Day 1: South Bimini to North Bimini
Nautical Miles: 3
Travel Time: 30 minutes
Your western Bahamas adventure begins at South Bimini, where the small airport serves flights from Florida bringing visitors to these legendary islands just 50 miles across the Gulf Stream. After completing check-in formalities and familiarizing yourself with your yacht at one of the marinas, spend your morning exploring South Bimini with its airport, a few shops and restaurants, and the causeway connecting to North Bimini. The short passage to North Bimini provides an easy shakedown while allowing you to position yourself at the main settlement. Navigate carefully through the channel between the two islands, watching for currents and shallow areas.
Arrive at North Bimini and take a slip at one of the marinas in Alice Town, the main settlement. This small fishing village gained legendary status during Prohibition as a rum-running hub, then later as Ernest Hemingway's retreat where he wrote and fished in the 1930s. Walk the narrow streets exploring the Hemingway museum, colorful local bars and restaurants, small shops, and the weathered buildings that tell stories of Bimini's colorful past. The Compleat Angler Hotel, though damaged by fire, remains a pilgrimage site for Hemingway enthusiasts. Visit the legendary Big Game Club and other historic establishments. Arrange diving or snorkeling for tomorrow at one of the dive shops, as Bimini's underwater attractions rank among the finest in the Bahamas. The famous Bimini Road, an underwater rock formation some believe to be remnants of Atlantis, sits just offshore along with numerous shipwrecks and pristine reefs. Spend your evening enjoying the local bars and restaurants, soaking up the authentic island atmosphere that defines North Bimini.
Route Highlights - Arriving at South Bimini and making the short passage to North Bimini's main settlement.
- Exploring historic Alice Town and visiting the Hemingway museum and legendary fishing clubs.
- Arranging diving or snorkeling to explore Bimini's famous wrecks and reefs.
Day 2: North Bimini (Diving Day)
Nautical Miles: 0
Travel Time: No sailing
Spend your full second day exploring Bimini's legendary underwater attractions without the pressure of a passage. The waters surrounding Bimini offer some of the finest diving and snorkeling in the Bahamas, with numerous shipwrecks, pristine reefs, and the mysterious Bimini Road all accessible from North Bimini marinas. Join a dive boat or explore by dinghy depending on your qualifications and comfort level. The Sapona wreck, a concrete-hulled ship run aground in the 1920s, sits in shallow water perfect for snorkeling and has been featured in numerous films. Deeper wrecks like the Hesper offer more advanced diving opportunities. The Bimini Road consists of an underwater rock formation resembling a paved road, fueling persistent theories about Atlantis despite scientific explanations of natural limestone formation.
Between dives or snorkel sessions, explore more of North Bimini on foot or by golf cart. Visit the stunning beaches on the western shore facing the Gulf Stream, where the deep blue water comes right to the beach creating dramatic swimming conditions. The Healing Hole, a natural spring in the mangroves, is believed by locals to have therapeutic properties. Stop at local restaurants for conch salad and fresh fish prepared in authentic Bahamian style. The relaxed atmosphere and friendly locals create genuine island hospitality. As evening approaches after a full day of underwater exploration and island discovery, enjoy dinner at one of the waterfront restaurants while reflecting on Bimini's unique character as a small fishing village that has hosted celebrities, rum runners, and sport fishermen while maintaining its authentic Bahamian identity. Tomorrow brings your crossing to Grand Bahama, so use this evening to prepare for the passage and provision as needed.
Route Highlights - Diving or snorkeling the famous Sapona wreck and other legendary Bimini sites.
- Exploring the mysterious Bimini Road underwater rock formation.
- Discovering pristine reefs, dramatic Gulf Stream beaches, and authentic island culture.
Day 3: North Bimini to Port Lucaya, Grand Bahama
Nautical Miles: 60
Travel Time: 8 hours
Today brings your longest passage of the week as you depart North Bimini and cross approximately 60 nautical miles east to Grand Bahama Island. Leave early to allow plenty of time for this substantial crossing, which takes you across open water of the Little Bahama Bank. The passage requires careful navigation and attention to weather, though the relatively shallow bank waters create less challenging conditions than truly open ocean. The route takes you away from the Gulf Stream influence near Bimini toward the expansive shallows surrounding Grand Bahama. As you progress east, the low profile of Grand Bahama eventually emerges on the horizon, signaling your approach to the fourth-largest island in the Bahamas.
Navigate into Port Lucaya marina in the afternoon and secure your yacht at this modern resort facility. Port Lucaya represents a complete contrast to small-scale Bimini, with extensive marinas, resort hotels, a large shopping complex, numerous restaurants and bars, and all the amenities of a developed tourist destination. After the longer passage, appreciate the excellent marina facilities including hot showers, laundry, and provisioning options. Spend your evening exploring the Port Lucaya Marketplace with its shops, restaurants, and entertainment, or simply relaxing at one of the waterfront bars while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere. The resort environment provides a striking contrast to the authentic fishing village character of Bimini, revealing how different development approaches have shaped these western Bahamas islands. Grand Bahama offers excellent provisioning if you need to stock up for the return passages ahead, along with opportunities for land-based activities like the famous Lucayan National Park with its underwater caves and pristine beaches.
Route Highlights - Making the 60-nautical-mile crossing from Bimini east to Grand Bahama Island.
- Arriving at modern Port Lucaya marina with its extensive resort facilities and amenities.
- Exploring the marketplace, restaurants, and experiencing the contrast with small-scale Bimini.
Day 4: Port Lucaya to West End
Nautical Miles: 25
Travel Time: 4 hours
Depart Port Lucaya and set course west along Grand Bahama's southern coast toward West End, the westernmost settlement on the island. The passage follows the protected southern shore, passing the developed areas of Freeport and eventually reaching the quieter western portion of the island. West End occupies a strategic position as the closest Bahamian settlement to Florida, sitting just 55 miles across the Gulf Stream from Palm Beach. This proximity shaped the town's history during Prohibition when it served as a major rum-running base, and continues to influence its character as a primary entry point for boats crossing from Florida.
Navigate into West End and take a slip at one of the marinas catering to the steady stream of boats arriving from or departing for Florida. The settlement maintains a more authentic, less resort-oriented character than Port Lucaya, with local restaurants, bars, and shops serving both residents and transient boaters. Explore the small town on foot, visiting the historic buildings and learning about West End's colorful past as a Prohibition-era smuggling hub. The beaches along the western shore provide beautiful swimming, while the nearby reefs offer excellent snorkeling opportunities. West End serves as an important provisioning and fueling stop for boats making the Gulf Stream crossing, creating a transient community atmosphere. Spend your evening enjoying the local restaurants and bars while preparing for tomorrow's return passage to Bimini. The smaller scale and authentic character of West End provides a welcome middle ground between the resort development of Port Lucaya and the tiny fishing village atmosphere of North Bimini.
Route Highlights - Cruising west along Grand Bahama's southern coast toward West End settlement.
- Arriving at West End, the closest Bahamian settlement to Florida and historic Prohibition base.
- Exploring authentic local culture and preparing for tomorrow's return to Bimini.
Day 5: West End to North Bimini
Nautical Miles: 50
Travel Time: 7 hours
Depart West End early for the return crossing to North Bimini, covering approximately 50 nautical miles west across the Little Bahama Bank. This substantial passage retraces your outbound route but from the opposite direction, requiring the same careful navigation and attention to conditions. The crossing takes you back toward the Gulf Stream influence and the small islands that cluster near the western edge of the Bahamas. As you progress west, the distinctive profile of North and South Bimini eventually appears on the horizon, marking your return to these legendary fishing and diving islands.
Navigate back into North Bimini harbor in the afternoon and secure your yacht at one of the familiar marinas in Alice Town. After the long passage, appreciate the return to this comfortable base with its good facilities and friendly atmosphere. Spend your evening relaxing at the waterfront bars and restaurants, perhaps revisiting favorite spots from earlier in the week or trying establishments you missed before. The return to Bimini feels like coming back to a known place after your Grand Bahama expedition, with the small-scale intimacy of Alice Town providing welcome familiarity. Tomorrow begins your exploration of the southern Bimini cays before your final return passage, so use this evening to rest from today's crossing and prepare for the remaining days. Enjoy dinner at one of the local restaurants while reflecting on the contrasts between developed Grand Bahama and authentic Bimini, understanding how proximity to Florida has shaped both islands in different ways.
Route Highlights - Making the 50-nautical-mile return crossing from West End back to Bimini.
- Arriving back at familiar North Bimini harbor and Alice Town facilities.
- Relaxing after the long passage and preparing for southern cays exploration.
Day 6: North Bimini to North Cat Cay
Nautical Miles: 10
Travel Time: 2 hours
Depart North Bimini and set course south toward the smaller cays that cluster south of the main Bimini islands. North Cat Cay is a small private island with an exclusive club that has welcomed sport fishermen and yachters for decades. The short passage takes you through clear shallow waters, with careful navigation required to avoid the scattered coral heads and reefs that characterize this area. The southern Bimini cays offer a quieter, more remote atmosphere compared to the busier harbors around Alice Town, providing peaceful anchorages and beautiful beaches for the final days of your western Bahamas circuit.
Approach North Cat Cay and anchor off the beautiful beaches or take a mooring if available, respecting the private nature of the island while enjoying the surrounding waters and beaches where permitted. The clear water and healthy reefs provide excellent snorkeling opportunities, while the beaches offer pristine swimming conditions. The remote setting and smaller scale create a peaceful contrast to the busier destinations earlier in your week. Spend your afternoon swimming, snorkeling, beachcombing, or simply relaxing at anchor while enjoying the tranquil surroundings. The proximity to the Gulf Stream means the water here shows exceptional clarity and abundant marine life. As evening settles over your anchorage, enjoy sundowners in the cockpit while watching the sun set over the western horizon, knowing tomorrow brings a visit to nearby Gun Cay before your final return to South Bimini. The peaceful atmosphere of these southern cays provides a fitting wind-down after the longer passages and busier harbors that characterized the middle portion of your week.
Route Highlights - Cruising south to the quieter, more remote southern Bimini cays.
- Anchoring at exclusive North Cat Cay with its beautiful beaches and clear water.
- Snorkeling pristine reefs and enjoying peaceful, uncrowded anchorage conditions.
Day 7: North Cat Cay to Gun Cay to South Bimini
Nautical Miles: 12
Travel Time: 2 hours
Your final cruising day begins with a short passage from North Cat Cay to nearby Gun Cay, the southernmost point of your circuit. Gun Cay features beautiful beaches, excellent snorkeling, and the southernmost anchorage in the Bimini chain. The tiny cay offers pristine conditions and typically hosts just a handful of visiting yachts despite its proximity to Florida. Anchor off the stunning beaches and spend your morning swimming, snorkeling the surrounding reefs, or exploring the small cay on foot. The beaches here rank among the finest in the Bimini area, with powder-white sand and crystal-clear water creating perfect conditions for a final swim before returning north.
After a few hours at Gun Cay, continue north back to South Bimini to complete your western Bahamas circuit. Navigate into the harbor and secure your yacht at the marina where your adventure began a week earlier. Spend your final afternoon completing checkout procedures, provisioning for onward travel if continuing to Florida or elsewhere, or simply relaxing while reflecting on an exceptional week. As evening falls, enjoy dinner at one of the local restaurants while contemplating approximately 170 nautical miles of cruising through the western frontier of the Bahamas. You have explored legendary Bimini with its Hemingway history and spectacular diving, crossed to developed Grand Bahama with its modern resort facilities, experienced the contrast between large-scale and small-scale tourism development, and discovered the peaceful southern cays with their pristine beaches and clear water. The western Bahamas has revealed its unique character shaped by proximity to Florida and the Gulf Stream, offering a distinctive cruising experience that balances authentic fishing village culture with modern amenities and some of the finest wreck diving in the entire island chain.
Route Highlights - Visiting pristine Gun Cay with its beautiful beaches and excellent snorkeling.
- Enjoying a final swim in crystal-clear water at the southernmost Bimini anchorage.
- Completing your 170-nautical-mile western Bahamas circuit back at South Bimini.
