Bimini - anybody been recently?

[robint]

has anyone been to Bimini since the Compleat Angler burned down? How much is there to see or do for an afternoon stop (2-3 hours)? We will be stopping there for an afternoon next month on the Nekton. Any good shopping for t-shirts, etc? How about good place to get an umbrella drink and conch fritters?


robin

 

[Don Wray]

A portion of the fence basically and it's being used by the locals as a trash heap.

 

[robint]

Sad, but what about the rest of my questions about Bimini itself?

 

[Don Wray]

There's not much there, a straw market, you can get some drinks and fritters at Big Game. The locals don't take very good care of the island and there is one road that circles the island with interlaced alley/roads. The straw market has a large selection of T shirts, hats and tourist type wares. I needed a hat and bought a 3 dollar hat for $20.

 

[H2O Photo Pros]

Make sure you get some Bimini bread from the local market!!!

 

[mike_s]

Make sure you get some Bimini bread from the local market!!!

I agree... the lady at the straw market had bread that was GREAT. Buy several loaves.


I hate the Compleat Angler burned... The few times I've been there I've had a blast.
I never though much of the straw market t-shirt selection. imported and overpriced and crappy quality.

The "End of the World" bar is fun. Go staple your underwear to the ceiling there.

The cracked-conch at the Red Lion was good. You can pick up some good Rums in the liquor stores. Barbancourts, etc. I was unimpressed with the local dive op though and wouldn't really reccomend them.

 

[OceanObsessed]

Make sure you get some Bimini bread from the local market!!!

The last time I went to buy Bahama bread at the Walkers Cay Hotel they told me they did not have the shipment in yet. I asked ... "Shipment?? Don't you bake it here?" They said "No, we get it shipped from Fort Lauderdale". BTW, I'm not kidding

I'm pretty sure the bread at the roadside stands in Bimini is actually baked by the locals though

 

[robint]

The last time I went to buy Bahama bread at the Walkers Cay Hotel they told me they did not have the shipment in yet. I asked ... "Shipment?? Don't you bake it here?" They said "No, we get it shipped from Fort Lauderdale". BTW, I'm not kidding

I'm pretty sure the bread at the roadside stands in Bimini is actually baked by the locals though

that's funny! It reminds me of being in Cozumel and some people in our group ordering shrimp every night for dinner. On the last day, a person who lives there told us "shrimp is flown in from the States frozen, no shrimp are caught here locally". I laughed so hard. The look on their faces after raving about the "fresh shrimp" and how it tasted better than any they had ever had Stateside.

robin
4 weeks from today, Nekton Rorqual

 

[Diver Di]

I haven't been to Bimini since the Angler burned down. I would love to hear about it after you get back. I've been to Bimini quite a few times (take my brother in laws boat over from Florida) and love it. The End of the World Bar can be fun if you have the right crowd there. Bimini Big Game Club has an outdoor bar near the pool (or at least they did last time we were there) and can be fun too.

The conch salad from the ladies on the street is great if they have any ready. We usually order it ahead of time and go back a few hours later to pick it up. Renting a golf cart and driving around the island is also an option. They are opening a big resort outside of town (there goes another island). I think the hotel or villas are open. Casino on the way.

The straw market has the usual T-shirts and stuff. Nothing to write home about.

Have fun.