Bimini is about 48 nautical miles from Miami, roughly 55 statute miles or 89 kilometers in a straight line out of Government Cut. It is the shortest hop from the mainland to the Bahamas. A typical on-the-water routing runs about 50 nautical miles once you add a southerly ferry angle to offset the Gulf Stream. In a fast center console it is a two hour run, but the weather window matters far more than the distance.
Miami to Bimini distance
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Straight-line distance | 48 nautical miles |
| Statute miles | 55 miles |
| Kilometers | 89 km |
| Typical on-the-water routing | about 50 nautical miles |
The run leaves Miami through Government Cut and crosses the open Gulf Stream to the Bimini entrance. The strongest north set sits on the Stream axis about 22 nautical miles out, so steer a southerly ferry angle and let the current carry you back onto the line. Watch the shallow bank east of Bimini on the final approach and call the harbor before you reach the cut.
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 48 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 | 1 hr 58 min | 34 gal | $153 |
| 38 ft express cruiser (twin gas) | 26 mph | 43.0 | 0.6 | 2 hr 07 min | 91 gal | $411 |
| 50 ft trawler (single diesel) | 10 mph | 21.7 | 0.5 | 5 hr 31 min | 120 gal | $539 |
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 Miami 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 Miami crossing is the shortest Bahamas hop from the mainland, but it is still open Gulf Stream water. Cross only on a south or southeast wind. A north wind against the north-setting current stacks short, steep seas that turn the same 48 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): Government Cut out of Miami. Time your exit for slack or fair current at the inlet.
- Gulf Stream axis (about 22 nm out): the strongest north set. Hold a southerly ferry angle so the current sets you back onto the rhumb line rather than pushing you north of Bimini.
- Bimini entrance (48 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
Miami to Bimini: frequently asked questions
How far is Bimini, Bahamas from Miami, FL?
Bimini, Bahamas is about 48 nautical miles from Miami, FL, which is roughly 55 statute miles or 89 kilometers in a straight line. A typical on-the-water routing runs about 50 nautical miles.
How long does it take to get from Miami, FL to Bimini, Bahamas by boat?
A 24 ft center console (twin 150s) cruising at about 28 mph covers the 48 nautical mile run in roughly 1 hour 58 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 Miami, FL to Bimini, Bahamas trip use?
The 24 ft center console (twin 150s) burns about 34 gallons on the 48 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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