About Bimini

    Ernest Hemmingway's "islands in the stream" perch on the edge of the Gulf Stream, just 50 miles east of Miami (the city's glow can be seen at night) and 120 miles northwest of Nassau.  The Bimini group - the westernmost of the Bahamas archipelago - is barely 10 sq miles and flat as a flounder.  The name is a Lucayan Indian term meaning "two islands."

    Below the north island and separated by only 150 yards of water lies South Bimini, a chunkier and virtually uninhabited plot of land. The main Airport is on the south island.  There is also a Fountain of Youth located just off the road to the ferry dock.  A sprinkling of small slender cays lies further south. 

    The major air carrier to Bimini for many years, Chalks Airlines, had their first fatal accident leaving Miami on December 19, 2005.  Eleven residents of Bimini died in the crash.  A memorial was being held for the victims the day we arrived.  This accident may cause Chalk's to go broke

    Together the islands have fewer than 1700 full-time residents, known as Biminites, who like to interact with the world on their own laid-back, sometimes lawless, terms.  Most everything happens in Alice Town on Bimini.  Just as you get off the water taxi at Alice Town is the Straw Market.  Across the street from the straw market is the library and museum.

North Bimini (locally referred to as simply "Bimini") is shaped like an inverted crab's claw, 7 miles long and no mort than 400 yards across at the islands widest point.   Bimini beaches are quite nice.  They are never crowded like Florida beaches.  There is even a shipwreck on the beach at the south end of the north island.   A perfect place to sit and enjoy the ocean. 

    There are several places to stay, restaurants,  and a variety of night spots for the evenings.

    Bimini is known for its deep sea fishing.  Much of the activity takes place at The Big Game Hunters Club.  This complex has its own marina for the many fishing boats visiting the island.   The original Weeches Bimini Docks where Hemingway hauled in many fish still is a working dock.

  For those people who like diving there is the wreck of the ship Sapona a few miles south of the islands which is a favorite of divers.  There is also the Bimini Road located a few miles off shore.