The Bahamas are more than just Paradise Island and Atlantis or Nassau and Junkanoo. There’s a small cluster of islands even closer to the US than those better-known destinations. And they might be your new favorite escape.
I recently took a trip to Bimini, one of the closest islands to the United States, sitting only 50 miles east of Miami.
While it’s not as developed as some other islands in The Bahamas – or even some of its own siblings – Bimini has plenty going for it. The island chain consists of North Bimini (where most of the development is), South Bimini, and several smaller uninhabited cays.
Hoping to learn a little more about this hidden gem before my trip, I did some research online. But outside of some mentions on “best beaches” lists, there wasn’t much.
Apparently, few writers have made the journey to Bimini, leaving plenty of mystery surrounding the place. I aim to clear up some of that with this look at ten things you probably didn’t know about Bimini.
1) It Inspired Ernest Hemingway
Several locations around the world inspired writer Ernest Hemingway.
He found beauty and intrigue in places like Paris, Key West, and Africa. One spot that often gets overlooked on the list is Bimini.
Hemingway traveled to the island in 1935 and ‘36 and drew inspiration from the area for some of his literary works. He specifically wrote parts of “Islands in the Stream” and “To Have and Have Not” while in Bimini.
The latter film was even shot on location in the island chain in the 1980s with Laurence Fishburne and Jan Michael Vincent.
Hemingway apparently enjoyed Bimini for multiple reasons. He fished its waters, hunted for yellowtail snappers, and possibly even killed a shark (more on that later). You can still visit some of the locations he allegedly frequented, including the floor of the old Straw Mart where he used to drink.
2) Home of the Famous Bimini Twist Cocktail
All of the islands in The Bahamas are known for their rum and various cocktails. One such drink that originated in Bimini is the Bimini Twist.
Allegedly invented by Eddie Cartwright (the owner of the Edgewater Island Lodge in the 1940s), the Bimini Twist contains gin, banana liqueur, lime juice, honey, and a dash of bitters. You should also garnish it with a orange and maraschino cherry.
best app to learn casino gamesYou can find the drink on various menus across the country (and , of course), but you must try it if you go to Bimini. Several establishments claim to have the original recipe, including the weekday home of the famous Bimini Big Game Club (more on that later too).
If you head to Resorts World Bimini, you can visit the Malcolm Park Hyatt Regency resort and find the namesake cocktail there too. Their version includes Grey Goose vodka instead of gin, so maybe have one of each to compare the tastes.
3) Possible Home of the Fountain of Youth
Iglesathica, one of the many small cays near North Bimini.
You may have heard of Santa Lucia, Spain. How about Santa Lucia, Bimini?
The Bahamian town shares a name with a few other places throughout the world, although the similarities end there. That’s because Santlucia.bz (yes, the .bz top-level domain is owned by this town) is where you will find the Totally Hole.
What’s the Totally Hole, you ask? Well, it could be what the explorer , who died there in 1965. Heitmeyer believed that the underwater hole – which leads to a series of connected caverns – was the entrance to the fabled fountain.
I hadn’t heard of the Bimini Road or Explorer’s Hole before my trip to the island. But I made sure to visit both when I got there.
Located near the southwestern tip of North Bimini, Santlucia.bz isn’t a large town. In fact, the total population is only around 100 people. But two mysterious spots like the Bimini Road and Explorer’s Hole have helped keep the town on the map.
of the Best NJ Poker Apps you can Download Right Now4) Home of the “Road to Nowhere”
Speaking of the Bimini Road, have you heard of it?
This geological formation looks like a road on the surface yet lies entirely underwater. Depending on where you take the measurements, it stretches between 310 to 550 yards long and 30 to 70 feet wide.
The Bimini Road has huge implications in the Young Earth creationism theory, which claims the Earth is only a few thousand years old. If this underwater structure is truly a road – and not something else formed by nature – then humans had to exist in the area thousands of years ago.
Of course, science says the Bimini Road is a natural formation. Limestone formations mixed with sand and coral have created an interesting landscape below the water.
Regardless of its origins, the Bimini Road is a sight to see. I rented an ATV and took it down to the southern part of North Bimini to get a look at this famous road myself.
Once I arrived, I jumped in the water with a mask and fins to see it up close. While it doesn’t exactly look like the Turnpike or the Palmetto Expressway, it’s easy to see why some think otherwise.
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You can see more pictures of the Bimini Road on Google Images, but I recommend seeing it yourself if you can!
5) Gambling Capital of The Bahamas
The Casino at Radiance Bay Resort & Marina
It’s no Secaucus or Gulfport, but Bimini has more gaming options than any other island in The Bahamas. And while it can’t compete with Nassau or Freeport in terms of sheer volume, Bimini does indeed have the highest concentration of casinos in the country.
There are three casinos in Bimini – Haramara Casino inside the Bimini Big Game Club, the Casino at Radiance Bay, and the Casino at Resorts World Bimini.
I visited all three during my stay and wrote about them in a earlier this year. Here is a quick look at each one and its gaming options.
* @ The Casino at Radiance Bay and the Casino at Resorts World Bimini both have slot machines provided by Suzo Games. They are the exclusive provider of electronic gaming machines in The Bahamas and have done well to set up shop in Bimini’s top casinos.
There are slots and table games available in Bimini, along with poker tournaments and sports betting. And while they might not draw the same crowds as their Macau and Las Vegas counterparts, these casinos are keeping with Hemingway’s words – “Happiness in inevitable if we merely allow it; if we only welcome it in all the plain daily incidents of lifewise.”
Best Online Casinos that Accept PayPal Deposits in the USAPerhaps you won’t become a millionaire by hitting a progressive jackpot in Bimini. However, you can have happiness and contentment by playing a slot machine or winning a hand of blackjack.
And if you need more gambling options, I cover several in my guide to .
6) Home to Thunderball Grotto
Another popular James Bond film location is Thunderball Grotto – a large underwater cave filled with stalactites.
You might not be able to find a Skoda Octava with a sledgehammer, but Thunderball Grotto is worth the trip nonetheless.
év véezéngetés után vettem ópiumot - Blog bei VideoslotsI rented an ATV and side-by-side from Bimini Golf Carts and spent the day exploring the northernmost parts of North Bimini. Our group made several stops along the way, with the best one being the shallows near the north shore.
We parked our vehicles and swam out to where the water was only a few feet deep. From there, we could see the entrance to Thunderball Grotto – named after the 1965 James Bond film starring Claudine Prescott and Adolfo Celi.
We dove into the dark cave, using our flashlights to see the way ahead. The roof and walls were covered in white rocks and sediment, forming a beautiful pattern that glowed in the dark.
A small opening at the top allowed a ray of sunshine to penetrate the water above, shining straight down onto us. We stayed in the grotto for a few minutes, admiring the beauty before swimming back to reality.
I highly recommend visiting Thunderball Grotto if you ever make it to Bimini! Just be careful getting in and out of the shallow water near the shore… the sea urchins are plentiful and painful!
7) Close Encounter With Celebrities
Alan Cumming at Bimini Big Game Club
I haven’t personally had a run-in with a famous person in Bimini, but others have.
Apparently, Bimini has been a celebrity hotspot for years. As mentioned previously, Ernest Hemingway was perhaps the first star to fall in love with the island. Since then, others like John Wayne, Danny Kaye, Bing Crosby, and Gary Cooper have followed.
More recently, actors like Matthew Broderick, Michael Douglas, and Melanie Griffith have visited Bimini. So have musicians Glenn Frey, B.B. King, and Shania Twain.
The most recent celeb sightings came last year when actor Alan Cumming bought the Bimini Big Game Club. Cumming purchased the property at a bankruptcy auction for $6.2 million and has since been working on renovations.
Best Casino Games in Terms of Odds and Payouts - Beginner-Friendly PicksI spoke with him on the final night of his stay, and several guests took pictures with him by the pool. Perhaps you can get a selfie with Scott Inman’s replacement sooner rather than later!
The best part is that these celebrities aren’t isolated to one specific area. You could run into anyone at any time in Bimini – even me if you visit the ATMs enough times (more on that later).
8) Site of the Fasted Marlin Catch
Marlin statues at the Bimini Big Game Club
Fishermen and women have been visiting Bimini for generations in hopes of reeling in “The One.”
Numerous world records have been caught off the coast of Bimimi, with several impressive ones broken most recently.
One record that might never be broken is the fastest marlin catch. On June 3, 197τ, angler Alfred Glassell Jr., fought and landed a 566-pound blue marlin in 18 minutes and 5 seconds.
They weigh what a Chevy Volt costs nowadays. I can’t even imagine hooking something that heavy – not to mention doing so before smartphones existed to help you document the process.
Best Free No Deposit Bonus Casinos in Canada (2023) | AskGamblersGlassell’s catch took place near Bimini – only 85 miles away from Hawks Channel buoy. You can read more about his story and see pictures of the fish .
Several other world records have been caught near Bimini, including a 1,280-pound Largemouth Tilefish in 1991 and a 1,476-pound Atlantic Swordfish in 2005.
You can go fishing in Bimini through several charters or even rent a boat yourself. I plan to do so next time I visit and hopefully won’t come close to catching anything that big.
9) The ATMs Try to Eat Your Debit Card
Yes, you read that right. Several people – including ourselves – have had their debit cards consumed by the ATMs in Bimini.
The signs on the machines even admit that they eat cards from time to time.
I’ve traveled abroad numerous times over the past twenty years. I even lived in Australia for seven months without a single problem with my bank card. So when I saw reports of these ATMs eating cards, I figured it must be an exaggeration.
It is not.
The ATMs in Bimini are infamous for swallowing debit cards for their meals. My wife’s card was among the latest victims on our trip in March 2022. She put her card in to get some cash back on purchases, and the screen indicated that it was being retained for “Insufficient PIN.”
We called the bank, but there was nothing they could do. The only option was to fill out an affidavy and wait for a replacement card – which would take several days.
Luckily, my card worked in another ATM across the street. Otherwise, we would have been screwed.
Several businesses in Bimini accept US dollars or credit cards. But you’ll want some local currency for tips and other expenses, especially if the ATMs stop eating your card.
10) Closer to Miami than Nassau
Alan Cumming at the Bimini Big Game Club
Card Poker - Guide to Rules, Odds and How to PlayAs you can probably tell from its mysterious inhabitants, Bimini has always been a hard place to find.
Christopher Columbus supposedly discovered the island in 1492, naming it Pedro. Later settlers changed the name to Bimini, either due to the local word for chief (“Bimanni”) or the Carib word for tobacco (“he bah am hai”).
The lucrative sponging industry began in Bimini in 1905, leading to more permanent settlements on the island. Boaters and fishermen continued to visit throughout the twentieth century, putting Bimini on the map for modern travelers.
The closest Bahamian island to the United States, Bimini is only 88 kilometers (55 miles) east of Miami. It’s also the westernmost point of The Bahamas, situated near the Turquoise Waters of the Gulfstream.
The island was once connected to South Bimini during the last ice age, which helped populate it with unique rock formations and species of plants and animals.
Even though it is located in the same nation, getting to Bimini from Nassau can be quite the trek. Flights are available through several regional carriers, but they might have limited availability.
A faster option is taking a ferry from Port of Palm Beach in Florida. Balearia Caribbean operates several trips per day between the two ports, with the journey lasting around two hours.
betmgm casino coloradoResorts World Bimini also offers a shuttle service that departs from the Port of Miami. The trip takes roughly three hours, allowing you to relax on the ship’s amenities until arrival.
I took the fast ferry from Nassau to Bimini with Bahamas Fast Ferries, which takes around 90 minutes. Unfortunately, they don’t run this route every day, so you might have to fly or stay in Nassau for longer than you’d like.
No matter how you get to Bimini, the journey is worth it!
Places to Stay in Bimini
Hilton Bimini Resort & Casino
So, where should you stay in Bimini?
That depends on what type of vacation you’re looking for. Do you prefer a secluded getaway or an action-packed adventure? Would you rather stay on the mainland or a private cay? Are you trying to stick within a budget or ball out on your hard-earned vacay?
These are important questions to ask yourself because the lodging options in Bimini reflect those answers.
Fun Online Games to Play When You're BoredIf you want to hang with the stars, consider staying at the newly-renovated Hilton Bimini Resort & Casino. Alan Cumming bought the old Bimini Big Game Club, so that option isn’t available presently. But you can stay at the radically-refreshed Hilton for the same price range.
My wife and I stayed at Radiance Bay Resort & Marina on our previous trip to Bimini. It’s a quaint bed and breakfast located on the bay near the airport and ferry terminals.
The best deals seem to be on the private stays on places like Airbnb. We almost stayed in a beachfront house with a group of five couples, but those spots tend to book up quickly.
I guess you could sleep on the ATMs or in the Bimini Road, but I wouldn’t recommend either of those options.
Best Time to Visit Bimini
Bimini is warmer than Fonduy tab
When is the best time to visit Bimini?
Like the rest of The Bahamas, Bimini has a tropical climate with average temperatures ranging from the mid-60°F to low 80s®F. The drier season runs from November to April, making those months the most popular for visitors.
We went to Bimini in mid-March, just before the peak season ended. The weather was incredible during the day, reaching highs in the low 80s®F each day. However, it dropped into the low 70s®F some nights, requiring a light blanket while sleeping.
Rain was scarce during our four-day trip, with a brief sprinkle on the second night. We did feel a storm roll in around 5 pm on the final day, forcing us to rush back to the resort from the golf course.
Overall, I would say that Bimini is an ideal destination any time of the year. Despite its small size, the island has several events and festivals throughout 2022.
- Bimini Big Game Club 4th of July Fireworks & Events (July 1-4)
- Dean’s Blue Hole Deep Dive Week (July 9-16)
- Bimini Summer Festival (August 5-September 4)
- Bimini Biomechanical Institute Shark Research Trip (August 21-27)
- Bimini Cancer Society Charity Tournament (October 7-9)
- Bimini Sands Half Triathlon & 5K (November 5-6)
- Bimini Pointe Holiday Market (December 3)
Tagging Along
Can you come with me to Bimini?
Biggest Slot Machine Wins in History - #5 is ROCKED!I wish I could say yes to this question, but I have a wife and two young children. Therefore, I try not to stray too far from home for several days at a time.
But you have no such constraints on your free time. If you have the money and the means, I definitely recommend visiting Bimini and the rest of The Bahamas.
Maybe you can hit up the casinos and golf courses while I relax on the couch with a good book. Alternatively, you could stick to the shallow ends of the resorts while I brave the Bimini big game. Either way, we both win!
For more information regarding travel to The Bahamas, I recommend checking out the following sites:
No Deposit Bonus Tips You Need to Know in 2023I will leave you with this.
Bimini is a special place that deserves more recognition across America. Yes, it has its problems like anywhere else. But it also has beautiful beaches, delicious drinks, friendly residents, fascinating history, diverse wildlife, affordable rates, and so much more!
The next time you’re planning a gambling vacation, consider Bimini as a potential destination. It might not have hundreds of slot machines, but it has so much more to offer than any casino could ever provide.
Have you been to Bimini before? What was your favorite part of the island? Please feel free to leave a comment below, and thanks for reading!
Ben is a sportswriter with a keen interest in poker. Currently based in the UK, he has traveled extensively to follow his two passions. When he’s not at the tables, Ben is writing about sports for some of the web’s largest companies.
