Imagine it’s your last morning in Miami and you want to take your vacation to the next level. But instead of staying within the Sunshine State, you decide to book a one day tour to Bahamas from Florida.
On the trip, you fall in love with Pig Beach and the playful Swimming Pigs, see beaches so beautiful they appear unreal, and get a taste of The Bahamas so delicious, only another day trip to a different part of the archipelago will satisfy it.
If it sounds too good to be true, it’s not. Read on to learn all about what you can expect on day trips to Bahamas from Miami.
One Day Tour to Bahamas from Florida: Swimming Pigs and more
Fly to The Bahamas on a luxurious day trip with Bahamas Air Tours.
Trips to Bahamas From Miami: The Options
Most people don’t realize just how close The Bahamas are to South Florida. Just east of Miami, the nearest islands of Bimini and Freeport are just around 60 miles (96 kilometers away). From there, the archipelago stretches to the southeast, with the southernmost islands bordering Cuba and Turks and Caicos.
Although the closest islands have their charm, air travel makes it easy to fly to more remote destinations. This lets you experience different parts of the country and see top attractions like the original Swimming Pigs of Big Major Cay, something you’ll very much want to do.
Chartering a plane and creating a custom itinerary is always an option. That said, the two standard options for a one day tour to Bahamas are to Exuma or Eleuthera.
South Florida to Exuma
The Exuma Cays are a district of 365 islands within the 700-island archipelago. Located southeast of Nassau, Exuma offers a different experience than that of Nassau, or other bustling parts of the country. Expect fewer casinos and shopping centers and more secluded beaches, opportunities to explore wildlife, and unique attractions.
The Swimming Pigs are easy to see on a one day tour to Bahamas from Florida.
Today, Exuma is most famous for being home to the Swimming Pigs. Residing on the uninhabited island of Big Major Cay, the cay is so famous that it has inspired imitation Pig Beaches throughout the country. So what makes the island so popular?
Part of the allure of the Exuma Pigs is that no one is certain how they came to be. Many nearby islanders believe that farmers transported the pigs to Big Major Cay after growing tired of their smells. However, others claim that the pigs were shipwrecked and swam to shore. Regardless, the pigs have lived on their island for decades and have become friendly and welcoming over the years.
While visiting the Exuma Pigs makes for an unforgettable experience, they’re not the only stop on a day trip to Bahamas from Florida. On your day tour, you’ll also see colorful iguanas at Bitter Guana Cay, swim with sharks at Compass Cay, and do much more.
The iguanas of Bitter Guana Cay are another beautiful attraction to see.
The journey from South Florida to Exuma takes around two hours, which includes a stop at Andros Island to clear customs. From there, you’ll have the rest of the morning and early afternoon to soak in the beauty and quirkiness of the local attractions before returning to Florida.
South Florida to Eleuthera
Exuma will be the top destination to visit for most travelers, but some may want to consider traveling to Eleuthera.
Eleuthera is a long and narrow barrier island found in the eastern part of The Bahamas. Surrounded by smaller cays such as Harbour Island, the area is another great destination for a day trip to Bahamas from Fort Lauderdale.
While you don’t get to meet the original Swimming Pigs on such a tour, you do see pigs on a beach at Meeks Patch. These friendly porcine residents are just as welcoming and playful as their Exuma counterparts.
The Eleuthera area is home to many attractions like the Ocean Swings at Spanish Wells.
Besides visiting a Pig Beach, you also have time to check out several other nearby attractions. For example, near Spanish Wells, you can soar through paradise on the Ocean Swings. Recently constructed in 2022, these have become a favorite amongst travel influencers in the years since.
The biggest perk of an Eleuthera one day tour to Bahamas from Florida is the travel time. The journey is faster than that to Exuma, getting you on the ground in around an hour and 15 minutes.
Why Sign up for a Day Trip to Bahamas From Florida?
Besides getting to see attractions like the Swimming Pigs, booking a one day tour to Bahamas from Florida comes with many other benefits.
Travel logistics – namely accommodations and transportation – are generally a necessary evil when traveling. However, on a one day tour to Bahamas, you don’t need to worry about logistics.
When the morning of your trip comes, all you’ll need to do is head to Fort Lauderdale International Airport at the appropriate time to check-in. Following that, you’ll board your private-class plane, enjoy a comfortable and scenic journey, and switch over to a powerboat once you land. From there, you’ll make your way from destination to destination with no needed planning on your part.
Exuma day trips make it easy to visit top local attractions like the sandbars at Pipe Creek.
Likewise, the nature of a day trip to Bahamas from Miami keeps you from needing to hunt for accommodations or worry about high-season pricing. You arrive back in Florida in time for dinner that evening, letting you maintain your accommodations in the States.
Finally, day trips to Bahamas from Miami let you see a lot in a short window. If you’re on a tight schedule and want to fit more than a single destination in, day tours efficiently let you experience some of the top attractions of The Bahamas. Pig Island, Ocean Swings, underwater caves, and so much more are waiting to be explored!
Can’t decide which day trip? Compare Exuma vs Eleuthera Day Trips by plane.
The Benefits of Flying
Flying over Exuma makes for a magical experience.
If you research a one day tour to Bahamas from Florida, you’ll come across several tour options that travel by boat. While these can work in some situations, air travel is generally the better choice.
For one, flying is a much more efficient transportation method than boating to The Bahamas. Even if you’re traveling to Freeport, Bimini, or another nearby destination, you can expect a roundtrip journey of several hours. This eats into the time you could otherwise spend exploring the stunning sites the archipelago is famous for.
Likewise, visiting more remote destinations like Exuma or Eleuthera is out of the question. There’s no way to reach them by boat from Florida, so seeing the Swimming Pigs of Big Major Cay or the Ocean Swings of Spanish Wells becomes impossible.
In contrast, air travel lets you access these locations in a timely fashion while ensuring your comfort along the way. Far from cramming yourself onto the crowded economy section of a plane, you can look forward to boarding a luxurious private-class vessel. Expect comfortable seats, each with a window, and spectacular views of The Bahamas from the sky.
Traveling by boat is the best way to travel around a local region in The Bahamas. However, when it comes to covering long distances, flying is the way to go.
Day Trip to Bahamas From Fort Lauderdale: A Traveler’s Dream
If you want to meet the playful Swimming Pigs and explore stunning natural beauty, book a one day tour to Bahamas from Florida. With Bahamas Air Tours, we handle flights, transportation, and all other logistics, allowing you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the trip.
Ready to start your dream day trip to Bahamas from Miami? Book your Bahamas adventure with Bahamas Air Tours today!
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