You're standing on the beach in Miami, staring east. The water is a brilliant, neon turquoise that turns to deep indigo as the shelf drops off. It looks close. On a clear night, people swear they can see the glow of lights from Bimini, just over the horizon. But if you're looking at a map of Florida to the Bahamas, you’re seeing a flat representation of one of the most complex stretches of water in the world.
It’s a trick of the eye.
The distance from Miami to Bimini is roughly 50 nautical miles. In a fast center console, you're there in two hours. In a slow trawler? You’re looking at a seven-hour slog. But the map doesn't show you the Gulf Stream. It doesn't show the "square waves" that happen when a north wind hits that north-flowing current. Honestly, the map is just the starting point. Most people look at the straight line between Lake Worth Inlet and West End, Grand Bahama, and think it’s a simple point-A-to-point-B situation. It isn't.
Understanding the Gulf Stream Gap
When you pull up a map of Florida to the Bahamas, the first thing you notice is the proximity. The archipelago starts surprisingly close to the Gold Coast.
Bimini is the closest point, sitting directly east of Miami. Further north, you have the Grand Bahama Bank, which is the gateway for everyone leaving from West Palm Beach or Stuart. But there’s a giant, invisible river running right through the middle of your paper map. That’s the Gulf Stream. It flows north at about 2 to 4 knots.
Think about that for a second.
If your boat does 10 knots and you aim your bow straight at Bimini, by the time you’ve traveled those 50 miles, the current has pushed you 15 miles north of your target. You’ll be looking at empty ocean where a tropical paradise should be. Navigating this requires "crabbing"—pointing your boat southeast to actually travel due east. It’s a bit like trying to walk straight across a moving walkway at the airport. You have to compensate for the drift, or you're going to have a very long, very frustrating day.
The Best Departure Points on the Florida Coast
Where you leave from depends entirely on where you want to end up. You wouldn't leave from Jacksonville to go to the Exumas unless you just really love spending days at sea. Most private boaters stick to a few key "exit doors" on the Florida side.
Miami and Fort Lauderdale are the undisputed kings for those heading to Bimini or the Berry Islands. If you're leaving from Government Cut or Port Everglades, you're on the shortest path to the "Gateway to the Bahamas."
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West Palm Beach (Lake Worth Inlet) is the classic jumping-off point for West End on Grand Bahama. It’s about 55 nautical miles. This is the preferred route for people heading toward the Abacos. You cross the stream, clear customs at Old Bahama Bay, and then you’re on the "bank."
Stuart and Fort Pierce are further north. These are popular for bigger boats or those who don't mind a slightly longer crossing to get a better angle on the Abacos. However, the further north you go, the more the Gulf Stream can mess with your timeline if the weather turns.
The Florida Keys offer a different vibe. Leaving from Key Largo or Marathon allows you to cross over toward the Cay Sal Bank or even head toward the western edge of the Great Bahama Bank. It’s a lonelier route. Fewer boats. More raw ocean.
Reading the Map: The "Bank" vs. The "Tongue"
Looking at a bathymetric map of Florida to the Bahamas reveals a wild underwater landscape. The Bahamas isn't just a bunch of islands; it’s two massive limestone platforms: the Little Bahama Bank and the Great Bahama Bank.
The water depth on these banks is shockingly shallow. We’re talking 10 to 20 feet for miles and miles. It’s like a giant swimming pool in the middle of the ocean.
But then, you hit the "Tongue of the Ocean" or the "Exuma Sound."
Suddenly, the map goes from light blue to a bruised, dark purple. The depth drops from 15 feet to 6,000 feet in the blink of an eye. This vertical wall is what creates the incredible fishing and the dramatic color changes. If you’re navigating, you have to be obsessive about these depth changes. On the bank, you’re worried about "heads"—large coral outcroppings that can rip the bottom out of a boat. In the deep water, you’re worried about swell and wind.
Weather: The Map’s Greatest Enemy
A map is static. The ocean is anything but.
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The absolute golden rule of crossing from Florida to the Bahamas is: Never cross on a North Wind. Because the Gulf Stream flows north, a wind coming from the north creates a "wind-against-current" situation. This stacks the waves up. A manageable 3-foot swell can turn into a terrifying 6-foot "square wave" with almost no period between them. It’s a washing machine. It breaks boats. It breaks spirits.
Experienced captains wait for a "weather window." This usually means a light wind from the south, east, or west. Ideally, you want "greasy" conditions—water so calm it looks like a mirror. You might wait in a marina in West Palm for five days just for that one perfect eight-hour window. If you try to force it because your hotel reservation starts on Monday, the ocean will eventually teach you a very expensive lesson.
Clearing Customs and Immigration
You can't just pull up to a beach and start blending margaritas. The Bahamas is a sovereign nation.
When you look at your map of Florida to the Bahamas, you need to circle your "Port of Entry." These are specific spots where you are legally allowed to clear customs.
- Bimini (Big Game Club or Blue Water)
- West End (Old Bahama Bay)
- Freeport (Lucayan Harbour)
- Nassau (Various marinas)
- Chub Cay
You must fly the yellow "Quarantine" flag (the Q flag) the moment you enter Bahamian waters. Only the captain is allowed to leave the boat until the paperwork is finished and the cruising permit is paid for. It’s around $150 to $300 depending on the size of your boat.
Also, don't forget the return. You have to use the CBP Roam app or check in at a designated port when you hit Florida soil again. Homeland Security doesn't have much of a sense of humor about "forgetting" to report your return from international waters.
Misconceptions About the "Easy" Crossing
People see the map of Florida to the Bahamas and assume it’s a weekend jaunt.
"Oh, it's only 50 miles! My jet ski can do that!"
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Yes, people have done it on jet skis. People have even paddled it. But those people are usually pros with support boats. For the average person, the "simplicity" of the map is a trap. The biggest misconception is that the weather in Florida is the same as the weather in the middle of the Straits of Florida. It’s not. You can have a beautiful, sunny day in Miami while 20 miles offshore, a squall is producing 40-knot gusts.
Another one? Thinking your cell phone will work the whole way.
You’ll lose signal about 10 to 15 miles out. After that, you’re in a dead zone until you get close to the Bahamian towers. If you don't have a VHF radio or a satellite communicator like a Garmin inReach or a Starlink setup, you are effectively invisible to the world.
Essential Gear for the Route
If you’re actually planning this trip, your "map" needs to be digital and updated. Relying on an old paper chart from 1994 is a great way to end up on a reef.
- Garmin/Navionics: The gold standard for digital charts in this region.
- EPIRB or PLB: If the boat sinks, this tells the Coast Guard where you are. Essential.
- Starlink Maritime: Honestly, this has changed the game. Having high-speed internet in the middle of the Gulf Stream makes monitoring weather radar possible in real-time.
- The Waterway Guide: This is the "bible" for Bahamas cruising. It has details on every inlet, every marina, and every weird local rule you wouldn't know otherwise.
The Reality of the Journey
The crossing is a rite of passage for Florida boaters. There is a specific feeling—a mix of anxiety and pure adrenaline—when the Florida coastline disappears behind you and there is nothing but blue in every direction.
Then, you see it.
A tiny sliver of green on the horizon. The water turns from that deep, scary indigo to a welcoming, glowing sapphire. You’ve crossed the stream. You’ve navigated the map.
It’s worth the wait. It’s worth the stress of watching the weather GRIB files for a week. The Bahamas is a place where time slows down, but to get there, you have to respect the space between the islands and the mainland.
Actionable Next Steps for a Successful Crossing
If you are looking at a map of Florida to the Bahamas and planning a trip, don't just wing it. Start with these concrete actions:
- Download the Windy App: Start tracking the "Straits of Florida" specifically. Look for days where the wind is under 10 knots and NOT from the north.
- Verify Your Documents: Ensure your passport has at least six months of validity. If you're bringing a pet, you need a specific Bahamian import permit that must be applied for weeks in advance.
- Run a "Shakedown" Cruise: Before heading 50 miles offshore, take your boat 20 miles out and back in various conditions. Make sure your fuel filters are clean; the Gulf Stream will stir up any gunk in the bottom of your tanks.
- Join a Flotilla: If it’s your first time, look for "Bahamas Boating Flings" organized by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. They lead groups of boats across together, providing safety in numbers and expert guidance.
- Install an AIS Transponder: This allows big cargo ships to see you on their radar. The shipping lanes between Florida and the Bahamas are some of the busiest in the world, and those tankers cannot stop for you.