Bimini

Bimini is the westernmost district of The Bahamas, a compact chain of islands lying about 80 kilometres east of Miami. Made up mainly of North Bimini and South Bimini, it is known as the Gateway to the Bahamas and has long drawn anglers, boaters and divers to its clear, shallow waters and unhurried island atmosphere.

Alice Town is the main settlement on North Bimini, clustered along Kings Highway with small shops, marinas, bars and seafood stalls. The island's fishing heritage is part of its identity: Ernest Hemingway fished these waters in the 1930s, and his time here still colours the local story, alongside landmarks such as the Fountain of Youth well on South Bimini and the mysterious underwater Bimini Road formation.

North Bimini offers the liveliest mix of beaches, restaurants and resorts, while quieter South Bimini is home to the Bimini Biological Field Station, also known as the Shark Lab, and a more low-key, natural pace. Radio Beach and the beaches near Resorts World Bimini are popular swimming and sunset spots, and dive sites such as the Sapona shipwreck and Bimini Road attract divers from around the region.

Bimini's deep-sea fishing reputation makes it a regular host for tournaments and boating events, and its marinas serve sportfishing crews and private yachts. Local food centres on conch salad, cracked conch, grilled fish and other Bahamian favourites, often served at casual waterfront bars and family-run restaurants.

For leisure travellers, Bimini is a short escape with beaches, diving, fishing and island character, while its proximity to Florida and its marina and resort facilities also make it practical for quick business trips, retreats and small meetings. The island is compact, but it packs a distinct Bahamian identity into a small and easily explored destination.