The Beautiful Bimini Bahamas: 8 Things To Do in This Less Crowded Gem

Do you love the beauty of The Bahamas but don’t love the crowds of New Providence or Paradise Island? Then perhaps it’s time to consider another of the Bahamas’ 16 islands.

Bimini Bahamas is a breathtaking island known for its crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and smaller island feel. With only a few resorts and accommodations, it’s a different vacation vibe. 

But First: Where is Bimini Bahamas located?

Bimini is a group of islands in the westernmost district of the Bahamas, located about 50 miles east of Miami, Florida. It is one of the closest and most easily accessible islands from the United States.

Bimini is two main islands, North Bimini and South Bimini, and several smaller islands and cays. The capital city is Alice Town, and the island’s population is approximately 2,000.

But are there things to do in Bimini Bahamas? You bet! Here’s our shortlist of 8 must-dos.

1. SS Sapona Shipwreck

The SS Sapona shipwreck site is a popular scuba diving and snorkeling spot off the Bimini Bahamas coast.

SS Sapona was a concrete-hulled ship built during World War I to transport troops to Europe. The ship was commissioned by the former U.S. President, Woodrow Wilson. However, it was completed after the end of the war. Therefore, Sapona was sold to a private owner and used for various purposes, including as a casino and later as a rum runner during Prohibition.

In 1926 the ship was severely damaged due to a hurricane. Afterward, it was used as a bombing target training during World War II. The boat was eventually abandoned and left to decay off the coast of Bimini.

Today, you will find the Sapona shipwreck just a few miles off South Bimini in the Bennet’s Harbor, lying in 15 feet of water. The ship’s hull is still visible above the water and is home to various marine life, including colorful fish, sea turtles, and rays.

2. The Fountain of Youth

It does exist! The Fountain of Youth in Bimini is a legendary natural spring that is said to have healing and rejuvenating properties for those who drink from it.

According to folklore, the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León learned from the local Indians about the Fountain of Youth in the early 16th century. He began searching for it in 1513, but there was no evidence that he found the fountain. The exact location of the Fountain of Youth in Bimini is not known with certainty, and there is no scientific evidence to support the claims of its magic capabilities.

However, many visitors to Bimini continue searching for the legendary spring; some claim to have experienced health benefits from the island’s natural environment, such as the sea air and warm waters. The legend of the Fountain of Youth has been around for centuries and remains today. Today, the Fountain of Youth is simply a well near the road leading to the South Bimini Airport.

3. Radio Beach

Radio Beach is a beautiful white sand beach in North Bimini, close to Alice Town. The beach gets its name because, during the 1930s and 1940s, it was the site of a radio station. It was used for communication between the US and other countries in the Caribbean and South America via morse code.

Radio Beach is a popular destination for tourists and locals, offering a picturesque setting for swimming, sunbathing, and other beach activities. The beach is known for its calm and clear turquoise waters, perfect for snorkeling and other water sports. Several bars and restaurants are located near the beach, making it a popular spot for food and drinks. Also, visiting Radio Beach is free; you only have to pay for the beach chairs and umbrellas if you want to rent them.

4. Alice Town

Take a walk on the streets of Alice Town, the main town and administrative center of Bimini. It is located in North Bimini and is home to most of the island’s population. Also, it is the largest town on the island and is known for its laid-back atmosphere and picturesque harbor.

The town is named after Alice Stuart, the daughter of a Bahamian governor who visited the island in the early 1900s. Alice Town has several hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops catering to visitors and a marina that provides access to boating and other water activities.

In addition to its charming atmosphere, Alice Town is also known for its historic landmarks, such as the Bimini Museum, which documents the history and culture of the island. In addition, the town is a gateway to some of Bimini’s best beaches and outdoor activities, including snorkeling, diving, and fishing.

5. Dolphin House Museum

The Dolphin House Museum is a unique attraction located in Alice Town. It is a museum that showcases the work of local artist, author, and historian Ashley Saunders. He created a one-of-a-kind structure entirely out of found objects, including shells, stones, and pieces of driftwood.

Saunders began building the Dolphin House in 1993 as a tribute to the dolphins he saw swimming near his home in Bimini. Over the years, he added to the structure, incorporating recycled materials and artifacts from the island’s history and culture. The result is a colorful, mosaic-covered building that tells the story of Bimini.

Visitors to the Dolphin House Museum can tour the interior of the building, which features a collection of artifacts, photographs, and artwork that depict Bimini’s history and culture. The exterior of the building is also a work of art, with intricate mosaics, sculptures, and murals that showcase the island’s natural beauty.

6. Bimini Road

Bimini Road, also known as the Bimini Wall or Bimini Stones, is an underwater rock formation off North Bimini Bahamas’ coast. The formation comprises several rows of flat, rectangular limestone blocks that some believe are remnants of an ancient, man-made structure.

Many people believe that the Bimini Road is part of the underwater ruins of Atlantis. The formation was first discovered in 1968 by American esoteric (alternative)  archaeologist J. Manson Valentine, searching for evidence of pre-Columbian contact between the Bahamas and the Americas.

Since then, Bimini Road has been the subject of much speculation and debate among researchers, historians, and enthusiasts. Some researchers believe the formation is a natural feature formed by the erosion of the limestone bedrock over time.

Others argue that the arrangement of the stones is too precise to result from natural processes and that humans deliberately placed them at some point in the distant past. Despite decades of research and exploration, the origins and purpose of Bimini Road remain a mystery. However, the formation continues to be a popular attraction for divers and tourists drawn to its enigmatic history.

7. Bimini Healing Hole

The Bimini Healing Hole is a freshwater pond located within the saltwater mangrove swamps on the west coast of East Bimini Bahamas. It is situated in a remote area and can only be reached via boat. Local legend has it that the water in the Healing Hole has therapeutic properties and can cure various ailments, such as arthritis, skin conditions, and even cancer. While there is no scientific evidence to support these claims, the mineral content of the water in the healing hole is believed to have some health benefits.

The Healing Hole is fed by an underwater river and a series of freshwater springs that mix with the surrounding saltwater. The resulting water has a high mineral content, including sulfur, magnesium, and calcium, which are believed to have therapeutic properties. To get to the Bimini Healing Hole, visitors can hire a boat from one of the local tour operators or marinas in Bimini. The boat ride takes about 15-20 minutes from Alice Town to the site of the Healing Hole.

8. Honeymoon Harbor

Honeymoon Harbour is a picturesque bay located on Gun Cay, a small uninhabited island near North Bimini. The bay is named after the many honeymooning couples who have visited the area over the years, attracted by its natural beauty and secluded location. The beach is a popular spot for sunbathing and relaxing, while the surrounding water teems with colorful fish and coral reefs that can be explored by snorkeling or scuba diving.

Visitors can access Honeymoon Harbour by boat from North Bimini or by participating in one of the area’s many snorkeling and diving tours. Also, the bay is home to a colony of friendly stingrays, which have become a popular attraction in their own right. Visitors can interact with the stingrays under the guidance of a knowledgeable guide.

Will You Book a Trip to Bimini Bahamas?

Bimini Bahamas is a beautiful and tranquil island paradise that offers visitors various activities and attractions. From the famous Bimini Road and the ancient ruins of the Lost City to the picturesque beaches and crystal-clear waters of Honeymoon Harbour and the Bimini Healing Hole, Bimini Bahamas has something for everyone.

This article was produced by Planner at Heart.