Bimini, situated simply 50 nautical miles east of Miami, is a prime cruise vacation spot within the Bahamas.
The Resorts World Bimini Cruise Port is the second hottest cruise port within the Bahamas, and it serves because the gateway to North and South Bimini. Study the way it gives entry to all the pieces these islands have to supply.
Bimini Cruise Port Location and Tackle
The Bimini Cruise Port is situated on North Bimini Island, simply exterior Alice City. It’s only 53 miles east of Miami, Florida, which suggests it’s a lot nearer to PortMiami than Nassau Cruise Port. This explains why it’s rising in reputation as a vacation spot for Bahamas cruises.
The port is owned and operated by Resorts World Bimini, owned by The Genting Group, one of many world’s largest resort firms. The corporate opened the port and the luxurious vacationer complicated it’s related to in the summertime of 2021.
The Bimini Cruise Port has a single pier extending from the island. The pier has solely a single berth for cruise ships however can even accommodate a number of smaller vessels alongside its south-facing aspect.
Though it may solely dock a single cruise ship, the berth is vast sufficient and the water deep sufficient to allow Oasis Class ships and different equally sized vessels to go to.
Earlier than the pier’s development in 2021, cruise ships might solely drop anchor off the coast and use tender boats to permit their passengers to go to the Bimini island chain. Now, it’s the second hottest cruise port in the entire Bahamas!
Whereas it’s a comparatively small cruise port by Caribbean requirements, its strategic location makes it a well-liked cease for among the world’s most well-known cruise strains.
The port itself will be discovered on the following tackle:
Resorts World Bimini Cruise Port, PPX8 Bailey City, North Bimini, Bahamas
What makes this location additional particular is that the port is in a main spot for exploring the island and its well-known seashores. Plus, whenever you stroll to the sting of the pier, you’re only a brief stroll from varied sights, seashores, and the quite a few facilities out there at Resorts World Bimini.
As I’ll clarify later, the port is simply steps away from a free tram service, making it extremely simple and stress-free to discover the Fisherman’s Village Marina, discover your strategy to the encircling resorts, or head into Alice City.
Bimini Cruise Port Pier and Terminal
As talked about, the pier at Bimini Cruise Port opened in the summertime of 2021, so it’s pretty new. On condition that it may solely accommodate one cruise ship at a time, the well-marked pier sidewalk takes passengers about 5 minutes to stroll.
This additionally implies that the port is comparatively small, however I discover some smaller ports to be the perfect to go to, as they’re far much less crowded and aggravating than the most important ports.
While you arrive at Bimini Cruise Port, this laid-back and intimate ambiance is simple to select up on. The Welcome Heart Terminal Constructing is among the first issues you’ll discover upon disembarkation.
Right here, useful and welcoming workers may help with instructions, ideas for exploring the island, and every other questions or considerations you’ll have.
Learn Additionally: What Are All of the Cruise Line Non-public Islands and Locations?
The constructing options clear and accessible restroom amenities. Sadly, the port doesn’t supply complimentary Wi-Fi, however close by eating places will present the password to paying friends. A number of tour kiosks are on the fringe of the pier, the place friends can ebook a shore tour.
By way of accessibility, the complete Bimini Cruise Port was designed to be totally accessible. Wheelchair ramps and flat pathways make sure that these with mobility wants can simply navigate the port, which can be true for the complete Resorts World Bimini Advanced.
Even the Hilton Lodge, which is a part of the Resort World Bimini complicated, is fully wheelchair accessible. Most friends entry the second and third flooring by way of an escalator close to the principle entrance, however there’s additionally an elevator close to the entrance desk for many who want it. In case you require help, the workers within the Welcome Heart can help you.
Cruise Port Facilities
In case you go to Bimini Cruise Port, do not forget that the port and its pier are solely a small a part of the Resorts World Bimini complicated, one of many island’s busiest vacationer sights.
With two lagoon-style swimming swimming pools, an unlimited white sand Paradise Seaside, ten bars and eating places, and a ten,000 sq. foot slots and card video games on line casino, there’s a lot for visiting cruise passengers to do with out leaving the complicated. Plus, there are many retailers and some extra eating choices in Fisherman’s Village.
Cruise Strains that Go to Bimini
Nancy Pauwels)
Resorts World Bimini Cruise Port welcomes all kinds of cruise strains, together with among the world’s most recognizable. The next are simply among the cruise strains that go to the port as a part of their Bahamas and Caribbean itineraries:
Carnival Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
Superstar Cruises
Crystal Cruises
Holland America Line
MSC Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment
Royal Caribbean Worldwide
Virgin Voyages
As with all different port, schedules can change. In case you hope to journey with a selected cruise line, verify the provision of voyages that embrace Bimini Cruise Port of their itinerary.
Get to Bimini Cruise Port
Whether or not your cruise ship departs from Bimini, you’re planning to increase your keep on the island, otherwise you simply favor to journey independently, there are a number of methods to achieve Resorts World Bimini and the cruise port.
Attending to the Cruise Port by Air
For guests not arriving by cruise ship, flying into South Bimini Airport (BIM) is the most typical strategy to get to Bimini. Because the title suggests, the airport is situated on South Bimini Island and receives common arrivals straight from Fort Lauderdale and Miami.
Airways like Silver Airways run day by day flights, with costs various based mostly on the season and reserving time, however often within the $250 to $400 vary. You may also ebook connecting flights from different cities in Florida, however these will contain a switch flight from one of many two above-mentioned cities.
When you arrive on the airport, you’ll be able to take a brief ferry experience connecting you to North Bimini and the cruise port. The ferry comes each hour and solely prices $10, or you’ll be able to take a taxi for about $5, so arriving by air is pretty easy.
Attending to the Cruise Port by Ferry
The Balearia Caribbean Ferry Service additionally gives common journeys from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale to North Bimini and Grand Bahama Island. The journey takes two hours, making it a well-liked choice for daytrippers and cruise passengers.
Whereas charges rely upon whenever you ebook, what number of baggage you deliver, and the season whenever you journey, reserving a round-trip journey is feasible for simply $160. The ferry gives complimentary Wi-Fi and drops you off proper at Resort World Bimini, so it couldn’t be simpler to get from there to the cruise port.
Taking an Inter-Island Ferry or Flight
For these already within the Bahamas, native ferries and island-hopping flight routes join Bimini to different Bahamian islands. Availability and charges rely in your technique of journey, which island you’re touring from, and whenever you ebook, however charges are surprisingly reasonably priced.
As a tip, I extremely suggest reserving prematurely in case you are contemplating this feature. Not solely are you able to avoid wasting cash, however you can too safe your most well-liked arrival time properly prematurely. The authorities web site for the Bahamas additionally gives data and hyperlinks that make it simple to ebook inter-island transportation.
Getting Round Bimini
When you arrive in North Bimini by cruise ship, there are a number of transportation choices out there to you, together with some which are utterly free to guests:
The Free Tram
Resorts World Bimini gives a complimentary tram service all through the complicated. With a pickup location straight on the finish of the cruise pier and varied stops throughout the resort space, it’s an effective way to get round.
Whether or not you wish to transport your baggage to the lodge, wish to take a look at the on line casino, head into Fisherman’s Village for some purchasing, and even simply tour the complete complicated, the tram is the go-to strategy to get round.
Golf Cart and Bicycle Leases
One other widespread choice for exploring Bimini is renting a golf cart. You possibly can inquire about golf cart leases on the entrance desk of the cruise pier or within the Hilton Lodge foyer. Charges fluctuate between $60 to $90 per day.
Whereas they’re topic to availability, renting a golf cart is a enjoyable strategy to discover the complete island at your personal tempo. Resorts World Bimini additionally gives bicycles, which are one other enjoyable strategy to discover whereas getting some train.
If there are not any golf carts out there via Resorts World Bimini itself, there are a number of personal rental firms out there simply exterior of Fisherman’s Village on Bimini Street, together with Humpy’s Golf Cart Leases, Miss Philly’s Leases, and Dolphin’s Elite Carts.
None of those suppliers have web sites, however all three are only a seven-minute stroll from the pier, so it’s simple to verify availability in individual.
Taxis
If you wish to discover past the resort complicated, taxis are choice. Most function with a per-person flat fee of $5, which covers quarter-hour of driving. Given the island’s comparatively small dimension, you’ll be able to often get to your vacation spot for a flat price of $5.
Strolling
The island’s compact dimension and well-marked sidewalks make it a really pedestrian-friendly vacation spot. If you wish to stretch your legs, exploring the Resorts World Bimini complicated on foot is simple. Even strolling on to the middle of Bailey City solely takes about 10 to fifteen minutes, whereas Alice City remains to be an inexpensive 45-minute stroll.
Seashores Close to Bimini Cruise Port
In case you’re like me, one of many largest attracts of visiting the Bahamas is spending a while on the seaside. Fortunately, Bimini boasts some really beautiful seashores inside simple attain of the cruise pier. The next are simply among the many choices:
Resorts World Bimini Seaside
In case you’re trying to get pleasure from a day of lounging on the seaside, you’ll be excited to be taught that the resort complicated has its personal 4.5-acre sandy seaside.
Whereas it’s situated on the far aspect of the resort complicated, it is among the stops for the free tram, so it’s simple to get to from the pier. Though it’s free for lodge friends, cruise passengers can buy a $40 day move to entry the seaside and its facilities.
In case you do determine to pay for a day move, this white sand seaside space gives a spread of amenities, together with swimming pools and waterslides, beachside eating places and bars, and beachfront cabana leases, which will be booked on-line and value between $100 and $400 per day, relying in case you go for limitless bottle service or not.
Whereas these charges could sound steep, it’s value remembering that visiting the seaside and its facilities is among the hottest shore excursions in Bimini.
Paradise Seaside
For these trying to keep away from pointless spending, Paradise Seaside can be situated throughout the resort complicated, and it’s free for cruise passengers. It’s situated straight beside the pier, so that you do not need to stroll far to spend a while on the sand.
It doesn’t have the identical degree of facilities because the Resorts World Bimini Seaside, nevertheless it nonetheless gives clear waters, a chosen swimming space, gentle white sand, seaside loungers and umbrellas, and a rental workplace the place guests can hire a towel, snorkel, water floatie, and extra.
Radio Seaside
In case you’re prepared to journey all the way down to Alice City, I extremely suggest visiting Radio Seaside. This is among the hottest seashores in North Bimini. Regardless of the title, it’s truly made up of three contiguous seashores, that are all open to the general public.
Whether or not you get there by golf cart, taxi, or simply mountaineering on foot, it’s an important place to spend the day. Plus, visiting Radio Seaside means you can too discover Alice City, which suggests you’ll be able to simply go to the Nationwide Geographic-funded Dolphin Home Museum, the most well-liked Bimini museum, and one of many prime vacationer locations on the complete island.
In case you do go to Radio Seaside, you also needs to make time to seize a drink and a chunk to eat at Sherri’s Paradise Seaside Bar, which is simply steps from Radio Seaside and has among the greatest recent lobster rolls and conch fritters wherever on the island.
Eating Close to Bimini Cruise Port
Talking of grabbing one thing to eat in Bimini, the complete island is a foodie’s paradise. Whether or not you wish to attempt among the native dishes and recent seafood or simply some worldwide favorites, you don’t must journey removed from the port to get pleasure from a scrumptious meal. These are simply a few of my private favorites:
Resorts World Bimini Eating places
Since Resorts World Bimini has quite a few eating venues, you don’t must journey removed from the port to get pleasure from a scrumptious meal. From Monkey Enterprise Seaside Bar and Restaurant to extra formal venues like Seaside Membership 360, govt chef Curtis Smithen crafted each eating venue’s menu.
In case you arrive early and wish to get pleasure from breakfast or brunch, The Tides has an enormous menu with crowd-pleasers like wood-fired baked bread and recent seafood.
Since Bimini was a favourite vacation spot of Ernest Hemingway, Resorts World Bimini paid tribute to the well-known writer with Hemingway’s, a restaurant that serves gourmand burgers, rooster wings, and scrumptious cocktails, together with Hemingway’s personal favourite, like mojitos and the rum-heavy Papa Doble.
There’s additionally the Therapeutic Gap, Amicci’s Pizzeria, The Sushi Bar, and an ice cream stand in Fisherman’s Village.
Joe’s Conch Shack
This unpretentious eatery is among the most well-known in all of Bimini. Positioned on Fundamental Road, it’s a go-to vacation spot for seafood favorites cooked to native tastes.
As you’ll have guessed, the conch salad and fried conch fritters are the most well-liked objects, however the large sea snails, lobster, crab, and recent grilled fish are additionally scrumptious. It’s only one.2 miles from the cruise port, so it’s simple to go to on foot or by taxi.
Bimini Seafood Firm & Conch Bar
In case you haven’t guessed by now, seafood is an enormous deal on Bimini, particularly conch-based dishes. The Bimini Seafood Firm is situated 1.9 miles away on the jap aspect of Alice City, and it’s one other widespread spot for vacationers and locals alike.
Eating on the Bimini Seafood Firm can be an important alternative to attempt a tuna steak, goombay smash, fresh-caught wahoo, and extra.
Whereas the menu alone is definitely worth the journey, the actual spotlight is the view. The outside eating space overlooks a marina and a reef the place scuba diving classes are taught.
Bimini Large Sport Bar & Grill
Bart of the Bimini Large Sport Membership Resort, the Large Sport Bar & Grill is situated in Alice City, only a brief stroll from Radio Seaside. Whereas the restaurant is open to the general public, non-resort friends can’t use the swimming pools and hammocks.
In case you really feel like treating your self, the restaurant is among the extra upscale eating venues in North Bimini, so it’s an important place to get pleasure from gourmand American and Bahamian dishes. It’s additionally simply 1.9 miles from the port, so reaching it doesn’t take lengthy.
Whereas Bimini isn’t actually well-known for purchasing, there are a couple of native retailers and boutiques the place you should buy souvenirs, native crafts, and cruise necessities.
Fisherman’s Village Marina can be situated throughout the Resorts World Bimini grounds, and it’s residence to The Reef Retail Outlets, a group of memento retailers and boutiques.
Inside this strip of shops, you will discover Rainbow Reef Store, which makes a speciality of colourful, tie-dye souvenirs, SPLASH Swimwear, and Residence Reef, which gives handmade jewellery, purses, and equipment.
Close to the Hilton Lodge, you will discover Corals Clothes Boutique, Elephant Gems Jewellery, and Hidden Treasure Market, a common retailer with a variety of souvenirs and extra sensible trip necessities.
In case you plan to buy in Bimini, do not forget that the official forex is the Bahamian Greenback (BSD), which is on par with the US Greenback. Most retailers may even settle for US forex, however some smaller retailers is not going to settle for credit score or debit playing cards, so it’s value bringing money with you.
In case you do make it into Bailey City or Alice City, there are many native distributors promoting all the pieces you want. Whereas the choices are fairly restricted, the Entry Bahamas Bimini Procuring Mall and the Bimini Craft Heart are each situated simply 2.2 miles from the Bimini Cruise Port within the middle of Alice City.
Greatest Time to Go to Bimini
Like the remainder of the Bahamas, Bimini enjoys heat climate all year long, with common daytime temperatures starting from 70°F to the excessive 80s°F. Which means that the perfect time to go to Bimini and the opposite islands that make up the Bahamas is dependent upon private desire.
With that mentioned, the height journey season runs from December to April, which is because of the cooler temperatures and drier climate. If you wish to discover the island and revel in water sports activities, the lowered likelihood of rainfall could make these months a good time to go to.
Take into account that touring to the island throughout peak vacationer season additionally means that you could be encounter bigger crowds, so it’s a good suggestion to ebook shore excursions and day passes to the personal seashores forward of time.
In case you determine to go to through the summer time months, you’ll be able to keep away from the crowds, simply needless to say it may be considerably humid and you’ll have to cope with transient showers.
Visiting through the summer time additionally offers you the chance to absorb the Bimini Goombay Summer season Pageant, the largest occasion on the island, and a time when native artists, cooks, and bands share their tradition with guests. The principle occasions run yearly from July twenty eighth to the twenty ninth in Alice City.
