The Route
Charter Flights from Miami to Bimini
Bimini sits roughly 55 nautical miles east of Miami and is the Bahamian island closest to the mainland. A private flight covers that distance in about half an hour, depending on the aircraft and the wind, which makes Bimini the one Bahamas destination that works comfortably as a day trip. Flights from Miami to Bimini leave from a Miami airport or base, with the whole aircraft reserved for your group.
Velvet Air arranges the flight and a licensed carrier flies it. You name the day, we find the aircraft that fits your group, and everything comes back to you as one total. Names, passport numbers and both border filings are handled from our side, so your party brings passports and a bag and nothing else.
Four kinds of aircraft fly this route: a seaplane, a helicopter, small planes and a light jet. The choice right below shows the difference in one look, and if you are still unsure, ask us. You will find every route we fly from Miami on our home page.
Plan Your Bimini Flight
Choose Your Aircraft
Flights to Bimini: Seaplane, Helicopter, Small Plane or Private Jet
Your island escape starts with the flight. Choose between a seaplane that lands on the water, a helicopter, small planes and a light jet for a private flight to Bimini. Tell us your travel dates, group size and what you are bringing, and we find the aircraft that fits. Every aircraft is listed with its specifications on our fleet page.
Seaplane
Cessna Grand Caravan EX Amphibian. Lands on the water at the seaplane base in North Bimini, or on the runway at South Bimini.
Helicopter
Bell 407, Agusta 109 or Sikorsky S-76. Lands at South Bimini Airport, where the small planes land.
Small Plane
Beechcraft Baron 58, King Air C90, Piper Aztec, Cessna Grand Caravan EX, Cessna 402C or Piper Chieftain. Lands on the runway at South Bimini Airport, about 5,400 feet long.
Private Jet
The light jet, the Cessna Citation CJ3/CJ3+, is the jet that flies to Bimini and lands at South Bimini Airport.
How It Works
How Private Charter Flights from Miami to Bimini Work
Flights from Miami to Bimini follow the same steps, whether you fly a seaplane, a helicopter, a small plane or the light jet. Here is what every one of them includes, from the first message to the moment you are on the island.
Plan Your Bimini FlightDistance and Time
The Shortest Flight from Miami to the Bahamas
Bimini lies about 55 nautical miles east of Miami across the Gulf Stream, the closest Bahamian island to the mainland. In the air the trip takes about half an hour, depending on the aircraft and the wind, against hours on the water. That short distance is why so many first trips to the Bahamas start with Bimini, and why it is the only Bahamas destination that fits comfortably into a single day. Nassau and the Exumas lie much farther out.
The Whole Aircraft
One Group, One Aircraft, No Other Passengers
A charter is priced for the whole aircraft and flown for your group alone. There are no other passengers on board, no shared seats and no group format, and you set the departure time within daylight and within what the crew is allowed to fly. The aircraft, the crew and the flight come as one total, and what that total covers is spelled out before any deposit.
Where Each One Lands
Water for the Seaplane, a Runway for the Rest
The seaplane settles on the water and ties up at a floating dock at the Resorts World Bimini resort in North Bimini, where customs and immigration are cleared on arrival. The small planes, the helicopter and the light jet land on the runway at South Bimini Airport, about 5,400 feet long, which has customs and immigration as well. A short ferry crosses from South Bimini to North Bimini.
Both Borders
Passports, the Manifest and Both Borders Done for You
Every passenger needs a valid passport, children included, and a driving licence will not do. The first landing in the Bahamas has to be at an airport of entry, where customs and immigration clear the group. Names and passport numbers are filed from our side before you leave Florida, and both borders are handled by us, so nothing about the crossing falls to you.
On Board and Ashore
Catering, Transfers and Occasions Set Up With the Flight
Whatever the day is for is organised before you leave: catering on board, a private chef, a car waiting where you land, flowers or a surprise for an occasion. Name what you want when you send your dates and it is arranged with the flight, not as a separate booking. Rods, dive gear and golf clubs count towards the baggage allowance, so say what is coming when you enquire.
How Long the Day Runs
Out in the Morning, Back the Same Evening, or Stay the Night
Because the flight is short, a day trip is realistic: out in the morning, a day on the island, home in the evening. On a charter the aircraft waits for you, so the return hour is yours rather than a timetable’s. If you would rather stay a night or several, tell us when you enquire and the return is planned for that. Weather and delays are the only things that move the plan.
Departure Points
Departure Points for Private Flights to Bimini from Miami
Flights to Bimini leave from airports and bases around Miami. We assign the departure point closest to where you are staying, and the quote comes back with it already picked.
Miami Seaplane Base
Watson Island, Miami
A public seaplane base on Watson Island, between downtown Miami and Miami Beach and about two miles east of the city centre. It is the water departure for the seaplane, and it sits close to both downtown and the Beach, which keeps the drive short for guests staying in either.
Watson Island Heliport
Watson Island, Miami
The heliport on the same island, in central Miami, and the departure point for the helicopter. It shares the position of the seaplane base: downtown Miami and Miami Beach are both close, so there is little ground time before the flight.
Opa-locka Executive
Miami-Opa locka Executive Airport, OPF
A general aviation airport north of the city with a runway of about 8,000 feet, US Customs on the field and three full-service FBOs: Atlantic Aviation, Fontainebleau Aviation and Signature Flight Support. It handles private jets and small planes of every size and suits guests staying north of the city.
Miami Executive
Miami Executive Airport, TMB, Kendall
The general aviation airport in Kendall, southwest of central Miami. It suits guests who are staying in the south or southwest of the city and would otherwise cross town to reach an airfield in the north.
Miami International
Miami International Airport, MIA
The main airport of Miami. It is the starting point for guests who arrive by airline and want to continue to Bimini the same day, and we plan the departure time around your arrival.
How to Book
Book Miami to Bimini Flights
Booking a flight takes four steps, and only the first one needs anything from you.
Plan Your Bimini Flight- 01
Contact Us
Write to us on WhatsApp, by email or by phone. Send your dates, how many of you are travelling, where you are staying in Miami and whether you want a day trip or a stay on Bimini.
- 02
Get the Options Back
We check what is free on your day across our network of licensed operators and send the aircraft that fit your group and your luggage, with the departure point and one total. What the total covers is spelled out before any deposit.
- 03
Confirm and Pay
You pick the aircraft and pay securely by credit card, all from your phone. Catering, a private chef, a car waiting where you land or a surprise for an occasion are set up with the flight, and names and passport numbers are collected now so the border filings go in ahead of the day.
- 04
Be There 30 Minutes Before
Arrive about 30 minutes before departure, walk to the aircraft and go. The operator’s reservations team goes through the flight details with you 24 to 48 hours before departure, and on the day the crew flies and the filings are already in.
On the Island
Where Flights from Miami to Bimini Put You Down
Where your flight puts you down on Bimini depends on the aircraft, and what the island holds is the same for all of them. Pick a stop to see where it is and what it is about.
Plan Your Bimini FlightSouth Bimini Airport for Runway Aircraft
Wheels DownThe small planes, the helicopter and the light jet land on the runway at South Bimini Airport, about 5,400 feet long, with customs and immigration on the field. A short ferry crosses the channel to North Bimini and Alice Town. South Bimini itself is the quieter half of the island, with the Bimini Sharklab research station on its shore.
The Seaplane Base in North Bimini
On the WaterThe seaplane settles on the water and ties up at a floating dock at the Resorts World Bimini resort in North Bimini, where customs and immigration are cleared on arrival. From the dock the harbour town of Alice Town is on foot, with waterfront bars, dive shops and the Compleat Angler district that Hemingway made famous.
Nurse Sharks, Stingrays and the Reef
In the ShallowsIn the shallow, clear water south of Bimini, nurse sharks and southern stingrays move through knee-deep water, and Honeymoon Harbour at Gun Cay is known for its stingrays. Nearby, the concrete-hulled SS Sapona has lain in shallow water since a hurricane in 1926, an easy snorkel, and the Bimini Road, a half-mile line of limestone blocks, lies in about 15 feet of water. Radio Beach on North Bimini is the place for a swim between stops.
Flying Over the Reef
From the AirThe flight is part of the day. On the way in the water changes from the deep blue of the Gulf Stream to the pale turquoise of the shallow banks, with reef and sandy cays below. Whichever aircraft you fly, it is yours alone, so the view is yours to choose.
Onward Through the Bahamas From Bimini
Beyond Bimini
Because the flight to Bimini is so short, it is the natural first stop on a longer trip. From Bimini the journey can continue to Nassau, the Exumas, the Abacos and beyond. Tell us the route and we plan each leg with the aircraft that fits it.
Ready When You Are
Ready to Book a Flight from Miami to Bimini?
Send your date, the number of guests and the aircraft you have in mind. We come back with the departure point and one total.
Add-Ons
Flight to Bimini Add-Ons
Name the ones you want when you send your dates and the aircraft you have in mind. Anything else you have in mind is arranged with the flight.
In Detail
Flights from Miami to Bimini: What to Know Before You Fly
Everything above is the day. What follows is the detail: why the flight is short, how the border works and what a day on the island can hold. For the other routes we fly from Miami, see our home page.
Miami to Bimini Flight: The Closest Landing in the Bahamas
About 55 nautical miles, roughly half an hour in the air
Flying from Miami to Bimini is the easiest way into the Bahamas from South Florida. The island lies about 55 nautical miles east of Miami, so the flight fits inside a single day. Velvet Air arranges the aircraft with licensed operators and leaves from the Miami airport or base nearest to your group. The aircraft are listed with their specifications on our fleet page, and the quote that comes back names the aircraft, the departure point and one total.
Bimini Day Trip from Miami: Sandbars and Nurse Sharks
The most requested day on the island
A day trip leaves Miami in the morning and lands on Bimini within about half an hour. From there the day can add the nurse sharks and stingrays on the flats, a snorkel at the SS Sapona wreck and a swim at Radio Beach before the flight home in the evening. Catering and a private chef can be arranged before departure through our add-ons, so lunch is ready when you want it, and a car can be waiting where you land.
Miami to Bimini by Air: We Handle the Border, You Carry a Passport
Entry into the Bahamas arranged from your departure point
Entering the Bahamas on a private flight means landing at an airport of entry, where customs and immigration clear the group. Every passenger needs a valid passport, children included. Names and passport numbers are filed from our side before you leave Florida, and both borders are handled by us, so nothing about the crossing falls to you. The same applies on the way home: you arrive at the aircraft with your passports and nothing else to manage.
Miami to Bimini Flight: The First Stop on a Longer Bahamas Trip
From a single day to island hopping
Because the flight to Bimini is so short, it is the natural first stop on a longer trip. From Bimini the journey can continue to Nassau, the Exumas, the Abacos and beyond, and you tell us the route and we plan each leg. The destinations we fly from Miami are on the home page, from Key West and the Dry Tortugas to Eleuthera and Grand Bahama, and every one of them starts with the same message to us.
Questions
Flights from Miami to Bimini: Questions Answered
How long is the flight from Miami to Bimini?
Flying from Miami to Bimini takes about half an hour in the air for most aircraft, over roughly 55 nautical miles. The exact time depends on the aircraft, the wind and the departure point in Miami. Bimini is the closest island in the Bahamas, which is why a day trip works so well. The time on the ground, from the drive to the departure point to clearing customs on arrival, comes on top of the half hour, so plan the day with a little room either side.
Can I do a Bimini day trip from Miami by private flight?
Yes. You fly out in the morning, spend the day on Bimini and fly back in the evening. On a charter the aircraft waits for you, so the return hour is yours. A typical day pairs the flight with the nurse sharks and stingrays, a snorkel at the SS Sapona wreck and a swim at Radio Beach. If you would rather stay a night or two, tell us when you enquire and the return is planned for that.
Do I need a passport to fly from Miami to Bimini?
Yes. Every passenger needs a valid passport, children included, and a driving licence will not do. Bimini is in another country, and a private aircraft does not change that. Names and passport numbers are filed from our side before you leave Florida, and both borders are handled by us, so you only need to bring the passports and arrive on time.
Where in Miami do flights to Bimini depart from?
From the airport or base closest to where you are staying: the Miami Seaplane Base and Watson Island Heliport on Watson Island, Miami-Opa locka Executive north of the city, Miami Executive in Kendall or Miami International. Tell us where you are staying and the quote comes back with the departure point already picked. Arrive about 30 minutes before departure.
How much does a flight from Miami to Bimini cost?
A charter is priced for the whole aircraft, not per seat. The aircraft, the crew and the flight come as one total, and what that total covers is spelled out with the itinerary before any deposit. The price depends on the aircraft, the number of guests, the day and any add-ons such as catering or a private chef. Send your date and group size on WhatsApp for a quote.
Which aircraft fly from Miami to Bimini?
A seaplane (Cessna Grand Caravan EX Amphibian), helicopters (Bell 407, Agusta 109, Sikorsky S-76), small planes (Beechcraft Baron 58, King Air C90, Piper Aztec, Cessna Grand Caravan EX, Cessna 402C, Piper Chieftain) and a light jet (Citation CJ3). They are listed with their specifications on our fleet page.
Where do you land on Bimini?
Small planes, the helicopter and the light jet land on the runway at South Bimini Airport, which is about 5,400 feet long and has customs and immigration. The seaplane lands on the water and ties up at a floating dock at Resorts World Bimini in North Bimini, where customs and immigration are cleared on arrival, or it lands on the runway at South Bimini. A short ferry crosses from South Bimini to North Bimini.
Can we choose our own departure time?
Yes, within daylight and within what the crew is allowed to fly. That is the main thing a charter buys you. The hour is set when you confirm and can still be moved if your day changes, because the aircraft is not going anywhere else and there are no other passengers to inconvenience.
How much baggage can we take?
It is a question of weight, not of the number of bags, and it differs by aircraft. Floats carry less than wheels, and a jet carries the most. Say what is coming when you enquire, including golf clubs, dive gear, rods and anything with a battery, and the answer comes back with the quote.
What happens if the weather is bad on the day?
Every aircraft handles weather differently. A seaplane needs water calm enough to land, a small plane and a jet use the runway, and a jet can climb above much of what grounds smaller aircraft. If conditions are below what is safe, the crew moves or cancels the flight, and you hear early enough to change the departure.
Can I combine Bimini with other Bahamas islands?
Yes. Bimini is the natural first stop on a longer trip, and from there the journey can continue to Nassau, the Exumas or the Abacos. Because the flight to Bimini is so short, many island-hopping trips begin here before going deeper into the islands. Tell us the route and we plan each leg with the aircraft that fits it.
What is included in a flight from Miami to Bimini?
A licensed carrier with the aircraft and its crew, and the border filings handled from our side, all as one total with what it covers spelled out before any deposit. Catering, a private chef, a car waiting where you land and occasion setups such as flowers or a surprise are add-ons, arranged with the flight rather than as a separate booking. Velvet Air does not fly the aircraft itself, a licensed carrier does.
Next Step
Ready to Book a Flight from Miami to Bimini?
Send your date, group size and whether you want a day trip or a stay. We come back with the aircraft, the departure point and one total, and the border filings are handled from our side.
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