Click for YF Listing Service Click for Ocean Alexander Click for Cross Click for Perko Click for Mag Bay

How is Bimini these days?

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Alzira II, Jan 9, 2021.

You need to be registered and signed in to view this content.
  1. Alzira II

    Alzira II Member

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2019
    Messages:
    159
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    Thinking about running over to Bimini next weekend. Very initial stages of planning , have not checked out weather too much yet. I thought I would see if anyone has been over lately if it is even worth me monitoring weather. I understand I will need some testing prior to departure. Would be nice to be greeted with open restaurants and stuff.
  2. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2008
    Messages:
    8,097
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    We don’t go anymore. We don’t even stop there on the way to the Exumas. I even turn down charter request there

    It has been destroyed by Resort World Bimini Bay, which has bulldozed and concreted over the northern end of the island. As a result Alice Town has suffered.. it s just not worth it anymore.

    the Berrys are only 60 miles further and across the bank so whether isn’t much of a concern to go further. Great Harbor Cay has a nice marina and many beaches to enjoy. There are some nice anchorages like White Cay/Hoffman and it’s blue hole, Bird Cay and and another marina at chub.
  3. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2004
    Messages:
    12,595
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    It's been many years, But I do miss the old Alice Town / Bimini from the 80/90s.
    It was starting to go down hill after the dredging on S Bimini started years (many) ago.
    Then later the original Compleat Angler burnt down.
    I have not heard a good comment since.
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2021
  4. Alzira II

    Alzira II Member

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2019
    Messages:
    159
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    Thanks for the input guys.
  5. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2004
    Messages:
    12,595
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    If you are just itching to get off the dock for 2-3 days, Biscayne Bay may have some offerings.
    Anchor out off Nixon's old dock and dink into No-Name Harbor for a lunch. Tour the light house.
    Play around Boca-Chita and pictures in front of its light house or Elliott key & disappear.
    All assuming you don't need a dock tie up at night.
  6. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2013
    Messages:
    7,131
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    You'll need testing prior and there and restrictions. In spite of the attacks on Bimini, it's still the closest run and can be quite enjoyable for a quick trip. Just quick trips aren't in right now. The advice Ken gave you in late December still holds.
  7. rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2019
    Messages:
    1,572
    Location:
    Vero Beach
    Attacks on Bimini? Pirates? Foreign governments?

    Bimini has lost its historical charm. Now it presents all of the warm welcome of Grand Lucaya. But to each his/her own. Im with Pascal on this. I'd drive on by and find a spot in the Berries, Abaco, heck, even Fresh Creek or Morgan's Bluff.
  8. rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2019
    Messages:
    1,572
    Location:
    Vero Beach
    ....or as Capt Ralph suggested, boating to anywhere in the Keys can give you all of the benefits of "getting away" without the testing.
  9. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2005
    Messages:
    14,429
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    I find Bimini to be nice IF you only focus on the water. The water is beautiful around Bimini, scenery is nice. Beaches are nice, Honeymoon Harbor is nice. The concrete ship or a run up to Isaacs for the day. The island itself......yeah, it lost it's charm around 2005 when Complete Angler burned down and Bimini Bay was built. But for a quick 3 day weekend trip, it's still nice if you just want to anchor in beautiful water, do a little snorkeling and beach. Fishing sucks there now........ Can also buy cheap fresh conch, lobster tails, stone crabs etc. or conch salad......so there's that.......
  10. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2004
    Messages:
    12,595
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    But worth the hassle of checking in??? Just for a weekend???
  11. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2013
    Messages:
    7,131
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    Checking in isn't really a hassle under normal circumstances. A bit more complicated now, during the pandemic.
  12. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2005
    Messages:
    14,429
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    Well if it's calm, you're in a fast boat and only takes 1-2 hours to cross and you have your paperwork already filled out, checking in only takes an hour on the Bahamas side. Once back here with the roam app, it only takes 15 minutes. Yeah, it's worth it to some. Others would rather go to OCean Reef at the same distance and expense.
  13. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2008
    Messages:
    8,097
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    Scenery used to be nice until RWBB destroyed the north end. We used to anchor off the beach at the north end it was great... now that’s gone. The NE side is still intact but zero protection and only enjoyable on a rare calm day

    the only decent anchorage is indeed Gun Cay / Honeymoon harbor. But that s it. And then if it s 15kts or more... you re in the chop exposed to easterlies.

    the Sapona is indeed the last remaining attraction in Bimini
  14. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2004
    Messages:
    12,595
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    Is that old air plane radial engine still visible at Honeymoon? DC3 Wright Cyclone?
    May have just shown my age and last time there.
  15. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2008
    Messages:
    8,097
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    I don’t remember any plane wreck at honeymoon. Are you getting confused with the DC3 over Norman’s Cay, Exumas? It s still there. Top of the fuselage has rotted away but from the top of the windows down, wings, tails, engines, props are all there

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BbAUyMwhC4h/?igshid=b4tdci279r27
  16. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2004
    Messages:
    12,595
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    Nope, Honeymoon. Just the one engine left that I witnessed. Mid 90s. Just inside the entrance ledge, N W from the beach.
    You kids may have been to young to notice it.
    I remember diving just south of there and played peek-a-boo with some kind of a reef shark around a ledges pinnacles.
    I made a quick overnight there a couple of years later, the eastern ledge of the harbor was blown away and trash everywhere. The concrete wreak (SS Sapona) and area full of trash also. Real heart breaker.
    Like I said in #3, never been back to Bimini area since.
    Last edited: Jan 10, 2021
  17. Alzira II

    Alzira II Member

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2019
    Messages:
    159
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    I think my main concern was if businesses were open with the normal precautions. I just have 3 days this coming weekend, I think we will just do miami as proposed. Some newbies onboard so they will get a kick out of the bay and Miami. I was curious how the depths are going into boca chita, navionics is not much help. Is that a high tide kind of thing? I just got back from 3 weeks in the keys, I'm really getting the itch for some new adventures.
    Looking forward to Bimini one day, considering I have never been or taken my boat to a new country the novelty should be excitement enough.
  18. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2005
    Messages:
    14,429
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    Boca Chita channel is 4' depth and 4' once inside. You're going to have to anchor in the bay outside of the channel and dinghy in. If the weather is good and everyone has passports, do Bimini.
  19. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2008
    Messages:
    8,097
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    The channel itself is a little deeper with 5 1/2 at low tide. There is a 5’ hump between the end of the channel and the harbor entrance. I ve been there many time with my 53 (4’ draft) and I ve seen 5’ draft sportfishes (Bertram or hatts in there)

    it s really busy on weekends, usually full by Saturday morning. And loud :(