Bimini questions

[PARADISE HUNTER]

Most years a few buddies and myself go on dive vacation. Usually to Cozumel. This year one of them suggested we go to Bimini this November. Fly to Miami and take the new express ferry over. But I don't know much about the diving or top side activities there. We normally dive everyday, but wouldn't mind taking a day off to so some fishing. We like to eat out at relaxed local restaurants and have a couple drinks out on the town at night.

My questions are:

1. What is the current state of diving off Bimini?

2. Are there any organized shark dives off the island?

3. What are the chances of seeing hammerheads in November?

4. What is the topside scene like? Restaurants? Bars (not clubs)?

5. How is the fishing?

Thanks in advance.

PH

 

[Wookie]

Most years a few buddies and myself go on dive vacation. Usually to Cozumel. This year one of them suggested we go to Bimini this November. Fly to Miami and take the new express ferry over. But I don't know much about the diving or top side activities there. We normally dive everyday, but wouldn't mind taking a day off to so some fishing. We like to eat out at relaxed local restaurants and have a couple drinks out on the town at night.

My questions are:

1. What is the current state of diving off Bimini?

2. Are there any organized shark dives off the island?

3. What are the chances of seeing hammerheads in November?

4. What is the topside scene like? Restaurants? Bars (not clubs)?

5. How is the fishing?

Thanks in advance.

PH

Diving is fair to good, to excellent, depending how far you travel. I've been told that some of the reefs are very silty because of the new ferry dock, I've also been told that it had no effect. It isn't as good as Cozumel until you get 30 miles south, then it's better.

Yes, Neil Watson Jr. on South Bimini and the house shop at the Big Game Club both offer organized shark dives. It'll be a little early for the greater hammerheads, but Bull Run at Big Game Club has cage bull shark diving right at the dock. Don't fall in without being in the cage.

Again, little early for the hammerheads, but if the ocean cools enough with this climate change thing, maybe they will start early. Hammies are the coolest.

Clubs? Hahahahahaha!!!!! Restaurants are good to excellent IMHO, but I'm scaling them on Bahamas, not on FLL. I love the restaurant at Big Game Club, haven't eaten elsewhere. They stay open until you are blind. The casino where the ferry docks has 2 or 3 restaurants. I have no experience. I'm toild that that's a great place to get rolled and your dive gear stolen. Bimini is not considered a 'safe' island. I'm big enough and armed enough that I don't get bothered.

Fishing is way out of my experience level, but judging by the number of boats in any marina on any weekend, it is excellent. If it isn't, there are sure a lot of folks mad at a lot of fish, judging by the way they beat the water to a froth casting. That's a joke, son.

 

[jlevitt]

Is the Bimini diving mostly wall, or mostly reefbed (or both)?

 

[Wookie]

Take your pick, both are available.

 

[Heatheroe]

If you're talking about the Resorts World Bimini ferry, just know that they are highly despised by the conservation world. They are the ones that did the dredging that caused huge silt clouds as mentioned in the first reply. Silver has some pretty cheap flights from Miami as an alternative to RWB.

 

[Superlyte27]

That's a joke, son.

LOL LOL LOL -- Thanks Foghorn
LOL

 

[Divebooker.com]

Bimini is a good destiantion, you can learn more about diving in this are here - https://divebooker.com/bimini-aaz281, you can also check the dive sites they have there - https://divebooker.com/divesites-bimini-bba281?dest=&tag=

 

[HalcyonDaze]

If you're talking about the Resorts World Bimini ferry, just know that they are highly despised by the conservation world. They are the ones that did the dredging that caused huge silt clouds as mentioned in the first reply. Silver has some pretty cheap flights from Miami as an alternative to RWB.

Yeah, every time I see that thing tied up at PortMiami I get that crazed look in my eyes ... personally I wouldn't give that outfit one damn cent.

I only went to Bimini once over ten years ago; freediving only. Got to play around Bonefish Hole, the Sapona, Triangle Rocks, and Bimini Road among others. I don't think I'd want to see what's happened to the place since then.