ferry Fort Lauderdale Freeport Bahamas

CANADIAN PERMANENT RESIDENTS: SAME DAY OR OVERNIGHT STAY TRAVEL

Canadian Citizens need a valid passport from your home country whose expiration date, after returning from the Bahamas, must not be less than 3 months (direct travel) and not less than 6 months if you are transiting through other countries such as the United States.

Original Canadian permanent resident card - must not be less than 3 months (direct travel) and not less than 6 months if transiting through other countries such as the US.

Documentation Required for US Residents

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR DOCUMENTATION AND VISA INFORMATION:

In accordance with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations, please note that as of April 23, 2018 all U.S. citizens, adults and minors, must be in possession of a current and valid passport or passport card at the time of the trip.

*Please note: Birth certificates, photo ID, and naturalization documents (Certificate of Naturalization) will not be accepted*

For international travel only PASSPORTS will be accepted. This applies to our one-day trips and stays of at least 1 night. The expiration date of your passport has to be more than 6 months after the return date of your travel.

The enhanced driver's license is not a valid document to board the ferry.

US RESIDENTS ONE-DAY TRIP:​

US residents must travel with a valid ARC (green card). Please bring the valid passport of the country of citizenship at the time of check-in. If the ARC is expired, you must bring the original extension document with the expired ARC card.

RESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES STAYING AT LEAST 1 NIGHT IN THE BAHAMAS:

Bring ARC (green card) and you must have a passport from the country where you were born.

IMPORTANT ADVICE TO NOTE:* Balearia Caribbean LTD and/or I LOVE FERRY are not responsible for any denied boarding or desembarking due to failure to present proper travel documentation*

More updated information on international travel regulations, on the following border protection website: Border Protection Regulations.

Yes. Balearia Caribbean is a ferry company that connects the port of Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) and Freeport (Grand Bahama, Bahamas). There are at least between 2 and 4 weekly departures between both ports. You can see the schedule, prices and book ferry tickets on this website.

The cheapest way to go by ferry from Fort Lauderdale to Freeport (Bahamas) is with Balearia Caribbean. You can find ferry tickets from $155 plus approximately $70 in taxes.

Sometimes it is cheaper to fly than to travel by ferry. You can find plane tickets from Fort Lauderdale to Freeport from $120.

The duration of the ferry crossing from Fort Lauderdale to Freeport (Bahamas) is approximately 3 hours by fast ferry.

From Port Everglades, Terminal 21 (2021 Eller Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316). The Midport Garage is right next to the terminal ($20/day). Arrive 3 hours before departure; check-in closes 60 minutes before sailing.

It depends on the fare you bought. Day trips and Promo fares (Economy and Economy Premium) cannot be changed or cancelled. Standard fares can be changed up to 24 hours before departure with a $75 fee plus any fare difference; unrestricted fares can be changed for free. Check the (i) icon of your fare before paying. To request a change, email us at info@iloveferry.us with your booking reference and the new date.

Balearia Caribbean ferry tickets can be canceled under the following rules:

- Promo fares are non-refundable.

- Full refund, if the date of request to cancel the reservation is before 7 days of the ferry departure date.

- 50% penalty, if the reservation cancellation request is made between 7 and 4 days before the scheduled departure date.

- No refund, if the reservation cancellation request is made 3 days or less before the scheduled departure date of the ship.

- One-day trips or special offers cancellations has No refund.

Remember that ferry tickets are non-transferable. The name of the passengers cannot be modified.

Any passenger who does not board the ferry for any reason, which is not under the control of Balearia Caribbean and/or I Love Ferry, will not have the right to a refund or change of date.

Balearia Caribbean and/or I Love Ferry will not assume any responsibility beyond the refund of the amount of the reserved ticket if the ferry for which the ticket was purchased and paid for does not carry out the stipulated trip due to operational difficulties, weather conditions, unforeseen circumstances or forces. outside the control of these companies.

The ferry. The Balearia Caribbean fast ferry from Fort Lauderdale takes about 3 hours to Freeport Harbour, with no baggage weight limits like on small planes, you can travel with your pet, and the terminal is 15 minutes from Port Lucaya.

From $225 per person one way in Economy and from $246 for a same-day trip to Grand Bahama,, Bahamas taxes and port fees included. Prices change with the date and demand: booking early is always cheaper.

About 3 hours. The ferry leaves Port Everglades at 9:00 AM and docks in Freeport at around 12:00 PM. In rough seas the crossing can take up to 3.5 hours.

Tuesday and Saturday all year, plus Thursday sailings in high season. The return ferry leaves Freeport at 6:30 PM (5:30 PM on some dates). Check the timetable on this page for the exact dates of your month. Travel days and dates may vary due to the shipping company's operational reasons. Please consult our calendar for dates, schedules, and prices.

Yes. Departure at 9:00 AM, arrival at noon, and the return ferry at 6:30 PM gives you about six hours on Grand Bahama: enough for Port Lucaya Marketplace and a beach afternoon at Taino or Lucaya Beach. Book the Day Trip fare.

Yes. Every passenger, adults and children, needs a valid passport — even for a same-day trip. US citizens: passport or passport card valid for at least 6 months after your return. Green-card holders: ARC plus the passport of your country of citizenship. Birth certificates, photo IDs and enhanced driver's licenses are not accepted, and all documents must be originals.

No. This is a passenger-only fast ferry. Leave your car at the Midport Garage next to Terminal 21 and rent a car or take a taxi on Grand Bahama.

From Port Everglades, Terminal 21 (2021 Eller Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316). The Midport Garage is right next to the terminal ($20/day). Arrive 3 hours before departure; check-in closes 60 minutes before sailing.

About 90 nautical miles (165 km / 105 miles) across the Gulf Stream, which is why the crossing takes 3 hours instead of the 2 hours to Bimini.

High season (March–August, Thanksgiving, Christmas): 3–4 weeks ahead — with only 2–3 sailings a week, Saturdays sell out first. Low season (September–February): a few days ahead is usually enough, but the cheapest fares still go first.

It depends on the fare you bought. Day trips and promo fares (Economy and Economy Premium) cannot be changed or cancelled. Standard fares can be changed up to 24 hours before departure with a $75 fee plus any fare difference; unrestricted fares can be changed for free. Check the (i) icon of your fare before paying. To request a change, email us at info@iloveferry.us with your booking reference and the new date.

If you want a bigger island than Bimini — beaches, Port Lucaya Marketplace, Lucayan National Park with its caves and Gold Rock Beach, golf and diving — yes. A day trip works, but with a 3-hour crossing each way it is even better with one or two nights in Lucaya. See our Ferry + Hotel deals.