The Biminis

The Bimini Islands are the most popular small boat destination in the Bahamas. Being only 42 nm off the major Florida metropolitan areas of Ft. Lauderdale and Miami, they are crowded on any weekend, all holiday weeks, and during their several major fishing tournaments. They're a fun place to be if you're into fishing or diving, and have good shoreside resturants and bars for the nighttime bar crawl. Because the trip is short, it's a good learning trip before biting off the longer runs to Walkers or Green Turtle Cays.

A summer rainstorm builds as a string
of boats leave Bimini Bay.

Most of the inhabitants are on North Bimini, and live in the two small towns of Alice Town, near the south end, and Bailey Town, occupying the middle. The north end of the island is owned by private investors, who from time to time make improvements to the property. The towns have a sprinkling of shops, churches and merchandise stores befitting a small community.

The airstrip, some older dwellings, and the new marina/condominium complex of Bimini Sands is on the south island. A BASRA base is well around to the south on this same island.

When I'm in Bimini, I stay at the Big Game Club. It's well maintained, has good 24 hour security, and everything I need either on premises or in easy walking distance. I've listed its current (Feb 2002) rates on the sidebar.

Navigation

Other than crossing the gulfstream, the only challenge going to Bimini is getting into the bay itself. The entrance from the ocean is guarded by a long sand bar on the seaward side, and a rock reef at the southern end. The idea is to stay outside the sandbar until you find the range markers, then run a heading toward them until close to the beach. There is plenty of good, deep water along the beach to turn north and run into the bay, nearly 3/4 a mile to the north. The range markers are low lying, unlit, and difficult to see. Find them and the route from there on is easy.

Line the tall marker up behind the short one
(about 75 degree heading) and head for the beach.

The range markers are tough to locate in the best of light. The can be seen clearly in the above photo, but what they really look like is shown below.

Ease up to the waypoint, and locate the marks.
Read the water on the way in!
Latitude  25 42.08   Longitude  079 18.58

You must locate the range markers, or follow a boat in that knows what they are doing. Read the water all the way in. The rock reef is well off to starboard if you're on the right track, and you might not even see it. In full sunlight you'll readily see the long sand bar, which you must get inshore of before turning north toward the bay. There is also shoaling north of the jetty of the new Bimini Sands Condo/Marina, so prepare for heartstopping readings on the depthfinder when passing across that area. In June, 2002, a small dredge was removing sand, leaving the marked pipe in the water when not in use, adding another hazard for the unwary.

Other Navigation Notes

Don't run down the beach south of the range markers, as you'll run over the rocks. If going to the Sapona, exit offshore at the range markers and stand well south before re-entering the bank.

Don't cut the corner on the sandbar if you can't see into the water. It really gets shallow all the way to the range markers on low tide. Yes, there is an unmarked channel midway down the sandbar, but its position varies with the latest storm and depth varies with the tide. It should be traversed only if you have recent local knowledge.

When you're making the run in toward the range markers, and then north along the shoreline, make notes of how you would do it at night. Note the how much sea room you have between the beach and the sandbar, the standoff you need at the Bimini Sands jetty, note searoom at the narrow entrance to the bay itself, etc. Sooner or later you'll want or have to do it at night, where you can't see anything except what your spotlight and radar will show, and those notes will prove invaluable.

Closed for renovation from January thru April of 2002, they reopened for business in May, 2002. For a boater they offer:

• Hotel rooms and cottages. (rates below)
• Large pool, tiki bar, and lounge.
• Well appointed resturant with
  international and local cousine.
• 81 slip marina with electricity and water
• Diesel and gasoline fuel dock.
• Small boat floating dock.
• Grocery store across the street.
• Bait, tackle & guides nearby.

Room Rates:

• Hotel rooms. (3 persons if bed added))
     2 doubles or 1 king
     $154 midweek.
     $210 weekend.
• Cottage units. (4 persons)
     2 double beds.
     Refrigerator & sink.
     $177 midweek.
     $246 weekend.
• All room prices quoted include
  the tax and maid fee adders.
• Foldouts beds available for any room.
  

Dockage:

• Marina slip rates:
     $1.25/ft + water + electricity.
     Water metered at $.45/gallon.
     Electricity: 30 and 50 amp service
        $15/day less than 39 ft
        $20/day less than 49 ft
        $25/day 50 feet and over
  
• Small boat dock.
     $30/day + electricity if used.
     6 slips available.

Should do's:

• Visit the Compleat Angler. Have a drink, visit the museum, read the newspaper clippings.
  
• Visit the End of the World Bar. It marks
  you as having really been to Bimini.
• Rent a golf cart and tour the island.
• Snorkel or dive the Sapona.
• Snorkel or dive the Bimini Road.
• Bring lots of bug spray. They're plentiful, especially at dusk.
• Troll the wall. It doesn't get
  any better than that.
• Bottom fish the rolloff.
  Even a beginner can't miss.

Long a fixture anchored off the bay, the
Gallant Lady is now on the cemetery rocks.

Like other populated islands in the Bahamas, the government provides (sometimes) doctor and nurse care at a public clinic. In the Biminis, it's located at Porgy Bay in Baily Town, about a mile north of the Customs building on North Bimini.

Hours are: 9:00 - 1:00 MF.

At other times, both are on call for emergencies at (242) 347-2210.

Prescription drugs are NOT available on the Biminis, with the nearest pharmacy being Freeport or Nassau. The clinic has some drugs available to dispense for patients who require them, but only if the doctor has treated the patient and sees the immediate need. Otherwise, it's call Nassau and wait for the Chalk's airplane.