Bimini fact file

Bimini is the westernmost island group of the Bahamas, located about 50 miles due east of Miami, Florida. The largest islands are North Bimini and South Bimini and there are several cays.

The trade winds that blow almost continually throughout the Bahamas give the islands a warm, agreeable climate that varies little year-round. Summer, between June and April, is particularly pleasant as it is cooler than the US eastern seaboard or in the Eastern Caribbean islands. However, the hurricane season (June to November) falls within this period, and the Bahamas are occasionally hit by a violent one. During the winter cruising season from November to April temperatures average 24 degrees Celsius by day and 18 degrees Celsius by night, but this is the season for the dreaded northers, violent winds caused by the arrival of a cold front, which can produce very rough seas in the Gulf Stream.

By air

The airport is on South Bimini.

There is a choice of air services including:

Chalk’s (seaplane): scheduled flights to Bimini from Fort Lauderdale.
Continental Connection, Bimini Island Air, Lynx Int. Airline and Island Air: flights to Bimini from Florida.
Sky Unlimited and Western Air: flights to Bimini from Nassau.
Major Air and Regional Air: scheduled service from Grand Bahama Island.
IBC Travel: flights from Fort Lauderdale on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and from Miami on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Entering by yacht

Entry to the Bahamas must be made at an official port of entry. There are two in Bimini:

North Bimini: Alice Town 25° 48′ N 79° 18′ W
Cat Cay: Cat Cay Club 25° 33′ N 79° 18′ W

Clearance must be done at the earliest opportunity. In the outer islands a customs officer may handle all formalities. Officials are supposed to come to the yacht , but in some smaller islands the captain will have to go ashore to find them. Crew must remain on board until clearance is completed. If clearing in at a marina the marina personnel will call customs and immigration.

Penalties are severe for not clearing customs on arrival and can lead to fines, imprisonment and even confiscation of the boat.

A cruising permit valid for one year will be issued on arrival and gives permission to visit all islands. This permit must be retained until the cruise is finished and presented to officials if requested at any port visited.

Departing yachts

The cruising permit should be handed back at the port of exit. If the yacht does not clear outbound, which is not required, the cruising permit should be posted back from the next destination.

If the yacht is proceeding to a country which requires a clearing out document, notably the Dominican Republic, this should be obtained on departure from The Bahamas.

Customs and Immigration

Bahamas visas are required for visitors from outside the US and Canada. The length of stay granted may vary depending on the country concerned, although this can be extended to up to eight months.

Every crew member must complete an immigration card.

Marinas

Bimini Bay Resort & Marina
25° 42.5 N / 79° 18.9 W
Max LOA: 62m
Max draught: 4.5m
E: marina@biminibayresort.com
W: www.biminibayresort.com
Bimini Bay features two marinas with concrete floating docks, one accommodating superyachts up to 62 metres and one up to 39 metres. It is one of the largest marinas in the Bahamas with 230 slips. Facilities include on-site customs and immigration, 24-hour security, dock assistance for transfer of luggage and supplies, single and three-phase power as well as daily refuse pick-up. The resort itself has a swimming pool with a swim-up bar, spa, restaurants and shops.

Bimini Big Game Club
25° 43.34 N / 79° 17.45 W
Max LOA: 36.5m
Max draught: 2.74m
E: info@biggameclubbimini.com
W: www.biggameclubbimini.com

The Bimini Big Game Club is situated in Alice Town, a Port of Entry for the Bahamas. The Club’s marina is situated on the east side of North Bimini island, in a protected shallow water bay.

Bimini Sands Resort and Marina
Max LOA: 30.5m
Max draught: 2.4m
E: info@biminisands.com
W: www.biminisands.com

Cat Cay Club Marina
Max LOA: 48.7m
E: ewilliams@catcayyachtclub.com
W: www.catcayyachtclub.com

The marina at Cat Cay is one of the most protected and well-equipped in the Bahamas. Ringed on three sides by the main island to the west, the airstrip to the east and a sandy spit to the south connecting the two, the marina features a 108-slip capacity for yachts up to 48.7m. The durable pre-stressed concrete facility also has a fuel dock, and all the slips have nightlights, shorepower capacity and wireless internet access. Cat Cay is a ‘private island’ owned by members. The island is a port of entry for yachtsmen who want to explore the Bahamas or fish in territorial waters. Visiting yachts are welcomed for a duration of 24 hours and can make use of the marina amenities including Nauticat Restaurant for lunch and dinner, the Bu’s Bar for drinks, lunch, and snacks, the new Cat Cay Market for groceries, wine, beer, liquor, fishing supplies and all provisioning needs and the Cat Cay Boutique for gifts and the laundry. The rest of the island is private for members and their sponsored guests. However, the marina enables members who have a yacht, but not a home on the island, a place to relax whenever visiting.

Emergencies and hazards

Dial 911 for all emergency services or call BASRA +325 8864.

Hospitals

North Bimini Medical Clinic
T: +1 242 347 2210
For serious medical emergencies patients are airlifted to Miami or Nassau.

Bimini Biological Field Station Sharklab
www.miami.edu/sharklab

Bimini Healing Arts
www.biminihealingarts.com

Bimini Undersea
www.biminiunderseablog.com

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