First Impressions: Bimini, Bahamas
Two types of sailors voyage the seas, those who run aground and those who lie about it. A mere 53 miles east of Miami, the small island of Bimini is the first port of call entering the Bahamas. In Bimini customs are cleared, cruising permits purchased, and first impressions made. It is inevitable that fellow cruisers met here will be seen again and again amongst the 700 + islands that make up the archipelago of the Bahamas. The humiliating feeling of being stuck on a sandbar, as margarita fueled deck loungers sail past waving, tends to linger for the remainder of the trip.
Photo by Bill available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license
Approaching Bimini
The Bahama Islands are a perfect place to cut teeth as a new cruiser. A smooth sail into Bimini harbor will set the tone for the entire trip. A narrow channel divides Bimini into two separate islands, North Bimini and South Bimini. Unfortunately, entering Bimini harbor is much trickier than it looks. The apparent straight shot into the channel is illusionary at best. Time to toss instinct overboard and follow the path of those who have the approach down to a science.=
Getting The bearing
Instead of heading toward the channel, head for South Bimini. Impossible to see in the dark, look for two diamond shaped signs on the south end of the beach. Line the bow of the boat up so that only one diamond is visible. One sign behind the other means a perfect heading has been established. Inevitably instinct is climbing back from the depths and over the gunwales, whispering to head hard to port toward the channel. Ignore the beast and run straight toward the beach until everyone aboard gasps at the apparent foolishness. Thirty feet offshore is the deepest part of the channel and can manage any draft, no matter how much water it draws. Hard to port! Almost a 90 degree turn will line the boat up for an easy sail into the harbor.
"Photo by Bill available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license"
Anchoring
Strutting around on deck sporting your best Capt Ron impression it is time to wrap up everything with the perfect anchor set. Besides a safe anchorage, Bimini harbor serves as a runway for sea plane services on the island. Anchoring in the middle of the harbor is frowned upon as the ultimate earmark of a green sailor. The majority of boats will be anchored off to the north side. Here is a chance to outshine everyone. Sail past Bimini Big Game Resort and find a quiet spot out of the way. The aforementioned seaplanes will surely drench drying towels hanging on lifelines, dampen lovingly prepared deck picnics and worst of all, water down the well deserved glass of rum, for those that anchor at more convenient spots.
Now that a first impression as a sailing guru to the many onlookers has been made, you will be welcomed amongst the seasoned sailors with open arms and invited for a frosty Bahama Mama at the End of the World Bar.
Photo by Bill available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license."
5 Comments
Now that’s a true adventure! Did you rent the boat or sail your own from Florida?
Hi Steve- I have sailed into Bimini many times. I have rented boats a few times but mostly my own.
Oct 2010 Perfect description of how to enter the channel. Unfortunately sea planes are not landing here anymore and the End of the World Bar has closed.
That is what I heard. I thought the End of World Bar would be around past the end of the world. What a shame. I stopped going to Bimini since Bimini Bay Resort tried to turn the island into Disney. Still a great place to go…Just lost a bit of charm.
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