Six Ways To Get From Miami to Nassau, The Bahamas

Nassau, the vibrant capital of The Bahamas, sits on New Providence Island and is a top pick for anyone craving a dreamy Caribbean escape. Just a quick hop from U.S. cities like Miami, this island gem is easy to reach and definitely deserves a spot on your travel wish list.

There’s no shortage of exciting things to do in Nassau. Sink your toes into soft, white sand beaches, set sail to secluded islands and cays, or move to the rhythm of a Bahamian Junkanoo band—depending on when you visit. And to top it all off, Nassau is home to some of the most incredible beachfront resorts that make unwinding a breeze.

Picture: Looking for a long weekend getaway filled with tropical cocktails and island-inspired cuisine? Check out Sandals’ stunning all-inclusive resort in Nassau: Sandals Royal Bahamian.

You can get to The Bahamas from Miami via plane, cruise, boat charter, and even by ferry through the island of Bimini which is the closest point in The Bahamas to the U.S. In this post, we’ll share details on how to get there in the fastest or most leisurely way possible. However you decide to go, you’ll need a passport to enter The Bahamas. If you don’t already have one, try to sort this out well ahead of your trip!

A Dream Getaway Just an Hour Away

The best part of any vacation is getting there. You hardly need to be a seasoned traveler to share these sentiments, but it's true; the sooner you can get to your vacation destination, the sooner the fun and relaxation can begin.

Traveling to Nassau from Miami proves this point flawlessly. New Providence Island in The Bahamas is just 180 miles off the southern coast of Florida. Travelers can get there easily with many direct flights available. In fact, if you plan on going to The Bahamas from Miami, you’ll be able to get there in as little as one hour. This means that a couple hours after take-off, you can find yourself sprawled out on a gorgeous white sand beach!

The list of airlines that fly the super convenient route from Miami to Nassau include Bahamasair, American Airlines, Delta, and JetBlue Airways. There are also numerous cruises with stops at the always bustling Bahamian cruise ports. When it comes to getting to this destination, choose the option that feels most comfortable for you.

Get There by Plane: Flights from Miami to Nassau

Commercial flights

As it takes just about an hour to get to The Bahamas from Miami by commercial flight, this makes Nassau the ideal destination for both short and longer stays. The short distance between these two cities means they’re close enough to allow for last-minute bookings, and near enough to home for quick returns if needed.

Price wise, you can expect to spend between $200 - $300 on airfare for non-stop round-trip flight tickets from Miami to Nassau. Prices vary depending on when you book; you can choose to fly during the low, shoulder, or peak seasons, all of which have their own benefits. Prices differ by airline, so comparing options can be worthwhile.


Good to know: From Miami International Airport, you will depart from terminal H, G, or S to get to The Bahamas depending on which airline you choose.

Private jet

Want to get to The Bahamas in style? Zip on over via private jet for a truly luxurious experience. Going via private jet is the perfect way to avoid long airport wait times, and even if you don’t own a jet, you can charter one. This option can be worth considering if you’ll be traveling to The Bahamas to celebrate a special occasion.

With a party of 5, you can expect to spend $4,500 and upwards to charter a private jet. The price varies depending on the number of people you want to bring along and the type of aircraft. With a private jet, you’ll be able to get to The Bahamas in about one hour, much like on a commercial flight, just with added perks and less waiting.

Get there by boat: from Miami To Nassau

Ferry

There aren’t any ferries that will take you directly from Miami to Nassau, but you can still skip international flights by ferrying via Bimini—the closest Bahamian island to Miami (just 53 miles offshore). From Miami, it’s a 2-hour ferry ride to Bimini, with tickets around USD$100 per person.

From Bimini, you’ll be able to make your way to Nassau via plane. The flight takes about 45 minutes (non-stop) from Bimini to Nassau.

Sailboat or yacht

Want to sail smoothly from Miami and right into your glamorous Bahamas vacation? That’s totally a possibility if you own a personal sailboat or yacht or at least have access to one.

This trip is usually quick and easy, and especially scenic as you near the island chain of The Bahamas. One way, it takes about 8 - 10 hours to get to The Bahamas by yacht, while on a sailboat this journey can take up to 3 days. Deciding the best option depends on how much time you have at your disposal, what kind of trip you’re looking to have, and the cost.

If you don’t own a yacht, you can charter one for the trip for around $5,000 for the day. The cost will depend on the type of boat you will be travelling on and the included amenities. The best part about going to The Bahamas by boat from Miami is that it is easier to cross the gulf stream from this point, which makes for a smoother voyage. Sailors and yachters know this well, so depending on when you go, you’ll likely find many other people taking the trip as well.

Insider tip: When you get to Nassau you can dock your boat (40’ to 500’) in the Bay Street Marina for about $4/ft.

Cruise ship

A Caribbean cruise is worth experiencing at least once. Cruising to The Bahamas, even more so as this is quite the popular destination for the cruise crowd. Cruise travelers love how easy it is to book a cruise from Miami to Nassau, and how simple it often is to schedule tours while in The Bahamas to amazing beaches, and even to some of the ‘Out Islands’ of The Bahamas like Eleuthera, Cat Island, Andros, and others.

Near the cruise ports in The Bahamas, you can easily find places to eat, shop, and have some fun before the ship sets off to another location. There are a number of cruises that leave from Miami and make stops in Nassau, so it won’t be difficult to find the right one for you.

If you take a cruise to Nassau, you’ll have options like 3 to 6-night trips for about $115 per person/ per night from various cruise lines, as a starting point.

Nassau is usually a one-day stop for cruises and some of the other stops in The Bahamas can include Freeport, Coco Cay, Half Moon Cay, and Grand Turk. Stops on your cruise depend on the length of the cruise and the trip you select, so definitely look into the finer details before booking.

When in Nassau…

What to do when on a shorter trip to Nassau

Staying in Nassau for a day trip or the (long) weekend? Make sure to spend as much time as possible on one of its blissful beaches and book a snorkeling-inclusive boat tour!

Picture: The private offshore island at Sandals Royal Bahamian.

Junkanoo Beach is always buzzing with energy and steps from the cruise port. For quieter vibes, Love Beach (a local favorite in western New Providence) offers serene shores. While there, grab a drink at Nirvana Beach Bar. Further west, Jaws Beach—known for its tranquility and proximity to the world’s largest underwater statue—is another crowd-free gem.

Cable Beach and Cabbage Beach on Paradise Island are popular in their own rights—these are some of the larger beaches near Nassau. And, this is where you’ll find some of the most popular all-inclusive resorts in The Bahamas.

Also read: The 12 best beaches in Nassau.

Hidden Hot Spots for a Short Visit to Nassau

Got limited time? Plan ahead to work some of Nassau’s top attractions and restaurants into your island vacation itinerary. The best part? You can set your tours up right from your resort! Here are some of our favorite spots:

Lunch & Shopping Near the Port

For casual dining, Señor Frogs and Pirate Republic Brewery are top picks near the cruise port—ideal for grabbing a bite or souvenir shopping.

Family-Friendly Highlights

For a city exploration that’s family friendly, head to the Pirate Museum for swashbuckling history, or splash into fun with a day pass at one of Nassau’s water parks.

Daytime Exploration

Planning a short trip to Nassau? Maximize your time with a Jeep sightseeing tour or culinary walking tour to hit Nassau’s top spots. If you'll be on the island for at least 48 hours, you might even have some time to fit in a boat cruise!

Nightlife & Live Music

When it comes to Caribbean islands, The Bahamas are among the best there are in terms of nightlife. Resorts like Sandals Royal Bahamian offer everything from live shows to beach parties and more. For some off-property fun, you can head to Aura, Bond, or Skybar in Nassau, or catch live tunes and craft beers at Philosophy Smokehouse on Thursday nights.

What to Do When on a Longer Trip to Nassau

If you’re staying a bit longer, you’ll have the time to really enjoy all Nassau has to offer without having to rush from one attraction to another. We recommend fitting in more beach time (of course!), and visits to attractions like Fort Charlotte, John Watling’s Rum Distillery, the Rum Cake Factory and Graycliff Chocolatier, and others.

Picture: Why not go see the swimming pigs up close while in The Bahamas? The pigs of Big Major Cay can be seen frolicking in the water or snorting away happily on the sand, basking in the attention of the visitors nearby.

Island Hopping

It almost goes without saying that you absolutely should make some time for island exploration while in The Bahamas. This territory is made up of over 700 islands and cays. The more time you spend on the turquoise waters of The Bahamas, the better your experience: book day trips to Rose Island, Blue Lagoon Island and go see the swimming pigs of Exuma. Make sure to apply enough sunblock!

As for scuba diving on your vacation, there's hardly a better destination for this than Nassau. Sandals Royal Bahamian offers free scuba diving trips (max. two tanks a day) for all PADI® certified guests. This includes equipment and professional dive staff. Not certified yet? Get certified for an additional cost at your resort and dive the rest of your vacation for free.

Expert Tip: Looking for lunch spots worth visiting beyond the city center? Try Wild Thyme (intimate garden setting in downtown Nassau), Latitudes (waterfront views near Atlantis/Paradise Island), or Pink Octopus (eastern Nassau beach club with ocean vistas).

Where to Stay in Nassau

Convenience matters when selecting island accommodation, and the key to making the right choice can be as simple as picking somewhere near the beach. There’s no Uber in Nassau and getting a cab can be quite expensive and difficult, unless you order one from the convenience of your hotel or resort. When in The Bahamas, ideally, you’ll want to able to walk from your room to the beach. This is entirely possible at all-inclusive resorts like Sandals Royal Bahamian.

Picture: Experience a new level of island indulgence at Nassau’s most elegant all-inclusive resort: Sandals Royal Bahamian.

Best Restaurants in Nassau for Dinner

Picture: The French La Plume restaurant is one of the restaurants at Sandals Royal Bahamian that serves breakfast and dinner.

You might’ve noticed we highlighted lunch spots earlier, but dinner in Nassau shines brightest at resort-based restaurants —a perk of staying at beachfront resorts with curated dining scenes.

The Bahamas ranks among the pricier destinations globally. We covered this is our post answering the question Is the Bahamas Expensive Compared to the USA. In this destination, you can expect $10 beers and $18 cocktails at non-all-inclusive resorts. Many visitors opt for all-inclusive stays to balance costs while enjoying sunset dinners and oceanfront menus.

Insider tip: What does all-inclusive mean? If you’re planning to stay at an all-inclusive resort in The Bahamas you can expect food and drinks to be included around the clock. Sandals Royal Bahamian offers 11 high-quality restaurants, three swim-up bars, free unlimited watersports, and access to a private offshore island. Food and drinks are always included.

From Miami to Nassau – a Short Trip to a Perfect Island Getaway

Nassau’s tropical charm is just a hop from Miami, with 6 easy ways to arrive: by plane, private charter, cruise, jet, ferry, or sailing adventure. Commercial flights remain the fastest and most budget-friendly option, but you can also choose to customize your journey in whatever way works for you.

Pair your arrival with an all-inclusive resort like Sandals Royal Bahamian for a vacation that’s hassle-free and memorable. With 11 restaurants, 8 bars including swim-up bars, entertainment, land and water sports and more included, it’s the vacation that you absolutely need. Take a look at these vacation packages in The Bahamas to start planning your island escape!

Picture: Settle into your scenic swim-up suite at the all-inclusive Sandals Royal Bahamian.