JS
Joshua S.
2 hours ago
Amazing yacht rental experience. Ben was great on board, helpful, friendly and on top of everything. Everything went perfect, and the jet skis were superior. Will definitely be back.
FLL to Bimini by Boat: Charter & Day Trips
Fort Lauderdale to Bimini Yacht Charter
The closest Bahamas crossing to the coast. Fort Lauderdale to Bimini by boat is just 50 miles and 2 to 3 hours across the Gulf Stream, ideal as a day trip or an overnight, with captain, crew, and customs handled.
Captain and crew on every crossing. Customs coordination included.
AS SEEN IN
PRIVATE FORT LAUDERDALE TO BIMINI CROSSINGS
Fort Lauderdale to Bimini by Private Yacht Charter
Bimini sits just 50 miles east of Fort Lauderdale, the closest Bahamian island to the coast. A private Fort Lauderdale to Bimini yacht charter covers that distance in about 2 to 3 hours across the Gulf Stream, which makes it one of the few Bahamian crossings you can comfortably do as a day trip. Every crossing departs from a deep-water marina in Fort Lauderdale and clears the Port Everglades inlet, fully crewed and private to your group.
Crown Yachts is a South Florida operator running private, crewed charters that depart Fort Lauderdale and cross to Bimini. The captain manages the crossing, the weather window, customs clearance at the North Bimini port of entry, and all navigation. You spend the day at Honeymoon Harbour with the friendly stingrays at Gun Cay, snorkeling the SS Sapona wreck, exploring the Bimini Road, or fishing the drop-off that made Bimini the sportfishing capital of the world. A Fort Lauderdale to Bimini boat trip can run as a single day or as a multi-day stay aboard.
A Fort Lauderdale to Bimini boat charter is quoted per trip rather than at a fixed rate. The vessel, the format, the number of guests, and add-ons such as a private chef and an open bar all factor in. Share your date and plan via WhatsApp and we build the quote.
Bimini Fleet
Yachts for the Fort Lauderdale to Bimini Crossing
Private charter yachts available for the Fort Lauderdale to Bimini crossing. Captain and crew on every booking. A faster vessel is ideal for the round trip on a single-day Bimini day trip from Fort Lauderdale.
WHAT TO EXPECT
How a Fort Lauderdale to Bimini Yacht Charter Works
A Fort Lauderdale to Bimini yacht charter is the easiest way to reach the Bahamas from South Florida. Here is what every crossing includes, from the Fort Lauderdale marina to the anchorage off North Bimini.
PLAN YOUR CROSSING50 MILES EAST
The Closest Bahamian Island to Fort Lauderdale
Bimini sits roughly 50 miles east of Fort Lauderdale across the Gulf Stream, the closest Bahamian island to the South Florida coast. Clearing the Port Everglades inlet, a private motor yacht covers the Fort Lauderdale to Bimini by boat crossing in about 2 to 3 hours depending on vessel speed and sea conditions. It is the shortest offshore run into the Bahamas from Fort Lauderdale, which is exactly why a Bimini day trip from Fort Lauderdale is so popular.
DAY TRIP OR MULTI-DAY
Leave Fort Lauderdale in the Morning, Home the Same Evening, or Stay Aboard
Because the crossing is so short, a Bimini day trip from Fort Lauderdale is genuinely doable. The yacht departs a deep-water Fort Lauderdale marina early, spends the day on the flats and sandbars, and is back at the dock the same evening. Prefer to slow down? The same Fort Lauderdale to Bimini boat trip runs just as easily as an overnight or a multi-day charter, waking up at anchor off North Bimini. Both formats are fully crewed and private to your group.
COMPLETELY PRIVATE
One Group, One Vessel, No Other Passengers
Every Fort Lauderdale to Bimini charter is a completely private booking. No shared passengers, no group tour format, no other guests at the marina or on board. Your group has the vessel, the captain, and the crew exclusively for the whole crossing from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini and back.
CAPTAIN HANDLES EVERYTHING
Customs, Cruising Permit, and Navigation Managed by the Crew
Passengers carry only a valid passport. The captain handles the Bahamian cruising permit, vessel documentation, customs clearance at the official port of entry in North Bimini, and all navigation across the Gulf Stream. Every part of the Fort Lauderdale to Bimini by boat crossing is managed by the crew from the Port Everglades inlet to the anchorage.
WATER AND WILDLIFE
Stingrays, Shipwrecks, and Some of the Clearest Water in the Bahamas
Bimini packs an extraordinary amount into a small island chain. Honeymoon Harbour at Gun Cay is famous for the friendly southern stingrays that glide across the sandbar. The SS Sapona shipwreck is an easy snorkel in shallow water, and the flats around North and South Bimini offer visibility other bays cannot match. A Bimini yacht charter from Fort Lauderdale can be built around all of it.
SPORTFISHING CAPITAL
Hemingway's Island and the Deep Water Just Offshore
Bimini earned its reputation as the sportfishing capital of the world in Hemingway's day, and the deep water sits only minutes from the island. Mahi, tuna, wahoo, and marlin run the drop-off just off the western shore. A Bahamas fishing charter out of Bimini reaches productive grounds faster than almost anywhere in the region.
DEPARTURE POINTS
Fort Lauderdale Marinas for the Bimini Crossing
Fort Lauderdale to Bimini charters depart from deep-water marinas near the Port Everglades inlet. We assign the departure point closest to you for the shortest run to the crossing.
Select a marina to see the location
Bahia Mar Yachting Center
Fort Lauderdale Beach
The flagship Fort Lauderdale beach marina on Seabreeze Boulevard, home of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and a deep-water base for offshore yachts. A short southbound Intracoastal transit reaches the Port Everglades inlet and open water heading east toward Bimini. Preferred by guests staying along the beach and in the Las Olas district for a Bimini day trip from Fort Lauderdale.
A landmark deep-water marina on the Intracoastal at the 17th Street Causeway, at the crossroads of the Intracoastal and the Port Everglades inlet, moments from Harbor Beach. Vessels clear the inlet within minutes and are in open water heading straight across the Gulf Stream toward Bimini. One of the most requested departure points for the crossing on larger offshore yachts.
A full-service marina on the 17th Street Causeway with direct Intracoastal access, minutes from the Port Everglades inlet. A convenient boarding point for guests near Harbor Beach and the beach hotels, and one of the closest departure points to open water for an early morning Gulf Stream run to Bimini.
A newly rebuilt marina on the Intracoastal at the eastern end of the Las Olas causeway, steps from Fort Lauderdale Beach. Direct access to the Intracoastal and a short run south to the Port Everglades inlet. A natural departure for guests in the Las Olas beach and dining district heading out to Bimini for the day.
On the Intracoastal near Fort Lauderdale Beach, just north of the Bahia Mar basin on Seabreeze Boulevard. A convenient beach-side departure with a short southbound transit to the Port Everglades inlet and open Atlantic water. Well suited to mid-size offshore yachts departing for a Bimini day trip from Fort Lauderdale or an overnight crossing.
View Las Olas yacht charters- Bahia Mar Yachting CenterFort Lauderdale BeachThe flagship Fort Lauderdale beach marina on Seabreeze Boulevard, home of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and a deep-water base for offshore yachts. A short southbound Intracoastal transit reaches the Port Everglades inlet and open water heading east toward Bimini. Preferred by guests staying along the beach and in the Las Olas district for a Bimini day trip from Fort Lauderdale.Las Olas yacht charters
- Pier Sixty-Six Marina17th Street Causeway, Fort LauderdaleA landmark deep-water marina on the Intracoastal at the 17th Street Causeway, at the crossroads of the Intracoastal and the Port Everglades inlet, moments from Harbor Beach. Vessels clear the inlet within minutes and are in open water heading straight across the Gulf Stream toward Bimini. One of the most requested departure points for the crossing on larger offshore yachts.Harbor Beach yacht charters
- Lauderdale Marina17th Street Causeway, Fort LauderdaleA full-service marina on the 17th Street Causeway with direct Intracoastal access, minutes from the Port Everglades inlet. A convenient boarding point for guests near Harbor Beach and the beach hotels, and one of the closest departure points to open water for an early morning Gulf Stream run to Bimini.Harbor Beach yacht charters
- Las Olas MarinaFort Lauderdale BeachA newly rebuilt marina on the Intracoastal at the eastern end of the Las Olas causeway, steps from Fort Lauderdale Beach. Direct access to the Intracoastal and a short run south to the Port Everglades inlet. A natural departure for guests in the Las Olas beach and dining district heading out to Bimini for the day.Las Olas yacht charters
- Hall of Fame MarinaFort Lauderdale BeachOn the Intracoastal near Fort Lauderdale Beach, just north of the Bahia Mar basin on Seabreeze Boulevard. A convenient beach-side departure with a short southbound transit to the Port Everglades inlet and open Atlantic water. Well suited to mid-size offshore yachts departing for a Bimini day trip from Fort Lauderdale or an overnight crossing.
BOOKING PROCESS
How to Plan a Fort Lauderdale to Bimini Yacht Charter
01
Share Your Date, Group Size, and Format
Contact us via WhatsApp with your preferred date, how many guests will be aboard, and whether you want a Bimini day trip from Fort Lauderdale or a multi-day stay. We respond with available vessels and a route recommendation matched to your group and timeline.
02
Receive an Offshore Vessel Shortlist
We send a curated list of vessels suited to the Fort Lauderdale to Bimini crossing and your group size. Options range from the Lazzara LSX 75 and Azimut 105 to the Pershing GTX 116. A faster vessel is ideal if you want the full round trip in a single day.
03
Choose Your Fort Lauderdale Departure Marina and Stops
We confirm the departure marina closest to where your group is staying in Fort Lauderdale, then map the day around what you want to see. Honeymoon Harbour stingrays, the SS Sapona wreck, Radio Beach, or a fishing run off the drop-off. The itinerary is built around your group.
04
Arrange Catering, Add-Ons, and Documentation
We coordinate provisioning, a private chef, an open bar package, and any celebration setup for the crossing. Every passenger receives the passport and entry checklist at this stage so nothing is missed on the day.
05
Confirm with a Deposit and Receive Your Charter Agreement
Secure the vessel and date with a deposit. You receive a full charter agreement covering the Fort Lauderdale marina address, boarding time, captain contact, and everything included. The captain monitors the marine forecast and confirms the exact departure window ahead of the crossing.
06
Board Early and Cross to Bimini
Most Bimini day trips depart Fort Lauderdale early to make the most of the island. The captain and crew are aboard before you arrive, every add-on is ready, and the vessel clears the Port Everglades inlet and heads east across the Gulf Stream. You arrive in Bimini with nothing left to arrange.
WHERE YOU WILL GO
What to See After the Crossing to Bimini
Bimini packs stingray sandbars, shipwrecks, a mysterious rock formation, and calm swim beaches into one small island chain. These are the stops most requested on a Bimini day trip from Fort Lauderdale or an overnight.
Select a spot to see where it is
North Bimini & Alice Town
Main IslandNorth Bimini is the main island and the heart of Bimini life. Alice Town runs along the King's Highway with waterfront bars, dive shops, and the historic Compleat Angler district that Hemingway made famous. The North Bimini harbour is the official port of entry where the captain clears customs on arrival from Fort Lauderdale. It is the natural base for a day trip or an overnight anchorage.
Honeymoon Harbour at Gun Cay, just south of Bimini, is the single most requested stop on the island chain. The shallow sandbar is home to friendly southern stingrays that glide right up to swimmers in ankle-deep, crystal-clear water. It is the highlight of most Bimini day trips from Fort Lauderdale and one of the most photographed sandbars in the northern Bahamas.
The SS Sapona is a concrete-hulled cargo ship grounded in shallow water south of Bimini since a 1926 hurricane. The wreck sits partly above the surface, making it an easy and dramatic snorkel for all abilities. Schools of fish shelter inside the hull, and the clear, shallow water around it makes it one of the best beginner snorkel sites in the Bahamas.
Off the northwest coast of North Bimini lies the Bimini Road, a half-mile line of massive rectangular limestone blocks resting in about 15 feet of water. The formation has fueled decades of legend and speculation, and it remains a fascinating and easy snorkel and dive site. The clear, shallow water makes the geometry of the blocks visible from the surface.
Radio Beach on North Bimini is a long, calm stretch of soft white sand and shallow turquoise water on the western shore. It is the classic Bimini swim and relaxation beach, easy to reach from the anchorage and ideal for a beach afternoon between snorkel stops. The gentle shallows make it a favorite for families on a Bimini day trip from Fort Lauderdale.
South Bimini is quieter than its northern neighbour, with protected anchorages, calmer water, and the Bimini Sharklab research station on its shore. The channel between North and South Bimini offers sheltered water for swimming and paddleboarding, and the southern flats are a launch point toward Gun Cay and the Cat Cay sandbars.
- North Bimini & Alice TownMain IslandNorth Bimini is the main island and the heart of Bimini life. Alice Town runs along the King's Highway with waterfront bars, dive shops, and the historic Compleat Angler district that Hemingway made famous. The North Bimini harbour is the official port of entry where the captain clears customs on arrival from Fort Lauderdale. It is the natural base for a day trip or an overnight anchorage.
- Honeymoon Harbour, Gun CayStingray SandbarHoneymoon Harbour at Gun Cay, just south of Bimini, is the single most requested stop on the island chain. The shallow sandbar is home to friendly southern stingrays that glide right up to swimmers in ankle-deep, crystal-clear water. It is the highlight of most Bimini day trips from Fort Lauderdale and one of the most photographed sandbars in the northern Bahamas.
- SS Sapona ShipwreckSnorkel WreckThe SS Sapona is a concrete-hulled cargo ship grounded in shallow water south of Bimini since a 1926 hurricane. The wreck sits partly above the surface, making it an easy and dramatic snorkel for all abilities. Schools of fish shelter inside the hull, and the clear, shallow water around it makes it one of the best beginner snorkel sites in the Bahamas.
- Bimini RoadRock FormationOff the northwest coast of North Bimini lies the Bimini Road, a half-mile line of massive rectangular limestone blocks resting in about 15 feet of water. The formation has fueled decades of legend and speculation, and it remains a fascinating and easy snorkel and dive site. The clear, shallow water makes the geometry of the blocks visible from the surface.
- Radio BeachSwim BeachRadio Beach on North Bimini is a long, calm stretch of soft white sand and shallow turquoise water on the western shore. It is the classic Bimini swim and relaxation beach, easy to reach from the anchorage and ideal for a beach afternoon between snorkel stops. The gentle shallows make it a favorite for families on a Bimini day trip from Fort Lauderdale.
- South BiminiQuiet AnchoragesSouth Bimini is quieter than its northern neighbour, with protected anchorages, calmer water, and the Bimini Sharklab research station on its shore. The channel between North and South Bimini offers sheltered water for swimming and paddleboarding, and the southern flats are a launch point toward Gun Cay and the Cat Cay sandbars.
PLAN YOUR FORT LAUDERDALE TO BIMINI CROSSING
Ready to Charter a Yacht from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini?
Tell us your date, how many guests, and whether you want a day trip or a multi-day stay. We recommend a vessel, build the itinerary, and quote the crossing. Everything from the Fort Lauderdale marina to the Bimini anchorage is handled.
MESSAGE ON WHATSAPPFORT LAUDERDALE TO BIMINI YACHT CHARTER
Fort Lauderdale to Bimini by Private Yacht: Stingrays, Shipwrecks, and Sportfishing
Crown Yachts is a South Florida operator running private, crewed Fort Lauderdale to Bimini charters. Every booking is fully private, fully crewed, and managed from first inquiry to the anchorage off North Bimini.
Fort Lauderdale to Bimini by Boat: The Closest Crossing to the Bahamas
50 miles from Fort Lauderdale, a 2 to 3-hour crossing
A Fort Lauderdale to Bimini yacht charter is the easiest way into the Bahamas from South Florida. The island sits only 50 miles east of Fort Lauderdale, a 2 to 3-hour run across the Gulf Stream through the Port Everglades inlet, so the crossing fits inside a single day. Crown Yachts operates private yachts with the range and speed for the passage, departing from the nearest marina to your group. For the full island guide, see the Bimini yacht charter page.
Bimini Day Trip from Fort Lauderdale: Honeymoon Harbour and the Stingrays
The most requested day on the island chain
A Fort Lauderdale to Bimini boat charter as a day trip departs in the morning and anchors at Honeymoon Harbour off Gun Cay, where friendly southern stingrays glide across the shallow sandbar. From there the day can add the SS Sapona shipwreck snorkel, a swim at Radio Beach, and time on the North Bimini flats before the evening return. Multi-day charters include full provisioning, a private chef, and open bar service loaded before departure.
Fort Lauderdale to Bimini: The Crew Handles Customs, You Carry a Passport
Entry into the Bahamas managed from the dock in Fort Lauderdale
Entering the Bahamas by private vessel requires a cruising permit, vessel documentation, and customs clearance at the port of entry. On every Crown Yachts Fort Lauderdale to Bimini charter the captain handles all of it. Passengers carry only a valid US passport with at least six months of validity. The captain coordinates the arrival, presents the documentation, and manages the return clearance, so nothing about the international crossing falls to you. A Bimini charter or a fishing charter can shape the whole day on the water.
Fort Lauderdale to Bimini Boat Trip: The First Stop on a Longer Bahamas Trip
From a single day to an island-hopping expedition
Because the crossing from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini is short, it is the natural first stop on a longer Bahamas itinerary. A multi-day charter can continue from Bimini to Cat Cay, the Berry Islands, Nassau, and on to the Exumas. For a milestone birthday, an anniversary, or simply a first taste of the islands, Crown Yachts coordinates the vessel, the route, the provisioning, and the crew service at every stop. See the full range of departures on the Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas page or the Bahamas charters hub.
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FAQ
Fort Lauderdale to Bimini Yacht Charter FAQ
- How long from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini by boat?
- A boat from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini crosses the Gulf Stream in about 2 to 3 hours over roughly 50 miles from the Port Everglades inlet, the closest Bahamian island to the coast. On a private boat from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini your captain plans the departure window for the smoothest water, handles the Bahamian cruising permit, and clears customs at the North Bimini port of entry, so all you do is step aboard. Exactly how long from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini by boat depends on vessel speed and sea conditions. That short FLL to Bimini by boat run is why it can be done as a single day trip.
- Can I do a Bimini day trip from Fort Lauderdale on a private yacht?
- Yes. A Bimini day trip from Fort Lauderdale is one of the most popular first Bahamas crossings. The yacht departs a deep-water Fort Lauderdale marina in the morning, reaches Bimini in about 2 to 3 hours, and spends the day at Honeymoon Harbour, the SS Sapona wreck, and Radio Beach before returning the same evening. This day trip to Bimini from Fort Lauderdale works best on a faster vessel so the round trip fits comfortably in one day. If you would rather slow down, the same Bimini charter can run as an overnight instead.
- Do I need a passport for a Fort Lauderdale to Bimini yacht charter?
- Yes. Every guest needs a valid US passport to enter the Bahamas by private vessel, including on a single-day Fort Lauderdale to Bimini crossing. We recommend at least six months of validity remaining on the passport. The captain handles the Bahamian cruising permit and clears customs at the official port of entry in North Bimini on arrival, so all you need to carry is the passport itself.
- Where in Fort Lauderdale do Bimini charters depart from?
- Our Fort Lauderdale to Bimini charters depart from deep-water marinas with fast access to the Port Everglades inlet and the open Atlantic. The most requested are Bahia Mar and Pier Sixty-Six, along with Lauderdale Marina and Las Olas Marina on the beach and Hall of Fame Marina just north of the Bahia Mar basin. We recommend the departure point closest to where you are staying. See every route on the Bahamas charters hub.
- How much does a Fort Lauderdale to Bimini yacht charter cost?
- A Fort Lauderdale to Bimini boat charter is quoted per trip rather than at a fixed rate, because the total depends on the vessel, the format, and the add-ons. A single-day crossing, an overnight, and a multi-day stay each price differently, and provisioning, a private chef, and an open bar all factor in. Share your date, group size, and whether you want a day trip or a longer stay via WhatsApp, and we build a quote tailored to your crossing. Browse the fleet.
- What is the Gulf Stream and how does it affect the Fort Lauderdale to Bimini crossing?
- The Gulf Stream is a powerful ocean current running northeast at 2 to 4 knots through the Florida Straits between Fort Lauderdale and Bimini. In favorable conditions with southwest or southeast wind, the crossing is smooth. When northeast or east winds blow against the current, a short, steep chop develops. The captain monitors the marine forecast and picks the departure window with the calmest water, which is why most Fort Lauderdale to Bimini crossings leave early in the morning.
- Is Bimini good for fishing?
- Yes. Bimini is known as the sportfishing capital of the world, a reputation it earned in Ernest Hemingway's day. The deep water of the Gulf Stream sits only minutes off the western shore, so mahi, tuna, wahoo, and marlin are reachable quickly. A Bahamas fishing charter out of Bimini spends more time fishing and less time running than almost anywhere in the region.
- Is it quicker to reach Bimini from Fort Lauderdale or from Miami?
- Both are essentially the same crossing. Bimini sits roughly 50 miles east of Fort Lauderdale and roughly 50 miles east of Miami, so the distance and the 2 to 3-hour run across the Gulf Stream are almost identical. The right departure city is simply the one closest to where your group is staying. If you are further south, see the Miami to Bimini yacht charter instead.
- Can I combine the Fort Lauderdale to Bimini trip with other Bahamas islands?
- Yes. Bimini is the natural first stop on a longer Bahamas itinerary. From Bimini a multi-day charter can continue to Cat Cay, the Berry Islands, Nassau, and on to the Exumas. Because the crossing from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini is so short, many island-hopping trips begin here before pushing deeper into the islands. See the full range of departures on the Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas page.
- What is the best time of year for a Fort Lauderdale to Bimini charter?
- Bimini is a year-round destination. Late fall through spring generally brings the calmest seas and the most reliable Gulf Stream crossings, which suits day trips well. Summer brings warm, clear water and long days. The captain always makes the final call on crossing conditions and selects the departure window with the smoothest water for the day.
Ready to Charter a Private Yacht from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini?
The closest Bahamian island to Fort Lauderdale, reachable in a single day. Tell us your date, group size, and whether you want a day trip or a longer stay. We recommend a vessel, build the itinerary, and handle everything from the Fort Lauderdale marina to the Bimini anchorage.
Captain and crew on every crossing 50 miles from Fort Lauderdale Day trips and multi-day stays 5.0 Google rating
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