Boarding a ferry from Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas has become a trend for many Floridian holidaymakers. Braving the rough sea for three hours in exchange for the warm Bahamian sun and pristine beaches happens to be on the bucket list for many travelers.
But who can blame them? The Bahamas with over 700 tropical islands, each with its own unique features and ambiance, are too enchanting to be missed. On the relatively untouched east side of the Bahamas, you can find a region that everyone consider the most pristine and beautiful part of the Bahamas – the Exuma Cays – that boasts a collection of 365 islands, cays, and islets.
Taking a slow ferry from Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas means you’ll need more time to explore the hidden side of the Bahamas. However, what if we tell you that there is a better way to roam the archipelago? A way that not only could elevate your Bahamas experience but also make the most of your bucks.
In this article, we will let you know what you should consider when opting for a day cruise to Bahamas from Fort Lauderdale. Of course, we will also uncover a totally novel and exciting alternative for your day trips to Bahamas. Read on to find out more.
Balearia is one of the most popular boat from Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas – but do think twice before booking!
Choosing the Best Ferry from Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas
One of the most well-known boat from Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas is Baleària Caribbean. But is it the only and best option you have? Here, we will tell you more about this ferry service so you could make a more informed decision before embarking on your trip.
What’s wrong with the Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas ferry
Based on the info of Baleària Caribbean’s website, the ferry from Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas only departs every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. This schedule varies every month, making your trip-planning inflexible and difficult. The website also suggests passengers arrive three hours prior as ferry doors close one hour before departure time, making your traveling time even longer than it is supposed to be.
With Fort Lauderdale as the departure point, you only have two choices of destination: the mainstream tourist island of Bimini (closest Bahamian island to South Florida) and the Grand Bahama with the busiest cruise port of the archipelago, Freeport. The whole trip will take around 2 hours to Bimini and an extra half an hour to Grand Bahamas but delays often occur due to the unpredictable nature of the sea. Here are some other things you should take note of:
1. Delays on the boat from Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas
Imagine you packed your sunscreen and sunglasses and are ready for your Bahamas vacation. But as you reach the ferry, you’re informed that your ferry to the Bahamas is delayed due to bad weather, and no one knows when the ferry will depart. Your long-awaited trip is ruined in seconds. This incident happens more than you would expect. Rough sea conditions often mess up travelers’ trips and this is something that no one has control of, making it a huge inconvenience for sea travel.
2. Sea sickness on a Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas ferry
You could never enjoy a Bahamas trip after suffering three hours of seasickness on board. With the rough sea conditions, even travelers that never get seasick often become uncomfortable. Remember to grab a vomit bag and prepare some medicine to prepare for the worst.
3. Crowded ferry from Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas
The ferry from Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas is often packed with passengers. You can expect the voices of babies crying, snoring, and loud conversation all the time. Not only does this make the whole trip stressful, you also have limited access to the mesmerizing Bahamas views.
Of course, we could be biased. That’s why we also want to highlight some TripAdvisor pages based on real customer experiences. Complaints about the trip being an absolute mess, unpunctual, disorganized, and rude staff can be seen repeatedly. We encourage you to read more reviews online if you don’t believe us. This could really make or break your trip to the Bahamas.
Fort Lauderdale on a Bahamas Air Tours day trip to Bahamas.
An Alternate Day Cruise to Bahamas from Fort Lauderdale
A ferry from Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas used to be the only option for the Miami to Bahamas day trip. Luckily, nowadays, you can enjoy a whole new Bahamas experience with Bahamas Air Tours. Bahamas Air Tours will take you soaring high into the Bahamas sky, traversing from one island to the other faster than any ferry service can do.
One day cruise from Fort Lauderdale by plane
Forget about the one day cruise from Fort Lauderdale by sea, here are some reasons you should travel with Bahamas Air Tours instead:
1. Luxury experience
Don’t want to share your trips with hundreds of strangers on your trip? You will enjoy Bahamas Air Tours private nine-seater aircraft that boasts luxury and exclusivity. The best part of this aircraft is each seat comes with its own large window so passengers can enjoy the fifty shades of blues from above.
2. Local expert
Every trip with Bahamas Air Tours is accompanied by an experienced guide who knows every nook and cranny of the archipelago. The guide will teach you everything you need to know, from how to interact with wildlife to where to find the secret spots of the archipelago. Your trip will be both exciting and informative.
3. Time-efficient
Compared to the two to three hours of ferry rides, it only takes you a short 45 minutes flight from Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas. This gives you a lot of time to explore other islands in the Bahamas and escape the peak touristy hour. Even better, you could head back to Florida before dinner time as air travel saves tons of time.
4. Customizable itinerary
Found an island in the Bahamas you want to visit? Not a fan of a certain island? With Bahamas Air Tours, you can customize your trip as you like with our private charter services. The guide will help you create an itinerary that suits your style so you are not tied to a fixed schedule like other tourists.
5. Explore more places
With so much time saved on your way from Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas, you now have the freedom to hop from island to island during your Bahamas vacation. With Bahamas Air Tours, you can visit up to 8 places in just one day during your excursion.
Aerial view of the Exumas on a day cruise to Bahamas from Fort Lauderdale.
6. Avoid delays
Unlike its ferry counterpart, flights to the Bahamas get canceled or delayed very rarely except during severe storms. You are guaranteed a trip regardless of how rough the sea conditions are. Now, you can travel with ease without getting disappointed.
What to do on a One Day Cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas
If you opt to travel from Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas by flight, you can visit multiple destinations in one day, and this is something you can’t achieve when taking a ferry from Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas. Here are some of the must-visit destinations:
Compass Cay Sharks
A ferry from Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas can take you to Compass Cay to swim with sharks!
Feel the adrenaline rush by swimming in shark-infested water in Compass Cay. These friendly yet handsome beasts are docile pet sharks who are not aggressive unless provoked, perfect to be your swimming companion.
Staniel Cay
Take a stroll in the village of Staniel Cay to witness the authentic lifestyle of the Bahamians. Though small, you can find almost everything you need here, including a church, post office, restaurants, and even retail shops.
Thunderball Grotto
Known as the James Bond shooting location in paradise, Thunderball Grotto exudes thrilling and mysterious vibes that invite travelers and thrill-seekers alike to explore its unique underwater cave system.
Pig Island – Big Major Cay
Pig Island Bahamas is one of the highlights of a one day cruise from Fort Lauderdale.
Swimming with pigs Bahamas excursion is the most popular activity to do while in the Bahamas. Here, you can find a group of adorable Exuma pigs floating on the water of Pig Island. Don’t hesitate to join them.
Bitter Guana Cay
Meet the endangered Bahamian Rock Iguana within their natural habitat at Bitter Guana Cay. These Iguanas are closely related to dinosaurs, so this could be the place your “Jurassic Park” dreams come true.
Enjoy the Alternate to a Ferry from Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas
Why travel by ferry from Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas while you can enjoy the luxury and exciting excursion Day Tour by Plane with Bahamas Air Tours. We provide a one-of-a-kind day trip to Bahamas – something you can’t experience via ferry travel.
Contact Bahamas Air Tours now to find out more.
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