Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas yacht charter: prices, crossing times and fees
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Going from Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas by boat on a private yacht charter costs about $4,500 to $10,000 for 2 days to Bimini on yachts listed by one Fort Lauderdale operator, and $6,000 to $15,000 for 2 days to Grand Bahama on a 55 to 75 ft yacht, based on prices published in 2026. Longer trips that reach Nassau or the Abacos start around $20,000 to $50,000+ for 4 to 5 days.
Bimini is about 50 nautical miles from Fort Lauderdale, roughly 2 to 3 hours on a motor yacht. Budget on top for the Bahamas cruising permit, departure tax and, on charters in Bahamian waters, 10% VAT plus a 4% charter fee.
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Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas yacht charter prices
Three published price sets, side by side:
| Trip | Yacht | Published price | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bimini, 2 days | Fairline motor yacht | $4,500 | Flamingo Yacht Charters |
| Bimini, 2 days | Axopar cruiser | $5,000 | Flamingo Yacht Charters |
| Bimini, 2 days | Sea Ray flybridge | $6,000 | Flamingo Yacht Charters |
| Bimini, 2 days | Azimut motor yacht, power or sailing catamaran | $8,000 | Flamingo Yacht Charters |
| Bimini, 2 days | Offshore sportfish yacht | $10,000 | Flamingo Yacht Charters |
| Grand Bahama, 2 days | 55–75 ft yacht | from $6,000–15,000 | YATR |
| Nassau or Abacos, 4–5 days | Not stated | $20,000–50,000+ | YATR |
| One week, crewed | Cheoy Lee 84 ft | $29,500 | Boatbookings |
| One week, crewed | Hargrave 101 ft | $50,000–55,000 | Boatbookings |
| One week, crewed | Azimut 116 ft | $60,000–65,000 | Boatbookings |
Sources: Flamingo Yacht Charters, YATR and Boatbookings, checked October 15, 2026. Boatbookings lists these yachts for Fort Lauderdale and the Bahamas.
Which island: Bimini, Grand Bahama or further?
| Destination | Distance from Fort Lauderdale | Crossing | Typical trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bimini | about 50 nautical miles | 2–3 hours on a powered yacht, about a day under sail | 2 days minimum |
| Grand Bahama (Freeport) | about 81 nautical miles (ferry route) | about 3 hours | 2–3 days |
| Nassau | about 160 nautical miles (measured from Miami) | a long day each way | 4–5 days or more |
| Abacos or Exumas | further still | several days each way | 5–7+ days |
Distances: Flamingo Yacht Charters and Luxury Yachts Charters (Bimini), Direct Ferries' Fort Lauderdale to Freeport route (Grand Bahama), CharterLux (Nassau, from Miami). Crossing times are operators' estimates; the captain sets the route and timing by weather.
Bimini is the closest and suits a weekend. Grand Bahama is a little further; YATR's 2 to 3 day itinerary from Fort Lauderdale clears customs in Freeport and stops at Gold Rock Beach and Port Lucaya. Nassau and the Exumas need most of a week to make the crossing worthwhile.
Bahamas fees to add
The Government of The Bahamas sets these for visiting yachts (bahamas.com boating regulations, checked October 15, 2026):
- Cruising permit: $150 to $600 for 30 days, by yacht length ($350 for 50 to 100 ft).
- Departure tax: included in the permit for up to 3 people, then $30 per extra person.
- Charters in Bahamian waters: 10% VAT plus a 4% charter fee.
The full fee table, including fishing permits and anchorage fees, is in our Miami to Bahamas yacht charter guide.
Worked example: 2 days to Grand Bahama for 10 people
Assumptions: a 65 ft yacht at $10,000 for 2 days (inside YATR's published $6,000 to $15,000 range), 10 guests, a 15% crew gratuity.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Charter, 2 days | $10,000 |
| Cruising permit (50–100 ft) | $350 |
| Departure tax, 7 people beyond the first 3 (7 × $30) | $210 |
| Crew gratuity, 15% | $1,500 |
| Subtotal | $12,060 |
| 10% VAT + 4% charter fee, if charged on the full $10,000 | up to $1,400 |
| Total | about $12,060 to $13,460 |
That is about $1,200 to $1,350 per guest, before fuel (if extra), food and drinks. Our calculation from the published rates; whether the VAT and charter fee apply to your trip depends on the operator, so ask if they are already in your quote. Getmyboat calls a 10 to 20% crew gratuity customary in Fort Lauderdale.
Fort Lauderdale or Miami: where to leave from?
- Distance to Bimini is about the same: roughly 50 nautical miles from either city, so the crossing time barely changes.
- Grand Bahama is the natural trip from Fort Lauderdale: YATR builds its Fort Lauderdale itinerary around Freeport, and its Miami page around Bimini, Nassau and the Exumas.
- Marinas: YATR says Fort Lauderdale's marinas are typically less congested than Miami's.
Prices for trips from Miami are in our Miami to Bahamas guide. If you only want a day on the water, a local charter is far cheaper: see Fort Lauderdale yacht charter prices.
Passports, customs and guests
- Passports: every guest needs a valid passport to enter the Bahamas (YATR, Luxury Yachts Charters).
- Clearance: the captain handles customs clearance and the cruising permit at the port of entry, such as Freeport or Bimini.
- Coming back: the yacht must clear U.S. customs on return; ask your captain how and where that happens.
- Guest numbers: charters carrying more than six paying passengers need a Coast Guard-inspected yacht, and day charters are usually capped at 13 guests; overnight, the number of cabins sets the limit. The 112 ft yacht Lady Kristina, for example, sleeps 10 on multi-day trips (Luxury Yachts Charters). Larger groups: see yachts for more than 13 guests.
Ways to pay less
- Pick Bimini for 2 days rather than a 4-day Nassau trip: fewer days and a shorter crossing.
- Fill the yacht. The price is per yacht, so the cost per guest falls as you add people, up to the overnight limit.
- Compare a smaller yacht: Flamingo's 2-day Bimini rates run from $4,500 to $10,000 depending on the boat.
- Get fuel, fees and gratuity in writing, so you can compare quotes properly.
For a full week, see how much it costs to rent a yacht for a week.
FAQ
How much does it cost to charter a yacht to the Bahamas from Fort Lauderdale?
Published 2026 prices run from about $4,500 to $10,000 for 2 days to Bimini (Flamingo Yacht Charters, before fuel and some extras) and $6,000 to $15,000 for 2 days to Grand Bahama on a 55 to 75 ft yacht (YATR). Crewed weekly charters listed for Fort Lauderdale and the Bahamas cost $29,500 to $65,000 for 84 to 116 ft yachts (Boatbookings).
How long is it from Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas by boat?
Bimini is about 50 nautical miles away, a 2 to 3 hour crossing on a powered yacht or about a day under sail. Freeport on Grand Bahama is about 81 nautical miles, roughly 3 hours. Weather in the Gulf Stream can change these times.
Can you take a boat from Fort Lauderdale to Nassau, Bahamas?
Yes, but it is a long passage: Nassau is about 160 nautical miles from South Florida, a full day each way on a motor yacht. YATR prices 4 to 5 day itineraries that include Nassau or the Abacos at $20,000 to $50,000+.
How much does it cost to go to the Bahamas by boat from Florida?
On a private yacht charter, from about $4,500 for 2 days to Bimini on a smaller yacht, plus Bahamas fees: a $150 to $600 cruising permit by yacht length, $30 departure tax for each person beyond three, and 10% VAT plus a 4% charter fee on charters in Bahamian waters.
Sources
Pages we used for the figures in this guide, last checked Oct 15, 2026. Operator and marketplace price lists are their own published figures; rules and fees come from official government sources.
- Flamingo Yacht Charters: Bimini yacht charter from Fort Lauderdale (2-day, daily and weekly rates)
- YATR: Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas yacht charter (itinerary prices)
- Boatbookings: Fort Lauderdale yacht charter (weekly rates)
- Luxury Yachts Charters: Bahamas yacht charter from Fort Lauderdale (distances, what the crew handles)
- Direct Ferries: Fort Lauderdale to Freeport ferry route (81 nautical miles)
- CharterLux: Yacht charter from Florida to the Bahamas (Miami to Nassau distance)
- The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism: Boating regulations and fees
- Getmyboat: Fort Lauderdale boat rentals (gratuity 10–20%)
- U.S. Coast Guard: Illegal charter press release (passenger-for-hire rules), May 8, 2025
Prices on this page are estimates from published sources, not quotes or offers. Yacht prices change with the season, the day of the week, the yacht and availability; only the booking confirmation from the operator or booking platform is binding. Rules and taxes shown are general information, not legal or tax advice.