5 Best Bahamas Day Trips from Miami

Less than 300 kilometres from Miami in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean lie the Bahamas, known for having some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, as well as rich vegetation that makes its dreamlike landscapes difficult to forget. Given its proximity and appeal, it is no surprise that it has become one of the main attractions to see and do during your trip to Miami.

Although the Bahamas are made up of up to 700 islands and cays, most are uninhabited, with 16 main islands and Nassau as the capital. Its varied natural environments serve as an example of the impressive biodiversity of these islands. Most of those who decide to take a trip from Miami to the Bahamas do so motivated by the idea of spending a relaxing holiday surrounded by the luxury offered by its exclusive resorts. And, of course, by its idyllic beaches with crystal clear water and white sand.

If you don't have much time but don't want to miss out on the fantastic landscapes of these special islands, I recommend booking a day trip to the Bahamas. You can find a large number of companies offering this tour throughout the year, as the privileged climate makes it possible to visit at any time.

The trip to the Bahamas starts in Port Fort Lauderdale, although it depends on the company whether or not they offer hotel pick-up. The approximate duration of this type of trip is at least 17 hours, as otherwise it would be too short to enjoy the experience. Early in the morning, you will board a ferry to the Bahamas, which will take approximately three hours to reach its destination.

Some companies offer the option of booking a premium ticket on the ferry, which includes priority boarding and seats with the best views, among other advantages. Once there, you will have several hours free to enjoy the beaches, sample the local cuisine, take a tour of the islands and much more.

Although Miami also offers a wide variety of water activities to enjoy, you cannot miss out on all the sports and activities on offer in the Bahamas, especially considering the beauty of its crystal-clear turquoise waters.

These excursions include return transfers, so when it's time to go back, you'll board the ferry again for the return trip to Miami.

Details of interest

• Price: this excursion is available from £140, although most companies charge over £200.
• Duration: day trips last approximately 17 hours.
• Means of transport: the means of transport used to get to the Bahamas is the ferry.

If, on the other hand, you are travelling to Miami for a week or more, you may have the opportunity to get to know the Bahamas in more depth by taking a two-day excursion to the Bahamas from Miami. To get there, the most convenient and recommended option is to book one of the excursions offered by various companies, which include return transport.

These tours usually travel by ferry, which leaves early in the morning from Port Everglades, although they often include hotel pick-up. During the trip, you can enjoy wonderful views of the ocean, as well as the option of buying something to eat or drink, as there is a bar service on board.

Some companies also offer the option of purchasing a day pass to The Hilton at Resort World Bimini for an additional fee. Once there, you can explore the islands independently and even take excursions between them, enjoy water activities, sunbathe on the beach or take advantage of your resort's amenities.

Some of the best-rated hotels in the area are The Coral at Atlantis Resort and the Grand Isle Resort & Spa, two luxurious accommodations with swimming pools, private beach access, restaurants, spas, and much more. If you're not convinced by the option of staying at a luxury hotel chain, you may want to consider the more economical option of finding a hostel or renting a holiday apartment.

Details of interest

• Price: this excursion is available from £300
• Duration: the tour lasts two days, departing from Miami early in the morning on the specified day and returning the following day between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.
• Means of transport: the means of transport used to get to the Bahamas is the ferry.

From the lively city of Miami, you can go on countless visits and excursions in the surrounding area, whether it's a tour of Everglades National Park or a trip to the fantastic Bahamas. On this occasion, the getaway I am going to suggest is to Bimini, a paradise gem just 80 kilometres from Miami, being the closest island in the Bahamas to the Florida coast.

Pristine beaches, soft white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters where you can dive, snorkel and even swim with dolphins in this natural paradise. This island is also known for having been the intermittent home of Nobel Prize winner Ernest Hemingway.

Of course, you'll also find numerous luxury beachfront resorts, as well as restaurants and shops where you can buy souvenirs. As with the day trips to the Bahamas, these organised tours include return transport from Port Fort Lauderdale and, on some occasions, hotel pick-up.

Some companies include a pass to enjoy the facilities at the Hilton at World Resorts Bimini, where you'll find swimming pools, restaurants, a casino and much more. After a fantastic day at the beach, the ferry will take you back to Miami.

Important details

• Price: this excursion is available from £140
• Duration: the tour lasts at least 16 hours, leaving Miami early in the morning and returning to Fort Lauderdale around 8:00 pm.
• Transportation: themeans of transportation used to get to the Bahamas is by ferry.

If you are lucky enough to have enough time to visit the Bahamas at your leisure, one of the most comfortable and enjoyable ways to do so is by booking a cruise from Miami. This way, you can travel around the islands with all the comforts of a cruise, as well as being able to do so more quickly.

Some of the companies offering this type of excursion are Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line.

Enjoying water sports in the crystal-clear waters of the capital, visiting the lively Freeport on Grand Bahama Island or swimming in the beautiful Half Moon Cay are just some of the things you can do there. What's more, if you travel to Miami at Christmas, you may be lucky enough to have your cruise coincide with Boxing Day, when Junkanoo, one of the most famous carnivals in the Caribbean, is celebrated.

By booking a four-day cruise to the Bahamas, you'll have both transport and accommodation covered, and it will be much easier to get around the islands as the ship docks at a different port every day. Departing from the port of Miami, these excursions also include access to facilities such as swimming pools, restaurants, spas and casinos.

The price can vary greatly depending on the type of room you choose, as the cost increases or decreases considerably depending on the type of room. During the day, you can explore the islands at your leisure, and at night you will have a luxurious boat to sleep on, waking up in a wonderful new paradise every day.

Details of interest

• Price: this excursion is available from around £250 per person.
• Duration of the excursion: the duration of the excursion is four days.
• Means of transport: the means of transport used to get to the Bahamas and move around the islands is a cruise ship.

Although most day trips are by ferry, you can also do it by air. Just like in Miami, you have the option of enjoying the incredible experience of a helicopter ride. If you're someone who enjoys heights, it's also possible to reach the Bahamas in a small private plane. To book this tour, you'll need to do so through the Bahamas Air Tours website.

When you take the private plane tour, the cost of the trip inevitably goes up, but the experience is much more complete as, in addition to offering return transport, this tour includes a series of guided excursions throughout the day to visit the most emblematic places on the islands. So, if you have the option to spend a little more money, don't hesitate and book this tour that will give you an unforgettable day.

Details of interest

• Price: from around £750 per person.
• Duration: the excursion lasts one day. Departure time is at 6:45 a.m. and arrival time is at 6:30 p.m.
• Transportation: themeans of transportation used to get to the Bahamas is a private plane.

Below, I'm going to share a series of tips with you so that you're well prepared for your little trip to paradise and can enjoy the experience to the fullest.

Book your trip in advance

The first tip I'm going to give you for your getaway is to remember to book your trip in advance, especially if it's during the high season, which runs from December to April.

Although there are a large number of companies offering this type of tour and excursion, the high number of tourists can mean that you are left without a place on the dates of your trip, so don't forget to get ahead of the rest by booking the activity as soon as possible.

Plan your itinerary well to arrive on time for the excursion

As mentioned earlier in this article, the best (and most common) way to get to the Bahamas from Miami is by ferry. Therefore, I recommend that you arrive at the departure point at least 20 minutes before the scheduled time, as the boarding and passenger confirmation process takes some time and the organising company is not responsible if you do not arrive in time to board.

Dress appropriately for the occasion

The Bahamas enjoys a fantastic tropical climate with minimum temperatures around 18ºC and 24ºC and maximum temperatures varying between 25ºC and 32ºC throughout the year. In addition, its geographical location means that humidity is usually quite high, which sometimes makes the temperature feel higher.

With this in mind, the recommended clothing for a trip to the Bahamas is always summery and cool. Furthermore, as the main tourist attractions of these islands are their beaches and the water activities that take place there, you cannot forget your swimsuit and sandals.

If you are planning to go hiking, do not forget to bring comfortable footwear and a good backpack to carry water, sunscreen and other necessary items for a trip like this.

Bring sunscreen and sunglasses

In the Bahamas, the sun shines almost every day of the year, so protection is essential for this trip. In addition, swimming in the sea and water activities make exposure to the sun more dangerous, so you will need to take care of your skin as much as possible.

Your sunscreen should be suitable for your skin type and the amount of time you will be exposed to the sun, and your sunglasses should have UV protection and, preferably, be polarised.

Bring some snacks for the ferry trip

Although the ferries on the above excursions almost always have a bar and shops where you can buy drinks and snacks, prices on board are usually quite high. So, if you think you might get hungry on the way, I recommend bringing some food with you to avoid unnecessary expenses.