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Frequently Asked Questions of Bimini
Bimini’s Location: It is a tiny island in the Bahamas, it is 7 miles long and barely 700 feet wide at it's widest point. Lying just 50 miles east of the South Florida coast line, it is the western most island in the Bahamas and the closest foreign island to the US mainland.
Bimini’s History Bimini began as a port of call for rum runners and wreckers who plundered the ships that ran aground reefs. Today, the wrecks of Spanish galleons make for fascinating dive sites along with black coral, exotic fish and a mysterious stone formation known to be the lost continent of Atlantis. The first early settlers included a group of emancipated slaves from West Africa, who built houses with the materials at hand. The first colony was relocated from South to North Bimini to facilitate easier access to shipping lanes. The main industry of this first settlement was salvaging goods from ships wrecked on the Great Bahama Bank and the Great Isaac Rock. |
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Climate During the months of November through April the average air temperatures
The Bahamian lifestyle is very laid back, so there is no rushing here or there on Bimini. So you can do everything or nothing. Dress in Bimini is strictly casual. Everything revolves around "island time." The island offers superb scuba diving, snorkeling, shelling, beach going and is the game fishing capital of the world. A beautiful beach wraps around the island's outer shore providing ample opportunity to enjoy Bimini’s crystal clear waters.
Dolphins of Bimini Bimini is unique for it's warm crystal clear turquoise waters which is both shallow and deep. On average, the water temperature in November is 22c with a visibility of up to 100 feet. Bimini is one of the few places in the world where divers can interact with a pod of wild spotted and grey bottle-nosed dolphins in their natural environment as they are very comfortable with human interaction can come up within arms length, they are very curious and playful, swimming alongside, diving and spiraling beneath us. Their fluid movements allow us to be immersed in their underwater ballet and symphony of sound. |
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Dolphin trips can be anywhere from 3 to 4 hours in length depending on how long the dolphins want to stay with us. There is shopping in the straw market, a variety of nice restaurants, Hemingway’s Bar - the inspiration for Ernest Hemingway's classic novel, Islands In The Stream. The Bimini Museum, and general sightseeing. There are no cars on Bimini, most locals commute between the north and south island by water taxi. You can rent a golf cart and see the entire island in an afternoon. Or find a deserted cove on the beach to yourself. The most energy-consuming thing going on outdoors is usually bar hopping between the Compleat Angler (live music several nights a week) and the End of the World.
The cuisine and Specialty Drinks of The Bahamas Most dishes are colourful, lightly spicy and subtle and uniquely flavored. Bahamian cuisine is influenced by the Nth American Southern regions. One very popular example of this influence is the "fish'n'grits". Seafood is the staple of Bahamian cuisine--especially conch (pronounced konk), the firm, white, peach-fringed meat from a large type of ocean mollusk. Fresh, uncooked conch is delicious; the conch meat is scored with a knife, and lime juice and spices are sprinkled over the meat. It can also be deep-fried (called "cracked conch"), steamed, added to soups, salads, and stews or made into conch chowder and conch fritters. The Bahamian "rock lobster and land crabs are also popular dishes. Having said that most international cuisines can be found in the Bahamas along with meat and vegetable dishes. |
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Both alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks are a highly-developed specialty in The Bahamas; bars pride themselves on their own special concoctions of rum punch. Cocktails such as Bahama Mama and Kalik, the beer of The Bahamas, is unusually light and wheaty, served well-chilled to wash down the day's heat. The Bahamian refresher of choice is coconut water (not heavier, fattier coconut milk) blended with sweet milk and gin. There is also a drink called Switcher, made with native limes; those who have had it swear that it tastes better than any other citrus drink around. |
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What documents do I need to enter? Bimini is part of The Bahamas so you need to clear Bahamas Customs and Immigration. A passport is required. However, be aware that the United States requires all persons entering the USA...even its own citizens, to have a valid passport (no less than six months validity) UK, Sweden, Australia and Ireland are able to enter with a passport, no visa is required for up to 3 month stay. There is a $15 departure tax on leaving The Bahamas
Can I rent a car? No. You don't really need one. Rent bikes, motor scooters and golf carts. Only persons 17 years of age with a valid licence can drive golf carts.
What about medical facilities? The island has a Medical Clinic and is staffed by a medical doctor and three nurses. If treatment requires an airlift the medical doctor can arrange it quickly. The US Coast Guard will often airlift its citizens to the USA in an emergency or assist in making medi-vac arrangements.
What about credit cards? Yes and no. Ask first. Debit cards are not honoured. Some establishments accept the cards while others do not. So, ask before you buy something or have dinner. There is an ATM machine at the Royal Bank. The Royal Bank of Canada is open daily that can assist you with financial matters. The Bahamian dollar and the US dollar are used. VISA/MC and American Express are the cards generally favoured. But, again check before you spend.
What about communications? The easiest is to buy and International or USA calling card they come in various denominations and are used at pay phones scattered around the village. Bimini is served by a fiber optic cable between the island and Grand Bahama. GSM cellular telephones will operate here. Check with your service provider for roaming information. The local office of the Bahamas Telecommunications system provides DSL internet services if you want to check emails. There is wireless internet access at the villas. There are also internet stations at the Bimini Pottery Centre, Big Game Resort and the telephone company offices.
To see more pictures from Bimini click here |
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Dolphin Dreaming Temples—Intro |
