While Miami is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States, not everyone takes advantage of the Miami day trips offered. But between the scenic wildlife, fun activities, and stunning scenery you can see on Miami day cruises, looking into your excursion options is something you’ll want to do.
To help you plan your dream Miami vacation, we’ve put together a list of the top four Miami day trip options. From other South Florida locations to international – albeit nearby – destinations, you can’t go wrong with a day trip to any of the locations listed below.
Read on to find out more!
Miami Day Trips: Top 4 Miami Day Cruises
1. Day Trips to Bahamas
A day trip to Bahamas from Miami lets you meet the Swimming Pigs.
How close are the Bahamas to Miami? While many people might see them as far removed from each other, the short answer is quite close. Some of the closest Bahamian islands are just around 50 miles away from Florida, giving them the top spot on our list of Miami day trips.
So what can you expect to see on a day cruise to Bahamas from Miami?
Fly With Bahamas Air Tours
If you search “Miami day trips to Bahamas,” you’ll come across many tour options – most of which travel by boat. And while the ferry may seem like the best way to reach the archipelago, flying is actually the best way to go.
Since air travel is much more efficient, flying opens up your destination options to include a wider area. You can even look into booking a Bahamas air charter, which gives you complete flexibility to create a custom itinerary.
The plane ride to the Exuma Cays features stunning views.
However, a Miami to Bahamas day trip is the best option for most travelers since it stops at some of the country’s top destinations. These aren’t on Bimini or Freeport, which are two of the closest islands, but rather in Exuma. This district of the country encompasses 365 islands and features some of the most beautiful views in the world. And while the Exuma Cays are a bit more remote, air travel makes it easy to get there, while offering stunning views along the way.
Visit Pig Beach
Perhaps the most famous island in the Exuma Cays is Big Major Cay. Commonly known as Pig Island or Pig Beach, this beautiful destination is home to the world-famous Exuma Pigs.
Big Major Cay is the home of the Exuma Pigs.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Swimming Pigs, these friendly creatures reside on an uninhabited island. They arrived to their island decades ago, and while there are various origin stories seeking to explain how they got there, no one is 100% certain.
Miami day trips to Bahamas with Bahamas Air Tours feature a stop at Big Major Cay. Because the island doesn’t have an airport, you first fly to another nearby island: Staniel Cay. Upon landing, you’ll switch over to a boat and make your way to Pig Beach.
Travelers are always amazed at how much fun the Exuma Pigs are to watch. From padding and snorting around in the water to hanging out with people on the beach, you’ll be sad to learn that you can’t take a pig home with you at the end of Miami day cruises.
Swim With Nurse Sharks
Another highlight of a day trip to Bahamas is Compass Cay. This small, beautiful island is home to another special animal: nurse sharks.
The owner of the Compass Cay Marina is a shark-lover, and years ago, he managed to tame a school of nurse sharks. Since then, they’ve stuck around the waters of his marina, and today, offer travelers the chance to swim with sharks.
A day trip Miami to Bahamas also lets you swim with nurse sharks.
While that might sound daunting, tour guides help ensure that the experience remains safe for all parties. Additionally, nurse sharks are one of the most docile species by nature.
Although the Swimming Pigs are more famous, many travelers find swimming with sharks at Compass Cay to be a highlight of Miami day trips.
Besides Big Major Cay and Compass Cay, a day cruise to Bahamas by plane includes several other incredible stops. Book a tour today!
2. Miami to Daytona Beach
While South Florida is an exciting region to explore, the rest of the state is worth visiting too. One area close enough for Miami day trips is Daytona Beach.
Daytona Beach is another great destination for Miami day trips.
Geographically, Daytona Beach is further north on Florida’s Atlantic Coast. If you’re driving there from the Magic City, it should take just around four hours to arrive. That’s just close enough for it to serve as a day trip destination, but you should also consider booking a hotel and spending the night.
Daytona Beach is famous for its wide, sandy expanses, boasting nearly 50 miles of beaches. It also offers a completely different vibe than Miami and particularly South Beach.
Even if beaches aren’t everything to you, visiting Daytona can still be worthwhile. The city is home to all sorts of exciting attractions, including a boardwalk, water parks, and the Daytona 500 NASCAR race.
3. Miami Day Cruises to the Everglades
Miami day trips to the Everglades let you see Florida’s incredible wildlife.
Nature lovers would be remiss not to visit Everglades National Park by airboat. Located further east on the southern tip of the state, the Everglades is between a 60-90 minute drive from Miami. That makes it another one of the top destination options for Miami day trips.
Everglades National Park encompasses a massive area with several different biomes. From coastal mangroves to pinelands and swamps, the 1.5 million acres of the park features a nearly limitless number of attractions to see. The park is also home to many animals, including endangered species like the Florida panther, the West Indian manatee, and many species of birds.
As water covers much of the park, Miami day cruises that travel by airboat are one of the best transportation options.
4. Day Trips to the Florida Keys
Finally, Miami day trips to the Florida Keys are another great option. Like Daytona Beach, day trips to the Keys are long but doable – it takes around four hours to reach Key West. Travelers with flexible schedules can consider spending a night on one of the islands.
Long bridges connect the Keys to mainland Florida.
Key West is, by far, the most famous of the Florida Keys. While its beaches are nothing like those of the Bahamas, Key West is a cultural Mecca, housing many famous landmarks like the Hemingway Home and Museum.
The other islands of the Keys are famous for other reasons. Key Largo, for example, is one of the best islands for interacting with marine life. Snorkeling and swimming with dolphins excursions are everywhere. Likewise, Islamorada is a famous destination for deep-sea fishing.
While the Florida Keys are part of the continental United States, they feel like an entirely different world in many ways.
Miami Day Trips: Enjoy a Miami to Bahamas Day Trip
Florida is home to some of the country’s top attractions – many of which serve as excellent Miami day trips. But while Everglades National Park, Daytona Beach, and the Florida Keys are all worth visiting, a day trip to Bahamas from Miami is a can’t-miss experience.
From meeting the Swimming Pigs on Pig Island to swimming with sharks and snorkeling through underwater caves, a day trip Miami to Bahamas excursion lets you see and do so much. Plus, air travel makes getting to the Exuma Cays a straightforward and scenic experience.
Sign up for day trips to Bahamas with Bahamas Air Tours today!
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