Bimini, Bahamas Port Guide

By Barely Cruising - July 06, 2022

Bimini Beach (Photo Credit: FotoKina / Shutterstock)

Bimini, Bahamas Port Guide

Last Updated: July 20th, 2022

Our Rating: ***** (5 Stars)

So you’re going to Bimini? Maybe this is your first trip and you’ve never been so you're not quite sure what to do or what to expect. Or maybe you're looking for more ideas on what to do in Bimini. Well look no further.

A little about Bimini

Bimini is a fairly new cruise port that opened up to tourists in July 2021. It is located 55 miles off the coast of Miami and is primarily a beach destination with a few history tours you can take if you're interested in learning more about Bimini. Bimini has approximately 2,000 people living there and is still in much of its original state except for a few resorts on the island.

Bimini is divided into two islands North and South with the cruise port located in the North and the Airport in the South. Getting from one side of the Island to the other is fairly easy, you can take a Ferry which averages roughly $8 a person each way.

For Comparison the island is located 62 miles south of Grand Bahama Island, 127 miles northwest of Nassau, 77 miles from West Palm Beach, and 58 miles from Port Everglades. The Island is considered one of Virgin Voyages private resort destinations due to the fact that they have their own privately used resort on the Island.

The pier where all ships dock is in East Bimini and can accommodate some of the world’s largest cruise ships. Being so close to Miami, FL you can expect the same kind of weather here. The temps range from 60 degrees in the winter to 90 degrees in full blown summer.

The legal tender is the Bahamian Dollar but US money is widely accepted here due to all the tourists. While there are many ATMs on the Island it also comes with big ATM fees so be advised. Crest cards are also accepted on the Island especially at many of the large Resorts.

Getting Around The Island

The Island is approx. 7 miles long but getting around the Island can sometimes be a bit much to walk. If you plan to visit a resort consider taking a ride on one of the Resorts World trams as they only make stops to the resorts on the Island. However, they run about every 30 minutes. These Resorts host all kinds of activities from Casinos, to beaches and food.

You may also choose to get around the Island in a Taxi which can cost approx. $5 a person for most locations. With the cruise port being in the Middle of the Island it is about the same distance to both sides of the Island.

If you choose to stay close there are a few Resorts such as the Resorts World Hilton which is about a 10 minute Walk from the port. But with this heat if you plan to go any further I would suggest another means of transportation besides walking.

Shopping

Now for those of you who enjoy shopping, there is a small market just south of the cruise port. Otherwise, the only shopping is in the various Resorts on the Island. Keep in mind, you are on an Island that is not fully developed and has limited resources and can be a bit pricey due to the Items having to be imported from the Mainland.

So What Is There To Do In Bimini?

Good question, Since Bimini is primarily a beach destination you can enjoy the beach of course, maybe enjoy a little snorkeling, scuba diving, Swim with some sharks, or even enjoy a little jet skiing.

If you want to explore the Island, You can rent a golf cart for the day and ride around exploring the Island. Just make sure you eat and drink plenty of Water it can get very hot out there.

Almost all the cruise lines offer a host of various Excursions that can be purchased through them if you wish to go that route but you're also free to explore and do your own thing.

There are many local beaches on the southwestern side of Island including: Alice town, Blister Beach, Radio Beach, and Spooky Hill. You may also find several near the port in the Resort Areas. Keep in mind though that you will be charged for various amenities such as resort fees and costs for loungers, sun chairs, and even pool use.

If you're looking for a free Beach all together be sure to head on over to Paradise Beach which is right next to Resorts World Beach. Now you do have to pay to snorkel or to eat but if you just want to enjoy some water, this is a nice free excursion option with no admission or resort fee to pay.

You may also opt to experience Beach 360 which is normally sold through your cruise line. Beach 360 is located right next to Resort World Bimini Beach and has some of the clearest bluest waters. The prices vary depending on the cruise line and various add ons. You can even rent cabanas, umbrellas, and beach chairs. The Premium beachfront offers a swim up bar, 2 lagoon pools, a DJ playing music, and lots of beachfront property to enjoy.

Not in for a beach day or at least may be not all day, Then perhaps you may want to see a shipwreck, the SS Sapona wreck which happened in 1926 when a hurricane ran a World War I ship aground. It has been there ever since. You can book this experience through Resort World or in advance.

If you enjoy history, you may want to explore some of the museums on the Island such as Bimini Museum or Dolphin House Museum. There is no charge to visit but it is asked that you leave a donation.

Did you know Bimini even has a Shark Lab you can visit? You can sign up to tour the station, participate in research , and even adopt a shark. Just so you know these sharks are lemon sharks and therefore are not harmful to humans so no need to worry there. They have Zero fatalities against humans. You must take a one-mile ferry ride to South Bimini to experience this so keep that in mind when planning this activity.

For those of you who like to spend a little or all of your time in the Casino, you may want to make a visit to Resorts World Casino where you may lose but who knows you could win big too!!

Food & Drinks

No need to worry about getting food or drinks here. The local Food on this Island is Conch which is prepared in a number of ways and can be found at any seafood restaurant on the Island. Of course you will find many other food options as well so don’t stress and if you want free food you can take a trip back to the ship and enjoy one of the free venues onboard your ship.

For those of you who enjoy a nice drink make sure to check out two of Bimini's most popular drinks, Goombay Smash, which consists of four different types of rum, pineapple juice, and orange Juice. Also the Rum Runners, which consists of assorted fruit juices, banana liquor, rum, and grenadine. Both of these drinks were made famous by the illegal smuggling of rum between Miami and Bimini.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Bimini Beach, Bahamas is hands down one of the most beautiful beaches in the Bahamas. It has some of the cleanest, clearest, and bluest waters you’ll ever see. You can also spend as little to as much money as you want here so it's a port that works even for those with not a lot of money to spare.

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