Day Trip to Bimini, Bahamas

Balearia Caribbean offers travel to Bimini Island on Saturdays.  This is a great one day getaway. 

The boat departs from Port Everglades terminal 21.  Check in is from 6:00 am to 8:00 am.  Boarding starts at 8:30 am and the high speed departs at 9:00 am arriving at Bimini at 10:30 am. 

The ferry has a duty free store, excursion desk, and a cafeteria on the lower level. The upper level has a snack bar/ wet bar.  There are various drink specials as well. 

When you arrive in Bimini, day trip passengers get priority in disembarking and approaching immigration/customs. This is designated by the wrist band color.  To be the first ones off and through immigration, just congregate near the back of the boat as it starts to dock. 

Upon exiting the boat, passengers take a tram to either Resort Worlds’ Hilton or the beach.  The ferry passage includes a pass to use the beach access and the pools at the resort. (There’s also a casino at the resort if one prefers that).  If one chooses, golf carts can be reserved on the boat for $60.  I don’t think the prices are lower on the island. Booking the golf cart on the boat saves time. 

With our golf cart we drove to both ends of the island stopping for lobster, conch fritters, and cold drinks long the way before settling into the pool at the Hilton.  

At the Hilton pools, towels are $10 at convenience store and they are Not included for day trippers.  I was glad I had my own micro fiber one.  There are currently three pools:  one just across from the casino, one behind the Hilton, and an infinity pool on the 5th floor. One must be 18 or older to access the infinity pool. 

Day trippers have to be back at the tram stop by 5:30 pm. The ferry departs Bimini around 6:15 am and is back in Ft. Lauderdale around 8:00 pm. 

I paid $199 for two of us for the ferry passage. Booked the day trip BOGO for my birthday month. The cost was $199 total which includes port charges for both and the BOGO offer.  We left Detroit at 8:30 pm which allowed us to not have to miss work or school. Upon arriving at 11:30 pm, we took the free shuttle to our hotel.  I booked a two night stay at the Red Carpet Inn for $140. This hotel is kind of in the budget category, but it has recently been updated. The location and free shuttle service make it a good deal in my opinion. The free shuttle to the port leaves at 5 AM and 6 AM only. An Uber ride will run about $11 if you miss the shuttle.  I booked our airfare on Delta using my annual BOGO cert from American Express. The airfare for two cost me $305. I booked everything five months in advance. 

~Bella