Bahamas Day Trip from Miami

A Bahamas day trip from Miami is the most-requested route in our catalog and the most logistically demanding. The crossing is real open water, the timing is tight, and weather windows matter. Done right, you spend a full afternoon in turquoise water that does not exist on the U.S. side of the Gulf Stream, then sleep in your own bed in Miami the same night. We leave Miami Beach Marina at 7:30 AM to catch the morning Gulf Stream window. Two hours of open ocean later you are at Bimini, the closest Bahamian island to Florida and the easiest customs entry in the chain. Snorkeling at the Sapona Wreck is the centerpiece. The wreck sits in shallow water with visibility that regularly hits 30 feet, and the captain can drop you on a tender right at the bow. Lunch is your call. Onboard catering keeps the day moving. Bimini Big John's is the local beach-bar option and worth the stop if you want sand under your feet and conch fritters with a Kalik. Departure back to Miami is around 3:30 PM, putting you back at the dock by sunset. This is a full-day charter, not a half-day. The captain crossing time, additional fuel, and customs fees are quoted as a surcharge on top of your vessel's base rate. We confirm everything in writing before you commit. If the marine forecast shifts the morning of, the captain has full authority to delay, re-route, or reschedule at no penalty.

Destinations

• Bimini, Bahamas
• Sapona Wreck snorkel stop
• Bimini Big John's for lunch

Itinerary

1. 07:00 AMProvisioning load-in at Miami Beach Marina. Captain files float plan and confirms passport count.
2. 07:30 AMDepart Miami Beach Marina. Cross the Gulf Stream eastbound. Roughly two hours of open-water cruising.
3. 10:00 AMArrive Bimini. Clear customs at the government dock. Quick provisioning if needed.
4. 11:00 AMAnchor at the Sapona Wreck. Snorkeling on a partially-submerged 1920s concrete ship. Water visibility easily 30+ feet.
5. 01:00 PMLunch onboard or pull into Bimini Big John's for a beach-side meal.
6. 03:30 PMDepart Bimini for the return crossing.
7. 05:30 PMArrive back at Miami Beach Marina. Unload and return.

Eligible Vessels

Pricing

Bahamas crossings are quoted as full-day charters. Captain crossing time, customs fees, and additional fuel are billed on top of the base rate. Expect $1,500-$2,500 in surcharges above the standard 8-hour rate depending on vessel.

Recommended Add-Ons

Frequently Asked

• Do I need a passport?

  Yes. Every guest must bring a valid passport. The captain submits a float plan with all passenger info before departure and clears customs on arrival.

• How long is the open-water crossing?

  About 2 hours each way depending on Gulf Stream conditions. The captain checks the marine forecast the morning of and may shift departure time to catch a calmer window.

• Can the trip be canceled if seas are rough?

  Yes. The captain has full discretion. If the crossing is unsafe we re-route to a Biscayne Bay or sandbar voyage at no penalty, or reschedule the Bahamas trip.

• Is alcohol allowed during the crossing?

  Yes for guests, no for the captain or crew on shift. We can pre-stock bar service or you can bring your own.

• Is fuel included?

  Local bay cruising fuel is included in the base rate. Open-water Bahamas crossings carry an additional fuel surcharge confirmed on the quote.

• Can we overnight instead of returning the same day?

  Yes, see the bimini-overnight-charter voyage for the multi-day version with marina docking and a Bimini hotel layover.

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