Bimini ?'s

[mars2u]

Well it's been a while since I've been on the board...decided to do some cruising and now my friends and I have to get the scuba itch relieved!

We are considering Bimini and after searching the board, there really isn't much info, so any help would be greatly appreciated. We're considering May or June.

Anybody been there?
How was the diving?
Recommendations for lodging?
Recommendations for dive op?

Thanks in advance!

 

[diverrick]

My wife and I were there a couple of years ago diving/touring for a day. The island itself is not much. Just a wide sand spit for the most part. There is a small "village" as I would not call it a real town only two roads on the whole island! one down each side. won't take very long to see all that. most folks get around in Golf carts, and a few beater trucks/cars.
There is a house there that Hemingway used to live in that is interesting, as well as the museum, but all of that you could do in a single day. pretty run down looking place, make Roatans Coxen Hole look good!
The diving:
We dove of the North? side. water vis was good, but the reefs were beat up pretty badly from all the hurricane that come though there. We didn't get a chance to go dive the road to Atlantis due to time constriants, so I can't speak of that side of the island. I would say for a day dive trip it would be o.k., but I would be pretty bored staying there on the island. Just my 2CW.

 

[cudachaser]

I really love Bimini...been there several times. Has both deep and shallow dives that are quite spectacular...Tuna Alley, Sapona Wreck.

I stay on the south side...Bimini Yacht Club, very basic accomodations but the food is is great and quite inexpensive for the Bahamas and dive ops are located at the hotel. Getting around , you can walk to almost anyplace but taxis are available and very inexpensive


Joe

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

I went to south Bimini years ago. We went to dive and could care less about topside attractions. The diving was awesome. I remember gearing up to do the Bimini Barge, a 100+ ft dive and being able to see the wreck from the dive boat! The outfit we went with is now long gone, so I can't help you there. I would go back in a minute.

 

[DivemasterSteve]

in my opinion, Bimini is the poor man's place to dive in the Bahamas. i have been to Bimini several times and i love it there. hehe, i'm a poor man. i like it because its so laid back. it has been almost 2 years since my last trip over there. most of the diving is ok, some of it is so beat down because of it being so close to the states that all newbies from the southeast can go there, but its still nice to be in warm water. its been almost 5 years since i was out with these guys, but i had a good time with them. check out www.scubabimini.com and see if thats something you might be looking for. i never stayed there with them but i did go out on their boats a few times. this is the same place cudachaser was talking about. if you want to check out a poor mans liveaboard for that area, look at www.blackbeard-cruises.com i have been on one of their trips and for the price, you cant beat it. either way you go, i hope you have a fun, safe trip.

steve

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

Awwhhh the memories. We stayed at the now named Bimini Sands. Of course it offered just what I wanted...laid back island atmosphere and diving that was minutes away... Steve I agree with you about it being a poor mans (womans) dive destination. Oh well, better to be poor and diving than rich and not!

 

[DivemasterSteve]

Awwhhh the memories. Steve I agree with you about it being a poor mans (womans) dive destination. Oh well, better to be poor and diving than rich and not!

you got that right darlin, there is nothing wrong with being poor but there is something wrong with NOT diving. i have went to Bimini before for less than i have went to Florida for the same amount of time. dont get me wrong, i like Florida also, we are in hopes of going to the keys somewhere around May and spend a week of diving down there but we will be going back to Bimini also, i love it over there.

steve

 

[Dive_Girl PNW]

Reefs beat down!!?? Sometimes I think what you see on your dives depends on the dive operator you choose to dive with. Bimini is most likely my favorite dive vacationing spot. I enjoy the island very much as it is relaxing and the local people interesting. I enjoy the diving even more. If you are looking to dive the best sites at the best times, go with the best dive operator, Bimini Undersea on the North Island. Melanie, a good friend of mine and the reason I started diving and instructing, manages the operation for Bill & Nowdla. She has been their primary captain/dive professional for over 8 years. In my opinion, no one on the island is more experienced or knowledgable than she is when it comes to taking people diving. The North Island also has much more to offer:

snorkeling spots by the Galant Lady (a boat that crashed on shore at the South tip, you can't miss it)
beautiful sandy beaches (on the West side)
beautiful island wilderness on the North tip (take a bike!)
Fun night life (The Sand Bar aka End of the World, The Compleat Angler)
Differnet places to eat (My favorites are Sara's fresh conch salad at 4pm at the Sand Bar or her lobster meal when it's in season, the Red Lion, or ask the BU staff for additional local recommendations. Some of the best meals I have had have been from non-tourist places)
transportation (BU rents bikes and there a couple different golf cart rentals nearby too, but bikes are cheaper and easier)
Kayaking (ask for Trimmer)
lodging (Big Game Club pacakges offered by BU, Sea Crest, other hotels and there are also many other alternative lodging options, i.e. renting houses/apartments and such that offer kitchenettes and may be the way to go with larger groups)
diving and wild dolphin encounters with Bimini Undersea
deep sea fishing charters (Melanie sets these up)

I am familiar with all the dive operators on both islands and have dove with staff from all of them. I would not recommend Scuba Bimini or staying on the South Island, but do plan to tour it by golf cart one of the days you are there and stop by the Shark Lab run by Dr. Gruber.

I have some pictures loaded from my last trip in May. Feel free to check them out: Bimini. Please PM me if you'd like more information.