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Can you take a ferry to Long Island Bahamas?

Other water services, mainly through Bahamas Ferries, offer a wide variety of inter-island services from Grand Bahama Island, the Abacos, Andros, the Exumas and Long Island.



Yes, you can take a ferry to Long Island in the Bahamas, primarily through Bahamas Ferries, which operates out of the Potter's Cay Dock in Nassau. In 2026, the service typically runs to the settlements of Clarence Town or Simms. This is not a "quick hop" like the ferry to Paradise Island; it is a long-distance, inter-island journey that can take anywhere from 12 to 18 hours depending on the vessel and the number of stops at other islands like Exuma along the way. The ferry is a vital lifeline for locals and is often used for transporting vehicles and heavy freight, though it does offer air-conditioned passenger seating and a small snack bar. Because the schedule can be irregular and highly dependent on weather conditions and freight requirements, most tourists prefer the 45-minute flight from Nassau via Southern Air or Bahamasair. However, for those seeking a rugged, authentic maritime experience or needing to transport a car, the ferry remains the only sea-based public transport option to this stunning, 80-mile-long island.

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Whether you're island hopping or simply want a relaxing day away, Bahamas Ferries will take you wherever you need to go. You can travel from Nassau on a fully air-conditioned vessel to islands such as The Abacos, North Eleuthera, Harbour Island and more on a weekly (or more frequent) basis.

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Andros is one of those islands that'll make it easy to disconnect from the seemingly pressing issues of life. This is the largest island of The Bahamas, and it is possible to get there by plane or boat from Nassau. It'll take 2.5 hours to get to Andros by boat from Nassau, but only about 15 minutes by plane.

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Bahamas Ferries operate the inter-island ferry crossings in the Bahamas connecting the major Islands of Abaco, Andros, Eleuthera, Exuma, Long Island and Grand Bahama from their hub at Nassau, New Providence.

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Yes! I think it's worth getting off the ship even if you prefer to skip the excursions (aka port adventures). Exploring on your own is a great way to spend the morning. But also take advantage of lower crowds onboard the ship.

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Getting To New Providence and Paradise Islands (Nassau) Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) is the main gateway of the Bahamas for most international flights into the region. The main airport is located 10 miles from downtown Nassau and close to all the main attractions on New Providence and Paradise Island.

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Which airlines fly direct from Nassau International to Long Island? Bahamasair, Southern Air Charter and Pineapple Air fly direct from Nassau International to Long Island.

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  • Avoid Nassau's “over the hill” (south of Shirley Street) and Fish Fry (Arawak Cay) areas, especially at night.
  • Stay alert to your surroundings at all times.
  • Don't walk alone, particularly after dark.
  • Don't carry large sums of cash or wear expensive jewellery.


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The downtown area is safe to walk around during the day. If shopping is your thing, head right when you leave the port and walk along the water, about 7-8 minutes until you come to the Straw Market. Typical Bahamian trinkets/souvenirs.

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The resort areas of Nassau are safe, but some of the other areas of town are a bit sketchy and good to avoid. If you are doing the Atlantis you should not worry about the safety. If you and your daughter stay together, you should have no problem at Atlantis, or even downtown Nassau.

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In Nassau and Freeport, you can easily rely on public transportation or taxis. In some of the Out Islands, there are a few car-rental companies, but most rental cars are unusually expensive and in poor condition (the roads are often in the same bad state as the rental cars).

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The western islands of the Bahamas are only 50 miles from Florida's east coast. With a bit of prep and planning, you can get there even in a modest-sized boat. Used to be, when cruising the Bahamas, you would mostly see cruising sailboats, trawlers, and large yachts.

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Mayaguana is one of the least visited islands in the Bahamas! It has around 200 full time residents, and any tourists that come have to fly themselves or charted a flight. The beaches are beautiful, untouched and pristine.

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With three days in Nassau, you'll have plenty of time to hit all the highlights, from colonial sites to beautiful Caribbean beaches, and still have time left over for a couple of island day trips.

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Buses, known locally as “jitneys”, run in downtown Nassau and Cable Beach several times a day. The cost for a one-way ride is approximately $1.50 per person, and exact change is required.

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