Bimini 2015 - July 6th to 11th

[Englewoodcowboy]

Pick up a few blocks of frozen sardines to feed them. When I used to guide in Charlotte Harbor I had 2 that would come up on my rear deck. I always gave them something and my customers loved it, I did it as kind of a surprise, always had great tips if they showed up.

 

[waterboy]

Last year some locals told us NE of North Bimini. We looked but did not find them.

Was that last year when we were both poking around on the back side of the island? They might be back there but the water is only like 5 ft deep.

 

[JROD]

@waterboy, I am hearing the same. Last year some locals told us NE of North Bimini. We looked but did not find them.

Perhaps we could go searching in a group.

@MrMoose, lots of boats will have fixed VHF.

That's about right. Best chance is group of boat covering area and looking for them, then notify everyone by VHF. I followed local Dolphin boat last year and drill is to look for them then quickly jump in to swim with them. They seem very used to people and at times hang around the boats for short periods of time. There is a reef or formation NE of Bimini, can't recall name, but that area is probably the best bet and also good snorkeling place. I'll see if I can get coordinates from my ski GPS?

 

[Bruce]

Was that last year when we were both poking around on the back side of the island? They might be back there but the water is only like 5 ft deep.

Yes. We had gone 10 plus miles NE looking for them then decided to have lunch at that beach on the NE side of the island.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

I'm not sure if it's this site or my excitement for the trip, but I find myself refreshing the browser quite often. Quite frankly, I've never enjoyed spending as much as I have planning for this trip. From passports, gopro, snorkel gear, and the list goes on and on. My daughter now expects to get "surprises" delivered to the house each day

Can anyone give some first hand opinion on restaurants in Bimini? Any must haves while over there? Best breakfast, lunch, dinner? I've never had conch salad so looking forward to trying it. Best place for conch?

Thanks for the info!

 

[ArmyChief]

My GoPro is still in box
No time...hoping someone can give me a crash course.

I'm not the one to ask about Bimini, as this is our first to this island. However, based off my reading...restaurant's are scarce and most pack their food.

 

[robert843]

My GoPro is still in box
No time...hoping someone can give me a crash course.

I'm not the one to ask about Bimini, as this is our first to this island. However, based off my reading...restaurant's are scarce and most pack their food.

Its pretty simple to use just point and shoot kind of deal. Hit me up saturday night or Sunday if you want a quick crash course.

 

[waterboy]

restaurant's are scarce and most pack their food

Quite true. Think of it as camping in a condo.

Last year we ate breakfast every day in the condo. Sammich's or what ever on the boat for lunch and ate dinner out 3 times I think.

Another group last year ate every meal out. They were able to keep costs reasonable (somewhat) also.

I heard that the Petite Conch restauarant at the main office had a very good breakfast and lunch. We ate at Bimini Twist (next door to Mackays Sandbar) and thought it was very high priced and not very good either. Lots of small huts/restaurants on the North Island. Big Game club has good food.

 

[upperdeck]

Regarding radios, especially on the crossing, no need to stagger fixed and handheld. We never get that separated. The biggest problem is using the radios while underway. They're incredibly difficult to hear.

Myself and several others have fixed radios that we can use to call sea tow, BoatUS, etc. BTW, BoatUS will come get you in bimini and tow you back to Ft. Lauderdale.

I will also will have a PLB with me. Satellite personal locator beacon if you're wondering what that is. I imagine I'll be leading the crossing as in years past, so it will be with us in cases of dire emergency.

 

[Bruce]

Can anyone give some first hand opinion on restaurants in Bimini? Any must haves while over there? Best breakfast, lunch, dinner? I've never had conch salad so looking forward to trying it. Best place for conch?

We had dinner at Bimini Twist and enjoyed it. It was Rana's birthday and we had some of the more expensive dinner items. She had lobster, the kids had lobster or crab bisque. I had grilled fish. And they had some great desserts. @Rana really enjoyed the lobster and I am sure will want to go back. The party bus ride was fun to get there and back. The cost was around $200.

We had a late lunch at Big Game Club. It was a fun bar environment. We enjoyed our lunch but it was less memorable than than Bimini Twist. The cost for the four of us was less than $100.

We ordered rum punch to go from the Petite Conch several times. It was some of the best rum punch I have ever had.

Those were the only times that we ate out. We had breakfast in the condo and typically had lunch on the boat.

 

[ArmyChief]

Regarding radios, especially on the crossing, no need to stagger fixed and handheld. We never get that separated. The biggest problem is using the radios while underway. They're incredibly difficult to hear.

Myself and several others have fixed radios that we can use to call sea tow, BoatUS, etc. BTW, BoatUS will come get you in bimini and tow you back to Ft. Lauderdale.

I will also will have a PLB with me. Satellite personal locator beacon if you're wondering what that is. I imagine I'll be leading the crossing as in years past, so it will be with us in cases of dire emergency.

@upperdeck ,

I have a fixed with amplified speaker at my head. So, I'll be able to hear anything.

Lastly, I have a ACR PLB also

 

[ArmyChief]

Those were the only times that we ate out. We had breakfast in the condo and typically had lunch on the boat.

As for breakfast...I assume most brought eggs, milk and cereal.

 

[Bruce]

As for breakfast...I assume most brought eggs, milk and cereal.

We brought egg beaters instead of eggs. Eggs might not survive the crossing.

We did not see groceries available anywhere in Bimini last year. So please bring plenty of food.

 

[upperdeck]

Eggs survived our crossings every year!

 

[waterboy]

I had almost 4 doz eggs and not a single broken one. We ate like kings at breakfast with bacon, eggs, hashbrowns, toast, etc every morning. Maybe a few screwdrivers and bloody mary's for fun too

 

[JROD]

Here is an update Bimini Sands layout, @MrMoose room number had changed.

View attachment 24265

I'm not sure if it's this site or my excitement for the trip, but I find myself refreshing the browser quite often. Quite frankly, I've never enjoyed spending as much as I have planning for this trip. From passports, gopro, snorkel gear, and the list goes on and on. My daughter now expects to get "surprises" delivered to the house each day

Can anyone give some first hand opinion on restaurants in Bimini? Any must haves while over there? Best breakfast, lunch, dinner? I've never had conch salad so looking forward to trying it. Best place for conch?

Thanks for the info![/QUOTE

Resorts World Bimini has a nice restaurant in the Casino, also a great pool side cafeteria overlooking ocean. There are a few conch salad shacks that are awesome on north Bimini. Shirley's is right on the water and you can pull boats on beach or throw the hook out, north side. South side Mackey's and Lazy Turtle is about it.

 

[MrMoose]

Anybody planning on doing any water sports while in Bimini? I'm hesitant to try it because I don't know the waters and gas will be pretty expensive.

 

[Bruce]

Anybody planning on doing any water sports while in Bimini? I'm hesitant to try it because I don't know the waters and gas will be pretty expensive.

We leave the water toys at home. I would not want to tube / ski / kneeboard / wakeboard with salt water getting in my eyes.

 

[ArmyChief]

I would not want to tube / ski / kneeboard / wakeboard with salt water getting in my eyes.

Lol...really?...us SALT WATER boaters do it all the time!...dang lake, real boater wanna-be's

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Goggles!