Key takeaways
- Palm Beach International (PBI) has no scheduled nonstop to Nassau at the time of writing, so most travelers connect, drive south or choose a different route.
- The easiest options from Palm Beach are a by-the-seat flight from Stuart or a commercial flight from Fort Lauderdale or Miami.
- A shared charter starts from about $3,950 one way for a piston aircraft before taxes and fees, or roughly $990 per person for four travelers.
- Every traveler needs a valid passport. If you charter, check the operator's FAA Part 135 certificate before you pay.
A weekend in the Bahamas sounds simple. The islands are about 30 minutes away by air. Then the questions start. Which airport? Is there a direct flight? Is a private plane really out of reach?
This guide compares the five main ways to get from Palm Beach to the Bahamas for a short trip, with the trade-offs of each, what to carry, and how to book a charter safely. Prices and schedules are estimates from public sources, not quotes.
Is there a direct flight from Palm Beach to the Bahamas?
Not on a scheduled airline, at the time of writing. Palm Beach International Airport (code PBI) was officially renamed President Donald J. Trump International Airport in July 2026, but the code is still PBI. A route tracker lists the PBI to Nassau route as inactive. Silver Airways flew it until September 2024, and Bahamasair's last nonstop was in 2019.
Airlines change routes often, so check the carriers directly. Until then, plan to connect, drive south or use one of the options below. That gap is why Palm Beach residents often look at small planes, boats and charters.
What are the ways to get from Palm Beach to the Bahamas?
| Option | Departs from | Time | Cost signal | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial flight | Fort Lauderdale or Miami | About 1 hour in the air, plus the drive | Cheapest | Long weekends and budget trips |
| Ferry | Fort Lauderdale to Freeport | About 2.5 hours for 76 miles | Fares from about $174 (booking site) | Arriving by sea, lots of luggage |
| Short cruise | Port of Palm Beach to Freeport | 3 nights round trip | Check the cruise line | First-timers on a budget |
| By-the-seat flight | Witham Field, Stuart, or Fort Lauderdale | Under an hour to reach Stuart | Fares not listed; above economy, far below a charter | Least hassle from Palm Beach |
| Charter | West Palm Beach private terminals | About 19 to 34 minutes | From $3,950 one way (piston) | Groups who want flexibility |
Should you fly commercially from Fort Lauderdale or Miami?
This is the default and the cheapest. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood and Miami International both fly to Nassau, with flights of about an hour. From Palm Beach that means a drive of roughly an hour to Fort Lauderdale, or longer to Miami, or a connecting itinerary.
The trade-off is time. Between the drive, security and boarding, a 45-minute flight can take most of a morning. That is fine for a long weekend, but it eats into a two-night trip.
Is there a ferry to the Bahamas from Florida?
Yes. Balearia Caribbean runs a fast ferry between Fort Lauderdale and Freeport on Grand Bahama. The crossing is listed at about two and a half hours for the 76-mile journey. Fares listed online start at about $174, but that comes from a booking site, not the operator.
Schedules can be limited, and sources disagree on how many sailings run each week. Check the operator's own timetable before you build a trip around it.
Can you take a short cruise from Palm Beach?
Yes. Margaritaville at Sea sails its ship Paradise from the Port of Palm Beach to Freeport. One sample sailing in December 2026 leaves Palm Beach at 4:00 PM on a Friday, calls at Freeport from 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM on Sunday, and returns at 7:00 AM on Monday. That is three nights with no airport.
You get one day on the island, so it is not the same as a resort stay. Prices were not listed for that sailing when we checked, so look at the cruise line's own site.
What is a by-the-seat flight to the Bahamas?
Tradewind Aviation sells individual seats on scheduled flights in Pilatus PC-12 turboprops, which carry up to eight passengers. This is the option we would look at first from Palm Beach.
Flights leave from Witham Field in Stuart, under an hour north of Palm Beach, and from a private terminal at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood. From Stuart, the operator lists:
- Nassau: two daily departures, Thursday to Monday
- Marsh Harbour in the Abacos: up to three daily, Thursday to Monday
- North Eleuthera: one daily, Thursday to Monday
Passengers use private terminals, so there are no big security lines. The company says tickets can be passed to family and friends, and you can cancel without a penalty if you do so more than 48 hours ahead. It also has interline arrangements with American, JetBlue, United and British Airways. Fares were not listed in the sources we read, so check flytradewind.com.
How much does it cost to charter a plane from West Palm Beach to the Bahamas?
A charter means you book the whole aircraft for your group, on your schedule. Published starting prices from one charter broker for flights between West Palm Beach and the Bahamas, one way and before taxes and fees, are:
- Piston aircraft: from $3,950
- Light jet: from $6,870
- Midsize jet: from $8,650
These are starting prices, not quotes. Add a 7.5 percent federal excise tax, fuel surcharges and international handling and landing fees. Even so, split a $3,950 piston charter among four people and the one-way cost is roughly $990 each, before extras. That is a number to weigh against a weekend of hotels and dinners, not a figure reserved for billionaires.
Broker estimates for flight times from Palm Beach: Grand Bahama about 19 minutes, Bimini about 20, Treasure Cay in the Abacos about 26, Nassau about 31 to 34, and Governor's Harbour in Eleuthera about 32.
Which option is best for you?
- Cheapest: a commercial flight from Fort Lauderdale or Miami, or the ferry.
- Least hassle from Palm Beach: a by-the-seat flight from Stuart.
- Most flexible: a shared charter, where you choose the time and the island.
- Easiest for first-timers on a budget: a short cruise.
The further you move from the cheapest option, the more you pay for time and ease, not for a different destination. A couple on a long weekend will probably be happiest with a commercial or by-the-seat flight. A group of four to six who want to leave Friday afternoon and be on the beach by dinner should get a charter quote and compare it with the total cost of the alternatives.
What do you need to travel to the Bahamas from Florida?
U.S. citizens need a valid passport, which proves citizenship and allows re-entry to the United States. A birth certificate or voter card is no longer accepted by itself.
The Bahamian government may also ask for proof of a return ticket and enough funds for your stay. You complete an immigration form on arrival and keep part of it until you leave. The Bahamas began piloting a digital arrival card in May 2026, but paper forms remained in place during the pilot, so be ready for both.
A departure tax of $29 per person applies when you leave. On scheduled flights and cruises it is often built into the fare. On a private flight, ask your operator how it is collected.
What extra rules apply if you fly privately?
- Your first landing in the Bahamas must be at an official airport of entry, such as Nassau or Freeport. Customs normally runs from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
- Flying back, the operator must file an electronic passenger manifest (eAPIS) and get landing permission from U.S. Customs and Border Protection before leaving the islands.
- At Nassau, the Odyssey Aviation terminal lists customs and immigration on site around the clock.
- At Palm Beach, three private terminals (Atlantic Aviation, Jet Aviation and Signature Flight Support) are listed as open 24 hours and handling international traffic. Confirm which one your operator uses.
- Noise rules at PBI run from 11 PM to 7 AM, so late departures and early arrivals need planning.
How do you book a private charter safely?
The aviation industry is safe, but not every charter is equal. Before you pay:
- Ask who the operator is. The company that flies you must hold an FAA Part 135 air carrier certificate. Ask for the number and check it.
- Ask who has operational control. Get the answer in writing. It should be the Part 135 certificate holder.
- Know whether you are dealing with a broker. Brokers arrange flights but do not fly them. U.S. rules require a broker to say in writing that it acts as an agent and to name the carrier.
- Look for independent audits. ARGUS, Wyvern and IS-BAO ratings sit above the FAA minimum. They are not required but are a useful signal.
- Ask for insurance documents. A reputable operator will provide a certificate of liability insurance on request.
These checks take about 20 minutes and are the best protection you have. Whatever you choose, build in a buffer on the way home: weather, customs timing and the 11 PM noise rule at Palm Beach can all squeeze a Sunday evening return.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct commercial flight from Palm Beach to Nassau? At the time of writing, a route tracker shows no scheduled nonstop. Check the airlines for current schedules.
What is the easiest way to get to the Bahamas from Palm Beach? A by-the-seat flight from Stuart avoids security lines and a long drive, while a commercial flight from Fort Lauderdale is the cheapest.
How long does a charter from Palm Beach take? Roughly 20 to 35 minutes to most popular islands, according to broker estimates.
How much does a private plane to the Bahamas cost? One broker lists starting prices from $3,950 one way for a piston aircraft, before taxes and fees. Real quotes vary by aircraft, day and demand.
Can I split the cost of a charter? Yes. Many people share a small aircraft with friends or family. Agree in advance who pays what, including taxes and fees.
Do I need a passport to go to the Bahamas? Yes, for re-entry to the United States. Bring one for every traveler.
Is there a ferry from Florida to the Bahamas? Yes, Balearia Caribbean runs one between Fort Lauderdale and Freeport, about two and a half hours. Check the operator's timetable.
How do I check a charter operator is legitimate? Ask for the FAA Part 135 certificate number, confirm who has operational control in writing, and ask for insurance documents.
Planning the rest of the weekend? See our guide to the best time to visit Miami, or our yacht charter vs ownership comparison if you prefer to arrive by boat.
Sources checked
Charter price and flight-time estimates: Mercury Jets. Entry and aviation rules: Bahamas.com private aviation guide, Flycraft. Palm Beach terminals: Ace Jet. Nassau terminal: Odyssey Aviation listing. Nonstop route status: FlightsFrom. By-the-seat flights: Caribbean Journal. Ferry: Direct Ferries. Cruise sailing: Gangwaze. Operator checks: SkyAccess. Airport renaming: CP24. Digital arrival card: Caribbean Journal. Prices, schedules and rules change often.