Miami to Bahamas Yacht Charter 2026 | Route & Cost Guide

In This Article

A yacht charter from Miami to the Bahamas is one of those trips that sounds extravagant and logistically complex but is actually straightforward. Bimini — the closest Bahamian island — is about 48 nautical miles from Miami, a 2-3 hour crossing. You can leave in the morning, spend a full afternoon on a Bahamian beach, and be back in Miami by sunset.

This guide covers routes, costs, customs requirements, what to expect on the crossing, and how to choose the right vessel for the trip.

The Route: Miami to Bimini

Distance and crossing time

Route	Distance	Crossing Time	Recommended Vessel
Miami to Bimini	~48 nautical miles	2-3 hours	37’ Axopar or larger
Miami to North Bimini	~47 nautical miles	2-3 hours	37’ Axopar or larger

Bimini is the go-to destination for a Miami-Bahamas day trip because of its proximity. The crossing takes you east across the Gulf Stream — one of the world’s most powerful ocean currents — and into Bahamian waters.

The Gulf Stream crossing

The Gulf Stream is a warm, fast-moving ocean current that flows north between Florida and the Bahamas. Crossing it is a normal part of the Miami-to-Bimini route, but it is worth understanding what to expect:

On a calm day: The crossing is scenic and pleasant. Light swells, blue-green water transitioning to deep cobalt blue as you enter the Gulf Stream, and then the stunning turquoise shallows as you approach the Bahamas. Many people describe it as one of the most beautiful transitions they have ever seen on the water.

On a choppy day: When the wind blows from the north and opposes the north-flowing current, the Gulf Stream can produce 3-6 foot swells with short intervals. This is not dangerous for a properly sized and piloted vessel, but it can be uncomfortable for passengers who are sensitive to motion. Your captain will assess conditions before departure.

The captain’s decision is final: If conditions are unsafe for the crossing, your charter will be rescheduled at no cost. This is non-negotiable and applies to all weather-related safety decisions. Your captain monitors NOAA marine weather forecasts and makes the call.

What you will see during the crossing

The crossing itself is part of the experience:

• The Miami skyline gradually disappearing behind you
• Deep blue water of the Gulf Stream (the color change is dramatic)
• Flying fish skimming the surface
• Possible dolphin sightings (common in the Gulf Stream)
• The shallow turquoise water of the Bahamas appearing ahead — you can see the color change from miles away

Cost Breakdown

Day trip pricing

Vessel	Duration	Total	Per Person (13 guests)
37’ Axopar	Full day (Bahamas)	$4,800	$354
48’ Sea Ray	6 hours	$2,400	$185
55’ Azimut	6 hours	$2,760	$213
66’ Azimut	6 hours	$4,200	$324
70’ Azimut Flybridge	8 hours	$4,800	$370
110’ Antago	6 hours	$7,590 (15% gratuity included)	$584
97’ San Lorenzo	6 hours	$8,400 (18% gratuity pre-collected)	$646

All prices include captain, fuel for the round trip, and crew. Gratuity not included (15-20% is customary).

Note: The Axopar 37 has a specific Bahamas rate ($4,800) that covers the full day trip including fuel for the crossing. Other vessels are priced by duration. For the Bahamas crossing, we recommend an 8-hour charter minimum on larger vessels to allow comfortable time for the crossing in both directions plus time on the island.

Additional costs to budget for

Beyond the charter price, plan for these expenses in Bimini:

Expense	Estimated Cost	Notes
Bahamian customs/immigration	$25-$50 per person	Varies; cruising permit and departure tax
Lunch in Bimini	$15-$40 per person	Waterfront restaurants range from casual to upscale
Drinks in Bimini	$5-$15 per drink	Island prices, slightly higher than Miami
Gratuity for crew	15-20% of charter	Cash preferred
Water sports in Bimini	$30-$100+ per person	If you want to add snorkeling tours or other activities

Per-person total estimate

For a group of 10 on the Axopar 37:

Item	Cost
Charter (all-inclusive)	$4,800
Customs/immigration (~$35 each)	$350
Lunch (~$25 each)	$250
Drinks (~$20 each)	$200
Gratuity (18%)	$828
Total	~$6,228
Per person	~$623

For a full day including a yacht crossing to the Bahamas, lunch on a Caribbean island, and a round-trip charter — $623 per person is a remarkable value. That is comparable to the cost of a nice dinner and show in Miami, but instead you get an international boating adventure.

Customs and Immigration

What you need

Every passenger needs:

• A valid passport (passport book recommended — passport cards may not be accepted at all Bahamian ports)
• Completed Bahamas immigration form (digital or paper)

The vessel needs:

• Cruising permit from Bahamas Customs and Immigration
• Vessel documentation

How it works

Your captain handles the logistics of clearing customs. Here is the typical process:

1. Before departure: Your captain ensures all paperwork is in order and contacts Bahamian customs in advance when possible.
2. Upon arrival in Bimini: The boat docks at a designated customs/immigration point. Passengers typically stay on the boat while the captain handles the clearance process.
3. Customs clearance: Usually takes 30-60 minutes. All passengers present passports. The customs officer may ask about the purpose of your visit and how long you plan to stay.
4. Shore leave: Once cleared, you are free to explore Bimini.
5. Departure: When leaving Bimini, you clear outbound customs (usually faster) before beginning the return crossing.

Important notes

• Have all passports collected and ready when you approach Bimini — it speeds up the process
• Do not bring firearms, drugs, or excessive quantities of tobacco/alcohol (Bahamian customs regulations apply)
• Some items may require declaration — your captain will advise
• Plan for customs clearance to take up to an hour of your time in Bimini

Day Trip vs. Multi-Day

Day trip to Bimini (most popular)

Typical itinerary:

• 7:00-8:00 AM — Depart Miami
• 9:30-10:30 AM — Arrive in Bimini, clear customs
• 11:00 AM-4:00 PM — Explore Bimini (beach, lunch, snorkeling, town)
• 4:00-4:30 PM — Clear outbound customs, depart Bimini
• 6:30-7:30 PM — Arrive back in Miami

Duration needed: 8+ hours charter (or the Axopar 37 Bahamas rate which covers the full day)

Pros:

• No overnight accommodations needed
• See two countries in one day
• Most affordable option
• Return to Miami for the evening

Cons:

• Time on the island is limited to 4-6 hours after accounting for crossing and customs
• If seas are rough, the return crossing in the afternoon can be bumpy
• Tight schedule leaves little room for delays

Multi-day Bahamas trip

For a more relaxed experience, a multi-day charter allows you to spend one or more nights in the Bahamas. This typically involves:

• A larger vessel with cabins and overnight amenities
• Higher total cost (vessel rental + docking fees + provisions)
• More time to explore Bimini and potentially other islands
• A more luxurious, resort-like experience on the water

Multi-day charters require advance planning and are priced on a case-by-case basis. Contact us for custom multi-day Bahamas charter quotes.

What to Do in Bimini

Bimini may be small, but there is plenty to fill an afternoon:

Beaches

• Radio Beach (North Bimini) — The main public beach, gorgeous sand, calm turquoise water. Walking distance from the dock.
• Blister Beach — Quieter alternative on the western side of North Bimini.

Restaurants and bars

• Waterfront restaurants serve fresh seafood, conch salad, and Bahamian specialties
• Expect casual island dining with ocean views
• Cash and card accepted at most establishments (Bahamian dollars are pegged 1:1 to USD, so US dollars are accepted everywhere)

Water activities

• Snorkeling — Bimini’s clear waters offer excellent visibility. The SS Sapona wreck (a concrete ship from the Prohibition era) is a popular snorkel site.
• Swimming — Radio Beach has calm, shallow water perfect for swimming.
• Fishing — Bimini is known as the “Big Game Fishing Capital of the World.” Hemingway fished here. If your group includes anglers, this is sacred water.

Exploring

• Walk through Alice Town on North Bimini — small, colorful, and authentically Caribbean
• Visit the Bimini Museum (small but interesting local history)
• See the remains of the Bimini Road — an underwater rock formation that has fueled Atlantis theories for decades

Best Boats for the Crossing

Not every boat is ideal for crossing the Gulf Stream. Here is what matters:

Key requirements

• Size: 37 feet minimum recommended. Larger vessels handle swells more comfortably.
• Twin engines: Redundancy for safety. If one engine has an issue, the other gets you home.
• Speed: Faster vessels reduce time in the Gulf Stream, which means less exposure to rough conditions.
• Stability: Deeper-V hulls handle ocean swells better than flat-bottom boats.

Recommended vessels from our fleet

Vessel	Length	Why It Works	Bahamas Price
37’ Axopar	37 ft	Twin 300HP Mercury, fast and stable, designed for open water. Our most popular Bahamas crosser.	$4,800 (full day)
48’ Sea Ray	48 ft	Comfortable cruiser, A/C, bathroom, smooth ride.	From $2,400 (6hr)
55’ Azimut	55 ft	Yacht comfort for the crossing. Interior lounge if seas get bumpy.	From $2,760 (6hr)
66’ Azimut	66 ft	Flybridge, spacious decks, excellent ocean capability.	From $4,200 (6hr)
110’ Antago	110 ft	Super yacht with 5 cabins, full crew, suitable for multi-day Bahamas charters. 15% gratuity included.	From $7,590 (6hr)
97’ San Lorenzo “Astonish”	97 ft	Super yacht with 5 cabins, captain plus mate and stewardess, suitable for multi-day Bahamas charters. 18% gratuity pre-collected.	From $8,400 (6hr)

Not recommended for the crossing: Sport boats under 30 feet. While they can technically make the trip, they are not comfortable in Gulf Stream swells and do not carry enough fuel for a comfortable margin of safety.

Weather and Timing

Best months for the crossing

Month	Gulf Stream Conditions	Recommendation
Nov-Apr	Generally calmer, less thunderstorm risk	Best window for the crossing
May-Jun	Warming, occasional storms	Good, but watch afternoon weather
Jul-Sep	Hurricane season, afternoon storms common	Possible but requires flexible scheduling
Oct	Transitional, improving conditions	Good

Wind direction matters

The Gulf Stream flows north at 3-4 knots. When the wind blows from the north (a “norther”), it opposes the current and creates steep, choppy seas. Your captain watches for this:

• South or east wind: Generally produces favorable crossing conditions
• Calm or light wind: Ideal — smooth crossing
• North wind: Can create rough, uncomfortable seas. Your captain may recommend rescheduling.

Time of day

Morning departures are standard for Bahamas day trips. The Gulf Stream is typically calmest in the morning before afternoon winds build. Most captains prefer departing by 7-8 AM to take advantage of the smoothest conditions.

What to Bring for a Bahamas Day Trip

Everything from a standard charter packing list, plus:

• Passports for every passenger (critical — no passport, no entry)
• US dollars in cash for Bimini expenses (accepted everywhere; ATMs are limited)
• Light cover-up or change of clothes for walking around town
• Extra sunscreen — you are in the sun for 8+ hours on this trip
• Motion sickness remedy if you are prone (the crossing is the roughest part)
• Snorkel gear (some vessels include this — the Axopar 37 does)
• Camera — the color change from deep Gulf Stream blue to Bahamian turquoise is something you want to capture

Frequently Misunderstood Points

”I need a captain’s license to go to the Bahamas”

No. Your charter includes a licensed captain. You do not operate the vessel.

”The crossing is dangerous”

The Gulf Stream crossing is a routine trip for experienced captains. Thousands of boats make this crossing every year. The key is having the right vessel, an experienced captain, and favorable weather — all of which are handled by the charter company.

”We need to book a hotel in the Bahamas”

Not for a day trip. You arrive, spend the afternoon, and return to Miami the same day. Multi-day trips require accommodations (on the boat for vessels with cabins, or in a hotel).

”Customs takes forever”

Typically 30-60 minutes. It is part of the experience of visiting another country, not a bureaucratic nightmare.

Reserve Your Bahamas Charter

Ready to cross over to the Bahamas for the day? Message us on WhatsApp with your preferred date and group size. We will recommend the right vessel for the crossing, confirm all-inclusive pricing, and walk you through the customs process.

The 37’ Axopar Bahamas day trip starts at $4,800 for up to 13 guests — captain, fuel, and crew included. Gratuity not included (15-20% is customary).

Related Guides

• Yacht Charter Miami to Bahamas: Complete Guide — Detailed itineraries for Bimini and Exumas
• Miami to Bimini by Boat: Day Trip Guide — Focused Bimini day trip planning
• How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Yacht in Miami? — Full 2026 pricing breakdown
• View the Axopar 37 — Our top Bahamas day trip vessel