Day trip to the Bahamas in 25 minutes: Tropic Ocean Airways and the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism launch program for Bimini
A tropical escape that until recently required a full day of travel or at least an overnight stay is now being condensed into a single day off. Tropic Ocean Airways, in partnership with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, has introduced a new program of day flights that brings travelers from South Florida to Bimini in about 25 minutes, with a return on the same day – early enough that, as organizers say, dinner can be reached in Florida.
The announcement was published on February 17, 2026, in an official statement distributed via GlobeNewswire, highlighting that the day trips are envisioned as regular Saturday departures, starting February 21. At the same time, the carrier's promotional pages mention an earlier start to the program in February, so it is currently not entirely clear whether this is a phased rollout or a change of schedule after the first announcement. In any case, the concept is clear: a morning departure, a day on the island, and an evening return, without the need for a hotel.
What is exactly offered: “Bahamas in a Day” and the Saturday schedule
Tropic Ocean Airways calls the program “Bahamas in a Day” and lists its base in Fort Lauderdale as the starting point. According to the carrier's information, passengers arrive at the terminal about 30 minutes before the flight, which is a significant difference compared to commercial airports with longer security and check-in procedures. The flight is performed by smaller aircraft, and landing is scheduled on North Bimini (the northern part of the island), which avoids additional transfers that are common when arriving at the southern part of Bimini.
The statement describes a typical daily rhythm: departure in the morning from Fort Lauderdale, arrival in Bimini before 9 a.m., several hours of stay on the island, and a return to South Florida in the early evening. On the official program page, approximately eight hours of free time on the island is stated, which leaves passengers enough room for an excursion, beach, lunch, and at least one organized activity, with a return the same day.
Why Bimini: “the closest Bahamas” and the intensifying battle for air traffic
Bimini is a group of small islands on the western edge of the Bahamas, geographically closest to Florida. It is exactly this proximity that makes it ideal for the “get out of the routine for a day” concept. In tourism terms, Bimini has positioned itself in recent years as a destination for short vacations – from trips to beaches and lagoons to sport fishing, diving, and visiting locations like the “Sapona” shipwreck, popular among snorkeling enthusiasts.
At the same time, access to the island is becoming a topic in the broader context of “airlift” – the capacity of air links that directly turn tourism into arrivals and overnight stays. Bahamian institutions have emphasized in recent years that air traffic is key to the development of the Out Islands, which includes investment in infrastructure. In the announcement of the recent introduction of the first American commercial non-stop line to Bimini, launched by American Airlines, the government's “Out Islands Renaissance Project” from 2023 is also mentioned, aimed at developing a portfolio of 14 airports throughout the archipelago. In this framework, every new line – whether commercial or niche like amphibious flights – gains additional importance.
Amphibious flights as a niche: speed, flexibility, and the “VIP” experience
Tropic Ocean Airways is known for its amphibious aircraft and semi-private flying model, which targets travelers willing to pay more for speed and simplicity. The company states on its pages that it has been operating since 2009 and that it is the “world's largest amphibious carrier,” emphasizing safety standards and crews with two pilots. The specialty of this model is that, instead of mass boarding in large terminals, the trip takes place through a smaller, more private process, with a focus on experience – from shorter procedures before departure to views of the coast and turquoise sea during the flight.
Independent travel portals highlight a similar impression: on TripAdvisor, Tropic Ocean Airways is described as a service that “makes travel easier” and offers “first-class service,” with an emphasis on avoiding usual airport crowds. Resorts World Bimini, the largest tourist complex on the island, also promotes seaplane arrival on its pages as an experience that provides travelers with a panoramic view of Fort Lauderdale and the sea, followed by a quick arrival on the island.
What it means for tourism: day guests, local consumption, and capacity challenges
Day trips are traditionally a double-edged sword for destinations. On one hand, they can bring additional spending in restaurants, excursion programs, and transport, while spreading the story of the island as a place to return for a longer vacation to the “pool” of visitors. On the other hand, day guests do not create overnight stays and put pressure on infrastructure in a short time window – especially on small islands with limited resources.
In the case of Bimini, the program is clearly aimed at a controlled number of passengers. Flights by smaller aircraft naturally have limited capacity, and the Saturday rhythm suggests an attempt to balance between the attractiveness of the offer and sustainability. This does not exclude expansion: Caribbean and Bahamian media during 2025 already wrote about increasing frequencies on the Fort Lauderdale – Bimini route due to growth in demand, as well as “fly-and-stay” packages that combine flight and accommodation on the island. The one-day format in that sense looks like an additional product in the portfolio – a quick entry into the destination for those who want to “try” the Bahamas without logistics.
Practical details travelers most often seek
For travelers planning a day trip, the most common questions are usually logistical: where to depart from, how much earlier to arrive, what the return looks like, and what can realistically be achieved in one day. According to the carrier's information, boarding is organized in Fort Lauderdale, and the recommendation is to arrive 30 minutes before departure. The program suggests a full-day stay on the island, with a return in the evening.
For the stay itself, options depend on the travelers' interests. Those who want a quieter day usually choose beaches and short walks, while others will reach for sea excursions, diving, or tours of local sights. An additional advantage of Bimini is that, as a relatively small destination, it is suitable for “quick” exploration: with good planning, it is possible to combine the beach, lunch, and one activity in eight hours, without the rush that would turn the trip into a race against time.
How it fits into the broader Bahamas strategy: air links as a priority
The Bahamas has been intensively competing for new air routes in recent years, especially toward the USA as a key emitting market. In this context, two stories about Bimini appear in parallel: on one hand, a large airline introduces a commercial line and thus includes the island in the regular air traffic network; on the other, a specialized carrier offers a “boutique” format of a day trip. Both approaches target different audiences, but the common denominator is the same message: Bimini is close enough to be experienced even without long planning.
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, in the statement about the partnership with Tropic Ocean Airways, emphasizes exactly this dimension of accessibility, while domestic media in earlier statements by state officials highlight that they see amphibious services as part of a wider plan for diversification and innovation of air arrivals. If the trend continues, Bimini could become a model example of how small islands position themselves between mass arrivals and carefully curated, faster trips with a higher price.
What is still pending: prices, terms, and fine print
In publicly available materials, the emphasis is on the concept and travel time, while prices and specific terms are most often displayed through the reservation system or through packages that change depending on the season. That is why the recommendation remains for travelers considering a day trip to check, before the final decision, what is included in the price (transport on the island, possible resort entries, excursions) and what the terms of change or cancellation are.
For the Bahamas and Florida, the program comes at a time when travelers are increasingly choosing “micro-vacations” – shorter, more intense trips that offer a change of environment without taking days off. If the Saturday flights prove successful, Bimini could further strengthen its status as the “closest Bahamas,” and the day-trip model could become the new normal for a segment of the market that wants a fast but content-rich escape from everyday life.
Sources:- GlobeNewswire / Business Insider – press release about the launch of day flights by Tropic Ocean Airways and the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism ( link )- Tropic Ocean Airways – official page of the “Bahamas in a Day” program ( link )- The Out Islands of The Bahamas (myoutislands.com) – profile and description of Tropic Ocean Airways service ( link )- Resorts World Bimini – information about seaplane arrival and transfer ( link )- GlobeNewswire / Business Insider – press release about American Airlines' first ever non-stop service to Bimini and mention of Out Islands Renaissance Project ( link )- TripAdvisor – description of traveler experiences and general profile of Tropic Ocean Airways ( link )
Find accommodation nearby
Creation time: 4 hours ago