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Is the Straits of Florida rough? What to expect on the crossing

Sometimes, depending on the season. NOAA's Coast Pilot says weather along the Florida east coast generally poses few problems for mariners, and that waves of more than 6 feet (1.8 m) occur 8 to 15 percent of the time from about October through March. The Fort Lauderdale to Bimini ferry takes approximately 2 hours.

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Strait · Florida and the Bahamas · Reputation among passengers: mixed: commonly reported as uncomfortable in the wrong conditions.

Reported risk: Straits of Florida
  • Low
  • Moderate
  • High
  • Very high

Roughness summarises typical reported conditions for this crossing, not a forecast for any given sailing.

Gulf Stream current, trade winds, hurricane season

In the Nausea Index table of the 121 sea crossings we cover, the Straits of Florida is rated manageable, one of 81 in that band, with 40 rated higher. Full table: the roughest sea crossings, ranked.

Key facts

  • The Straits of Florida is a strait, and passenger reports place it in the moderate roughness band.
  • The mechanism behind that reputation: Gulf Stream current, trade winds, hurricane season.
  • It is also known as Florida Straits.

Why does the Straits of Florida get rough?

The Straits of Florida are 93 miles wide at their narrowest point, between Key West and Cuba, and have been sounded to a depth of 6,000 feet (1,800 m). They carry the Florida Current, the beginning of the Gulf Stream, and NOAA's Coast Pilot puts the characteristic average surface speed at the stream's axis at about 2.5 knots, rising to about 4.5 knots off Cape Florida. Easterly trade winds average 10 to 15 knots along the Florida east coast through much of the year, and in the Straits of Florida the October and November trade winds are persistent and intense, averaging around 15 knots. The Coast Pilot says the most dangerous navigational weather hazards along that coast are tropical cyclones, with mid-August through October the busiest time.

When is the Straits of Florida roughest?

Along the Florida east coast, NOAA's Coast Pilot says waves of more than 6 feet (1.8 m) occur 8 to 15 percent of the time from about October through March, and gales are usually encountered less than 1 percent of the time. Easterly trade winds are common through much of the year, and in the Straits of Florida the October and November trade winds are persistent and intense. Tropical cyclones primarily occur from June through November, with mid-August through October the busiest time, and thunderstorms are most likely from May through October.

Where to be on board

Front to back

  1. Bow (front)Avoid
  2. MidshipBest
  3. Stern (aft)OK

The crossing: About 2 hours

Roughest stretch: The open Gulf Stream, mid-crossing

Stay low and near the middle of the ship. The open water in the middle of the crossing is the stretch to prepare for.

Where to sit: Bow (front): avoid; Midship: best; Stern (aft): ok.

Get your read

A few quick questions about you, then your trip. Nothing is saved or sent.

Step 1: about you

How you usually react to travel is the single best signal. These come from the validated MSSQ.

How often do you feel sick as a passenger in a car?
…on boats, ferries, or cruise ships?
…on amusement rides, swings, VR/3D, or reading on a screen in motion?
Can you read your phone or a book in a moving car without feeling queasy?
Do you get migraines or episodes of vertigo/dizziness?

Step 2: your trip

Pick the kind of trip you are planning.

Answer step 1 and pick a trip in step 2 to see your read.

Crossing the Straits of Florida? Have Dizzout ready

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The crossings that cross it

RouteTypical durationWhat to know
Fort Lauderdale to BiminiApproximately 2 hoursBaleària Caribbean's high-speed ferry Jaume II from Port Everglades to Alice Town.
Bimini to Fort LauderdaleApproximately 2 hoursThe same ferry on the return. The operator lists a sailing time of approximately 2 hours and offers round-trip and same-day return options.

What helps on this crossing

  • Check the marine forecast before you travel, especially from October to March, when the Coast Pilot says waves of more than 6 feet (1.8 m) occur 8 to 15 percent of the time along the Florida east coast.
  • Keep your booking flexible from June through November. The Coast Pilot says tropical cyclones primarily occur in those months, with mid-August through October the busiest time.
  • Sit low and near the middle, watch the actual horizon line and put your phone away. The crossing is about 2 hours.

For the full toolkit see the seasickness guide, or what to do once it has already started. For what the trials actually say about the oldest trick on that list, see the verdict on looking at the horizon. If the rocking follows you ashore afterwards, that is land sickness, which is normal, and it passes.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Straits of Florida rough in July?

Usually small waves on the Florida side. At NOAA's Hollywood Beach buoy (NDBC 41122), in 15.6 m of water off the Florida coast, the daily maximum wave height averaged 0.56 m in July over 2023 to 2025. That buoy is nearshore with a short record, so it does not show the open Straits. The Coast Pilot says thunderstorms are most likely from May through October and tropical cyclones primarily occur from June through November.

Is the Straits of Florida rough in January?

January falls in the rougher half of the year. For the Florida east coast the Coast Pilot says waves of more than 6 feet (1.8 m) occur 8 to 15 percent of the time from about October through March. It adds that gales are usually encountered less than 1 percent of the time, with maximum winds reaching 35 to 50 knots from October through March.

Is the Straits of Florida rough in October?

October is where the rougher half of the year starts. At the Hollywood Beach buoy the daily maximum wave height averaged 1.06 m in October over 2023 to 2025, against 0.56 m in July. The Coast Pilot says trade winds in the Straits of Florida are persistent and intense in October and November, averaging around 15 knots, and that mid-August through October is the busiest tropical cyclone period.

How long is the ferry from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini?

Approximately 2 hours, according to Baleària Caribbean, on the high-speed ferry Jaume II from Port Everglades to Alice Town.

Other crossings

Sources & further reading

Sea conditions described here are typical patterns drawn from published marine and operator information as of July 2026, not a forecast: conditions on any given sailing depend on the weather that day, and any month can deliver a calm crossing or a bad one. Route and operator names are trademarks of their respective owners; Dizzout is not affiliated with or endorsed by them. Seasickness sensitivity varies from person to person; this page is informational and not medical advice.