Getting around the Out Islands varies dramatically by island. Andros requires a car and acceptance that the island is segmented by geography. Bimini is so small that you can walk most of it. Most other Out Island resorts operate as self-contained destinations where the lodge or resort provides or coordinates all transport. Plan before you arrive: improvising transport on a remote island is difficult.
On the Island
Andros
Rental cars are essential for independent travel on Andros. The island is large, the settlements are spread along its length, and the key destinations, including bonefishing flats, blue holes, and Fresh Creek, require driving. Rental agencies exist at or near the airports, though supply is limited and advance booking is advisable.
Rates typically run $85–120/day for a basic vehicle.† Drive on the left. North Andros has a paved road running south from Nicholl's Town through Fresh Creek. South Andros road coverage is more limited, and the interior of the island is largely inaccessible by road.
North, Central, and South Andros are not connected by road: there is no Queen's Highway equivalent running the island's full length. Travel between these sections requires flying or boating. This is a critical planning point: a visitor staying in North Andros cannot drive to South Andros.
Most bonefishing lodge and resort guests use resort-provided transport, including boats to flats and 4WD vehicles for inland excursions, and do not need to arrange their own. Confirm with your accommodation before booking a rental car.
Bimini
North Bimini (the main inhabited island) is small enough to walk completely: it is roughly 7 miles long and only a few hundred yards wide in most places. Walking is the primary way to get around for most visitors, and the main strip through Alice Town is short and well-known.
Golf carts are available for rent and are the preferred transport for those who don't want to walk, particularly for reaching the north end of the island or the more remote beaches. Verify current rental operators and rates locally.†
A free ferry (or a small-charge public service) runs between North and South Bimini on a regular basis: South Bimini is where the airport is located. Historically around $10 for visitors, free for residents on some services; verify current fare.†
Other Out Islands
Most other Out Island accommodations arrange airport transfers and provide or coordinate any transport their guests need. Independent car rental is possible on some islands (Cat Island, Long Island) but supply is very limited and advance arrangement is critical.
Between Islands and Cays
For Andros: Small Hope Bay Lodge and other established resorts can arrange boat trips to offshore cays and fishing destinations. The flats and cays accessible from Andros's coast require a guide and boat: arrange through your lodge.
For Bimini: Boat charters are available in Alice Town for fishing, snorkeling at the S.S. Sapona, and day trips to local cays. Bimini Big Game Club has marina facilities. Fishing guides are numerous, operating from the town dock and marina.
Day trips between Bimini and the Berry Islands or other nearby destinations can be arranged by charter but have no scheduled service.
Practical Notes
- Book transport before you arrive: rental cars, golf carts, and boat charters on Out Islands operate with limited supply and no walk-up availability at many locations.
- Out Island resorts generally do not expect or want guests to arrange their own transport independently. The lodge-provided or coordinated model is the norm, and it is efficient.
- On Andros especially, GPS coverage may lag behind actual road conditions in the more remote areas. Maps can show roads that are unpaved tracks or have deteriorated. Ask locally.
- Boat transport on Andros (to reach offshore fishing flats, blue holes, or coastal cays) is essential for the island's primary activities: this is arranged through guides and resorts rather than rented independently.
Seeded from general knowledge as of 2026-06-08. Not yet compiled from verified sources.