Bimini Islands

Bimini Island forms the northwest corner of the Bahamas and is the closest of the islands to the U.S. mainland, lying approximately 45mi/73km east of Miami, Florida. The fishhook shaped cluster of islands includes North Bimini, South Bimini, and numerous cays extending south from Pigeon Cay to South Cat Cay, with the entire length of the string stretching 40mi/64km.

Known as the "Big Game Fishing Capital of The Bahamas", Bimini hosts numerous deep-sea fishing tournaments throughout the fishing season (March to September). Eastern North Bimini boasts three large marinas, while the western side of North Bimini is comprised of one long stretch of beach. Diving and snorkeling opportunities abound, interesting attractions including the Bimini Barge Wreck, Little Caverns, and Rainbow Reef. Other attractions are the Straw Market, the Gateway gallery of Bahamian Arts, as well as the Healing Hole and the Fountain of Youth. Bimini was first populated by the Lucayan Indians in 1000 AD. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León then "discovered" Bimini in 1513 during his search for the "Fountain of Youth", believed to exist in the pools of South Bimini. English settlers arrived on Bimini beginning in 1835. Earnest Hemingway made his home in Bimini, finding inspiration for the novels "The Old Man and the Sea" and "Islands in the Stream".

There are two small airports: NSB (Alice Town and North Bimini) and BIM (South Bimini and the Southern Cays).