12 Best Things to Do in Bimini, Bahamas: Cruise Port Guide

Table Of Content

• IDEAL Things to Do in Bimini, Bahamas
• Visit Bimini Big Game Club Resort and Marina
• Night Bahamas CruiseDetails
• The Best Things to Do in Bimini, Bahamas: Now You Know
• Renting a golf cart in Bimini

Before making final arrangements, we’ll answer some FAQs about Bimini travel. Using his own resources to create the museum, he opened it to visitors from 1993 onward. The site is covered in a mosaic of shells, glass, coins, and other items found on the island. Many claims have come about that it’s a manmade structure that was later submerged.

IDEAL Things to Do in Bimini, Bahamas

The Bimini Museum is a great place to learn about the island’s history, including its connection to Ernest Hemingway. Visitors can also explore the Dolphin House Museum, which features unique architecture made from recycled materials. Passengers traveling to Bimini Bahamas Cruise Port must have a valid passport or other acceptable travel documents.

Visit Bimini Big Game Club Resort and Marina

If boating is your passion, Ansil’s Boat House is a must-visit location catering to boating enthusiasts. Enjoy sailing excursions and experience the thrill of cruising along the sparkling Caribbean waters. Carnival Cruise New Orleans is a popular cruise line that offers a wide range of exciting and fun-filled activities... Her writing is not only an exploration of travel and cruising; it is a testament to her zest for life, her commitment to family, and her love for the ocean. Her lifelong passion for travel has taken her to countless destinations around the globe, but cruising, undeniably, holds a special place in her heart. Judith has embraced the elegance of luxury liners, relished the intimacy of boutique ships, and marveled at the innovation found on the newest megaships.

Night Bahamas CruiseDetails

Bimini is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, with its crystal-clear waters inviting an array of water sports and activities. Resorts World Bimini itself serves as a gateway to both leisure and adventure. In November 2023, Resorts World Bimini Port celebrated its 1-millionth cruise passenger. The ship's 2021 program (July 3-November 7) included a total of 38x voyages with roundtrip departures from both Nassau and Bailey Town (North Bimini). All Virgin Voyages liners stop at "Bimini Beach Club" (Virgin Group's private resort on North Bimini Island).

Best Things to Do in Bimini - Cruiseline.com

Best Things to Do in Bimini.

Posted: Thu, 30 Sep 2021 17:35:32 GMT [source]

It’s a great season to explore Bimini without dealing with large crowds. However, it’s important to avoid visiting during March and mid-April due to the influx of Spring Breakers. During this period, the Caribbean island gets crowded with college students on vacation. If you’re looking for a shopping center experience, Trev Inn Marketplace offers a range of goods and services to suit your needs. The quieter and pristine beaches of Radio Beach, Blister Beach, and Spook Hill on the southwestern side of Alice Town are popular favorites. Among them, Spook Hill stands out for its shallow and calm waters.

Explore picturesque beaches while island hopping or indulge in tropical tours that showcase the natural wonders of Bimini. Take advantage of scheduled trams for hassle-free sightseeing and exploration. They offer convenient routes that beautifully showcase Bimini’s unique scenic beauty. The second stop on the tram is Paradise Beach, where visitors can rent beach chairs, umbrellas, and kayaks. To further enhance convenience for travelers, a tram service run by Resorts World operates within the port premises. The service is frequent and efficient, keeping passengers connected to every corner of this captivating destination.

To the west, between Miami and Bimini the Gulf Stream flows northward through water 6,000 feet deep, and this brings a variety of fish to the area. The proximity to the US allows for some to make day trips to the islands by way of high speed ferries. The cruise port schedule for Bimini can be found on the official website of the port authority. Visitors can also check with their cruise line to get the latest information on arrivals and departures. While the economic impact of the Bimini Bahamas Cruise Port is significant, it is essential to consider the environmental impact as well. The Tough Call article highlights the environmental consequences of the Bimini Bay development.

Bimini Islands cruise terminal

Bimini might only be 50 nautical miles from Miami, but the beauty and beaches here are unmistakably Bahamian. Translucent turquoise water and bright white beaches are found throughout the islands. On Bimini Nature Hiking Trail you’ll find out a lot about the ecology, wildlife, and history of the island.

Cruise companies dropping anchor here include Crystal Cruises, Carnival Cruise line, Virgin Voyages, and MSC Cruises. Here, instant access to the very best amenities is right at hand for disembarking guests. RockStar Suite passengers benefit from complimentary food service, exclusive bar, outdoor terrace lounge, VIP beach cabanas. The 7-mi (11-km) long island offers extraordinary activities like boating, snorkeling, scuba diving, wreck diving, jetskiing, speedboating. The partially sunk wreck of SS Sapona (concrete-hulled steamship that ran aground in 1926) is located just a few miles off the island's southern coast. Bimini cruise port can accommodate two cruise ships at a time, making this island a nice change from busier ports of call.

The Marina is the hub of activity with an island band playing music, water sports desk and a large map of the island and its attractions. No tour of Resorts World Bimini can be complete without a trip to the casino! The Resorts World Bimini Casino sports an expansive 10,000 square-foot space with all the live-action casino table games you love to play. Whether you’re looking for a little friendly competition or want to play for high stakes, there’s a table here for you. Take a spin at one of the Roulette tables and see what Lady Luck delivers to you.

The Resorts Worlds tram operates on a 30 minute rotating schedule and will take you from the ship, but the service operates between Resorts World properties only. There is taxi service on the island, but there are no ridesharing services or apps. Bahamian Creole and English are spoken on the island, so there is not usually any difficulty conversing with locals or with vendors. The currency used is the Bahamian dollar but U.S. currency is accepted and also given as change. ATMs around the resort have high service fees, so avoid them if you can. Credit cards are accepted at a few businesses like Bimini Undersea, Resorts World Bimini and Edith’s Pizza.

The island is really small, and a full day rental is more than enough time to see all the main sites. The beach club has an amazing beach with turquoise water and fine white sand. It is private to the Virgin cruise (or other cruise lines that dock there) so no other guests are there. This does not mean that Virgin Voyages or other cruise lines rent out the entire Resorts World complex when their ship is docked.

Bimini Cruise Port Guide: A Friendly Introduction to Your Tropical Getaway

Table Of Content

• Cruise Line Adds “Glacier Day” to Its Alaskan Cruise Itineraries
• The Dolphin House Museum
• What cruise ships can dock at the Bimini Pier?
• Snorkel in and around the Sapona Shipwreck (Bimini)
• Miami, FL
• What are the most popular activities on Bimini?

Restaurants at Bimini Cruise Port cater to a variety of tastes, ranging from casual eateries to fine dining experiences. Many dining establishments within the resort offer fresh seafood and authentic Bahamian flavors that satisfy every palate. Ferry services operate between Bimini and the mainland, notably from Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

Bimini beckons cruise lines sailing out of South Florida - Travel Weekly

Bimini beckons cruise lines sailing out of South Florida.

Posted: Wed, 06 Mar 2019 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Cruise Line Adds “Glacier Day” to Its Alaskan Cruise Itineraries

Hurricane season also runs from June through November, though storms are rare. The two main departing flights from Bimini are to Nassau (NAS) in Bahamas and Fort Lauderdale (FLL) in United States. These two flights together account for all of the departures from South Bimini Airport every month. Seaplanes will also make the trip to and from mainland United States with supplies and passengers. According to legend, Arawak Indians in the area told the explorer Juan Ponce de Leon about a Fountain of Youth in Bimini. In 1513 the ambitious explorer set out to find Bimini but failed to find the islands or the fountain.

The Dolphin House Museum

Whether you are a beginner or already have a scuba certification, some dives involve swimming with hammerhead sharks. Resorts World is located in North Bimini Island, and the main town and hotel is located on a thin strip of land so you can see water out of both sides. To put it into context, North Bimini Island is relatively small enough that you can opt to rent a golf cart and drive around to see the sites. You’re going on a cruise and one of your stops is in Bimini, Bahamas. Here is our port guide which also covers the shore excursions in Bimini to help you plan your trip based on our personal experience of visiting this port. If you look into the ocean, you may see marine life like stingrays and dolphins.

What cruise ships can dock at the Bimini Pier?

Rotterdam Live Blog 2021 – Day 2 – Bimini, Bahamas Cruise.Blog - Cruise Blog

Rotterdam Live Blog 2021 – Day 2 – Bimini, Bahamas Cruise.Blog.

Posted: Sun, 07 Nov 2021 07:00:00 GMT [source]

If that’s the case, no one knows whether it would be a road, wall, or pier. Whatever the case, it’s a sight you’ll be sure to remember forever. Whether relaxing, fishing, or diving, the resort can help you experience it to the full. Once you’re below the water, you’re welcome to an array of colors in fish and reefs that are as uncountable as the stars.

Visitors to the Bimini Bahamas Cruise Port must adhere to local laws and regulations. It is important to note that possession of drugs, including marijuana, is illegal and can result in severe penalties. Additionally, it is prohibited to take any marine life, including conch and lobsters, out of the water without a permit. For a serene experience, visit Blister Beach in North Bimini, also known as Bimini Bay Beach, which offers calm waters and excellent snorkeling opportunities. Bimini, a budding cruise port in the idyllic Caribbean region, has rapidly gained popularity for its easy accessibility and wide array of beach activities. Since August 2019, BALEARIA Caribbean offers a fast-ferry service from Fort Lauderdale (Florida USA) to Bimini Island (crossing time ~2 hours).

Snorkel in and around the Sapona Shipwreck (Bimini)

When a ship docks in Bimini, it means it is docking at the Resorts World in Bimini. The War Memorial and Hero’s Park is located in Alice Town, which is right next to the Dolphin House Museum. The memorial is an 8-minute drive from the cruise port, and it honours the war veterans from World War I and II. This is a popular attraction for scuba divers, history buffs, and adventure seekers. In fact, many avid cruisers consider Bimini the most beautiful island in the Bahamas. The shipwreck of SS Sapona is a great place to snorkel as well, but it's south from South Bimini, so it's a bit more of a trek.

A shore excursion in the morning, then off to the beach club for lunch. After lunch, we walked around and looked for photo worthy spots (and there are many). After 30 minutes, the snorkel is over (not enough time in my opinion) and the guides will feed the sharks from the side of the boat. The sharks have gotten used to boats docking in that area and in exchange for not harming the swimming humans, they will get paid in fish. My husband is a good swimmer but even he had trouble trying to get to the other side of the ship.

Cruise lines offer around a dozen shore excursions in Bimini, but if you’re looking for something a little different, we’ve listed some things to do in the area. If this is your first time visiting Bimini, here are some suggestions. Located 55 nautical miles off the coast of Miami, the Bimini Islands is primarily a beach destination with some added history tours sprinkled in.

The ship was originally commissioned by President Woodrow Wilson and was built to transport troops during the first World War, although it never did so. The vessel was made out of concrete since steel was not as readily available at the time. With a population of only about 2,000 full time residents, Bimini Bahamas is an exotic destination not yet overrun by tourism and commercialism. The small island chain is about 54 miles directly east of Miami, Florida. Mainland United States is actually closer to Bimini than the capital city, Nassau, which is over 130 miles to the southeast.

You will need a valid passport or a government-issued photo ID for all passengers traveling on the ferry. Check-in begins 30 minutes prior to departure and boarding is 20 minutes prior to departure, so plan accordingly. Bimini enjoys an average of 300 days of sunshine each year, making it a popular destination for beach goers looking to soak up some rays. There are over 20 dive sites that have buoys marking their location.

While the port itself has limited resources, there are several options available for those looking to indulge in some retail therapy. Passengers can also explore other public beaches on the island that offer a lively atmosphere with nearby bars, restaurants, and water activities. Enjoy the free beaches of Bimini, including Kayak Beach, Radio Beach, Blister Beach, Spook Hill, Porgy Bay Beach, and Tiki Hut Beach.

Lounge chairs, restaurants, bars, and clubs are at hand along the beach, ready for your use. The Tuna Alley is a reef system off North Cat Cay that’s easy to find and accessible by boat. It’s a rich environment perfect for even the most novice divers, young and old.

Popular cruise lines recognize this and have included Bimini in their itineraries to give passengers an unforgettable experience on this incredible island paradise. Fourth, familiarize yourself with emergency procedures onboard the cruise ship and know how to report any safety concerns or incidents. Finally, respect local customs and laws to prevent unnecessary risks or conflicts during your time in Bimini. Alice Town, the main settlement of North Bimini, offers amenities such as shops, restaurants, and bars. The resort tram also makes stops in Alice Town and other notable locations throughout Bimini. Maximize your experience with Bimini Island Tours to discover all this charming destination has to offer.

As it becomes more popular in the coming years, that’s likely to change, but for now, it’s one of the things that makes this port so appealing. The pier was originally built for the now-defunct Bimini Superfast but was recently expanded to accommodate the world’s largest cruise vessels. The island is 62 miles south of Grand Bahama Island, 127 miles northwest of Nassau, 77 miles from West Palm Beach, and 58 miles from Port Everglades. Although it never saw action in WW1, the SS Spano was commissioned by U.S. After the war it was sold for scrap, turned into a casino and supply ship and was run aground during a hurricane. Just a little ways off-shore, this wreckage is a great place to snorkel or scuba dive.