Has anyone been to Bimini?
 

My brother in-law may be getting married on the island of Bimini. I was wondering if any of you have ever been there. What is it like? Thank you in advance for your input.

Yes indeed, I was there about 3 years ago. It's a big deep sea fishing destination -- the warm waters of the Gulf Stream go right through there and make for some of the best deep sea fishing in the world. Fishing tournaments occur there regularly. In general, the island is pretty run down. The hotel situation is pretty weak too, except for the big one that's owned by Bacardi, called the Bimini Big Game Club Resort, which is quite nice. I stayed at a place called Bimini Blue Waters, which was very basic and darn close to a dump even though the grounds contained the cottage where Ernest Hemingway wrote a portion of "Islands In The Stream", which in part is about Bimini. I believe the cottage can be rented. Things about Hemingway are all over the island.<BR><BR>Geography-wise, Bimini is something like 7 miles long and 1000 feet wide (at the widest point). One road, called Kings Road, runs down the middle. The only way to get to the island is by seaplane from Miami (Pan Am Airbridge), private airplane or boat. The major mode of transportation on Bimini is the golf cart -- very old golf carts. The restaurants are few and not spectacular, with the one in the Bimini Big Game Club being the clear winner. Beaches, like the restaurants, are few and not spectacular, but the water is beautiful Bahamian blue.<BR><BR>There are 2 world class bars on Bimini. One is in the Compleat Angler guest house (Hemingway stayed there, too) and the other is called "End of the World". Both are easy to find since everything is on the one road. A post-wedding celebration at End of the World is one that will never be forgotten. <BR><BR>Ideally, given the excellent fishing (and drinking), Bimini would be great for a group of college guys or a 30th/40th/50th birthday celebration. As a "romantic" destination it leaves a bit to be desired, but you can have alot of fun there.<BR><BR>Check out the end of Silence of the Lambs, the final scene. That's Bimini.

Al, Thank you for the information. I have no idea what they will decide. It should be interesting though.

I was in Bimini for a wedding a couple of years ago. Will be my first and last time there. There is no swimming, no beaches or hotel pools, that you would consider swimmable. The fishing is astounding however, if you like bonefishing, there's noplace better. Prepare for living rough. The island lost electricity while we were there and then no water! for 2 days. You have to have the right perspective to have a good time there. Let nothing bother you.<BR><BR>good luck

Just for the record, the place I stayed, the Bimini Blue Waters, and the "expensive" place, the Bimini Big Game Club, both have swimming pools, although most of the smaller hotels do not. <BR><BR>Kiwi is absolutely right -- you have to have the right perspective and let nothing bother you. If you can do that you'll have a blast. Otherwise, forget it.