The Bahamian island is closer than you think.
Many of us know that Bimini, Bahamas, is the island closest to the U.S. After all, it’s only about 60 miles from the South Florida coast. But Bimini is actually a chain of islands. North Bimini, with its long eastern arm, is the one where most visitors first check in. It’s home to the main settlement of Alice Town and a variety of marinas and resorts, including Resorts World Bimini and Bimini Big Game Club. South Bimini is the second largest and home to the airport. Smaller islands, such as Gun Cay, North Cat Cay, and South Cat Cay, offer incredible fishing, snorkeling, and diving opportunities.
Arriving to Bimini is easy. Take your own boat across, hop on the Balearia Bimini Fast Ferry from Miami or Fort Lauderdale, or fly across on numerous airlines or on seaplanes. There are several resorts and marinas that will accommodate your stay.
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Bimini is a gateway to the Bahamas, of sorts, as it’s a stepping stone to the Lucayan archipelago of more than 700 islets and islands. Because of its proximity, the island is full of history from Ernest Hemingway to space capsules to pirates and rum runners. But Bimini is really known for its blend of adventure, relaxation, and culture, as well as its beautiful turquoise waters and white-sand beaches.
First on the list is the world-class fishing grounds, especially for big game. Marlin, wahoo, and sailfish are among the prized catches which have given Bimini the nickname “Sport Fishing Capital of the World.” Several fishing tournaments are held annually, attracting international competitors, and its waters provide a great fishing experience for both novice and experienced anglers. The Bimini Big Game Club & Marina is a boutique resort on the inside waterway in Alice Town (biggameclubbimini.com) and is serious about its fishing. The marina offers 75 slips for boats to 140 feet in length as well as on-site Customs and Immigration check-in.
Novice and experienced snorkelers and divers will relish in the crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral reefs surrounding the islands. Sheer walls, shallow wrecks, caverns, and those colorful coral reefs provide divers and snorkelers plenty of seascapes. Experienced divers will find opportunities for night, drift, and technical dives. Bimini is also known for its shark dives.
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Besides the Sapona wreck, which is half exposed in 18 feet of water, the Bimini Barge sits in less than 100 feet of water along the Great Bahama Bank and offers a mixed environment of both reef fish and pelagic fish, stingrays, and nurse sharks. Being close to the Gulf Stream, divers can expect varying strengths of current as well. Another cool dive and snorkel spot is the mysterious Bimini Road, or Road to Atlantis, a series of underwater limestone blocks that some believe are remnants of the lost city of Atlantis, while others consider it a natural formation.
One in-water experience that is a little unnerving is walking or swimming with stingrays. Just south of the main island at Honeymoon Harbour on Gun Cay, a popular spot for rafting up with a few boat buddies, visitors can wade into shallow waters and interact with friendly stingrays in their natural habitat. These gentle creatures glide through the water, and waders with handfuls of squid can feed and even touch them, but shuffle your feet as you walk to avoid stepping on one.
One of the most prominent places to wile away the day is on the beach, and Bimini has some of the most beautiful in the Bahamas. White sand and warm, clear blue waters are the norm. Most are on the west side of North Bimini with three contiguous beaches along Alice Town: Radio Beach, Blister Beach, and Spook Hill. Radio Beach, located on the southern end, is one of the island’s most popular spots for sunbathing and swimming due to its laid-back atmosphere and easy accessibility.
On the northern end, Resorts World Bimini Beach has been developed into a stunning oceanfront playground with a long stretch of soft-sand beach, a large lagoon-style pool, and cabana rentals.
Whether arriving by private boat, cruise ship, ferry, or flying over, Bimini has numerous resorts, the largest being Resorts World Bimini. It’s a luxurious complex that offers a wide range of amenities and activities featuring a casino, upscale restaurants, and multiple pools. Visitors can enjoy water sports, explore the surrounding islands by boat, or relax in the resort’s rooftop infinity pool overlooking the pristine waters of the Bahamas. rwbimini.com
Bimini Bay Marina, adjacent to Resorts World Bimini, boasts a resort-life setting with one of the largest floating dock systems in the Caribbean. Fisherman’s Village docks to the south and the Mega Marina docks to the north offer 250 transient docks and can accommodate vessels up to 160 feet in length. Each dock is equipped with optional electricity and metered water. In addition, the Customs and Immigration office is conveniently on-site.
The marinas can host groups up to 100 boats, including some intrepid Jet Ski groups that challenge themselves to cross the Gulf Stream. A few of the builders that currently rendezvous at Bimini Bay include Boston Whaler, World Cat, and several Florida-based MarineMax stores. biminibaymarina.com
There are also land-based sites to vist, such as the Dolphin House Museum. Local artist Ashley Saunders created the unique attraction, a vibrant, mosaic-covered house, by hand using recycled materials such as tiles, seashells, and glass. Stop by on the way to Radio Beach and tour the museum to learn about its construction and hear Saunders’ fascinating stories about the island. facebook.com/dolphinhouse242
Bimini’s cuisine is as “islander” as it gets with an emphasis on fresh seafood. Conch is a local favorite and is prepared in a variety of ways, including conch fritters, conch salad, and cracked conch. For the freshest taste, there are plenty of conch stands around Alice Town. Give Stuart’s or Joe’s Conch Stand or Sherry’s Place a try.
And you can’t pass up the island’s famous Bimini bread, a sweet and fluffy loaf that pairs perfectly with seafood dishes. Most every restaurant serves it, but grab some from Charlie’s Bakery or Nate’s Bimini Breads.
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Bimini is also becoming a popular place for a second home or vacation retreat. A plethora of homes reside on Bimini, including Rockwell Island just north of Bimini Beach. Currently under construction with only a few home sites remaining, a second phase of development is well on its way toward completion along with a planned Banyan Tree resort offering natural, serene home designs nestled privately between the beauty of the surrounding island and the crystal waters that make Bimini famous. The site now includes the brand-new Bonito Beach Club, an exclusive beachfront club that allows guests to relax with drinks, lounge on the beach, and enjoy a fine-dining experience. Additionally, yachts are welcome to anchor off the beach in front of the club, where a tender service can assist guests onto the beach to enjoy a stress-free day. bonitobeachclub.com
Bimini is known for its world-class fishing, vibrant marine life, and stunning beaches. It might be time to take a trip over and enjoy the beauty of the islands.
-by Stephanie Spurling
