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Bimini Cruising Guide© The only in-depth guide for Bimini.
"Making a trip to this famous island just got a whole lot easier." South Florida Sportfishing
Bimini Bahamas Info on Bimini Sands Hotel Resort & Marina on the island of Bimini
Bimini Run The island of Bimini lies 45 miles from Miami. Physically close but spiritually a whole 'nother world...It's the Bahamas the way it should be.
Radio Beach on Bimini
A Bimini Run No website on boating in south Florida would be complete without discussing the storied island of Bimini in the Bahamas. For many, a trip to Bimini is the ultimate weekend boating vacation, the so called “Bimini Run”.
Bimini, The Island A couple of miles long and a few hundred yards wide. Maximum elevation is roughly one palm tree high. Twin dirt roads optimistically named the King and Queen's Highways. No cruise ships, tour-boats or shopping malls. Golf carts but no golf courses. Traffic is defined as a boat anchored in the path of the seaplane. The island of Bimini has been called a glorified sandbar. And therein lies its enduring appeal.
Nestled on the border between the Gulf Stream and the Great Bahama Bank, the island and nearby cays provide some of the most sparklingly clear waters in the western hemisphere. The dazzling neon shades are as vivid as anywhere in the Caribbean, with underwater visibilities over 100 feet common.
The nightlife
Ponce De Leon - Still Dead Discovered in the early 1500's by Ponce De Leon, Bimini’s long history is replete with literary figures, sport-fishing pioneers and numerous celebrities. Among them Ernest Hemingway, Adam Clayton Powell, Martin Luther King, Jimmy Buffett and many others. But equal billing over the years has gone to the pirates, rum-runners, ship-wreckers, outlaws and modern day cocaine cowboys. Indeed, the island is infused with a certain sense that things are just different here.
Geographically Close But... Yes, Bimini in the Bahamas inhabits a wonderful dichotomy. As the crow flies it's less than 50 miles from Florida. But between the skyscrapers of Miami and the shacks of Alice Town stalks the fabled Gulf Stream. The world's most powerful ocean current, it can be a benevolent companion or your worst enemy. This explains much of Bimini's character, physically close to the US but spiritually a world away.
Gun Cay - 10 miles south of Bimini
Bimini has always had a reputation as
a colorful place for a vacation or getaway. Many would argue crusty is a better description. In a
sense the island is a throwback to the 50's. A bit boozy and laced with
machismo, it's a place where small boats square off against the Gulf
Stream and tales of the one that got away are ubiquitous. A place where
no one thinks twice about a cold beer before noon. A place where
politicians slink away to after falling from grace or, in the case of
one would-be President, Bimini is where they go to fall from grace in
the first place.
In Bimini, “Political Correctness”
The Gallant Lady
Bimini can rightfully lay claim to being the birthplace of modern sport-fishing. The International Game Fish Association, the IGFA, was essentially born on Bimini. In fact its first President and Vice President, Michael Lerner and Ernest Hemingway respectively, both lived on the island and fished it's surrounding waters. Deep sea, bottom fishing or fly casting on the flats - the variety is nearly endless. It is the ideal fishing destination, with a story on every dock.
Summer Season
In summer months the winds and seas
of the Gulf Stream typically lay down, at times forming a glass smooth
surface as far as the eye can see. It is these favorable conditions that
prompt south Florida boaters to head across in droves. It's not uncommon
to see boats under twenty feet making the trip, including the author
who's crossed in a 17-footer with his 66 year old father. Indeed Bimini
during summer weekends exudes an air of festive revelry, often bordering
on debauchery. In summer it's not uncommon to see boats under twenty feet making the run, including the author who's crossed in a 17-footer with his 66 year old father.
But that's only half the story. During the rest of the year the rough waters of the Gulf Stream intimidate all but the most hardcore mariners and visitors number in the dozens, not hundreds. It is remarkable to witness the change in atmosphere from the rowdy summer months. If you're looking for a low-key island vacation, Bimini, Bahamas in the winter is it!
Junkanoo Dancer
Hotels and Nightlife In terms of hotels and nightlife, Bimini right now probably won’t be confused with any of the Saint somewhere islands. More than a few local buildings are in a perpetual state of repair, and we use the term repair very loosely. The hotels are generally modest and likewise the restaurants will never give South Beach a run for its money. But things are changing. Development in the past few years has finally taken off with a number of successful developments. Bimini Sands Resort & Marina on South Bimini has been completely sold out. The new Bimini Bay Resort and Casino includes condos, marina and homes currently under construction. A casino and ultra-luxurious Konrad Hotel by Hilton are also in the works. Even Alice Town itself is sprouting to life with the new Browns Hotel & Marina which is slated for construction by the time you read this. Nor have the long established properties been dormant. The Seacrest Hotel & Marina has just added a new wing of rooms overlooking the bay, while the Big Game Club has undergone significant renovation.
All of which is fine and well. But Bimini’s real charm lies in its beautiful waters, easy fishing and slightly shady, always colorful atmosphere. It truly is, as Hemingway once wrote, an island in the 'Stream.
What You Need To Know (A Shameless
Plug)
If you are a novice, it is strongly advised that you travel as part of an organized flotilla or with a more experienced group of boaters. This is generally not too difficult to do. Many dealers have owners clubs that make the trip each year. The same is true for fishing clubs, yacht clubs and other nautical groups. Or just ask your marina to find other boats that make the run over. You can also check with the Bahamas Tourism Board which sponsors organized flotillas to Bimini and other islands.
We might be a tad bit biased, but we strongly recommend the VantagePoint Guide to Bimini. At 200 pages, it is the most in-depth source of information available for the island of Bimini. It has everything you need to know to make your trip safe and successful. And, we’ve been told, it’s quite an enjoyable read.
Reviews "Last fall frequent traveler Dave Kresge published the Bimini Cruising Guide. This is a solid compendium of vital info for visitors." Florida Sportsman Magazine
"If you're planning a trip to Bimini, this is the best 30 bucks you will ever spend." South Florida Sportfishing Magazine
"Dave Kresge’s Bimini Cruising Guide is an in-depth look at the island that lies just 50 miles off the coast of Florida. This reference is all you’ll need for your next trip. It’s fun to read, too; the author includes offbeat things to do, places to see, and island history, trivia and lore." The International Game Fish Association
"This new guide describes everything you ever needed to know about visiting the Bimini Islands in your vessel." Fort Lauderdale Yachtsman Magazine
"The author did a great job of researching the island. He includes all the inside spots and local knowledge. And I should know, having lived on the island my entire life." Al Sweeting Jr - Charterboat captain, Bimini, Bahamas
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Did you know? Hemingway shot himself in the legs while on his first trip to the island. The incident would go on to form the basis of a humorous magazine article titled On Being Shot Again
Did you know? At less than 50 miles from the coast of south Florida, Bimini is close enough for a "lunch run" in the right weather. |
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