Crossing From Florida To The Bahamas On Small Boat

Used to be that only big boats 30ft or longer with a minimum of tween engines would dare to cross the gulf stream. Nowadays, with the advantage of technology and taking some very good precautions, boats on the smaller side like 21 footers and even PWC are making the crossing successfully with no incidents. Now crossing the gulf stream can be really dangerous and should not be taken lightly. There is a minimum skill level that you must have. And there is always a certain risk level that you must be comfortable with and willing to take. 

My wife and I are not expert captains that had seen it all had done it all and know it all. What we are is a couple of boat enthusiasts that like to boat a lot. We like to explore and enjoy the amazing scenery that you can only find on the water.

Before doing anything new, we like to research it a lot and learn everything we can. So we can prepare ourselves and enjoy these adventures without putting our family on any unnecessary risk.

We love the Bahamas and everything it has to offer. From its unbelievable beautiful turquoise waters that we haven’t been able to find in any other part of the world, to delicious and fresh Caribbean seafood, to a group of super welcoming and friendly local people.

This is why we have done the Bahamas crossing multiple times. The Bahamas are one of my family’s favorite vacation destinations, every time we go, we have an awesome time. Every time we go, we start planning the next Bahamas trip while there.

We are going to talk about everything you need to know so that you can also make the crossing safely. Also, discover and enjoy all of the amazing things that the Bahamas has to offer.

• Preparation Before The Trip

For us, the preparation for the Bahamas trip begins 6 months to a year before the crossing. There is a lot of planning involved when you are going to the Bahamas by boat, and even more, planning is needed if you are going on a small boat or PWC.

Choosing your crew is a very important part of the planning. If the weather conditions are good and your final destination is Bimini or West End, you’ll be there in about 2 to 3 hours if able to keep a speed of about 25 to 30 MPH.

But if you plan to go further out to Abaco or Exhuma, then you need to be prepared to spend several hours on the boat. Our last trip to Abaco took about 10 hours total from West Palm Beach to Treasure Cay.

If the weather conditions deteriorate and the water gets rough halfway there, you and your crew need to be prepared to pound some waves for maybe hours before you get to paradise. If anybody on your crew has medical conditions like back problems or some others, it might be a good idea to fly them over.

It is a good idea to go with a group of body boats. This adds a level of security in case something happens and you need help. When choosing your body boats keep everything talked about in the paragraphs above in mind. The last thing you want is another boat slowing you or the group down. The ideal would be for every boat on your group to go about the same paste and not have to stop and wait for someone.

You want to make sure that your boat is in optimal condition with no mechanical or other issues. A reliable boat is extremely important.

Leave yourself a buffer zone, it is very hard when you plan this trip 6 months to a year in advance to know what the weather is going to look like on a specific day. We plan a couple of days before and after. That way if we need to head to the Bahamas a day before scheduled to avoid weather, we can. The same thing when is time to return home, if for any reason we need to delay or advance our return, we can do so.

I can’t stress enough the importance of monitoring and understanding weather conditions. If you are going to attempt to cross the gulf stream in a small boat having good weather conditions is vital. Know your boat and its limitations. If the weather is not looking good enough, don’t be afraid to cancel or postpone the trip.

There are multiple locations to launch from in Florida. We look to have access to secured parking for trucks and trailers. We also look for a hotel with a marina. We like to put the boat on the water the day before. This way, we can have everything loaded and secured on the boat and be ready for an early departure in the morning. This will also give you a chance to test your boat and make sure everything is working properly before the crossing.

It is also important that you and your crew have a full night’s rest before you attempt to cross the gulf stream. Crossing the gulf stream is not a joke, and you need to be well-rested, alert, and sharp.

There are multiple boat ramps, marinas, hotels, and parking options to choose from when going to the Bahamas, after doing our research, this is the ones we choose and recommend. You don’t have to stay or park in these places, you can do your own research and pick different marina or hotel if you want to. These are just the ones we like and work for us.

If you are going to Bimini or Exuma, we like to leave out of Fort Lauderdale. We use “Harbor Towne Marina” they have multiple boat ramps and parking for your truck and trailer. This is the link to their website you can contact them to find out about the pricing. Last year was $10.00 per day

For lodging, we like to stay in “Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort”. This hotel has transient slips to leave your boat ready to go in the morning. It is in a great location, very convenient for an early departure. It also has a nice pool, plenty of restaurants around and all the amenities. This is the link to their website, you can contact them to find out the room rate and the marina price.

Finding a place to stay in the Bahamas is easy. There are hundreds of listings on AIRBNB and or VRBO. We have used them both with great results. Look for a place that has a dock; this will save you time and effort in the mornings, and at the end of the day. Having a pool to cool off and relax at the end of the day is not a bad idea either.

There are a lot of options to choose from. When choosing your accommodation, it is recommended to stay on an island that has fuel or is near to a fuel station. You don’t want to have to go out of your way 20 miles in the morning or afternoon to get fuel. This can add up unnecessary time to your daily routine and cut into your fun time.

Check with your insurance provider, make sure you are covered and if not, do the necessary changes to your policy. Sometimes it is a simple as notify them of when you are planning to be in the Bahamas, and they do the rest. It is important to check your coverage, towing a boat across the stream from the Bahamas is very expensive. It is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

Here is a list of the things that we do to prepare to cross the gulf stream. You can also check out this list of “must-have” boat essentials.

• Customs And Immigration

Once you make it to the Bahamas, you need to clear customs at the nearest destination port. Fly a yellow quarantine flag and notify Customs of your arrival. Only the captain of the boat is allowed to leave the boat until your boat has been clear. At this point, you can remove the yellow quarantine flag and fly an optional Bahama courtesy flag.

 Here is a list of the documents you are going to need to enter the Bahamas

• One copy per boat of the Bahamas customs clearance form.
• One copy per person of the Bahamas immigration card.
• Proof of citizenship or passport.
• Vessel registration documents and proof of ownership.

Boaters are required to pay an entry fee of $150.00 for boats up to 35’ and $300 for boats over 35’ this covers up to 3 persons. There is an extra $20.00 fee for any additional persons. This fee is good for a second re-entry within 90 days.

Firearms are allowed on board and need to be declared in customs. You must provide the manufacturer’s name, ammunition amount, and serial number. Firearms must be kept under lock and key at all times. For more information entering the Bahamas check their website.

Returning to the USA is easier, in my opinion. All you need to do is download an app called CBP ROAM. After creating an account with them, you’ll have to enter your entire crew’s passport information and vessel information. Once you get back to the USA, open the app report arrival, then the app is going to ask you entry details and a few declaration questions. Then they are to video call you and ask you and your crew a few more questions and you are done. For more information on entering the USA check their website.

• Communication

It is very important that you have a means of communication in case you need to call for help. You definitely can’t count on your cell phone to stay connected, it will lose communication anywhere from 5 to 15 miles offshore depending on your carrier

• VHF Marine Radio

We have installed a fixed VHF marine radio with a powerful 8 Ft. antenna. This radio is also equipped with an internal GPS and DSC panic button (digital selective calling). If you press the panic button, this will send a signal directly to the coast guard, with your and your boat information along with your current GPS coordinates. This will help you get help faster if you need it. You’ll need to register it with a Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number.

We also carry a couple of extra handheld VHF marine radios. These radios are good for backup and to stay communicated once in the Bahamas if your cell phone doesn’t work. The use of VHF radios on land is illegal in the USA, but it is ok to use them onshore in the Bahamas.

• GPS Tracker

We personally have a “Garmin in-reach” because it is a very powerful, capable, and portable device. It is waterproof and very light and durable with a very long battery 100 hours with 10 min tracking intervals. The features that we love are the ability to communicate back and forth with friends and family and the ability to initiate SOS. These devices are so advanced and so capable you can even stay connected with social media. We believe that if you are making the crossing to the Bahamas, adding one of these devices is a must. Do your research and see which one works best for you and your budget.

• EPIRB

Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is a device detected by satellites after being triggered by an accident. These devices are monitored by an international consortium of rescue services (COSPAS_SARSAT). The only purpose of this device is to make it easier and faster for rescuers to find you in the event of an accident. Therefore improve your chances of being rescued.

• Safety Gear

Remember, there are no shortcuts when it comes to safety. Here is a list of the safety gear that my family and I have to have on our boat before we attempt a Bahamas crossing.

• • • Life jackets
    • Throwable flotation device
    • Fire extinguisher
    • Flares
    • Spotlight
    • First aid kit
    • Air horn

• Boat Maintenance

Test bilge pump makes sure it works properly (we installed a second bilge pump for added peace of mind). Take your boat to your dealer and have it serviced. Or if like me you do the service yourself, make sure you inspect all of the components of the engine, and they are in optimal condition. Check and if needed, replace or top engine fluids, motor oil, gear lube, power steering fluid. Use only the manufacturer recommended fluids on your boat. Check navigation lights, docking lights, courtesy light, and horn. Verify anchor, rope, and chain are in good working condition (I recommend bringing two anchors). Test batteries and inspect the wiring and if equipped with a battery switch, make sure it works properly. Make sure all of your navigation instruments are working accordingly. It is a good idea to check screws, bolts, and nuts as they tend to loosen up over time with a vibration.

• Optional Upgrades And Gear

This is not required but might make your trip more enjoyable and fun. Trim tabs are definitely a good investment, they will make for a smoother ride by pushing the bow down allowing the boat to cut through the waves instead of jumping them, they can also help level your boat in case that you boat weight is not balanced.

A propane grill is also a very good addition. You can cook your freshly caught fish or bring hot dogs, burgers, kabobs, etc. and enjoy a meal on the water. This can also save you time, money, and allow you to spend more time on the water.

We plan on adding a drawer refrigerator to our boat next. This will also save us time and money by not having to buy ice every morning. Instead, we’ll just put our drinks and food in the fridge, and it will keep them nice and cold.

You can also check our complete list of optional boat upgrades here.

• Navigation

Navigating on Bahamas beautiful water is without a doubt a fantastic experience, but it can also be tricky and dangerous. This is why you need on your boat a good Chartplotter and some sort of backup in case your Chartplotter fails or gets damaged.

For backup, we recommend downloading the Navionics app on your smartphone or tablet. This app is very powerful and has a lot of good features. It also allows you to plan routes in your home and then transfer them to your Chartplotter.

These beautiful Bahamas waters are full reefs and very shallow areas that you need to be aware of beforehand so you can plan accordingly.

It is important to plan routes, fuel stations, waypoints and places that you want to visit in advance. Once you are in the Bahamas is not the time to try and figure out the best route or where to get fuel or supplies.

• Clothing

When packing for the Bahamas, keep in mind that you will spend most of your time on the water. You probably don’t need to bring anything fancy, mostly bathing suits and comfortable clothes. You are going to spend a lot of time under the sun, make sure to bring something that can protect against the sun. Bring plenty of sunscreen for the family.

Try to pack light, you don’t want to add any unnecessary weight to your boat. An overloaded boat can be very dangerous, it can also affect your fuel economy.

Your lodging probably is equipped with a dryer and washer, utilize them and pack light.

• Food

You might choose to bring with you or buy groceries and supplies in the Bahamas. Depending on your final destination, whether it is West End, Bimini, Exuma, or another island.

For example, you can get all the groceries you want and more if you go to Abaco. They have big supermarkets there that carry everything you can possibly need. The prices are a bit more compared to the USA but nothing crazy.

But if your final destination is Bimini you are going to need to bring most of what you need with you. Everything in Bimini comes by boat. Therefore, they don’t have a big selection of supplies, and the ones they have are very expensive compared to USA prices.

I also recommend you to go out and try some of the local restaurants. The Bahamas is also famous for its Bahamian bread, and they make some of the best conch salad out there.

• Fun Stuff

Evidently, you wouldn’t go through all of the planning and research if there was nothing fun or cool to do with your family while there.  Like I mentioned before, it is recommended that you figure out what you and your family or friends want to do while in the Bahamas.

Do your homework and find the coordinates and take a little time to enter them on your Chartplotter. Remember the internet connections are not that reliable in the islands or offshore. By having all the coordinates of the places, you want to explore pre-loaded you’ll save a lot of time and possibly a headache.

• Snorkeling

This one is my kid’s favorite. The Bahamas has some of the world’s most beautiful waters. Obviously, snorkeling is terrific there. You can find alluring coral reefs and a wide range of marine life. You can go snorkel around the ship and or airplane wrecks, there is a lot of history and indescribable beauty underwater.

• Fishing

You’ll get a fishing permit issued to your boat when you clear customs.

• Explore islands

There is a lot to explore and see in the Bahamas. There is something for everyone. You can go explore historical towns, go hiking, lighthouses, try restaurants and new food, swim with pigs, swim with sharks and stingrays and many many more. It all depends on what you and your crew want to do. What we do research about the area we are going to visit and then we do a spreadsheet with the places everyone wants to visit. Make this process fun by involving everyone in your group.

• Mosquitos and Flies

There are a lot of mosquitos in some parts of the islands, especially at night time. Bring some sort of mosquito repellent with you.

Flyes are also a big problem in some parts of the islands. They come out of nowhere the second they detect food. To keep them away, we learned that local restaurants bring a chafing fuel and place in the middle of the table. This seems to keep them away, now we bring chafing fuel to use while eating on the boat, by the pool or any other place.

In conclusion, taking your small boat or PWC across the gulf stream to the Bahamas is very possible, in fact, more and more people are doing it every year. If you are comfortable enough with your boating skills, there is no reason not to go. Just make sure to prepare yourself and your boat properly, monitor the weather, and don’t be afraid to cancel or postpone the trip if you have to.