Bimini Bahamas: Islands in the Stream

Wazzup Pilipinas!

I enjoyed two nights of Bimini Bahamas experience. It's my break from work to enjoy and celebrate the shore. The beach has super-fine white sand, The water is emerald-colored. All-in-all, we had a great time!

Bimini is the closest Bahamian island to the United States that is located just 50 miles off Florida’s coast. The island boasts of miles of pristine beaches. Bimini is historically significant and is popularly known as Ernest Hemingway’s favorite escape. Hemingway led the way for fishermen who pilot their own boats across the Gulf Stream from Florida to follow in his footsteps, and pit themselves against some of the world’s feistiest game fish and each other. Jimmy Buffett spent some time there to write his book, and Martin Luther King, Jr. also composed parts of his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech at the island. A bronze bust of his image is at the Bimini Craft Centre in Alice Town.

It's historical complexity and renowned past which includes Bimini Road, believed to be the remnant of the legendary Lost City of Atlantis, are just some of the reasons why visitors from around the world enjoy an opportunity to frolic within its shores.

  

"Bimini Bahamas is truly an “Island in the Stream” which hovers at the edge of a sheer underwater cliff that falls thousands of feet into a dark blue abyss. The Gulf Stream rushes northward, washing past Bimini, nurturing its thriving coral reefs and serving as the aquatic super highway for everything from marlin to mantas, dolphin to sea turtles. It’s a one of a kind location that, coupled with a colorful history, makes Bimini a favorite diving and fishing getaway."

Bimini means two islands in the first inhabitants' Lucayan language but it is actually made up of three islands: North Bimini Island, South Bimini Island and East Bimini island—and there are numerous cays (pronounced “keys”) like the Cay Sal Bank which is geographically not a part of the Bimini Islands but a separate unit. The other cays include Holm Cay, Piquet Rocks, Turtle Rocks, North Cat Cay, South Cat Cay, and Ocean Cay. 

It's only a short 5 minute ferry ride between the North and South islands so its a quite convenient to island hop. The waters surrounding the islands are gin clear and make up some of the most pristine beaches of the world.

 

The Resorts World Bimini experience starts in Miami aboard Bimini SuperFast, a 32,000 ton entertainment and casino cruise ship that sails round-trip between Miami and Bimini daily. Travel time is around over two hours.

Upon boarding the ship, I explored it and was quite surprised at how large it was. It was basically a mini-cruise ship with acceptable amenities that you'll enjoy.

Many have said that the crew on the ship are super friendly from start to finish. Actually, the reviews says that the staff members are more than super friendly. They will treat you like family. Everyone is above and beyond nice and accommodating. Even after working all day they will be smiling and wishing you a good night right up until the end of the night.

You'll also enjoy the ride into the docks. It will give you a chance to see the island up close from the boat. Once at the docks there are trams waiting to take you to "the beach", "the resort casino/pools" or into "Alice Town". It's nice going with the tram to the beach the first time for it is an absolutely beautiful beach.

 

The smallest of The Bahamas Out Islands is big on beaches. There's the Bimini Beach Bay, Radio Beach, Blister Beach, Spook Hill, Porgy Bay Beach, Tiki Hut Beach and the harder to reach beaches on the Cays to the south are the choice if you are looking for the best beaches. Chances are you’ll have a secluded beach all to your own.

The islands are known for its laid-back way of life. But don't confuse laid-back with boring because there's a boat-load of things to do at Bimini - interact with wild Atlantic spotted dolphins, cast flies for bonefish on the flats of The Bahamas Bank, kayak to the legendary “Healing Hole” ... a natural spring amid the mangrove mud that pumps lithium and sulfur ... and scuba dive on wrecks, reefs, “off the wall” or atop the mysterious Bimini Road! Bimini also boasts some of the world’s best diving and fishing destinations.

Sapona, located off the coast of South Bimini, is a landmark sunken ship that was built by Henry Ford during the First World War. Another spot to explore is Piquet Rock, a large wreck of a Spanish ship, complete with rocks and cannonballs. And of course, the site that no diver will want to miss is the fabled Lost City of Atlantis in shallow water just off the shores of Bimini.

Many Anglers are lured to Bimini for the thrill of a big catch. In fact, it was on Bimini that between the fishing, drinking and brawling, and whilst staying at the Compleat Angler in the mid 1930's, Hemingway wrote Islands in the Stream and To Have and Have Not.

Bimini water-related tours also includes kayaking adventures, boat tours, shark excursions, and snorkeling trips.

Resorts World Bimini is a 750-acre luxury Caribbean beachfront resort and casino, located on North Bimini Island, Bahamas and two miles from South Bimini Airport (BIM). The resort features lavish accommodations, a wide variety of exclusive amenities including six restaurants and bars. You will have a choice of accommodations, including beach-front villas, multiple restaurants and bars, shopping, gym and pools.

It is the closest casino to Florida, offering a full-scale, live action gaming experience and first in the world with water and marina views.

South Bimini also boasts of a local nature trail that will educate you on all the local flora and fauna. The Bimini Nature Trail allows you to see the endemic plants and animals that call Bimini home, in their natural environment. Snake lovers can get to see a Bimini Boa as just one of the many endemic species in the islands that is surely a terrific eco-adventure for the whole family.

There is a Healing Hole pond which earned its name because of its reported healing properties. The pond is a natural fresh-water spring that pumps up lithium and sulfur inside a salt water swamp in the mangroves of Bonefish Creek but the location is accessible by boat only.

If you're more adventurous, Bimini is also home to several landmarks that are said to contain mystical properties of obscure origins. Much of the historical data about these places is speculative in nature, and experts in various fields have opined across the full spectrum of explanation.

For those that crave a bit of gambling adventure with their island getaway, North Bimini, Bahamas now offers a casino! They offer live action table gaming with Roulette, Craps, Blackjack & Baccarat, Sportsbook and wagering, and slot machines. So bring your money and have some fun!

"Resorts World is all about Bimini and their property and influence are everywhere..more for the travelers looking for real world comforts....like gambling and slot machines. But the real beauty in Bimini is outside these doors on the indisputably gorgeous beaches with turquoise waters inviting you in!"

So what are you waiting for? Pack a bag for the day, a weekend or week and embrace life with a sunny new disposition. The time is now. The place is Resorts World Bimini. Just 50 miles from Miami Beach.


Contributed by Joel Cuison

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