Island Hopping Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Island hopping is easily done by air or by sea. 

Read on for our tips and don’t hesitate to reach out to your hotel! They are your local expert and your best guide, and always happy to give you the inside scoop on how to get here and how to hop around.

The wonderful thing about The Bahamas is that there are 16 major island destinations to explore. All 16 islands can be reached by air, connecting through Nassau. Pro Tip: Allow yourself two hours for connections in Nassau.

• The 16 islands are served by several domestic carriers. Keep in mind that these carriers are not always listed on sites like Kayak or Expedia, so you’ll need to book directly through their sites. To make it easy, we’ve listed their schedules and connections in our Getting Here page.
• The following islands are connected by air, without a Nassau connection*:
  Freeport — Bimini on FlamingoAir
  Inagua — Mayaguana on BahamasAir

Alternatively, charter services are also available between islands. This is a common method of island hopping for groups and families. If you're travelling in a smaller group, or even alone — good news! Many of these charter companies also make tickets available for single seats. You can find charter companies listed in our Getting Here page.

• If you want to visit multiple islands by sea, there is national ferry service available through Bahamas Ferries. You may find that you need to connect through Nassau.
• Bahamas Ferries provides services between the following islands:
• Nassau to: The Abacos, Andros, Cat Island, The Exumas, Eleuthera & Harbour Island, Freeport
• Freeport to: The Abacos

If you have a private boat, you’re free to create your own island hopping route and itinerary! With countless marinas throughout the islands, the options are limitless. A few tips:

• If you’re entering the country by boat, your first stop in The Bahamas must be an official Port of Entry. Find a list here. 
• Once you have cleared Customs & Immigration, you’re free to explore at your own pace. Check out our marinas here.

If you want to island hop within a specific region or island chain—for example island hopping within The Exumas or within The Abacos—your best option will be the local ferry companies or chartering a private boat.

In the islands, renting a boat is often more common than renting a car! If you want total freedom to explore as you please, this is the way to go.

Local ferries serve as water taxis, taking locals and travelers from one cay to the next. Connect with your hotel or a local, and they’ll point you in the right direction.

If you need a little help getting started, check out some of our suggested island hopping itineraries. 

View Itineraries