Passport rules for the Bahamas ferry: what every passenger needs
Every week we get the same question in several forms: "It is only a day trip, do I really need a passport?", "My kids have birth certificates, is that enough?", "I have a green card, what else do I bring?". The answer is the same for all of them, and it is worth reading before you book: the ferry to the Bahamas is international travel, and US Customs and Border Protection checks every passenger at Port Everglades before boarding. Here is the complete list of what is accepted, what is not, and the mistakes that cost people their trip.
US citizens: passport book or passport card
Since April 2018, all US citizens travelling to the Bahamas by sea, adults and minors, must carry a valid US passport book or a US passport card. The passport card is the cheaper option and works for the ferry because it is a sea crossing (it is not valid for flights). Both must be originals: a photo or a photocopy on your phone is not accepted at the terminal.
Make sure the passport is valid for at least six months beyond your return date. An expired passport, even by a day, means no boarding.
Green-card holders: ARC plus your passport
US permanent residents need two documents: the Alien Registration Card (green card) and the valid passport of their country of citizenship. If the green card has expired, bring the original renewal document together with the expired card. Citizens of other countries should check whether they need a visa for the Bahamas and, just as important, that they have the right to re-enter the United States on their return.
Children and infants
There is no age exemption. A child of any age needs their own passport book or card, even a baby travelling free on the ferry. Birth certificates and school IDs are not accepted, whatever the age. If only one parent travels with a minor, carrying a signed consent letter from the other parent is strongly recommended, as it can be requested by the authorities.
What is NOT accepted
| Document | Accepted? |
|---|---|
| US passport book | Yes |
| US passport card | Yes (sea travel) |
| Green card + passport of your country | Yes |
| Birth certificate (with or without photo ID) | No |
| Enhanced driver's license | No |
| Naturalization certificate | No |
| NEXUS, SENTRI, Global Entry card | No |
| Photocopy or photo of any document | No |
Same-day trips are international trips
This is the point that catches most people. A Wednesday day trip to Bimini, seven hours on the island and back the same evening, requires exactly the same documents as a two-week stay. You leave the United States and re-enter it, and US immigration processes you at Port Everglades on the way back. No passport, no boarding, and the day-trip promo fare is non-refundable.
Pets need paperwork too
Dogs and cats are welcome on the ferry with a Bahamas Pet Import Permit (applied for online with the Bahamas Ministry of Agriculture), a veterinary health certificate issued within 48 hours of travel and an up-to-date rabies vaccination. Pets must be booked at least 72 hours before departure. To re-enter the US, dogs also need the CDC requirements in force at the time of travel, so check them before you go.
At the terminal: how the check works
Boarding at Terminal 21 opens three hours before the 9:00 AM departure and check-in closes 60 minutes before sailing. You present your original documents at check-in, go through security and US customs pre-clearance, and board. Because pre-clearance is done in Fort Lauderdale, on arrival in Bimini or Freeport you walk straight off the ship. On the way back, US immigration takes place at Port Everglades and can take one to one and a half hours at peak times, so do not book tight connections that same night.
Checklist before you book
- Every passenger has an original passport book or card valid six months beyond the return date.
- Green-card holders carry the ARC and their country's passport.
- Children have their own passport; single parents carry a consent letter.
- Pets: permit, health certificate, rabies vaccination, booked 72 hours ahead.
- E-tickets downloaded to your phone before boarding.
Documents ready? Pick your date. With your passport or passport card in order, booking the ferry takes just a few minutes.
Frequently asked
My passport expires in three months. Can I travel? The safe rule is six months of validity beyond your return date. Renew first; the fare you buy is not refundable if you are denied boarding.
I am a dual citizen. Which passport do I use? Board with the US passport or passport card, which is what US Customs will check when you return.
Do I go through immigration in the Bahamas? Bahamas immigration is handled on arrival with your passport; the ferry staff guide you through it in minutes. US pre-clearance is done before boarding in Fort Lauderdale, which is why you must arrive three hours early.
Can I check in online to skip the document check? No. Because of US pre-clearance, every passenger checks in at Terminal 21 with original documents. Print or download your e-ticket and arrive on time.
Full details and any updates are on our documentation page. If your case is unusual, write to us at info@iloveferry.us before buying your tickets: it takes a minute and avoids a wasted morning at the port.
