Balearia Caribbean
Fort Lauderdale → Bimini & Grand Bahama
Balearia Caribbean is the U.S. ferry company, based at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, that runs the only scheduled passenger ferry between Florida and the Bahamas: Fort Lauderdale – Bimini in about 2 hours and Fort Lauderdale – Grand Bahama (Freeport) in about 3 hours, on the Jaume II fast ferry. It is the American subsidiary of the Spanish ferry group Baleària and has served the Bahamas since 2011. You can see live dates and fares and book every Balearia Caribbean sailing at I Love Ferry, an official partner of Balearia Caribbean.
These links open I Love Ferry, an official partner of Balearia Caribbean, with the same sailings and fares. Ferry to Bahamas is an independent guide and agent: we are not Balearia Caribbean.
| Company | Balearia Caribbean, Inc. |
|---|---|
| Parent company | Baleària, the Spanish ferry group founded in Dénia in 1998 |
| Based in | Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, Florida (USA) |
| Serving the Bahamas since | 2011 (first route: Fort Lauderdale – Freeport, launched as the “Bahamas Express”) |
| Routes | Fort Lauderdale – Bimini (North Bimini) · Fort Lauderdale – Grand Bahama (Freeport) |
| Ship | Jaume II: Incat high-speed catamaran, 81 m long, 35 knots, up to 655 passengers |
| Crossing time | About 2 hours to Bimini · about 3 hours to Freeport |
| Departure | 9:00 AM from Port Everglades Terminal 21, 2021 Eller Dr, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 |
| Fares from | $199 Bimini day trip (Wednesdays) · $246 Grand Bahama day trip · round trips with nights from $314.51 (per adult, Economy, taxes included) |
| Classes | Economy · Economy Premium |
| Cars | No: the ferry does not carry passenger cars |
| Pets | Yes, $150 per pet per trip |
| Documents | Valid passport for every passenger (U.S. citizens can also use a passport card) |
| Customer service | +1 866 699 6988, Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Tickets | I Love Ferry (official partner) or the Balearia Caribbean website |
| Route (Florida time) | Today, Fri, Nov 6 | Next sailings |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Lauderdale 9:00 AM → Bimini 11:00 AM | Departed at 9:00 AM today | Sun, Nov 8 · Wed, Nov 11 · Fri, Nov 13 |
| Fort Lauderdale 9:00 AM → Freeport 12:00 PM | No sailing today | Sat, Nov 7 · Tue, Nov 10 · Sat, Nov 14 |
The Balearia ferry to Bimini sails most of the year on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, with extra sailings in the busiest months; the return leaves Bimini at 6:00 PM in winter (arriving in Fort Lauderdale at 8:00 PM) and at 7:00 PM in summer (arriving at 9:00 PM); these times can vary. The Balearia ferry from Fort Lauderdale to Grand Bahama sails mainly on Tuesdays and Saturdays, with extra sailings in December and July–August; the return leaves Freeport at 6:30 PM and arrives at 9:30 PM. The ship stops for mandatory maintenance in early 2027: the last sailings are January 2 (Freeport) and January 3 (Bimini), and service resumes on February 10 (Bimini) and February 11 (Freeport). Full calendars: Bimini ferry schedule and Freeport ferry schedule, or check the exact time of your sailing at I Love Ferry.
About 2 hours from Port Everglades to North Bimini, where the ferry arrives next to Resorts World Bimini; the Balearia Caribbean office is in a yellow house in Fisherman's Village, a 5-minute walk from the Hilton. Since August 2019, when the route was launched from Port Everglades, Balearia Caribbean has been the official provider of Resorts World Bimini for both passengers and cargo. A day trip gives you about 6 hours on the island in winter and up to 8 in summer, and every Bimini day trip includes a free Resorts World Bimini day pass until December 31, 2026 (on Virgin Voyages cruise days the Beach Club is not included, but the rest of the resort is). More in Bimini ferry and Fort Lauderdale to Bimini ferry.
About 3 hours from Port Everglades to Freeport Harbour (Terminal 2) on Grand Bahama, the bigger island, with Port Lucaya, Lucaya and Taino Beach and Lucayan National Park. On a day trip the terminal doors for the 6:30 PM return close at 5:30 PM, so we recommend staying at least two nights. Excursions with transport can be booked through I Love Ferry by emailing info@iloveferry.us with your booking number. More in ferry to Grand Bahama (Freeport).
There are no scheduled sailings between Bimini and Grand Bahama at the moment: both islands are reached from Fort Lauderdale.
| Ticket | Passenger | Economy | Economy Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day trip (same-day round trip) – Wednesdays | Adult (13+) | $199.00 | $259.00 |
| Child (3–12) | $134.50 | $164.50 | |
| Infant (0–2, on an adult's lap) | $70.00 (taxes & fees only) | ||
| Day trip (same-day round trip) – other days | Adult (13+) | $246.00 | $306.00 |
| Child (3–12) | $158.00 | $188.00 | |
| Infant (0–2, on an adult's lap) | $70.00 (taxes & fees only) | ||
| Round trip (return on a later day) | Adult (13+) | $325.00 | $372.50 |
| Child (3–12) | $197.50 | $221.25 | |
| Infant (0–2, on an adult's lap) | $70.00 (taxes & fees only) | ||
| Ticket | Passenger | Economy | Economy Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day trip (same-day round trip) | Adult (13+) | $246.00 | $306.00 |
| Child (3–12) | $158.00 | $188.00 | |
| Infant (0–2, on an adult's lap) | $70.00 (taxes & fees only) | ||
| Round trip (return on a later day) | Adult (13+) | $314.51 | $338.92 |
| Child (3–12) | $192.26 | $204.46 | |
| Infant (0–2, on an adult's lap) | $70.00 (taxes & fees only) | ||
Prices checked on Balearia Caribbean's booking engine on September 26, 2026. They include $70.00 taxes & fees per adult round trip. The $199 Bimini day trip applies to Wednesday sailings in Economy; round-trip fares change with dates and promotions. Children 3–12 pay 50% of the adult fare plus full taxes; infants 2 and under pay only taxes & fees. Always confirm the final price for your dates before booking.
Children aged 3 to 12 pay half the adult fare plus taxes; infants pay taxes only. Flex fares can be changed for free (plus any fare difference) and refunded 7 days or more before departure; Basic fares, day trips and promotions are not refundable and each change costs $75 plus any fare difference. Details in Balearia Caribbean ticket conditions. Compare both classes for your date at I Love Ferry or see the current offers.
The Balearia fast ferry between Florida and the Bahamas is the Jaume II, a high-speed catamaran built by Incat in Tasmania (Australia) in 1996 (hull 038). According to the Balearia Caribbean fleet page it is 81 m long and 26 m wide, sails at up to 35 knots and carries up to 655 passengers; it is pet friendly and adapted for passengers with reduced mobility, with a cafeteria, a shop and air-conditioned lounges. Before joining Baleària in 2006 it sailed in Europe as Condor 12, Holyman Rapide and Rapide; Baleària later fitted it with four new main engines to cut fuel use and emissions and gain speed. It took over the Fort Lauderdale – Freeport route in January 2019, replacing its sister ship Jaume I, and has also sailed to Bimini since August 2019. Photos and data sheet: Jaume II.
| Economy | Economy Premium | |
| Seat | Seat in the air-conditioned passenger areas | More spacious reclining seat with USB charger |
| Area | Main lounges, snack bar and shop | Private Premium lounge with terrace access |
| Drink and snack | Not included | One free drink and snack |
| Boarding | Standard | Priority boarding and priority disembarkation (faster at U.S. Customs) |
| Bimini day trip | $199 Wed. · $246 other days | $259 Wed. · $306 other days |
| Grand Bahama day trip | $246 | $306 |
When Baleària launched its Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas service in 2011 it was marketed as the Bahamas Express, with the fast ferry Pinar del Río. Many travelers still search for “Balearia Bahamas Express”: it is the same company, which now operates as Balearia Caribbean with the Jaume II. See also Bahamas Express ferry.
| Fort Lauderdale | Port Everglades Terminal 21, 2021 Eller Dr, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316. Check-in opens 3 hours before departure (6:00 AM for the 9:00 AM sailing) and the doors close 1 hour before. Parking: Midport (Palm) garage, about $20 per day. |
|---|---|
| Bimini | Fisherman's Village, Bimini Bay, North Bimini. The Balearia Caribbean office opens at 9:00 AM on sailing days; check in early for the evening return. |
| Freeport (Grand Bahama) | Terminal 2, Freeport Harbour. For the 6:30 PM return, be at the terminal before 5:30 PM. |
On the way back, allow about an hour for U.S. Customs at Port Everglades. Full guide: Balearia Caribbean check-in and boarding.
Each passenger can take one free carry-on (up to 26.5 lb and 22” x 18” x 10”) plus a small purse or backpack. Extra bags cost $30 (up to 50 lb) or $60 (up to 70 lb) per trip, and oversized items such as bicycles or scuba gear $90. Pets travel for $150 per pet per trip. Every passenger needs a valid passport; U.S. citizens can also use a passport card. If you booked with I Love Ferry, request extras by email to info@iloveferry.us with your booking number.
Balearia Caribbean customer service: +1 866 699 6988, Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It has offices at its three ports: Port Everglades Terminal 21 (Fort Lauderdale), Fisherman's Village (North Bimini) and Freeport Harbour (Grand Bahama). If you booked with I Love Ferry, the official partner, write to info@iloveferry.us with your booking number. More details in Balearia Caribbean ferry offices.
You can buy Balearia Caribbean tickets at I Love Ferry, an official partner of Balearia Caribbean, which sells every sailing (day trips, round trips with nights and one-way tickets), ferry + hotel packages and extras such as pets, luggage or excursions, or on the Balearia Caribbean website. Step by step: where to buy Bimini ferry tickets and where to buy Freeport ferry tickets. What travelers say: Balearia Caribbean reviews.
See Balearia Caribbean dates & fares at I Love Ferry >>Balearia Caribbean is the American branch of Baleària, the Spanish ferry group based in Dénia that sails to the Balearic Islands, Morocco, Algeria, Ceuta, Melilla and the Canary Islands. The Bahamas routes are the group's only service in the Americas.
Balearia Caribbean is the U.S. ferry company, based at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, that runs the only scheduled passenger ferry between Florida and the Bahamas: Fort Lauderdale to Bimini and Fort Lauderdale to Grand Bahama (Freeport). It is the American subsidiary of the Spanish ferry group Baleària and has served the Bahamas since 2011. I Love Ferry is an official partner of Balearia Caribbean and sells every sailing.
From Port Everglades, Terminal 21, 2021 Eller Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316, about 30 to 45 minutes by car from Miami. Check-in opens 3 hours before departure and the terminal doors close 1 hour before.
About 2 hours to Bimini (9:00 AM to 11:00 AM) and about 3 hours to Grand Bahama, arriving in Freeport (9:00 AM to 12:00 PM).
Most of the year the Bimini ferry sails on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays and the Freeport ferry on Tuesdays and Saturdays, with extra sailings in the busiest months. There are no sailings in early 2027 while the ship is in mandatory maintenance: the last sailings are January 2 (Freeport) and January 3 (Bimini), and service resumes on February 10 (Bimini) and February 11 (Freeport). I Love Ferry, an official partner of Balearia Caribbean, shows every sailing date.
A Bimini day trip costs $199 per adult on Wednesdays and $246 on other days; a Grand Bahama (Freeport) day trip costs $246. Round trips returning on a later day start at $314.51 to Freeport and $325 to Bimini. Prices are per adult in Economy, taxes included, and vary by date and season.
Yes. When Baleària launched its Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas ferry in 2011 it was marketed as the Bahamas Express. Today the company operates under the name Balearia Caribbean.
The Jaume II, an 81-meter high-speed catamaran built by Incat in Tasmania in 1996. It sails at 35 knots, carries up to 655 passengers, is pet friendly and is adapted for passengers with reduced mobility.
No. The Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas ferry does not carry passenger cars. Golf carts in Bimini and taxis, rental cars or excursions in Freeport are the usual options on the islands.
Yes. The Jaume II is pet friendly and pets travel for $150 per pet on each trip. Book the pet with your ticket and check the pet conditions before you travel.
Balearia Caribbean customer service is +1 866 699 6988, Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. If you booked with I Love Ferry, write to info@iloveferry.us with your booking number.
At I Love Ferry, an official partner of Balearia Caribbean, which sells all sailings, day trips, round trips and ferry + hotel packages, or on the Balearia Caribbean website.
Sources: Balearia Caribbean website (fleet, routes), Balearia Caribbean Help Center (check-in, luggage, ticket conditions), Marine Log (August 2019), Travel Agent Central (January 2019) and The Bahamas Investor (November 2011). Last checked October 4, 2026.
Staying at least one night? Book your round trip with code LASTMOMENT and save 15% on the ferry.
Fort Lauderdale – Bimini round trips with a later return, at I Love Ferry. Book at least 7 days before you travel and by December 31, 2026. Not valid for one-way tickets or day trips. Non-refundable, limited seats. No vehicles: the ferry doesn’t carry passenger cars. Pets travel at the regular fee (no discount). Offer terms
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Booking a round trip to Bimini? Code LASTMOMENT gives 15% off Fort Lauderdale – Bimini round trips at I Love Ferry (not valid for one-way tickets or day trips; book at least 7 days ahead and by December 31, 2026).
