This Stunning Island Chain in the Bahamas Has Epic Scuba Diving, Luxury Beachfront Hotels, and Delicious Seafood — and It's Just 50 Miles From Florida (2024)

Located just 50 miles off the coast of Florida, Bimini is a collection of cays and islands in the Bahamas that offer a mix of adventure and rest. Cerulean waters house bygone shipwrecks, bonefish flats, and a coral reef system teeming with wildlife and tropical currents, making it one of the most attractive diving and fishing spots in the region. “I’ve spent most of my life exploring Bimini’s beautiful waters. The thrill of being out on the shallow, sandy flats and reeling in the catch will never get old,” said Ansil Saunders, a renowned native boat builder and bone fisherman, as well as a local legend who once went boating with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during his visit to the island.

The main tourist areas of North and South Bimini are separated by a narrow ocean passageway, with ferries connecting the two islands. Alice Town, located on the larger North Bimini, hosts the island’s major tourist attractions and hotels, including the 750-acre luxury beachfront property Resorts World Bimini. “Bimini is also rich in history, and there are many local gems worth exploring. The island was home to famous figures like Ernest Hemingway and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and you can learn all about its past from local historians like Ashley Saunders, a local artist who spent more than 25 years constructing the Dolphin House Museum entirely out of found objects and recycled materials,” said Grace Giste, officer of the Bimini Tourist Office, The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments, and Aviation. Whether you choose to fish for yellowtail or snapper, dive off historic shipwrecks, or try your luck at a casino, there are plenty of options on this small yet mighty island. Here's how to plan an unforgettable trip to Bimini.

Best Hotels and Resorts

Resorts World Bimini

For a prime location with plenty to do, check into the expansive Resorts World Bimini. The 750-acre luxury beachfront property spans approximately half the island and features miles of white-sand beaches, three pools, 10 restaurants, and a world-class casino. All accommodations come with balconies, some with ocean views.

Bimini Big Game Club Resort & Marina

Situated in the tourist-friendly center of Alice Town, Bimini Big Game Club Resort & Marina is a boutique hotel that first opened in 1947. The 51 accommodations here range from deluxe rooms and cottages to penthouses, and the property is also home to Bimini Seafood Company & Conch Bar, Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba Center, and a full-service marina, which boasts 75 slips that can accommodate boats up to 140 feet.

Best Things to Do

Visit Dolphin House Museum.

Step into a prismatic world constructed of recycled and salvaged materials and created by artist and historian Ashley Saunders, a fifth-generation local. Built in 1937, the Dolphin House Museum is a popular attraction for daily walking tours. Conch shells, sea glass, and other materials make the structure glow with detail, each piece serving as an homage to the dolphins that have inspired Saunders’ life.

ExploreNeal Watson’s Bimini Scuba Center.

As the first dive operation in Bimini, Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba Center employs several dive boats, including a 60-foot glass-bottom vessel that can accommodate divers, snorkelers, and sightseers. In addition to diving and snorkeling, the center offers great hammerhead and wild dolphin safaris. It's also a member of the Reef Rescue Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the condition of coral reefs. Popular activities to book include a half-day snorkel tour that makes stops at the crystalline Honeymoon Harbour and SS Sapona shipwreck.

Relax at Radio Beach.

A popular spot for both visitors and residents, Alice Town’s Radio Beach offers some of the island’s most beautiful sunsets and sapphire waters. It’s also the only beach in Bimini that has public facilities such as vendors and toilets. “If you're looking to indulge in local food and drinks, Radio Beach is a great place to start. It's lined with Bahamian restaurants and bars, where you can try local favorites like conch salad, fresh seafood, and island-inspired co*cktails, according to Giste.

Hit the casino at Resorts World Bimini.

Whether you’re a high roller or a low-stakes gambler, the 10,000-square-foot, live-action casino at Resorts World Bimini features popular table games and more than 160 slot machines. Plus, you’ll be mere steps away from a number of restaurants.

Best Restaurants

Bimini Seafood Company & Conch Bar

Located in the Bimini Big Game Club Resort & Marina, this restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a marina setting overlooking the island’s famous bonefish flats. Dishes include both American and Bahamian cuisine, with house favorites such as coconut curry shrimp and grilled ribs.

Smitty's Beach Bar & Restaurant

Enjoy beach views and a lively atmosphere at this casual outdoor restaurant. You’ll be able to enjoy a number of Bahamian classics, including conch, of course, alongside diners belting karaoke tunes.

Nate’s Bimini Bread

A family institution and popular bakery, Nate's Bimini Bread is the place to go for outstanding mounds of coconut rolls, guava and cream cheese loaves, and cinnamon raisin buns, allbaked fresh every morning.

Stuart’s Conch Salad Stand

Enjoy fresh conch and lobster salad alongside a house-made hot sauce — if you can stand the heat — at this renowned stand, which has been in business for more than 20 years. Try a bowl of the roughly chopped conch, elevated with citrus juice, onions, tomatoes, and green peppers.

Best Time to Visit

Though temperatures in the Bahamas are warm and pleasant year-round, the most popular time to visit Bimini for temperate, dry weather is mid-December to mid-April. This time of year brings more crowds, though, typically resulting in higher hotel prices. Visitors should also be mindful of hurricane season, which falls between June and November.

How to Get There

Bimini is about 50 miles east of Florida. The most affordable option is to take the two-hour Balearia ferry from Fort Lauderdale, which offers charters three days a week. There's also a high-speed FRS Caribbean ferry that departs from Miami for a two-hour ride to Bimini. To arrive via air, take a 25-minute flight on Tropic Ocean Airways from Fort Lauderdale or Miami.

How to Get Around

If arriving by plane, you’ll land at South Bimini Airport. Most visitors stay on north side of the island. To get there, flag a taxi at the airport; it's a five-minute ride to the South Bimini ferry dock ($5 per person). Then, take the public ferry to North Bimini ($8 per person). Note that most vendors throughout the Bahamas only accept cash.

Once on Bimini, travelers can arrange a golf cart rental, which is the main mode of transportation on the island. Book one starting at $90 per day with Bimini Golf Cart Rentals. Meanwhile, guests staying at Resorts World Bimini can reserve a golf cart provided only to hotel guests. There are no car rentals on Bimini, and many places are accessible via walking.