|
Back to all Islands
Bimini Islands
The closet of the Bahama Islands to the United States, located 53 miles due east off the coast of Miami, Florida. Bimini has a laid back down home feel, with just two districts North and South Bimini, which are separated by a shallow, narrow channel. The island’s most famous resident, Ernest Hemmingway, who resided there from 1935-1937, is said to have been attracted to the tiny island because of its solitude and stories of fishing. North Bimini which has the majority of the islands population and activities consists of a strip of land only 7 miles long by 700 yards wide. The more rustic South Bimini houses a small airstrip and only two hotels.
Alice Town is the commercial centre of the island and has a single road called the King’s Highway, where you’ll find small shops, a few restaurants and bars (The Compleat Angler and End of the World). Fishing in Bimini is absolutely unparalleled for the size and variety of the catch, Sailfish, tuna and wahoo can be found in the waters around the island. Over 50 world records have been set in these waters, the inspiration for Ernest Hemingway's Islands in the Stream. A fisherman’s dream, any fishermen worth their salt must fish Bimini at least once a lifetime.
This tiny jewel holds several natural wonders; two of which are the Healing Hole and the Bimini Road. Found within the salt water mangrove swamp that covers four miles of North Bimini is The Healing Hole, a pool that lies at the end of a network of winding underground tunnels. During outgoing tides, these channels pump cool, mineral laden fresh water into the pool. Two of the minerals found are lithium and sulfur and said to exhibit curative properties, as people express a sense of mental and physical rejuvenation after their visit.
Discovered in 1968, the Bimini Road, sometimes called the Bimini Wall, is an underwater rock formation near Northern part of the island and consists of a 0.5 mile long sub-rectangular limestone blocks.
Like all the islands of the Bahamas Bimini has its own myths and legend. Once a rendezvous for rum runners and wreckers who plundered the ships that ran aground reefs; today, the wrecks of Spanish galleons make for fascinating dive sites along with black coral, exotic fish and a mysterious stone formation that some say is the lost continent of Atlantis.
Myths & Legends: The name Bimini is a Taino term and name said to have derived from the Lucayan Indians who were the first settlers to the island meaning Bibi (Mother) and Mini (Waters) or Mother of Many Waters. Bimini is also the original Pre-Columbian Taino Arawak name for the land now known as Florida.
The Fountain of Youth: The Fountain is rumoured to exist within the shallow pools of South Bimini. Today there is a small freshwater well with a plaque commemorating the Fountain of Youth, on the road leading to the South Bimini Airport. Records of Ponce De Leon’s search for the famed Fountain of Youth include references to Bimini.
|
