Fort Lauderdale is the superyacht capital of the western hemisphere. More large yachts transit Port Everglades than any other port in the world, and for good reason: it sits at the precise geographic hinge between the North Atlantic and the Caribbean, making it the inevitable staging point for the seasonal migration south each November and the return north each May. Whether you're crossing to the Bahamas for a weekend, positioning to the BVI for the winter charter season, or provisioning for a transatlantic, the planning decisions you make in Fort Lauderdale — when to fuel, how much to take, which speed to run — have a direct and quantifiable impact on your operating costs.
This guide gives you the numbers: distances to 12 Caribbean and Bahamas destinations, fuel costs for the critical passages, speed versus cost comparisons for the Bahamas run, and the bunkering options available at Port Everglades and the surrounding Broward County marinas.
Distance table — Fort Lauderdale to 12 Caribbean & Atlantic destinations
All distances are nautical miles (nm) measured on a direct rhumb line from Port Everglades inlet. Actual routing will add distance for customs clearance stops, Bahamian approaches, and island-hopping waypoints. Times assume calm-water cruising speed with no current adjustment — note that the Gulf Stream runs north at 2–3 knots eastbound across to the Bahamas, which must be accounted for in your actual COG and SOG calculations.
| Destination | Region | Distance (nm) | Time @ 10kts | Time @ 12kts | Leg type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | South Florida | 25 | 2h 30m | 2h 05m | Day hop |
| Bimini, Bahamas | Bahamas | 50 | 5h 00m | 4h 10m | Day hop |
| Palm Beach | South Florida | 60 | 6h 00m | 5h 00m | Day hop |
| Freeport, Grand Bahama | Bahamas | 80 | 8h 00m | 6h 40m | Half day |
| Key West | Florida Keys | 160 | 16h 00m | 13h 20m | Overnight |
| Nassau, Bahamas | Bahamas | 180 | 18h 00m | 15h 00m | Overnight |
| Havana, Cuba | Cuba | 250 | 25h 00m | 20h 50m | Overnight |
| Georgetown, Exumas | Bahamas | 430 | 43h 00m | 35h 50m | Multi-day |
| San Juan, Puerto Rico | Greater Antilles | 1,080 | 108h 00m | 90h 00m | Multi-day |
| Road Town, Tortola (BVI) | British Virgin Islands | 1,060 | 106h 00m | 88h 20m | Multi-day |
| Philipsburg, St Maarten | Leeward Islands | 1,300 | 130h 00m | 108h 20m | Multi-day |
| Gustavia, St Barths | Leeward Islands | 1,420 | 142h 00m | 118h 20m | Multi-day |
The Gulf Stream flows north-northeast at 2–3 knots roughly 30–50nm offshore between Fort Lauderdale and the Bahamas. Eastbound crossings must account for significant set — a vessel making 10kts SOG on a direct bearing to Bimini may need to steer 15–20° south of the rhumb line to arrive on track. Westbound, the Stream gives you a free push. Always calculate your actual course to steer (CTS) rather than course to destination (CTD) on this crossing.
Fuel cost: Fort Lauderdale to Tortola (BVI) by vessel size
The Fort Lauderdale to Tortola passage is the defining voyage of the Caribbean season — typically run southbound in November and northbound in May. At 1,060nm, it's a 3–4 day offshore passage for most motor yachts. The table below shows indicative fuel cost at current Fort Lauderdale MGO prices (approximately $865/MT as of May 2026) at 12 knots. US-flagged suppliers at Port Everglades deliver MGO in the $850–880/MT range depending on volume and supplier; note that Caribbean port prices are typically $50–120/MT higher.
| Vessel size | Burn rate (L/hr) | Total litres | MT used | Fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35m motor yacht | 160 L/hr | 14,133 | 11.9 MT | $10,334 |
| 45m motor yacht | 230 L/hr | 20,316 | 17.2 MT | $14,838 |
| 55m motor yacht | 310 L/hr | 27,373 | 23.1 MT | $20,012 |
| 65m motor yacht | 420 L/hr | 37,086 | 31.3 MT | $27,130 |
| 75m motor yacht | 580 L/hr | 51,214 | 43.3 MT | $37,455 |
| 90m motor yacht | 850 L/hr | 75,055 | 63.4 MT | $54,944 |
Top off in Fort Lauderdale before heading south. Caribbean MGO prices average $50–120/MT more than Port Everglades — in Tortola, St Maarten, and Antigua, you'll routinely pay $920–980/MT. On a 55m yacht making the full season circuit (FLL→Tortola→St Barths→Antigua→St Maarten return), the difference between bunkering fully in Fort Lauderdale versus piecemeal in the islands can represent $8,000–15,000 in fuel cost savings. Tank capacity permitting, fill to maximum before the November passage south.
Speed versus fuel cost: Fort Lauderdale to Nassau (180nm)
The Nassau run is the most common Bahamas passage from Fort Lauderdale — and a useful planning benchmark for the Caribbean season opener. The table below shows how speed choice affects fuel cost for a representative 55m motor yacht running the 180nm direct route. Note that this assumes displacement hull speed ranges; semi-displacement and planing vessels will have different optimal speed curves.
| Speed | Passage time | Burn rate | Total litres | Fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 kts | 20h 00m | 200 L/hr | 4,000 | $2,926 |
| 10 kts | 18h 00m | 240 L/hr | 4,320 | $3,161 |
| 12 kts | 15h 00m | 310 L/hr | 4,650 | $3,402 |
| 14 kts | 12h 51m | 460 L/hr | 5,912 | $4,327 |
| 16 kts | 11h 15m | 660 L/hr | 7,425 | $5,432 |
✦ = optimal economy speed range for a displacement hull 55m yacht. Running at 12 knots costs only $476 more than 10 knots while saving 3 hours — typically the right trade. Pushing to 16 knots costs $2,030 more than 12 knots and saves only 3h 45m. On a 1,060nm passage to Tortola, the same speed differential becomes a $12,000+ decision.
Bunkering at Fort Lauderdale
Port Everglades is a commercial deepwater port with dedicated superyacht bunkering services available alongside Port Everglades terminal facilities and through major fuel suppliers including World Fuel Services, Peninsula Petroleum, and KPI Bridge Oil. For smaller superyachts, the Broward County marinas — including Lauderdale Marine Center, Bradford Marine, and Harbour Towne Marina — offer truck delivery and dock-side bunkering.
- MGO price range (May 2026): $850–880/MT truck delivery, slightly lower for large volumes via barge at Port Everglades
- Availability: MGO widely available; VLSFO available for larger commercial vessels via barge arrangement
- Minimum order: Typically 5–10 MT for truck delivery; barge arrangements usually require 50 MT+
- Lead time: Truck delivery next-day with advance notice; peak season (October–November, April–May) book 48–72 hours ahead
- Lubes and additives: All major brands available from supplier network — order alongside fuel
The Fort Lauderdale to Caribbean positioning window opens each year in late October/early November as Atlantic hurricane season winds down. Port Everglades becomes extraordinarily busy in the first two weeks of November — multiple 60m+ yachts transiting simultaneously, fuel dock congestion, and supply pressure on MGO. Book your fuel slot before you arrive if departing in this window, and consider pre-ordering provisions and chandlery at the same time. The return north window runs April–May, typically quieter and with more flexible logistics.
Worked example: Fort Lauderdale to Tortola on a 55m yacht
Voyage cost calculation — FLL → Road Town, Tortola
These figures are for planning and budgeting purposes. Actual fuel consumption varies with vessel loading, sea state, wind, and current. SeaWise uses your vessel's specific fuel curve — not generic burn rates — to give you a more accurate passage cost estimate.
Key passages from Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale sits at the starting point of several major yacht passages. Understanding the character of each is essential for voyage planning:
- FLL → Bahamas (50–430nm): Classic weekend to multi-day circuit. The Gulf Stream crossing to Bimini (50nm) is deceptively demanding — sea state and current can create steep confused swells in 20+ knots. Time your crossing for a weather window with winds less than 15 knots and the Stream flowing the same direction as your track.
- FLL → BVI (1,060nm): The Caribbean positioning passage. Typically a straight offshore run south-southeast, staying outside Bahamian waters. 3–4 days depending on speed. Fuel planning is critical — no convenient fuel stops on this route, and interim bunkering at San Juan (1,080nm) is not much closer.
- FLL → St Barths (1,420nm): The prestige passage for the charter season. Common to stop in BVI (1,060nm) for crew rest before the final 360nm to Gustavia. MGO at St Barths: approximately $960–1,000/MT — make sure your tanks are full when you leave Florida.
- FLL → Antigua (1,350nm): Common final destination for yachts delivering for the Caribbean season and for ARC participants transiting from Las Palmas. Antigua provides slightly better bunkering prices than St Barths.
Frequently asked questions
How far is it from Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas?
Bimini is 50nm from Port Everglades — the shortest Bahamas crossing, approximately 4–5 hours at 10–12 knots. Nassau is 180nm (15 hours at 12 knots). Freeport on Grand Bahama Island is 80nm (6h 40m). Note that the Gulf Stream, which crosses between Florida and the Bahamas, will affect your actual course and passage time — always calculate a course to steer, not just a rhumb bearing.
How much fuel does it take to sail from Fort Lauderdale to Tortola?
For a 55m motor yacht at 12 knots over 1,060nm, expect to burn approximately 27,000–28,000 litres (23 MT) of MGO. At May 2026 Fort Lauderdale prices of approximately $865/MT, that equates to around $20,000 in fuel. Smaller 40m yachts will burn 15,000–17,000 litres (~$12,500–$13,500); larger 75m vessels 50,000+ litres (~$40,000+). Use your vessel's actual fuel curve for accurate budgeting.
When is the best time to depart Fort Lauderdale for the Caribbean?
The traditional Caribbean season positioning window is late October to mid-November, after the official end of the Atlantic hurricane season (November 1) and before the trade winds establish firmly in December. Many captains target the first two weeks of November for the passage south. The return north is typically April–May, ahead of the Atlantic hurricane season. Weather windows for the FLL–BVI direct passage typically occur every 5–10 days during the winter months.
Where is the cheapest place to bunker before heading to the Caribbean?
Fort Lauderdale. Caribbean island fuel prices are consistently $50–120/MT higher than the US East Coast. Port Everglades MGO runs $850–880/MT (May 2026); by comparison, Tortola prices are typically $920–950/MT, St Maarten $930–960/MT, and Gustavia $960–1,000/MT. If your vessel can carry enough fuel for the full 1,060nm+ passage, filling to maximum capacity in Fort Lauderdale is almost always the economically correct decision.
How long does the Fort Lauderdale to BVI passage take?
At 12 knots, the 1,060nm to Road Town, Tortola takes approximately 88 hours — roughly 3.5 to 4 days. At 10 knots, allow 106 hours (4.4 days). Most captains plan for 4 days passage time including a crew rest stop in San Juan, Puerto Rico or push through non-stop depending on crew rotation. Weather routing is highly recommended for this passage; the route is exposed to Atlantic swell for the majority of the offshore leg.
Plan your Fort Lauderdale passage with SeaWise
SeaWise calculates exact port-to-port distances, passage times, and fuel costs using your vessel's actual fuel curve — not generic burn rate tables. Enter your departure port, destination, cruise speed, and current fuel price to get a live voyage cost estimate in under 10 seconds.
Plan your Caribbean passage from FLL
SeaWise calculates exact distances, passage times and fuel costs for every route out of Fort Lauderdale — to Nassau, Georgetown, St. Maarten and beyond. Download the app and run your voyage estimate in seconds.