Bahamas · The western edge
Fifty miles from Miami: the crossing point and the long weekend
Bimini is the Bahamas you can see from Florida on a clear day: two small islands on the edge of the Gulf Stream, Hemingway’s old haunt, the best big-game fishing in the Atlantic and a sunken ship to snorkel. The place for a long weekend from Miami rather than a week.
Where
Western Bahamas, 50 nm east of Miami
Fly to
Miami, and the yacht does the crossing; or South Bimini (BIM) by seaplane
Best months
December to May
Give it
A long weekend from Florida
Known for
Hemingway, sportfishing, the Sapona wreck, Resorts World marina
The crossing
Five hours from Miami across the Gulf Stream
Why go
Bimini, honestly
Bimini is where Florida’s boats go for the weekend. Two low islands fifty miles east of Miami on the edge of the Gulf Stream, with the deep water close enough to the beach that marlin and tuna run past the end of the dock. Hemingway fished here in the thirties and wrote Islands in the Stream about it; the Compleat Angler burned down but the stories stayed.
For a yacht it is the crossing point. Clear in at Alice Town or the Resorts World marina on the north island, swim off the beach on the west side, snorkel the SS Sapona, a concrete ship wrecked in 1926 in fifteen feet of water, and eat conch at Joe’s. Then either turn for home or carry on east across the Great Bahama Bank to the Berrys and Nassau.
We use it for the long weekend from Miami or Fort Lauderdale: board Friday, cross on Friday afternoon, two nights on the banks, home Sunday. For a week, the Exumas are the better call.
Where we anchor
The anchorages, in the order we use them
- Alice Town, North BiminiMarina, clearanceThe old town’s marinas, Big Game Club and Bimini Blue Water. Clear in here.
- Resorts World MarinaBerthThe big marina at the north end, for the larger boats and the resort.
- Off the west beachAnchorage, settled weatherThe long beach on the Gulf Stream side, with the sunset over Florida.
- Honeymoon Harbour, Gun CayDay stopThe cove on the next island south where stingrays swim up to the beach.
Ashore
Bimini off the boat
Not a directory. If it is here, we have sat at the table or stood at the bar.
Eat
Conch and fish, Bahamian style.
Big Game Club Bar and GrillMarina dining in the sportfishing club Hemingway drank at.
- Joe’s Conch ShackConch salad made in front of you on the sand.
- Stuart’s Conch StandThe other conch shack, with the pile of shells outside.
Drink and dance
Rum and reggae at sunset.
Sherry’s Paradise Beach BarRum cocktails and reggae on the west beach.
- The End of the World SaloonSand floor, underwear on the ceiling, Alice Town.
Do
Fish, snorkel, swim with rays.
Snorkel the SS SaponaA concrete ship wrecked in 1926, in fifteen feet of water.
Fish the Gulf StreamMarlin, tuna and wahoo off the drop-off, with a local captain.
- Stingrays at Honeymoon HarbourThey swim up to your knees on the beach at Gun Cay.
Where it sits
Bimini on the chart
Bimini sits on the western edge of the Bahamas, fifty miles from Miami and a hundred and thirty from Nassau across the Great Bahama Bank. The crossing point and the long weekend.
Drag to move. Double-click or ctrl-scroll to zoom.Zoom with the buttons, then drag to move.
When
When to be in Bimini
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- December to May: the season, with the Gulf Stream crossing at its calmest in settled weather.
- March to June: the big-game season, blue marlin and tuna.
- Watch the crossing: a north wind against the Gulf Stream makes it rough. The captain picks the day.
- June to November: hot and hurricane season.
Itineraries
Itineraries that call at Bimini
Full plans, day by day, with the boat each one runs on. Send one to the people coming with you; we reshape it around your yacht and dates.
Yachts
Yachts in the Bahamas now
The Florida-based boats in the fleet cross in five hours.
CORAL OCEAN
Lürssen · 73m · 1994, refit 2026
12 guests | 6 cabins | 28 crew
€650k – 790k
BEACHFRONT II
Princess · 32m · 2012, refit 2023
10 guests | 5 cabins | 5 crew
US$80k – 95k
BG
Feadship · 47m · 1990, refit 2022
12 guests | 6 cabins | 10 crew
US$149k – 170k
CROSSED SABRE
Burger · 44m · 2006, refit 2021
12 guests | 7 cabins | 11 crew
US$175k – 195k
STARSHIP 185'
Delta Marine · 56m · 2001, refit 2021
12 guests | 6 cabins | 11 crew
US$275k – 315k
NEW LIFE
Lazzara · 28m · 2009, refit 2025
8 guests | 4 cabins | 4 crew
US$57k
LADY GRACE
Westport · 28m · 1996, refit 2025
6 guests | 3 cabins | 4 crew
US$35k – 40k
NEVER ENOUGH
Feadship · 43m · 1992, refit 2019
10 guests | 5 cabins | 7 crew
US$110k – 127k
MARGATE
Broward Marine · 34m · 1997, refit 2022
10 guests | 4 cabins | 4 crew
US$55k – 60k
KEFI
Christensen · 46m · 2005, refit 2026
12 guests | 6 cabins | 9 crew
US$175k – 195k
SEASCAPE V
Benetti · 44m · 2005, refit 2024
10 guests | 5 cabins | 9 crew
US$153k – 180k
MEMENTO VIVERE
Westport · 40m · 2005, refit 2021
10 guests | 5 cabins | 7 crew
US$120k – 150k
CHANSON
Christensen · 37m · 1995, refit 2020
9 guests | 4 cabins | 6 crew
US$75k – 85k
KING OF FUN
Northern Marine · 40m · 2005, refit 2022
10 guests | 5 cabins | 8 crew
US$120k – 138k
MISS STEPHANIE
Richmond Yachts · 42m · 2004, refit 2023
12 guests | 6 cabins | 8 crew
US$135k – 165k
ESCAPE
Hatteras · 35m · 1995, refit 2023
9 guests | 4 cabins | 5 crew
US$55k – 65k
NOMADA
Mochi Craft · 24m · 2010, refit 2025
8 guests | 4 cabins | 4 crew
US$50k – 55k
EROS
Custom Line · 37m · 2019, refit 2026
10 guests | 5 cabins | 7 crew
US$140k – 160k
NORMAN'S T4
Sirena Yachts · 21m · 2022
6 guests | 3 cabins | 2 crew
US$35k – 40k
LADY ELAINE
Christensen · 50m · 2008, refit 2024
12 guests | 6 cabins | 9 crew
US$200k – 225k
LEXINGTON
Horizon · 26m · 2006, refit 2024
8 guests | 4 cabins | 4 crew
US$45k – 55k
KASHMIR
Splendor · 41m · 2008, refit 2021
12 guests | 6 cabins | 7 crew
US$110k – 130k
FAVOR
Crescent Yachts · 39m · 2000, refit 2024
10 guests | 5 cabins | 6 crew
US$95k – 110k
HANNAH
Westport · 34m · 2003, refit 2020
9 guests | 4 cabins | 5 crew
US$65k – 75k
Lady Joy
Christensen · 48m · 2007, refit 2025
12 guests | 6 cabins | 11 crew
US$199k – 225k
LADY J
Palmer Johnson · 43m · 1997, refit 2021
12 guests | 5 cabins | 9 crew
€109k – 119k
NO BAD IDEAS
Trinity Yachts · 49m · 2000, refit 2024
12 guests | 6 cabins | 9 crew
US$225k – 250k
SWEET ESCAPE
Christensen · 40m · 1993, refit 2026
12 guests | 6 cabins | 8 crew
US$115k – 140k
NAMASTE
Benetti · 37m · 2013, refit 2023
10 guests | 5 cabins | 7 crew
US$105k – 135k
Princess Mila
Fountaine Pajot · 20m · 2022
6 guests | 4 cabins | 3 crew
US$45k – 49k
TCB
Trinity Yachts · 50m · 2008, refit 2022
11 guests | 5 cabins | 9 crew
US$175k – 200k
PIER PRESSURE
Azimut · 27m · 2020, refit 2024
10 guests | 5 cabins | 4 crew
US$70k – 80k
INSIEME
Azimut · 32m · 2012, refit 2023
8 guests | 5 cabins | 4 crew
US$63k – 69k
MIDORI
Sunreef Yachts · 21m · 2016, refit 2026
8 guests | 4 cabins | 4 crew
US$45k – 48k
LIMITLESS
Hargrave · 31m · 2010, refit 2025
8 guests | 4 cabins | 4 crew
US$55k – 62k
PLAYTIME
Lagoon · 20m · 2018, refit 2021
6 guests | 3 cabins | 3 crew
US$46k – 49k
EMINA
Benetti · 42m · 2014, refit 2021
12 guests | 6 cabins | 9 crew
US$165k – 195k
SWEET CAROLINE II
Trinity Yachts · 50m · 2009, refit 2021
12 guests | 7 cabins | 11 crew
US$199k – 230k
GAIL FORCE II
Hatteras · 24m · 2011, refit 2023
8 guests | 4 cabins | 4 crew
US$35k – 40k
SOUTH
Heesen · 55m · 2012
12 guests | 6 cabins | 13 crew
US$320k – 350k
MARY KATHLENE
Westport · 42m · 1989, refit 2023
8 guests | 4 cabins | 7 crew
US$85k – 95k
NO SHORTCUTS
Westport · 34m · 2006, refit 2022
8 guests | 4 cabins | 6 crew
US$65k – 75k
BEACHFRONT
Hargrave · 33m · 2006, refit 2022
10 guests | 5 cabins | 5 crew
US$65k – 90k
TOTAL
Mangusta (Overmarine) · 33m · 2006, refit 2020
9 guests | 4 cabins | 4 crew
US$60k – 65k
SeaQuest
Christensen · 38m · 1999, refit 2025
10 guests | 5 cabins | 6 crew
US$85k – 98k
RELENTLESS
Trinity Yachts · 44m · 2001, refit 2019
10 guests | 5 cabins | 9 crew
US$150k – 173k
SEA AXIS
Heesen · 38m · 1988, refit 2026
12 guests | 5 cabins | 7 crew
US$105k – 135k
INDIGO
Viking Yachts · 28m · 2019, refit 2024
8 guests | 4 cabins | 4 crew
US$58k – 75k
48 yachts in rotation. The order changes with every visit so no boat is always last.
Questions we get asked
Bimini, answered
Common questions
How far is Bimini from Miami by yacht?
Fifty miles, about five hours across the Gulf Stream. The captain picks a day without a north wind, which makes the Stream rough.
Is Bimini worth a week?
No. It is a long weekend: cross Friday, two nights on the banks, home Sunday. For a week, carry on to Nassau and the Exumas.
What is the SS Sapona?
A concrete-hulled ship wrecked in a 1926 hurricane between Bimini and Cat Cay, sitting in fifteen feet of water. Easy snorkelling, full of fish.
Can we clear customs in Bimini?
Yes, at Alice Town or Resorts World. The crew handle it; guests stay on board.
Want Bimini in your week?
Tell us the dates and who is coming. We will say which nights to give it, which berth to hold, and whether the week you want is still open.