Bimini is about 53 nautical miles from Fort Lauderdale, roughly 61 statute miles or 98 kilometers in a straight line out of Port Everglades. It is a touch longer than the Miami crossing because Port Everglades sits slightly north of Bimini. A typical on-the-water routing runs about 56 nautical miles once you add a southerly ferry angle to offset the Gulf Stream. In a fast center console it is just over a two hour run, but the weather window matters far more than the distance.
Fort Lauderdale to Bimini distance
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Straight-line distance | 53 nautical miles |
| Statute miles | 61 miles |
| Kilometers | 98 km |
| Typical on-the-water routing | about 56 nautical miles |
The run leaves Fort Lauderdale through the Port Everglades inlet and crosses the open Gulf Stream to the Bimini approach. Because Port Everglades is a little north of Bimini, steer south of the rhumb line from the start so the north-setting current sets you back onto your line rather than well north of the island. Watch the shallow bank east of the channel on the final approach.
How long does it take, and how much fuel, by boat type
These are real numbers from the same engine that powers our boat fuel calculator, run over the 53 nautical mile crossing at a steady cruise. Plug in your own boat in the calculator below to get your exact figure.
| Boat | Cruise | GPH | MPG | Trip time | Fuel | Fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 ft center console (twin 150s) | 28 mph | 17.2 | 1.6 | 2 hr 11 min | 38 gal | $169 |
| 38 ft express cruiser (twin gas) | 26 mph | 43.0 | 0.6 | 2 hr 21 min | 101 gal | $454 |
| 50 ft trawler (single diesel) | 10 mph | 21.7 | 0.5 | 6 hr 06 min | 132 gal | $595 |
Fuel cost assumes $4.50 per gallon. A planing boat held back to a slow trawler pace can do far worse on miles per gallon, so do not just scale from the table: run your own hull and load.
Estimate the fuel for your own boat
The calculator below is pre-loaded with the Fort Lauderdale to Bimini crossing. Change the engine, horsepower, load, cruise speed, and tank to match your boat and it recomputes the fuel, range, and time instantly.
Best season and weather for the crossing
Best window: May through September, when fronts are infrequent and the seas lay down.
The Fort Lauderdale crossing is slightly longer than the Miami hop, but the same rule applies: no north component in the wind. Cross only on a south or southeast wind. A north wind against the north-setting current stacks short, steep seas that turn the same 53 miles into a beating. Wait for a clean two to three day window so you are not trapped on the far side by a front.
Route notes
- Departure inlet (0 nm): Port Everglades out of Fort Lauderdale. Time your exit for slack or fair current at the inlet.
- Gulf Stream axis (about 25 nm out): steer south of the rhumb line to offset the current. Port Everglades sits north of Bimini, so a stronger southerly angle keeps you on the line.
- Bimini approach (53 nm): the shallow bank lies east of the channel. Call Bimini harbor on VHF 16 before you reach the cut and enter in good light.
- Fuel: top off before you leave the mainland. Carry the full round trip plus a healthy reserve.
Gear to sort before you go
- A fuel system you trust: clean filters, a known tank gauge, and a real reserve calculation, not a guess.
- Ground tackle sized for an open anchorage off Bimini.
- A hull and gelcoat in good repair before a long open-water run; fix the soft spots and chips at the dock, not at sea.
Need to get the boat crossing-ready first? See our fuel tanks and systems and marine gelcoats for the repair and maintenance supplies that keep a long run uneventful.
Plan the rest of your trip
Fort Lauderdale to Bimini: frequently asked questions
How far is Bimini, Bahamas from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
Bimini, Bahamas is about 53 nautical miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, which is roughly 61 statute miles or 98 kilometers in a straight line. A typical on-the-water routing runs about 56 nautical miles.
How long does it take to get from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Bimini, Bahamas by boat?
A 24 ft center console (twin 150s) cruising at about 28 mph covers the 53 nautical mile run in roughly 2 hours 11 minutes. A slower trawler takes much longer, and a fast express cruiser a little less. Use the fuel calculator on this page to plug in your own boat.
How much fuel does the Fort Lauderdale, FL to Bimini, Bahamas trip use?
The 24 ft center console (twin 150s) burns about 37 gallons on the 53 nautical mile run at roughly 17.2 gallons per hour and 1.6 miles per gallon. Your number depends on horsepower, load, and cruise speed, so run your own boat through the calculator below.
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