Myself and my 3 friends decided a day trip to the Bahamas would be a great way to spend the day while in Miami.
However in hindsight we probably could have spent the day doing something else.
-We were up at 4.40am (for a 5am collection which didn't happen until 5.35am) for an 8am boat departure. Between the 40min bus journey to Fort Lauderdale port, the lack of understanding on the instructions, the long boat ride, the waiting, the bus ride to the beach, our feet didnt actually hit the sand until 12.50am!
-We were being collected at the beach again at 4.30pm.
-We were brought to a market for 45minutes. Left again at 5.30pm.
-Boat back was at 7pm. Got back to our hotel at about midnight.
-Long day!
Extra info:
-On the boat collect your tickets for bus transportation to the beach when they announce it/tour desk opens. We didn't know we had to do this but just incase we went up to double check, and thankfully we did! No body told us. Bring your tour confirmation so she can see it and give you the bus passes.
-You have to pay extra for the beds and umbrellas when you get to the beach. I thought it would have been included. We got charged $17 for two beds and an umbrella however we saw a sign after and it should of been $15!
-Not much food options at the beach. Two little huts selling the same items. Chips/chicken strippers/burgers/counch.
Expect basic.
-Parasailing $90 pp for 15min. Two friends did it. They enjoyed it. Us other two were allowed go out with them to the platform in middle of water and wait and watch them take off and land (so don't pay for the spectator fee!)
-Beach itself is nice. Sand and water lovely.
-There is a bar. I got a water and a can of coke for $4.60. She never came back with my change. Not that I wanted it but she shouldn't have assumed.
-Day trip passengers are first off the boat in Freeport and back in Fort Lauderdale.
-You don't get a Bahamas passport stamp when you are a day trip visitor. In the customs area where they check through your bag on arrival I saw the lady checking my bag had a stamper on her table. I asked her very nicely and she gave me a stamp no problem.
*Overall you spend most of this day travelling and waiting*