Are you thinking about embarking on a boat ride from Miami to Bahamas? The tour is a popular day trip option and makes it easy to visit two of the most popular islands in the archipelago. But is it the best way to experience the Bahamas?
In this article, we’ll highlight a better travel option: Bahamas day trips by plane. After covering why it’s the right choice, we’ll then explore some of the wonderful attractions you can look forward to experiencing.
Keep reading to learn more!
Boat Ride From Miami to Bahamas: Is It Worth it?
About the Boat From Miami to Bahamas
While the boat ride from Miami to Bahamas may sound dreamy, it’s not the best transportation option.
The boat ride from Miami to Bahamas takes day trippers from South Florida to two nearby Bahamian islands: Freeport or Bimini. While both of these destinations are beautiful, they’re also two of the most popular places in the archipelago. This makes it difficult to travel there and appreciate the true beauty of the country.
Likewise, the travel experience itself is also anything but comfortable. Hundreds of passengers are crammed onto a ferry early in the morning, before spending hours on a boat that has to churn through open seawater. Besides being uncomfortable, it also means that you’ll spend several hours in transit throughout the day.
Thankfully, more and more people are realizing the benefits of enjoying a day trip to Bahamas from Miami by plane.
Miami to Bahamas Day Trip By Plane
Flying instead of taking the boat ride from Miami to Bahamas comes with a whole host of benefits.
For one thing, air travel is much more efficient, allowing you to reach more remote destinations in a shorter amount of time. In the case of a day trip, that means just around two hours of travel time to reach the Exuma Cays – a beautiful yet secluded part of the country.
Flying lets you enjoy incredible views of the islands.
Air travel also offers a much more comfortable experience. Unlike the crowds found on the boat trip from Miami to Bahamas, traveling with Bahamas Air Tours puts you on a private-class plane with only several other travelers. If you want a completely personal or private experience, you can even charter a plane or sign up for a private tour experience.
Besides the people, you also don’t have to worry about rough waves or open waters. On your short flight, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the spectacular views of the archipelago from your plane window.
Day Trip to Bahamas From Miami: What to See
Big Major Cay (also known as Pig Beach) is one of several beautiful islands you’ll visit.
The Gateway to Exuma
When you skip the boat ride from Miami to Bahamas and choose to fly, you’ll first arrive at Staniel Cay. Known as The Gateway to Exuma, Staniel Cay is home to an airport, a small town, and a marina.
After disembarking from the plane, you’ll make your way to the marina to hop on a boat and zip around to the surrounding islands.
While Staniel Cay serves as an entry point, it’s also another beautiful attraction on a Miami to Bahamas day trip. After touring Exuma, you’ll make your way back to the island for a delicious lunch.
The Swimming Pigs
One of the most popular attractions on a day trip to Bahamas from Miami is the Exuma Pigs. Residing on Big Major Cay, the pigs are so famous they’ve inspired imitation Pig Beaches throughout the country. However, the original island is in the Exuma Cays.
Flying makes it possible to see the original Swimming Pigs.
Various stories exist that seek to explain how the pigs came to Big Major Cay in the first place. Regardless of the truth, the island houses a couple of dozen pigs today.
As your boat approaches the island, you’ll see the Swimming Pigs jump into the water and paddle out to greet you. Once the boat stops and you’re on the island with them, you’ll get to feed them, play with them, and explore their island home.
Nurse Sharks
Sharks may have a fearsome reputation, but most species aren’t dangerous. When you fly instead of taking the boat from Miami to Bahamas, you’ll visit the island of Compass Cay and have the opportunity to get up close with nurse sharks.
The owner of the Compass Cay marina is a shark lover who, over the years, has managed to tame a school of nurse sharks. They’ve stuck close to the island ever since, and today, the island is one of the best places to go swimming with sharks.
On Compass Cay, you’ll learn about the sharks, observe them feeding, and then have the chance to hop in the water with them. While you can opt to watch them from the piers, the experience is unforgettable, so swimming with them is recommended!
Endangered Iguanas
Another animal you’ll see after flying instead of taking the boat ride from Miami to Bahamas are iguanas.
On stunning Bitter Guana Cay, the northern Bahamian rock iguana resides amongst the island’s vegetation. As your boat arrives on the island, you’ll see the colorful lizards slither out from the undergrowth to greet you.
Sadly, the species has seen its population decline in recent years, making the so-called Iguana Island a special stop on a Staniel Cay boat trip from Miami to Bahamas.
Beautiful Sandbars
The Pipe Creek sandbars offer stunning views of the surrounding area.
While South Florida is beautiful, The Bahamas are home to vistas that resemble postcards. The sandbars at Pipe Creek are one such place.
At low tide, the water pulls back to reveal an area of sugary snow-white sand. Once you arrive, you’ll be able to traverse the area and wade through the warm Caribbean water.
Everywhere you look, you’ll see a mesmerizing collection of blues and greens!
James Bond Caves
Fans of the film Thunderball may recognize Thunderball Grotto as a filming location from the 1965 flick. Another attraction you see when you fly instead of taking the boat ride from Miami to Bahamas, the site combines Hollywood history with natural beauty.
Thunderball Grotto is an underwater cave system. At low tide, you can enter the system with a snorkel and mask. Once inside, you’ll see schools of tropical fish, and if you’re lucky, other animals like sea turtles.
Given its natural beauty and its connection with the famous super spy, Thunderball Grotto is another top destination on a Staniel Cay boat trip from Miami to Bahamas.
An Underwater Plane Wreck
The warm Exuma waters are home to several plane wrecks, many of which were originally drug smuggling vessels. When you skip the boat ride from Miami to Bahamas, you’ll see one of these wrecks in the waters by Staniel Cay; the Exuma underwater Plane wreck.
While the plane met an early watery grave, it’s since become a place of life. Today, the wreck is home to tropical fish and other forms of marine life. That, combined with the shallow waters around the site, make the plane wreck another great snorkeling destination.
Boat Ride From Miami to Bahamas: Choose Air Travel
While the boat ride from Miami to Bahamas may seem like a good travel option, you’re better off flying. Traveling by air saves you time, helps you avoid crowds, and offers a comfortable and luxurious experience. You also can’t beat the views!
When you travel with Bahamas Air Tours, you’ll make your way to the beautiful islands of Exuma. Once there, you can look forward to meeting the Exuma Pigs, swimming with nurse sharks, and doing so much more.
Book a Staniel Cay day tour today!
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