Across
the Gulf Steam from Florida’s east coast lies the Bimini Island Chain.
These sub tropical low-lying islands are a fantastic destination for a
weeklong sail. Bimini offers some of the finest SCUBA diving, snorkeling,
fishing and beachcombing anywhere. These “islands in the stream” offer
water clarity, which is nothing less than spectacular. You may rent
snorkel gear at our office in Ft. Lauderdale if you have not brought your
own. For those who are certified divers we recommend renting your SCUBA
gear from Underseas Sports in Ft. Lauderdale before you head across the
Gulf Stream.
The
Bimini Chain is lightly populated with the center of village life located
on North Bimini, in Alice Town. There are many small restaurants, shops,
and bars, as well as the Hemingway Museum at the Complete Angler. Marinas
are abundant if you decide not to anchor out. The beaches on North Bimini
offer miles of un-crowded fine white sand and snorkeling from the waters
edge. Golf Carts and Mopeds are available for rent so you can explore the
island. One of the most interesting dive and snorkel sites off of North
Bimini is “Bimini Road”, which some say is the ruin of the lost city of
Atlantis.
South Bimini is primarily residential with only two marinas. The new
Bimini Sands Marina is located at the entrance to the harbor and has a
Customs and Immigration office so you can clear in there without having to
take a taxi and ferry over to North Bimini. The other marina is located at
the south end of the island. A new channel has been dredged in Nixon’s
Harbor that takes you into the marina. Not far from the south end of South
Bimini lies the wreck of the “Sappona”. This is a great snorkel and dive
site.
The
only other island in the Bimini’s with a marina is on North Cat Cay. This
is a private Island with some “high profile” homeowners. For this reason
the local authorities limit the accessibility of the island for
non-members. You are welcome at the Marina for transient dockage but they
prefer for you to stay in the area of the marina where there is a fine
dining restaurant a store for provisions, dock bar, and gift shop. It is a
truly beautiful setting at the marina and we recommend this for your last
night in the Bahamas. Just off the coast of South Cat Cay is a fantastic
dive site. “Tuna Alley” has mooring balls and is 50’ to 80’ with deep
caverns and crevasses in the coral.
There are many other Anchorages such as Honeymoon Harbour, Dollar Harbour.
Moxom Rocks, and Nixon Harbour. Please call to speak with our
knowledgeable staff for more details.
Day
One –
Ft.
Lauderdale arrival before mid-day. Part of the Crew goes to shop for
provisions while the skipper and mate run through the inventory and do a
systems check out. Skipper and mate should rest late afternoon and early
evening. Finish loading the boat and depart for Bimini between 10:00 PM
and Midnight. The crossing is done at night so that you arrive in daylight
hours (due to no lighted navigational aides in the Bahamas).
Day Two –
Arrive in Alice Town, clear customs and Immigration. It is recommended to
spend your first night at a marina since you will be very tired when you
arrive. Bimini Blue Water Marina is a reasonable marina to stay at.
Explore Alice Town, Rest, walk over to the beach, and have some cracked
conch for dinner at one of the local establishments.
Day Three –
Sail to
the north end of North Bimini. Anchor off the beach and carry a picnic
lunch to a wonderful swimming beach. In the afternoon sail out to Bimini
Road for a nice snorkel or shallow dive. Go back in near the beach and
anchor out for the night.
Day Four –
Sail south to the wreck of the Sappona. Snorkel around this old 1940’s
concrete hull sunken freighter. Pick up anchor and head south, sail to Gun
Cay and anchor on the east or west side depending on conditions.
Day Five –
Dinghy into Gun Cay and explore this uninhabited island. Check out the
lighthouse and the nice beaches. There is also good conching around the
east side of the island. Sail on down to the south end of North Cat Cay
where there is a protected bay and a beautiful beach. Spend the night.
Day Six –
Sail out to Tuna Alley, hook up with a mooring ball, and enjoy a
world-class dive site. This is a 50’ to 80’ dive with coral caverns and
giant crevasses. You will see lots of reef fish and an occasional turtle,
shark and other wildlife. In the afternoon sail to the east side of North
Cat Cay and spend your last night at Cat Cay Marina. There is fine dining
there at the marina as well as a more casual dining room.
Day Seven –
Check out the gift shop at the marina on Cat Cay in the morning. Sail down
to South Cat Cay. Anchor off the west side for a couple for hours and do
some snorkeling. Head back to Ft. Lauderdale so you arrive before dark.
Stay at the Fun In The Sun Marina and go out to dinner in the Ft.
Lauderdale area.
Day Eight –
Clean up the boat, pack up your gear, and depart by 12:00 noon.
To
add a little excitement, try fishing while you are sailing. It’s a thrill
catching Dolphin (Mahi Mahi), Tuna, Pompano, Mackerel, and Wahoo, not to
mention the occasional billfish. There is nothing like fresh caught fish
for dinner! You can also take along a kayak for island exploration and/or
a windsurfer for the water sports enthusiast.
morning
to mid-afternoon. Then sail north to Key Largo and pull into Marina Del
Mar. Have dinner at a restaurant get off the boat for a while spend the
night. (26NM)
Day
1 –
Provision in the morning board and depart by 2:00 PM Sail to Miami and spend
the night at Dinner Key Marina, Miamarina, Miami Beach Marina, Crandon Park
Marina, or anchor in “No Name Harbor” or at Nixon’s Harbor. (18NM)
Sailing
from Marathon Key you will experience the many pleasures and sites of the
Florida Keys. The unspoiled coral reefs of the Lower Keys have many sites
where you can tie up to a mooring ball and snorkel or dive. Hawks Channel
provides fantastic sailing, as there is protection from the ocean swells
but still great wind.
