Anyone been to BIMINI....any recommendations??

[RICHinNC]

I am interested in going to Bimini. I can get a flight from RDU to Ft. Lauderdale and I understand I can get a flight out of there to Bimini.

Anyone done this and have any recommendations? I dive, my SO does not.

thanks.

 

[DeputyDan]

http://dive.scubadiving.com/members/tripreports.php?s=3016


http://dive.scubadiving.com/members/tripreports.php?s=3312

 

[RICHinNC]

Just making sure I didnt miss something....both links were liveaboards right?

I am looking for hotel...resort.....non liveaboard.

 

[metaldector]

There are a lot of dive sites around Bimini but not many dive shops. Check out this web site http://www.scubabimini.com/ for info. Also do a web search for Bimini diving and you should find a reference to Bill and Nora who run a shop there. Call them and they will be happy to assist you. Have fun!

 

[diversteve]

It's Bill & Nowdla(not Nora) Keefe who run Bimini Undersea. She's the one that started the snorkel trips with dolphins in the area. http://www.biminiundersea.com/

Also this might be of some help, there's videos etc:
http://www.bahamasdiving.com/6729/with_flash/html/bimini.html

It appears that between this post and the previous one that we've covered all the diveops there.

I also sadly read that the Compleat Angler(Hemingways' Bar) burned down a couple years ago. I think we might stop there next month our last day on the Nekton to take a look around. If I'm not diving, I'll probably go ashore and look around - if I find anything useful I'll PM you after the 24th.

I read there's new arrangements from Lauderdale to Bimini since the Chalk's Seaplane crashed last year. They were great old planes.

 

[mike_s]

Bimini is a great place to visit. The diving there is great.

If you could arrange a liveaboard with someone (private or group charter) that's the way to go. you just get to see more and dive more.

Bimini itself is a very quiet small island. It's a great place to relax. not much excitement at all until the weekend when boats would come over from Florida. However the Bahamas changed their customs fees to $300/boat a few years back and that has cut down on weekend boaters. that and $3.50/gallon diesel fuel.

As for the above reference of Bimini Undersea as a dive shop. Unfortunately that's the only choice you've got as a shop on North Bimini. I was very unimpressed by them. They are extremely expensive on everything and the owner (Bill) was a complete ************ to us. He was very rude and just a complete idiot. I've heard several other very negative reports about him also, but don't want to post "I heard" stories that are second hand information.

Anyway, if I went back to Bimini, I'd use Scuba Bimini http://www.scubabimini.com/ over on South Bimini due to the poor customer service we had from Bimini Undersea.


How are you getting to Bimini from FLL? Check the Chaulks seaplane service and see what's available. They had a crash this past year that took several of their planes out of service.

I was saddened to hear that the Complete Angler burned last year. I've had many a "good time" at that bar.

 

[RICHinNC]

the more i hear....the less i want to go....it sounds as bad a hassle getting there as bonaire without the great reefs

 

[DeputyDan]

That's why I only posted live a boards.

Pretty much the only way to do that area.

 

[DivingLonghorn]

I was in Bimini last year and had an awful experience with Scuba Bimini. They didin't any have a DM on the boat. The "captain" was a young guy...probably around 17 years old...who had to use a map to get to the dive sites. We cancelled the remaining dives with them and used a local operator....http://www.knbezdive.com/index.htm.

They are the best...they really go the extra mile to make you comfortable (fresh water shower, and fresh conch salad between dives).

I would really take a look at them.

 

[mike_s]

the more i hear....the less i want to go....it sounds as bad a hassle getting there as bonaire without the great reefs

Actually if the Chaulks seaplane service is going good, then it's only an about 30 minute flight over there. (from FLL)

Bimini is a great place. Liveaboard or private boat is the best way to do it.