Ferry to Bimini From Miami Schedule

The Balearia Caribbean high-speed catamaran departs from Terminal 21 at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, not Miami proper, a distinction that matters for travelers calculating drive time from South Florida hotels. The vessel operates on a limited three-day rotation rather than daily service, a scheduling constraint shaped by demand patterns and port coordination between U.S. and Bahamian authorities. Passengers clearing customs for international travel face stricter timelines than domestic terminals: immigration officers process travel documents, port staff verify passenger manifests, and security personnel screen baggage before the vessel's scheduled push-back. Arriving at 06:00 provides the two-hour buffer required for processing delays, document questions, or last-minute passenger changes. Late arrivals forfeit their crossing with no same-day alternative, as the ferry makes a single round-trip per operating day. Sailing days follow a Wednesday-Friday-Sunday cadence year-round, with no seasonal expansion despite peak winter demand from snowbirds and spring break travelers. The crossing itself takes approximately two hours to reach Bimini's North Island, where Bahamian immigration completes entry formalities. Return sailings depart Bimini in the afternoon, allowing day-trippers a four-to-five-hour island window before the mandatory boarding call. Booking logistics require advance reservation through the Balearia Caribbean platform, as walk-up capacity does not exist on this international route. Confirmed passengers receive a boarding confirmation with the Terminal 21 address and the 08:00 hard deadline. The mandatory port fees and taxes, separate from the base economy fare, finalize at checkout and cannot be paid at the terminal.