Alice Town
Local life, harbourThe main settlement on North Bimini.
Island guide
Things to do in Bimini
The closest Bahamian islands to Florida, about 80 kilometres away: Hemingway's old fishing haunt, diving with great hammerhead sharks and wild dolphins, the mysterious Bimini Road and the Sapona wreck.
80 km
From Florida
2 hours
By ferry from Fort Lauderdale
Sharks, dolphins and Hemingway
Bimini is a small group of islands at the western edge of the Bahamas, about 80 kilometres from the Florida coast, close enough that Miami's lights are said to be visible on clear nights. Most people live on North Bimini, in Alice Town and Bailey Town, along a single main road. South Bimini has the airport.
Ernest Hemingway spent several summers here in the 1930s, fishing for marlin and writing, and Bimini still calls itself a big game fishing capital. Today it is best known for what lies underwater. From December to April, great hammerhead sharks gather off the islands, and Bimini is one of the few places in the world to dive with them. In summer, wild Atlantic spotted dolphins swim with snorkellers. The Bimini Road, a line of flat limestone blocks underwater, is linked to legends of Atlantis, and the SS Sapona, a concrete ship wrecked in 1926, is a popular snorkel site.
Bimini is easy to reach from Florida by ferry or short flight. Give it two to four days.
Where to base yourself
Alice Town for local life and the harbour, Resorts World at the north end for the marina and beaches, or quiet South Bimini.
North end
Marina, resortResorts World and the marina.
South Bimini
Quiet, airportThe airport and the Healing Hole.
Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Bimini
In winter, dive with great hammerhead sharks on a guided trip, usually from December to April. In summer, snorkel with wild Atlantic spotted dolphins on a boat trip. Snorkel the Bimini Road and the wreck of the SS Sapona, and see stingrays at Honeymoon Harbour on Gun Cay.
On land, explore Alice Town and Bailey Town by golf cart or bicycle, see the Dolphin House, a building decorated with collected shells, bottles and tiles, and walk the long beaches on the west side of North Bimini. On South Bimini, visit the Healing Hole, a freshwater spring in the mangroves, reached by boat.
Deep-sea fishing trips go out for marlin, tuna and sailfish.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
All beaches in the Bahamas are public, so the long beaches of North Bimini, including Radio Beach near Alice Town, are free.
Walking or cycling through Alice Town and Bailey Town costs nothing, and the Dolphin House is free to see from outside.
The underwater sights need a boat trip.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Try Bimini bread, a soft, sweet loaf sold at small bakeries, and conch salad from the stands along the harbour, made fresh in front of you. Fresh fish and lobster in season are on most menus.
Resorts World has restaurants at resort prices; Alice Town's local places are much cheaper.
Restaurant meals carry 10 per cent VAT, and a service charge is often added.
Nightlife
Going out
Alice Town has a few lively local bars, especially at weekends, and Resorts World has a casino and bars.
Fishing tournaments and holiday weekends bring boats and parties from Florida.
Evenings are otherwise relaxed.
Getting around
Getting around
South Bimini Airport has flights from Florida and Nassau, followed by a short taxi and water taxi to North Bimini. Ferries run from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini in around two hours, on a few days a week, so check schedules.
North Bimini is small: people get around on foot, by bicycle or by golf cart, which can be hired. Driving is on the left.
Costs
What Bimini costs
Bimini is expensive. Small hotels and guesthouses in Alice Town start at around €90 to €150 a night, and Resorts World costs more.
Shark dives, dolphin trips and fishing charters are the main expenses. Restaurant mains cost €20 to €35 plus VAT and service.
US dollars are used everywhere.
Safety
Safety and scams
Bimini is generally safe. Take normal care at night in Alice Town.
Shark dives are for qualified divers with experienced operators; follow their briefings. Currents can be strong, so snorkel from boats with crew.
Hurricane season runs from June to November. In an emergency, call 911 or 919.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Fishing tournaments and shark season.
December to April
Great hammerhead season
Bimini
One of the few places to dive with them.
Spring and summer
Fishing tournaments
Bimini
Big game fishing for marlin and tuna.
When to go
December to April is the dry season and the great hammerhead season. May to September is the best time for wild dolphins, though hurricane season starts in June.
Jan
Dry, peak season
Feb
Dry and comfortable
Mar
Spring break crowds
Apr
Warm water, dry
May
Warming, quieter
Jun
Hurricane season opens
Jul
Hot, regatta season
Aug
Hot, rising hurricane risk
Sep
Peak hurricane risk, some places close
Oct
Still risky
Nov
Good value
Dec
Dry season, Junkanoo
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Warm all year.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Alice Town prices.
Treat these as a guide. Dives and boat trips cost extra.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Bimini questions
The ones we get asked most.
How do I get from Florida to Bimini?
By ferry from Fort Lauderdale in around two hours, a few days a week, or by short flight to South Bimini.
When can I dive with hammerhead sharks?
Usually from December to April, with experienced operators.
When can I swim with dolphins in Bimini?
On boat trips in summer, roughly May to September.
What is the Bimini Road?
A line of flat limestone blocks underwater, linked to legends of Atlantis. Geologists see it as a natural formation.
Do I need a car on Bimini?
No. Walk, cycle or hire a golf cart.
Is Bimini a good day trip from Florida?
It is possible by ferry, but staying a night or two is much better.
Did Hemingway live on Bimini?
He spent several summers there in the 1930s, fishing and writing.
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