More than 100 people attempting to flee the devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas have been kicked off a ferry headed to Florida for not having a US visa.

Around 130 Bahamian evacuees boarded the ferry in Freeport, Grand Bahama on Sunday night to head to shelter in Fort Lauderdale, Florida after withstanding several days of limited food, water and power on the island.

But they were forced off the boat before it set sail after the crew suddenly announced it would not take any passengers seeking refuge without a US visa, according to local media reports.

Current US policy allows Bahamian residents travelling to America by air to enter the country without a visa as long as they have a passport and proof that they do not have a criminal record.

This had been extended to allow arrivals by boat amid warnings the devastated country could suffer a major humanitarian crisis.

Hundreds of hurricane survivors queued for several hours to board the ferry, operated by Balearia Caribbean, to Fort Lauderdale on Sunday evening.

But before the ship departed a loudspeaker announcement called for "any person that doesn't have a US visa please proceed to disembark", leaving passengers frustrated and confused.