The Diving

Bimini sits on the edge of the Grand Bahama Bank and the gulf stream in water as clear as a glass of gin.  With an great diversity of dive sites, there are opportunities for every level of diver.  Coral reefs, walls, shipwrecks, marine life, blue holes and caverns provide leisurely dives, drift dives, wall dives, night dives and shark dives.  Divers are likely to see squirrelfish, grunts, angelfish, butterfly fish, sergeant majors and parrotfish; also moray eels, sharks and other large pelagic species.

Diving with a Ramora, Credit

The liberty ship ‘Sapona’ is a cement vessel that ran aground on the banks behind Turtle Rock Reef in 1926 during a hurricane.  In only 5.5m (18ft.) of very calm water, half of the ship is above the water line. Totally covered with invertebrates and home to nurse sharks, moray eels and countless tropical fish, it is a favourite of underwater photographers.  This is a great dive (or snorkel) for all levels of experience.

Caribbean Reef Shark, Bimini, Credit

‘Tuna Alley’, ‘The Nodules’, and ‘Victory Reef’ are dive sites along a narrow strip of wall that stretches from Cat Cay, 18km (11 miles) south of Bimini, through a string of smaller cays.  The bottom terrain is variable, full of ridges, overhangs, swim-throughs and caverns. Dives are typically  in the 18m – 30m (60ft. – 100ft.) range.  This stretch of reef sits on the very edge of the Grand Bahama Banks, allowing you to peer into the abyss of the gulf stream.  What type of large pelagic may come up from the depths is anyone’s guess.

Bimini road, a path of cut stones reputed to be the ruins of the road to the lost city of Atlantis, lies in 4.5m (15ft.) of water.  There is a vortex here, one in which electronics fail and the compass spins out of control.  This site is part of the Bermuda Triangle, an area of 804,672 sq. km (500,000 sq. miles), into which dozens of planes and ships have simply vanished.

Bimini Shark Feed, Credit

Off of the western side of Bimini lays the continental shelf, also the edge of the gulf stream.  An amazing drift dive, the wall begins at 43m (140ft.) and drops off over 1,219m (4000ft.) into an indigo abyss.  If adrenaline is what you are seeking, this fast moving dive into the unknown should fit the bill.

Unlike the annual running of the bulls in Spain, at the Bimini Bull Run, you don’t run at all.  Divers enter a cage that is lowered into the water at the docks of the Bimini Big Game Club.  Masses of bull sharks encircle the cage.  Up to 3.3m (11ft.) long, this apex predator is commonly found in warm shallow waters and known to be aggressive.  The bull shark ranks among the top five sharks most likely to attack a human.   A percentage of the proceeds from these dives goes to shark conservation.

Bimini Coral Reef, Credit

Each February, the great hammerhead sharks begin to congregate off of Bimini.  One shark dive takes place just off of the coast in 6m (20ft.) of water.  It doesn’t take long for the first sharks to appear after the dive master lowers a crate of bait (fish heads).  First to arrive are the nurse and bull sharks.  The guest of honour, the great hammerhead, is somewhat shy of humans and tends to arrive fashionably late.  Listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the great hammerhead can reach 6.1m (20ft.).

How to get there

By Air, United Airlines and Bahamas Air serve the tiny airport of Bimini via Fort Lauderdale International Airport, Nassau or Freeport.  Tropical Ocean Airways runs scheduled and chartered seaplane flights from Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

Dolphins in bow wave, Bimini, Credit

By boat, try the fastest ferry in America, the Bimini SuperFast, makes the crossing from Miami to Bimini twice a day.  Private boats are, however, the most rewarding means of travel.  Crossing the Gulf Stream on a small boat simply adds another layer of magic to the island experience.

Once on Bimini, taxis are available, as well as rental cars, golf carts and bicycles.

Where to Eat & Drink

Taste of Heaven Bakery is more than just a bakery.  Famous for their Bimini Bread, they are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Try a guava Danish or cinnamon roll with your morning coffee.  Lunch specials change from day to day.  For dinner, try the tuna and grits.

Joe’s Conch Shack is a wooden hut famous for its fresh conch salad.  The proprietor mixes fresh raw conch, tomato, green peppers, onions, and hot peppers.  The salad in then tossed in generous amounts of fresh lime juice.  The  citric acid in the lime juice cooks the conch.

Bimini, Credit

Family owned and operated, Edith’s Pizza serves authentic Bahamian home cooking and pizzas.  The lobster pizza is a must-try!  Don’t forget the ice cold Kalik (Bahamian beer).

On the Kings Highway in Alice Town, all of the bars are clustered together within walking distance.  Relax with a cocktail and watch the sunset at Ebbie’s Bonefish Club.  Live bands play regularly at Mackey’s Sand Bar and Big John’s.  If you are feeling charitable, donate your underwear to the wall décor at the End of the World Bar.

Area resorts also provide a variety of nightlife, including a casino at Resorts World Bimini.

Other Activities

The Bimini islands are tiny, only 23 sq. km (9 sq. miles), so most of the activities revolve around the water.  Big game fishing was popularized in Bimini in the 1930’s by the exploits of many famous figures such as Zane Grey, Howard Hughes, and Ernest Hemingway.  As stories of giant marlin and Bluefin tuna spread, tournaments began attracting fishermen from all corners of the globe. 

Beach in Bimini, Credit

The flats of Bimini Bay off of North Bimini have a sea grass and sand bottom habitat, ideal conditions for the bonefish.  Easily spooked, this fish requires a stealthy approach.  Once hooked, the bonefish puts up a real fight; pound for pound, one of the best fighting fish in the world.

Paddle boarding and kayaking are a popular way to see these shallow waters.  The equipment is easily rented.

Back on land, you can visit the pink hued Bimini Museum or walk pas the Dolphin House, the home of a long-time islander.  The house was hand crafted entirely from shells, crushed coral cement and reclaimed tiles. 

Deep within Bimini’s 4 sq. miles of mangrove is a pool once thought to be the fountain of youth.  Today, it is referred to as ‘The Healing Hole’.  During low tide, the pool is fed by a series of underground channels.  Cool, mineral rich fresh water fills the pond. 

If healing or contemplation is what you seek, the Bimini Big Game Club offers yoga classes and a number of massage therapists to work out the kinks from all that diving and fishing.

Family Friendly

Bimini offers a safe, family-friendly atmosphere.  The Bimini Sands Kids’ Club has fun and educational programs for children of all ages.  The kids learn about the environment, express their creativity, and socialize with other children.

Many of the diving, fishing and water sport excursions have patient leaders who are excited to introduce their incredible marine world to future divers and sportsmen.

Tips

• In the winter months, a wetsuit is strongly recommended.  Also, it can be quite cool in the evenings.  A sweatshirt or light jacket will make your stay more pleasant.

Bimini Reef, Credit

• Pack sunscreen at any time of year and bug spray (with DEET) during the summer and early fall.  Dengue virus is a mosquito-borne illness that has become more prevalent in the   Caribbean over the last few years.  Symptoms of the virus include fever, headache, rash, joint aches, and muscle and bone soreness.

• Pack handheld VHF and GPS if you will be exploring on your own.  

• Electrical outlets are 120volt.  A 220volt converter and flat two-pin adapter are necessary for British and European appliances.

• Carry a well-stocked first aid kit.  Adequate medical care is difficult to find in the outer islands.

• Consider a global rescue membership, particularly if you plan to engage in more advanced and dangerous dives.  In the event of serious illness or accident requiring hospitalization, evacuation to the US is the normal route for care.