When it comes to laidback charm, it’s hard to beat the Bahamian out island of Bimini. Fab beaches, fishing, diving, swimming and chilling are all orders of the day.
With its 700 islands and cays, the Bahamas offers many vacations in one. And a great way to experience the country is by visiting one of more of the out islands. These include Eleuthera, the Exumas and – bliss! – Bimini.
With a teeny airport, Bimini (BIM) is just 25 minutes from NAS served by several carriers. Once there, golf carts are the transport of choice.
Comprising North and South Islands, Bimini (pop @ 3,000) is the corner of the Bahamas that’s closest to Florida, just 50 miles away. It’s a haven for deep sea anglers, divers and folks who generally want a break from civilization.
The western side of long, skinny North Bimini is a sweep of white sand beach, fringing the beautiful blue and turquoise waters.
Home for our media fam for two nights was the Bimini Big Game Club, a modest but welcoming resort of 35 rooms and cottages with its own expansive marina and scuba centre. It has a low-key friendly vibe that can be warmly recommended; and though not beachfront is just a 5 minute walk to the beach on the other side of the island.
And if you have clients who are into fishing, what a great spot to recommend to go to in search of marlin, wahoo, tuna – and Bimini’s famous bonefish. Ernest Hemingway, American author and fishing fanatic, spent a lot of time right here. The Big Game Club’s resto will gladly cook whatever you bring ashore.
It’s clear this is also a divers’ haven, drawing scuba enthusiasts with the hotel’s onsite Neal Watson Dive Centre. With 12 boats, it offers a range of dives from 2-tank (US$139) to specialty dives including the Hammerhead Safari, (US$339 including serious bragging rights). Judging by the professional underwater cameras I saw, this is a destination you can recommend to your dive clients with confidence.
For clients who aren’t divers or fishers, there’s still a great way to get to know the local underwater life at a stingray encounter, where, standing in thigh deep water you can feed these magnificent and gentle creatures. There are also dolphin encounters; and you can even admire the sharks just off the dock at the Big Game Club.
Clients wanting a taste of the big and the fancy can stay at or visit the splashy Resorts World Bimini, on the north of the island, complete with casino, infinity pool and more.
But for my money, I’d take the barefoot-casual Big Game Club as more authentically Bimini. Tell clients to bring a good book, their favourite pair of shorts and wait for the stress to slide off. Give it half and hour, and it will.
Find out more at Bahamas.com.
