Can you take a small boat from Florida to the Bahamas? (2024)

Can you take a small boat from Florida to the Bahamas?

Yes, personal boats can make the trip between Florida and the Bahamas. Remember that the journey is over the open ocean; boats 40' and larger boats generally offer more storage for supplies you should have aboard and provide a smoother ride through the chop than smaller boats.

How small of a boat can go from Florida to Bahamas?

In the past, it took a relatively large boat to safely travel the waters from Florida to the Bahamas. But with today's advancements in hull engineering, you can make the trip in a boat that is only 30 feet or less.

Can you take a personal boat from Florida to Bahamas?

If your private boat dock for rent is located far south of Miami and Biscayne Bay, you'll have no problem. Simply head out into the open ocean. When entering the Bahamas by private boat, there are guidelines and regulations to follow, such as entry fees, vessel registration documents and more.

Can you take a boat to the Bahamas from Florida without a passport?

U.S. citizens are generally required to present a valid U.S. passport when traveling to The Bahamas, as well as proof of anticipated departure from The Bahamas. Those traveling to The Bahamas on a cruise may use another Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document.

How long does it take to boat from FL to Bahamas?

Ferry from Florida to Bahamas

The ferry crossing from Fort Lauderdale to Freeport takes approximately 3 hours on ferries servicing this route. Fort Lauderdale to Freeport ferry duration can range between 3 hours and 3 hours 15 minutes depending on the operator that you decide to travel with.

What kind of boat can go from Florida to Bahamas?

Best boat type for a Florida to Bahamas boat trip

Powerboats can cover the distance to the closest island of Bimini in two hours but the slower the boat, like sailboats, the more planning it takes to cross the Gulf Stream which can be either benign or seriously lumpy and unpleasant.

Can you take a small boat from Miami to Bahamas?

Travel by boat

You'll find many companies that can take you on a Miami to the Bahamas day trip by boat, with the most popular destination port being Freeport, New Providence. An advantage to this mode of travel is that many of the cruises offer excellent onboard services and even luxury.

What documents do I need to travel to the Bahamas by boat?

Upon arrival, everyone on board will need proof of citizenship (passport) and a completed immigration card. All boats entering The Bahamas are required to pay an entry fee that covers a cruising permit, fishing permit, and departure tax for up to three people.

Can you go to the Bahamas with your own boat?

Bahamas Customs and Immigration: There are fees for entry to the Bahamas – $150 for vessels up to 35 feet and $300 for vessels larger than 35 feet. Fishing license and departure tax for four people are included in the fee. You'll be asked to declare your stores and general itinerary.

What is needed to enter the Bahamas by boat?

Entering Policies

Customs and Immigration officials will come to your vessel. Everyone on board must have proof of citizenship. U.S. citizens must present a passport. Upon your arrival in The Bahamas, you will be asked to fill out an Immigration Arrival/Departure Card, which you will keep until your departure.

What can you not bring into the Bahamas?

Meat, provisions, fruits and vegetables, and any articles intended for human food, which are unfit for human consumption. Indecent or obscene prints, paintings, photographs, books, cards, lithographic or other engravings, or any other indecent or obscene article.

Can I rent a boat in Florida and go to the Bahamas?

Sailing in Bimini, Bahamas on a Boat Rental. Just 50 miles from Florida, the Bimini Islands are perfect to explore with a boat rental from Miami or Fort Lauderdale. Enjoy a long weekend and find out why Hemingway and Martin Luther King Jr loved it here.

Do you need a passport to go to the Bahamas by personal boat?

Yes, just like when traveling by air, a valid passport book OR passport card is a topmost Bahamas travel requirement via a boat (note: closed loop cruises are different), being a private charter, fishing boat, or party boat. In total, all options for traveling via sea are: Passport Book.

What size boat do you need to go to the Bahamas?

Yes, personal boats can make the trip between Florida and the Bahamas. Remember that the journey is over the open ocean; boats 40' and larger boats generally offer more storage for supplies you should have aboard and provide a smoother ride through the chop than smaller boats.

Can you jet ski from Florida to the Bahamas?

There are groups that make this ride regularly from Miami. Once you are fully prepared you need to decide on a route to The Bahamas. The most direct route is from Miami to Bimini. This route can take one and a half (1.5) hours.

How deep is the water between Florida and the Bahamas?

What is the cheapest way to get to the Bahamas from Florida?

The Miami to Bahamas ferry is the cheapest way to enjoy a day trip to Bahamas from Florida. The cheapest ferry tickets will allow you to enjoy Bimini island or Grand Bahama from approximately $198 + tax, per person (round trip).

What Bahama island is closest to Florida?

Good to know: Bimini, the westernmost island of The Bahamas is the nearest of these islands to Miami, Florida.

What is the best boat to cross the Bahamas?

According to the type of boats listed for sale in the Bahamas, 43% are either catamarans or center-console boats. Each of these different types offer a shallow draft for safe navigation between islands and are easy to maneuver, making them the best boats for Bahamas cruising.

How much does it cost to enter the Bahamas by boat?

Entry Fees

Boats 35-99 feet: $300 (no change) Boats 100-149 feet: $500. Boats 150-200 feet: $800. Boats over 200 feet: $1,000.

How much is a boat ticket to the Bahamas?

There are incredible deals for shorter three-night cruises that can appear online for less than $100, but a longer cruise in the most luxe cabin can reach into five digits during certain times of year. The average cost of a cruise to the Bahamas can be less than $1,000 for a short cruise.

Can you take a boat from Miami to the Bahamas without a passport?

Miami (Port of Miami) to Bimini, Bahamas): All U.S. passengers traveling aboard the Bimini Fast Ferry from Miami to Bimini must have a valid passport or valid passport card, whether traveling for the day or staying overnight in Bimini.

Can you take a gun to the Bahamas?

U.S. citizens must present a passport. Before leaving the islands of The Bahamas, be sure to surrender your copy of the immigration card at the last Bahamian port you visit. If you have a firearm on board, you must declare it with Bahamian Customs. Only shotguns and handguns are allowed in Bahamian waters.

What is the best anchor for the Bahamas?

For The Bahamas' sandy bottoms, anchors like the Rocna, Manson, or Delta are often preferred for their excellent holding power. Combine the anchor with an ample length of chain, as it provides weight and helps maintain a suitable angle for the anchor to set.

Can I use my birth certificate to go to the Bahamas?

Can you use a birth certificate to get into the Bahamas? Across the globe, a birth certificate is not a valid ID for an adult. This being the case, you cannot use your birth certificate alone to enter the Bahamas if you're above the age of 16.