A one day cruise to Bimini is a popular and easy way to visit the Bahamas. Many travelers know that the Bahamas are close to Florida, and because of that, view a one day cruise to Bimini as a great way to see some of the country’s top sites. Unfortunately, expectations end up conflicting with reality, and the Bimini ferry often leaves many travelers feeling disappointed.
To help make your vacation as enjoyable as possible, we’re going to cut through the misleading marketing and explain the truth about a one day cruise to Bimini. We’re also going to explain why Bahamas day trips by plane are the best way to explore the country.
Flying by air lets you explore remote parts of the country, save time, and travel in comfort and style. Bahamas day trips with Bahamas Air Tours are the best way to visit the archipelago nation!
The Truth About a One Day Cruise to Bimini
The Bimini Ferry
One day cruise to Bimini is a great way to get a taste of the Bahamas.
The Bimini ferry is the boat travelers take to get to Bimini, Bahamas. Operated by Baleària Caribbean, the company is in charge of the one day cruise to Bimini from Miami. They also offer service to Freeport, a busy city and cruise ship port on Grand Bahama.
Bimini is around 45 miles off the coast of Florida. However, while that may sound close, the journey isn’t as smooth as many travelers anticipate it to be.
For one thing, getting to Bimini Bahamas requires travelers to cross over the rough, open waters of the Atlantic. This makes the journey bumpy and uncomfortable, with many passengers getting seasick. When the water is exceptionally rough, Baleària Caribbean will often cancel service altogether, often at the last minute. That can make planning a one day cruise to Bimini difficult.
The Crowds on a Bimini Cruise
Rough water isn’t the only thing you have to deal with. One of the biggest drawbacks of the one day cruise to Bimini from Miami are the crowds.
The ferry can accommodate hundreds of people, meaning that the experience you get is anything but personal or unique. Many travelers end up feeling like numbers on a spreadsheet, piling onto the boat in the most cost-efficient method possible.
To accommodate the crowds, you’ll also need to get to the ferry terminal hours in advance to even make it on the day trip to Bimini from Fort Lauderdale. According to the Baleària Caribbean company website, travelers should arrive for check-in at around 6:00 am, three hours before the boat even leaves the terminal.
Once you’re on and the boat finally leaves, you won’t get there until around 11:00 am. Then, before you know it, it’ll be time to board the ship again to start the long journey back to the States.
Bimini 101
Known as the gateway to the Bahamas, Bimini is a popular destination – both on account of its proximity to the United States and the beautiful sites it has to offer.
Of course, people travel to the Bahamas expecting beaches, and Bimini doesn’t disappoint. The best beaches are on the western half of the island’s northern side. There, you can find the palm-fringed powdery white-sand beaches that make the Bahamas famous.
Bimini Bahamas has no shortage of amazing beaches.
Besides just sunbathing, you can also partake in different activities in the azure waters around the island. From parasailing and fishing to kayaking and paddle boarding, there’s never a shortage of outdoor activities to enjoy on a 1 day cruise to Bimini from Miami.
Other Bimini Activities
On top of beautiful beaches, Bimini has some other fun sites worth exploring.
For example, if you’re interested in shopping, Bimini has tons of great stores that cater to travelers. While some people might find them a bit touristy, haggling with locals at the markets can still be a fun experience. And you just might end up with the perfect gift to bring back home from your one day cruise to Bimini!
Looking for something to buy on your Bahamas vacation? You might just find it at the local straw market.
Where to Stay
Despite being a small island, Bimini still offers a number of great places to stay. But if you’re looking for the best of the best, you can’t go wrong with Resorts World Bimini.
Consider spending the night at Hilton at Resorts World on your day trip to Bimini from Fort Lauderdale.
With over 750 acres of private beachfront property, Resorts World Bimini is so massive it takes up over half the island. It also offers travelers 305 different suites and rooms to choose from, ensuring that travelers with all sorts of different interests and backgrounds can find a place to stay.
If you’re looking for a more casual and laid-back option, check out the Bimini Big Game Club Resort & Marina. It features sea-inspired rooms with balconies and patios and is just a short walk away from some of the top sights on the island, like the Dolphin Museum.
Bimini Big Game Club Resort and Marina is another great place to stay on a Bimini cruise.
Whether you’re on a one day cruise to Bimini or plan on staying there for a week, both Resorts World Bimini and Bimini Big Game Club Resort & Marina are worth visiting.
Why Air Travel Is the Best Way to Visit the Bahamas
Save Time
As we’ve explained, while the 1 day cruise to Bimini from Miami is a popular travel option, it comes with many downsides. Luckily, flying by plane lets you avoid all of them.
For one thing, air travel is far more efficient than traveling by boat. If you’re interested in chartering a private plane to get to Bimini, you can do so and arrive in around 30 minutes.
Otherwise, you can look into Bahamas day trips by plane that take you to the Exumas. The plane ride there takes just two hours from Miami, around the time it takes you to get to Bimini by boat. Once there, you’ll get to see many famous sites, including:
- Staniel Cay
- The Exuma Pigs at Pig Beach
- Nurse sharks at Compass Cay
- Iguanas at Bitter Guana Cay
- Sand bars at Pipe Creek
- An underwater plane wreck
- Thunderball Grotto
Saving time by flying gives you more time to see the sites you want to see, whether on Bimini or in the Exumas.
Avoid the Crowds
If traveling with crowds of other people on a one day cruise to Bimini doesn’t sound fun, you can avoid them all by traveling on a private class plane. If you book a private trip, you can ensure that it’s just you and your companions on the trip. Otherwise, you’ll share it with just a small group of others. But don’t worry, everyone gets a window seat with jaw-dropping views of the waters and islands out the window.
Traveling on a private-class plane also means that you don’t have to arrive for check-in hours in advance. You can sleep in a bit, then arrive at the airport around 45 minutes before departure.
Travel in Comfort
Fewer people means a more personal and comfortable experience. But remember that traveling by air also lets you fly over the rough and turbulent waters beneath you. You won’t have to worry bout seasickness, nor will you have to worry about your trip getting canceled.
You can sit back and relax until you land at your destination of choice.
Don’t miss the shipwreck off of Radio Beach on your 1 day cruise to Bimini from Miami.
A Better Option Than a One Day Cruise to Bimini
A one day cruise to Bimini from Florida may be one of the most popular ways to reach the Bahamas, but it’s not the best way. Traveling by boat comes with many downsides that can mar your overall impression of the country. Luckily, flying by air allows you to sidestep all of them.
Whether you’re looking to travel to Bimini, the Exumas, or somewhere else in the country, Bahamas Air Tours can help you get there.
Book an air charter experience to Bimini today and check out the other day trip options we offer!
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