Bimini Bahamas Day Trip Guide: Fast Ferry, Beach Clubs & Golf Carts
Complete passenger guide for same-day getaways to Bimini from Fort Lauderdale: ferry crossing details, Resorts World Beach Club access, golf cart rentals, and immigration advice.
Bimini Day Cruise Highlights at a Glance
- Fast Ocean Crossing: Reach North Bimini in just 2 hours aboard high-speed catamarans departing from Port Everglades Terminal 21.
- Full Island Day: Enjoy approximately 6 to 7 hours of uninterrupted island time for beaches, snorkeling, and sightseeing.
- Resorts World Bimini: Instant tram transfer to the Virgin Voyages Beach Club at Bimini, infinity pools, and beachfront casino.
- Independent Island Exploring: Pick up golf cart rentals at the ferry pier to explore historic Alice Town, Radio Beach, and conch shacks.
- Direct Florida Booking Desk: Reserve day-cruise seats, hotel stays, and golf cart packages at 954-969-0069.
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Bimini Express Day Trip & Beach Club Guide
- High-speed express catamaran connects Fort Lauderdale to North Bimini in two hours flat.
- Access world-famous white-sand beaches, crystal clear gin-like waters, and live music.
- Day passes available for the Beach Club at Bimini featuring poolside dining and DJ sets.
- Convenient same-day return sailings allow effortless international island hopping.
- Dedicated air-conditioned passenger lounges with duty-free bars onboard both ways.
1. High-Speed 2-Hour Ocean Crossing
Bimini is the closest Bahamian out island to the United States mainland, situated just 48 nautical miles off the coast of South Florida. Traveling via high-speed catamaran cuts travel time to a swift two-hour ocean transit, bypassing long airport check-in lines and domestic flight connections. Passengers depart Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale at 9:00 AM, glide across the vibrant Gulf Stream in climate-controlled indoor cabins, and dock directly in North Bimini by 11:00 AM with the entire day ahead of them.
- Fast Transit: 48 nautical-mile crossing completed in approximately 120 minutes.
- Morning Departure: Departs Fort Lauderdale at 9:00 AM to maximize prime daylight hours on the island.
2. The Beach Club at Bimini & Day Pass Access
Upon stepping off the pier, guests can head directly to the Beach Club at Bimini, a luxury oceanside venue created in partnership with Virgin Voyages. Day pass holders get access to expansive lagoon-style swimming pools, private cabanas, plush daybeds, and direct access to pristine, turquoise waters. You can enjoy energetic poolside DJ sets, sip rum cocktails from the shaded beach bar, or relax on powdery soft white sands along the tranquil Caribbean shoreline.
- Lagoon Pools: Expansive twin swimming pools with oceanfront hammocks and cabanas.
- Lively Beachside Atmosphere: Resident DJs, island mixology bars, and beach volleyball courts.
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3. Pristine Snorkeling & Sapona Shipwreck Adventures
Bimini’s surrounding waters boast legendary visibility, making it a world-class playground for snorkeling, stingray encounters, and reef exploring. Visitors can book local catamaran excursions out to the famous SS Sapona shipwreck, a concrete cargo steamer that ran aground in 1926 that now thrives as an artificial reef filled with tropical fish. For a relaxed shore-side snorkel, Radio Beach and Honeymoon Harbor offer shallow, calm conditions teeming with marine life just steps from the sand.
- SS Sapona Shipwreck: Historic shallow wreck snorkeling teeming with marine life and reef fish.
- Crystal Clear Shorelines: 100-foot underwater visibility ideal for casual beach swimming.
Resorts World, Golf Carts & Customs
- Resorts World Bimini complex features a world-class casino, marina, and gourmet dining.
- Complimentary open-air resort trams ferry passengers between the pier and main venues.
- Golf cart rentals available right at the cruise dock for complete personal freedom.
- Streamlined Bahamas Customs and U.S. Border Protection procedures at port terminals.
- Passport validity requirements strictly enforced for commercial ferry manifest clearance.
1. Resorts World Bimini Resort & Casino
The ferry berths directly at the Resorts World Bimini Cruise Port on the northern tip of the island, giving passengers immediate access to a world-class 750-acre beachfront resort. Complimentary open-air trams run constantly between the pier, the Hilton hotel lobby, the mega-yacht marina, and the Casino. The 10,000-square-foot boutique casino features floor-to-ceiling ocean views, live-action Blackjack, Baccarat, Craps, and over 160 modern video slot machines.
- Panoramic Ocean Casino: Live table gaming, sports betting kiosks, and video slot machines.
- Complimentary Trams: Free continuous hop-on/hop-off tram service across all resort facilities.
2. Golf Cart Rentals & Historic Alice Town
The best way to experience authentic Bahamian island charm is by renting a golf cart directly at the cruise pier upon arrival. North Bimini is narrow and just seven miles long, making golf carts the official and most convenient form of local transportation. You can cruise south along the King’s Highway to Alice Town, stop by Ernest Hemingway’s historic writing haunts, and enjoy freshly chopped conch salad and warm Bimini bread baked with sweet coconut.
- Pier Pickup: 4-passenger and 6-passenger gas-powered carts available directly at the port exit.
- Local Highlights: Visit the Dolphin House Museum, Radio Beach, and Stuart’s Conch Stand.
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3. Customs, Immigration & Entry Requirements
Because the high-speed ferry operates as an international commercial passenger carrier, proper travel documentation is mandatory for all guests. All passengers must travel with a valid passport booklet with at least six months of remaining validity prior to expiration. Terminal check-in at Port Everglades opens at 6:00 AM and closes strictly at 8:00 AM, while return boarding at Bimini begins at 4:30 PM to clear Bahamas Immigration ahead of the 6:00 PM departure.
- Passport Requirement: Valid passport book required for all travelers regardless of age.
- Strict Departure Timelines: Port gates close one hour prior to sailing in both Florida and Bimini.
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Bimini Day Trip Itinerary & Travel Logistics
Typical day cruise timeline and activity options for Fort Lauderdale to Bimini fast ferry travelers.
| Trip Phase | Location / Venue | Standard Hours | Estimated Rates | Important Traveler Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Departure | Port Everglades Terminal 21 | Check-in: 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM | Included in Ferry Fare | Terminal doors close strictly at 8:00 AM |
| Bimini Arrival | Resorts World Bimini Pier | Arrives ~11:00 AM | Free Tram Access | Customs and immigration clearance at pier |
| Beach Club Pass | The Beach Club at Bimini | 11:30 AM – 4:30 PM | From $40 – $60 / Pass | Includes pool loungers, beach & DJ sets |
| Golf Cart Rental | North Bimini Port Exit | Full Day Rental | From $80 – $100 / Day | Requires valid driver’s license (18+) |
| Return Check-in | Bimini Ferry Terminal | Check-in: 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM | Included in Ferry Fare | Departs 6:00 PM; arrives Fort Lauderdale ~8:00 PM |
Planning a group sailing, private beach cabana rental, or overnight Hilton stay in Bimini? Call our South Florida reservation desk at 954-969-0069.
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