Bimini

Looking for adventure on a tropical island? Bimini has it all. A Bimini cruise will set you on the shores to relax on Bimini beaches, take up water adventures such as diving and snorkeling shipwrecks and underwater ruins, try your luck at big game fishing, tour a local boat building shop, explore geological mysteries or visit an historic Bimini lighthouse – but most of all, enjoy!

There are two islands, North and South, which make up this idyllic place. There is a small Bimini ferry that runs between the islands. Bimini beaches are some of the best around. South Bimini is all about nature and ecotourism. There are nature trails, healing holes, warm waters, mangroves just to name a few adventures. There are a myriad of diving opportunities; coral reefs, countless encounters with marine life and underwater adventures to Atlantis. Bahamas charter flights can deliver you to North Bimini, a resort destination that boasts pristine waters and exceptional white sand Bimini beaches.

Big game fishing is popular on the islands. The Bimini ferry transports you to a place of crazy history including explorers, pirates, and rum running during Prohibition. Celebs such as the world renowned author Ernest Hemingway and Nobel Peace Prize Winner Martin Luther King, Jr. helped carve history. In the early 1500s, Ponce De Leon searched for the elusive Fountain of Youth. It won’t be long until you realize there are many things to do in Bimini. Bahamas Island hopping is a great adventure; Bimini also has several smaller cays all in the same vicinity. Kayaking and boating are quite adventurous. G

et to the islands via a Bimini cruise on the Bimini ferry, which takes about 2 hours, or the much quicker Bahamas charter flights with Bahamas Air Tours, which will take less than an hour. Instead of taking the ferry to Bimini from Fort Lauderdale, take the plane – it will save you time! The Bimini ferry docks at the Resorts World Bimini pier. If you own a boat and want to take a one day cruise to Bimini or possibly a Bimini weekend cruise, there are several Bimini marinas to dock your boat. Take the local Bimini ferry to travel between the islands.The Miami to Bimini distance is 50 miles east. The one day cruise to Bimini takes about two hours each way.

There is much to see and do in Bimini on a Bahamas day trip or Bimini cruise from Miami by plane on Bahamas charter flights. A Bimini cruise from West Palm Beach is only available by plane.

North Bimini Highlights

The attractions of North Bimini are found on a narrow isthmus on the eastern rim of the island. The Bimini ferry will dock here making it convenient to the attractions. After disembarking the Bimini ferry, you can rent a golf cart to get around the island. Alice Town, the capital of Bimini, has a population of about 300 and merges with Bailey Town. This stretch of island is populated with resorts, hotels, marinas, and restaurants. The stunning Bimini beaches are a star attraction. You will find recreational activities such as paddle boarding, snorkeling, surfing, and diving; plus, ample room for sunning – exactly what you were hoping for on your Bimini cruise. On Bahamas charter flights you will get a spectacular view approaching the islands. All the amenities offered on the cruise ship will be available on a Bahamas Air Tours plane ride, plus personalized service just for your group.

For a taste of history, try the Bimini Museum in Alice Town. It originally served as a jail in the early 1920’s but was converted into a local museum in 1999. There are artifacts from local history, photos of Ernest Hemmingway and stories of his life in Bimini. Hemmingway was instrumental in “putting Bimini on the map” due to his love of fishing and reports of his big game fish. In return, Bimini inspired Hemmingway to write several notable books such as Old Man and the Sea and Islands in the Stream. Make this a sure stop on your Bimini cruise.

Your Bimini cruise will give you the chance to brush up on the Lost City of Atlantis by participating in a geo-tourism dive to the underwater Bimini Road that leads to the reported city of Atlantis. Dive the unexplained ruins and draw your own conclusions. This is just one of the many adventures you can experience on Bahamas charter flights.

Make a stop at the Ansil Saunders Boat-Building Shop. Known for designing and building the best bone-fishing boat there is, he holds the world record bonefish, he is a renowned bone-fishing guide and professional tour guide to diving spots and holes in the mangroves. He has hobnobbed with celebs such as Ernest Hemmingway and Martin Luther King, Jr. He is a local worth connecting with as he knows Bimini beaches, fishing and diving. If you are lucky, he could take you on a Bimini cruise to island hop Bahamas.

The Dolphin House, created and built by Mr. Ashley Saunders, has living quarters, guest quarters and a small museum. The house is made of shells and beach glass found on Bimini beaches. Saunders hosts a walking tour of Alice Town and the Dolphin House is a highlight of the tour. A tour of Bimini via Bahamas charter flights will give you the opportunity to meet the Saunders brothers and learn about this tropical place.

Leave the Bimini beaches behind and head to the mangroves. One of several things to do in Bimini is visit the Healing Hole; named due to many reports of healing after swimming in the hole. Accessible only by boat, this spot is where fresh water bubbles up into the salt water. Check with one of the local Bimini marinas about renting a boat or finding a charter to take you on a Bimini Bahamas cruise to the Healing Hole. Once there, you can snorkel, dive, kayak, and fish.

Near Porgy Bay Beach, one of several Bimini beaches is a historical location called Shark Mound. The Shark Mound is a section of earth that is about ten feet higher than the mangrove swamp in which it is located. It is about 500 feet long and its boundaries form the image of a shark. A flyover on Bahamas charter flights can give you an aerial view of the mound. It is thought to be thousands of years old but no one knows its true origin. Geologists and archaeologists have studied the area with no conclusive answers to the mystery.

If you are looking for an authentic Bimini souvenir, visit the Bimini Craft Centre in Alice Town. There are many booths which showcase the various crafts from folks on the island. Hats, t-shirts, trinkets and other handicrafts are the focus.

A point of history is the Martin Luther King, Jr, memorial bust at the Craft Centre. A second bust is located in the mangroves near the Healing Hole. King was inspired by Bimini nature; it was a catalyst for several of his speeches. A Bimini cruise was a King favored getaway. He made many journeys to Bimini and is remembered fondly.

North Bimini Beaches

The stretch of the North Bimini spit is sandy beach from one end to the other. On Bahamas charter flights you will get a vision of the spit and its beaches. The east side of the island has three Bimini beaches that run together: Radio Beach (or Alice Town Beach), Blister Beach and Spook Hill Beach.

Radio Beach is clearly the most popular. Even so, it is still quiet and peaceful. It has public services such as restrooms, snack bars, and vendors.

Blister Beach is a great place for sunning and snorkeling. It has beautiful, soft white sand and pristine aquamarine waters to enjoy.

Spook Hill Beach, located in Bailey Town, most likely earned its name being located near the cemetery. This is a quiet beach with shallow waters. It is ideal for snorkeling, wading, sunning and picnics. There is a snack bar on site, but there are no restrooms.

Porgy Bay Beach is a small, remote beach on the northwest portion of the spit. There are no services there, but if you are looking for sand, water, sun and peace, Porgy Bay Beach is the place to be. Blister Beach is the furthest north. With a great population of exotic marine life, it is known for snorkeling. It is a quiet beach, located away from the town sites. The only services at the beach are a snack hut; no public restrooms are available.

South Bimini Attractions

South Bimini is an eco-friendly, nature-centric island. Bahamas charter flights land at the airstrip on South Bimini. One of the top things to do in Bimini is visit the Bimini Biological Field Station or Shark Lab. Their three-prong mission is to understand the species, educate the public and enhance conservation efforts. The station provides a unique opportunity for you to experience firsthand the workings of a field biology station carried out by many volunteers. Tourist visits are best during low tide where you will be able to wade with Lemon Sharks. Reservations are necessary if this stop is part of your Bimini cruise itinerary.

The Bimini Nature Trail is found at the Bimini Sands Resort & Marina. The one-mile trail is eco-friendly and allows you to encounter indigenous plants, animals, and birds. You can take a self-guided tour and follow the interpretive signage. Or sign up for a guided tour with a presentation of both historical and ecological facts.

Legend tells us the Fountain of Youth existed, but no one could actually find it. In 1513, explorer Ponce de Leon heard it was in Bimini and set sail for this dot in the sea, but was not successful in finding the fountain. What is called the Fountain of Youth is a natural spring that was carved in the rock over thousands of years by groundwater.

South Bimini Beaches

Bimini Sands Beach is part of the Bimini Sands Resort & Marina. This beach has a lot of amenities and is very popular. There are plenty of recreational activities such as volleyball, swimming, snorkeling and sunning. The beach has a public boat dock complete with a Customs and Immigration Office for Florida boaters on their private Bimini cruise. There are several restaurants and bars for your entertainment and partying spirit. This is one of the best Bimini beaches considering all the services that are nearby. The resort is a short ride from the South Bimini Airport where Bahamas charter flights land.

Known for its solitude and the multitude of shells, Shell Beach is quiet and pristine. It is ideal for beachcombing, snorkeling, swimming, and picnicking. There are no facilities at this beach, but there are restaurants and bars both to the north and the south.

Another favorite is Tiki Hut Beach. This beautiful beach has a backdrop of palms and blooming flowers. You guessed it; it is dotted with Tiki huts for a bit of shade for the sunbathers.

Bimini Scuba Diving

A Bimini day cruise will transport you to crystal waters ideal for diving magnificent reefs, sunken ships, underwater ruins and other unique dive locations. Bahamas charter flights allow you to witness the clarity of the water as you fly over the islands. The Miami to Bimini distance is only 50 miles making Bimini the closest and most accessible Bahamas dive site to the U.S. A Bimini ferry ride by plane with Bahamas Air Tours can have you in the water in less than an hour. If you scuba dive, a Bimini cruise is for you! There are several dive companies available, or you can venture out on your own.

Top Bimini dive locations include the Bimini Barge, an ocean-going barge that sunk and is sitting on a sandy bottom on the edge of the continental shelf. The barge is at a 100-foot depth. Another is the Victories & Tuna Alley. This site has some great swim-throughs, underwater caverns and sloping drop-offs. The depths range from 40-90ft. Then there is the Little Caverns with plenty of swim throughs. You will find popcorn-shaped coral heads on a sand bottom and sponge formations. Rainbow Reef has a depth of 25-35 feet. There are shallow ledges which conceal nurse sharks, turtles, and exotic fish.

Bimini Road is thought to lead to the lost city of Atlantis. There is a pattern of large rectangular rocks. Bimini Road is west of North Bimini about a mile offshore. The road descends to 4,000 feet! There have been many studies conducted with no definitive conclusions as to the age, origin or structure of the stones.

The Sapona is a ship that was built by Henry Ford in 1911. The ship has ties to WWI and rum running during the Prohibition. She was run aground by a hurricane in the late 1920s. The ship is partially submerged in shallow waters. It is a great site for beginners to practice. The max depth is 20 feet.

Located near Port Royale, Turtle Rocks is a popular dive site for all levels. The reef ranges from 30 feet to 115 feet in depth. It is about a 7-minute boat ride out to the site.

The scuba diving around Bimini is fantastic and Bahamas charter flights are the easiest and quickest way to get there and begin a spectacular diving adventure.

Bimini Fishing

Bimini is known as the sport fishing capital of the world! The Gulf Stream happens to flow right by Bimini attracting many fish to its warm waters. The isles are also surrounded by shallow flats that appeal to the bonefish. There are marlin, tuna, sail fish, king fish, sword fish, and mackerel waiting to test your fishing skills.. You can fish offshore from one of the Bimini beaches or there are Bimini fishing charters that feature bonefish professional guides. Looking for the larger fish, then try out Bimini fishing charters at some of the area resorts and marinas such as Bimini Big Game Club Resort & Marina, Chase ‘n Dreams, and Bimini Fishing Charters. One important note: if you plan to go deep sea fishing you need to make your reservations before you get to Bimini.

Bimini Resorts

Taking a world class Bahamas vacation such as Bimini cruises or Bahamas charter flights, demands world class accommodations. Bimini Bahamas resorts range from high-end, Bimini all-inclusive resorts to more modest, rustic resorts. Most resorts offer great Bimini beaches that spread out for miles and excursions such as fishing, diving, snorkeling, and boat cruises. A hot trend is to Island hop Bahamas – boating from one island and cay to another. Bimini all-inclusive resorts have marinas to accommodate your boat and offer a variety of guide services.

Resorts World Bimini & Marina

This Hilton resort is top notch with over 300 rooms, ten restaurants, and three pools. The property is in Phase One of its development. Currently, this resort offers a casino, fitness center, and many water sports and excursions. The resort also has the largest full-service marina of all the Bimini marinas. If traveling by Bimini ferry, the Bimini cruise docks near this resort. Bahamas charter flights allow you to travel in small groups so you are not landing in mass with over 400 people.

Bimini Big Game Club Resort & Marina

The great sport fishing rush of the 1930s is the origin of Bimini Big Game Club Resort. The resort made a way for itself through sport fishing tournaments which attracted fishermen from the world over. As sport fishing grew, Bimini was developed as both a haven for fishermen and an idyllic, exotic vacation spot. Over the years the resort has changed hands and undergone several renovations. Today it offers many amenities: swimming pool, restaurants, a bar, water activities, dive shop, excursions, and a full service marina. Bahamas charter flights can transport you to a big game fishing extravaganza.

Bimini Sands Resort & Marina

Much like the other Bimini resorts, Bimini Sands has pools, water sports, a nature trail, biking, and on-site dining. The modest accommodations are condo-style with several configurations. If you plan on staying for a longer time, this is a great option. The resort also has a full-service, deep-water marina. This resort is on South Bimini and closest to the airport where Bahamas charter flights will land. It is about a 10-minute drive to the resort.

Sea Crest Hotel & Marina

Located in Alice Town, the Sea Crest has a variety of room configurations that are great for families or groups. There is an onsite restaurant. It is centrally located for easy access to shops, restaurants and other attractions. Their small marina is full service and offers boat rentals and charters for fishing, swimming with dolphins & stingrays, snorkeling, and Bahamas Island hopping. If you like lighthouses, Sea Crest offers a Bimini day cruise to Great Isaac Lighthouse. It was built in 1856 about 20 miles north of Bimini. Explore the ruins of the lighthouse keeper’s house and enjoy snorkeling in the area. The lighthouse still shines its beacon, although fully automated now.

How to Get to Bimini: Boat vs. Plane

A Bimini cruise is the most common way to travel on the Miami to Bimini ferry. The ferry has several departures throughout the week. Traveling from Miami to Bimini by boat is easy and convenient however, there are things to consider if traveling on the Bimini Island Ferry. One, do you want to spend two hours each way traveling to and from Bimini on the Bimini fast boat? Traveling from Miami to Bimini by boat reduces your actual island time to a few hours. Two, do you want to spend two hours out and back with 400 strangers who will hit the islands all at once? Three, do you get sea sick? Four, there is only one departure port for the Bimini Island Ferry – Miami.

A better option than the Bimini ferry is to select Bahamas charter flights with Bahamas Air Tours. The Bimini International Airport is in South Bimini. About 5 minutes away is the Bimini ferry to North Bimini. You get more value for your money because you will have more time to spend on the island. With flights Bahamas charter flights to Bimini you will save time with a shorter flight to Bimini; much quicker than the Bimini fast boat. A flight tour will prevent the possibility of getting sea sick. There are several southern Florida departures by air versus one Bimini ferry port. You can ferry to Bimini from Fort Lauderdale, Miami, West Palm Beach, Vero Beach and Orlando by plane on Bahamas charter flights; giving you convenient options. You will gain an aerial view of the islands. Bahamas Air Tours takes you to remote 5-star attractions that are not trampled by tourists. You will travel with a small group of family or friends. You will get 5-star, personalized service with Bahamas Air Tours. No hidden fees; the price is all-inclusive. Bahamas Air Tours has partnerships in Bahamas and can get you to attractions such as the swimming pigs, snorkeling with sharks and feeding the turtles and stingrays. All details are taken care of. So, change your thinking and go on a Bimini cruise via plane, on Bahamas charter flights.

North & South Bimini – The Ideal Spot for a Day Trip or Weekend Getaway

Take a Bimini cruise to Bahamas, a dream vacation in waiting. Bimini is a tropical island ideal for day trips and weekend getaways. The Bimini ferry or Bahamas charter flights will transport you to the tranquil isles. Want to connect with another culture but don’t have a lot of time. A Bimini day trip or weekend getaway has easy access via the Miami to Bimini Ferry or better yet, Bahamas charter flights. Enjoy a one day Bahamas cruise exploring exotic Bimini beaches. Soak in some history and meet up with Ansil or Ashley Saunders for a real Bimini tour. For underwater fun, try snorkeling and diving around some shipwrecks, ancient stone ruins of Atlantis and the nearby reefs. Visit the Shark Lab and learn about shark conservation. Take the nature trail or explore the mangroves. Listen to the siren song from the islands in the stream; come to Bimini.

Select images courtesy of the Bahamas Ministry Of Tourism.

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