Nassau is about 150 nautical miles from Miami, roughly 173 statute miles or 278 kilometers in a straight line out of Government Cut. A typical on-the-water routing runs about 165 nautical miles once you add the leg out to Bimini and the bank crossing. This is not a one-shot day run for most boats. Most crews break it into two days with an overnight at Bimini or Cat Cay, then cross the Great Bahama Bank in daylight. The weather window matters far more than the mileage.
Miami to Nassau distance
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Straight-line distance | 150 nautical miles |
| Statute miles | 173 miles |
| Kilometers | 278 km |
| Typical on-the-water routing | about 165 nautical miles |
The run leaves Miami through Government Cut, crosses the Gulf Stream to Bimini or Cat Cay, then works across the skinny water of the Great Bahama Bank to the Northwest Channel Light and into the Tongue of the Ocean for the final leg into Nassau Harbour. The bank is shallow and unforgiving, so almost everyone splits the trip and overnights on the western side before committing to the crossing in good light.
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 150 nautical mile distance at a steady cruise. They assume one continuous run, so treat them as the underway total for the whole trip, not a single sitting. 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 | 6 hr 10 min | 106 gal | $478 |
| 38 ft express cruiser (twin gas) | 26 mph | 43.0 | 0.6 | 6 hr 38 min | 286 gal | $1,286 |
| 50 ft trawler (single diesel) | 10 mph | 21.7 | 0.5 | 17 hr 16 min | 374 gal | $1,683 |
Fuel cost assumes $4.50 per gallon. Notice that a center console burns more than its 120 gallon tank holds for the round trip, which is exactly why the overnight at Bimini or Cat Cay doubles as a fuel stop. Do not just scale from the table: run your own hull, load, and cruise speed.
Estimate the fuel for your own boat
The calculator below is pre-loaded with the Miami to Nassau run. 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.
Most boats break this into two days with an overnight at Bimini or Cat Cay. The bank crossing must be done in daylight so you can read the skinny water and dodge coral heads. The Tongue of the Ocean drop-off near Nassau can kick up in any easterly, so check the forecast for the final leg as carefully as you check it for the Stream. Wait for a clean two to three day window so you are not trapped on the bank 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.
- Bimini or Cat Cay (about 48 nm): the common fuel and overnight stop before the bank. Top off here and stage for a daylight bank crossing.
- Great Bahama Bank crossing (about 90 nm): skinny water, run it in daylight. Plot a clean track and keep a sharp lookout for coral heads and changing depths.
- Northwest Channel Light (about 120 nm): the edge of the bank into the Tongue of the Ocean. Expect a change in sea state as you drop off into deep water.
- Nassau Harbour (150 nm): call Nassau Harbour Control on VHF 16 before you enter and follow their instructions through the cut.
Gear to sort before you go
- A fuel system you trust: clean filters, a known tank gauge, and a real reserve calculation that accounts for the Bimini fuel stop, not a guess.
- Ground tackle sized for an open anchorage and for holding on the bank if you have to wait out weather.
- 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 Nassau: frequently asked questions
How far is Nassau, Bahamas from Miami, FL?
Nassau, Bahamas is about 150 nautical miles from Miami, FL, which is roughly 173 statute miles or 278 kilometers in a straight line. A typical on-the-water routing runs about 165 nautical miles.
How long does it take to get from Miami, FL to Nassau, Bahamas by boat?
A 24 ft center console (twin 150s) cruising at about 28 mph covers the 150 nautical mile run in roughly 6 hours 10 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 Nassau, Bahamas trip use?
The 24 ft center console (twin 150s) burns about 106 gallons on the 150 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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