is there a ferry between Bimini and Freeport?
Not as a regular route. Balearia Caribbean only links the two islands on occasional layover schedules, when an operational change or the weather leads it to serve both islands in the same trip (for example Fort Lauderdale – Bimini – Freeport – Bimini – Fort Lauderdale). These sailings are not sold as a separate route. If one affects your booking, Balearia Caribbean emails you, and we publish it on our ferry alerts page.
Good to know before you book
- Passports: every passenger, including children and day-trippers, needs a valid passport (US citizens can use a passport card). Check if your nationality needs a visa for the Bahamas.
- Pets: they must be booked at least 72 hours in advance.
- Coming from Miami? Port Everglades is about 30 miles north of downtown Miami. Here is how to get from Miami to the Bahamas by ferry.
- Dates for next year: the 2027 Bimini and Freeport calendar is already open.
