A day cruise to Bahamas from Miami is a popular way to get out of the country and see some beautiful sites without having to travel to the other side of the Earth. Cruises leaving from Miami let you experience the island life of the Caribbean, which, although it may be close in proximity, is quite different from that of Florida.
Unfortunately, the size of the ships makes it difficult to explore the best of the Bahamas and the Caribbean in general. The Bahamas contains 700 unique islands, but most ships only stop at the Nassau cruise port. While Nassau is beautiful, the archipelago has so many other incredible sites to see as well.
Luckily, it’s possible to do a day trip from Bahamas to Miami and still get the chance to see some of the more remote parts of the country. The secret? Embarking on a Bahamas day trip from Miami by plane with Bahamas Air Tours.
A one day cruise to the Bahamas lets you avoid spending a week on a cruise ship. It lets you see some of the country’s top attractions, including the famous Exuma Pigs. It also allows you to reach some of the more remote parts of the Bahamas in a luxurious and comfortable private class plane, giving you unparalleled views of the country from the sky. All of that makes a trip with Bahamas Air Tours a much better option than any day cruise from Miami!
The Appeal of a Day Cruise to Bahamas From Miami
Many travelers reached the Bahamas via a week-long cruise ship experience. However, not everyone has the time to commit to such a journey, while other travelers may be apprehensive about spending that long on a ship during Covid. Those circumstances have led to the rise in people choosing to embark on a day trip Miami to Bahamas.
That said, many travelers often don’t realize what they’re signing up for. While a day cruise to Bahamas from Miami sounds short and sweet, it actually involves six hours of travel time. On top of that, almost every day trip to Bahamas from Miami takes travelers to places that don’t allow them to experience the majesty of the island nation. Then, before they know it, it’s time to head back to Florida.
The best way to make the most of your time and see some of the country’s highlights is to hop on a plane instead of a boat.
A One Day Cruise to Bahamas by Plane
Choosing to skip the day cruise to Bahamas from Miami and instead hop on a plane is the best choice you can make on your Bahamas vacation. Here are a few reasons why.
Soar Through the Sky
When you sign up for a day trip to Bahamas from Miami with Bahamas Air Tours, you get to avoid long lines and crowds. Check-in at the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport is at 7 am, with the flight departing at 7:30. From there, you get to enjoy a comfortable, one-hour flight to the Bahamas on a private-class plane.
The first stop is at Andros, an island in the Bahamas. At the Andros Town Airport, customs officials help travelers clear immigration and officially enter the country. Once everyone is in, it’s just a 45-minute plane ride to Staniel Cay.
Along the way, travelers have the chance to see the stunning colors of the Bahamas from above. The color palette is so vivid that astronauts can identify the island nation from space!

Flying around the country by air is the best way to experience your Bahamas vacation.
Unparalleled Access to the Bahamas’ Best Sites
A one day cruise from Miami doesn’t allow you to see the top sites in the country, both due to time and ship limitations. However, if you embark on a Miami to Bahamas day trip with Bahamas Air Tours, you’ll get to do so much.
Staniel Cay
After your 45-minute flight from Andros, you’ll land in Staniel Cay. You’ll then head to the dock, where a tour guide will take you on a tour of the island and a boat tour of some other places in the Exumas.
While a one day cruise to Bahamas with Bahamas Air Tours uses Staniel Cay as a base to explore the Exumas, you’ll still have plenty of time to explore the island. You can rent a bike and make your way through the little restaurants and shops scattered around the town or just hang out at the picturesque beach. Travelers also get to enjoy a delicious lunch at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club!
Big Major Cay
One of the major stops on a Bahamas day trip from Miami tour is Pig Island, or as it’s officially named, Big Major Cay.
As you might be able to to guess by its name, Big Major Cay is famous for one special thing — the Exuma pigs! The island houses a couple of dozen pigs, as well as a few goats and stray cats. Travelers will have plenty of time to see the pigs, snap some pictures, and even hang out with them on the beach or in the water. There’s a reason why everyone calls them the swimming pigs!

No day cruise to Bahamas from Miami is complete without a stop to see the Exuma Pigs.
Besides being happy to swim in the crystal-clear water, the Exuma pigs are also friendly. They associate boats and visitors with food, so don’t be surprised if they come right up to you!
Bitter Guana Cay
Bitter Guana Cay is another stop that a day cruise to Bahamas from Miami won’t let you see. However, it’s another one of the best places in the island nation.
Bitter Guana Cay has a stunning, white-sand beach, but it’s also home to the endangered Bahamian rock iguana. With a wild population of less than 1,300, Bitter Guana Cay is one of the only places to see these majestic, herbivorous lizards.

Most people don’t expect to see endangered iguanas on a day trip Miami to Bahamas!
As they’re a protected species, feeding the iguanas is ill-advised, as is walking on the sandy areas behind the beach, since that’s where they nest.
Compass Cay
Another one of the most beautiful spots in the country that a traditional one day cruise to the Bahamas won’t let you see, Compass Cay offers travelers the chance to get up close and personal with sharks.
The owner of the Compass Cay Marina has befriended a school of sharks, and over the years, their population has grown. Today, the site is one of the best places to jump in the water with them (or just watch them from the docks).
While the word “shark” might conjure scary images reminiscent of Jaws or The Meg, the sharks at Compass Cay are nurse sharks. As long as you don’t provoke them or try and feed them, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.
A one day cruise from Miami with Bahamas Air Tours lets you see the nurse sharks in all their glory!
The Best Day Cruise to Bahamas From Miami Is a Non-Traditional One
Cruises leaving from Miami may seem convenient, but they’re ultimately not worth what you pay for them. You end up wasting a lot of time on the water and don’t get a chance to experience the best parts of the Bahamas.
Skip the traditional day cruise to Bahamas from Miami option, and instead, choose to embark on a day trip by plane with Bahamas Air Tours. Charming towns, swimming pigs, endangered iguanas, and schools of nurse sharks are only some of the fantastic sites you’ll see on a Miami to Bahamas day trip.
Start planning your adventure today!
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