Bimini Area Recommendations

[Freebird Sense]

Planning an 8 day August trip from Miami to the Bimini Islands (1st crossing) and wanted to get some recommendations as far as which marina's are better for sailboats (5.5' draft) ... "Can't Miss" anchorages .. and places to avoid .. Read through the cruising guides ... just looking for some local knowledge input. Thanks ..!

[Agape39]

Headed over this weekend for a few weeks, I'll let you know where I bump and where I don't! I have a 6 ft draft. I was going to clear in in Nassua but hear the authorities are clamping down on not clearing in at the closest point of entry.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Freebird Sense, and Agape39.

[CSY Man]

Stay away from Honeymoon harbor, bad holding.

We like North Cat Cay and anchor East of the airport.
Good restaurant in the marina, also a grocery store next to the marina, premium products and of course quite expensive.

If the swells are down we anchor of Radio Beach (North Bimini) and take the dink to Alicetown for dinner and drinks.
Some snorkeling around 2 exposed rocks just West of Paradise point.

[Freebird Sense]

Thanks .. actually thinking now about heading right over from Miami to Great Harbor in the Berry's for the lobster fest Aug 3rd and 4th. I've heard the same about clearing in at closest point .. Like to hit Bimini on way back .. Any recent cruisers have experiences they can share?? Thanks ..!

[Agape39]

Originally Posted by Freebird Sense

Thanks .. actually thinking now about heading right over from Miami to Great Harbor in the Berry's for the lobster fest Aug 3rd and 4th. I've heard the same about clearing in at closest point .. Like to hit Bimini on way back .. Any recent cruisers have experiences they can share?? Thanks ..!

Thanks GordMay, great picture of Bimini! We are making an overnite passage to Bimini tomorrow night, no summer squals predicted until Sunday. My biggest concern is my draft, 6ft, everyone says no problem but the charts show 5 to 6ft at most of the marinas.....not like I never bumped before but it can be quite ambarrassing to be stuck in the sand in everyone's way. Any marinas that are sure to have enough water for me?

[youmeandthed]

the entrance requires you to go through the bouys and turn close to the beach to get into Alicetown, we saw 9 ft minimum. There is a dredged channel that is very obvious once inside. I guess it depends on your budget and what you want to do, there are lots of options there.

[emcmia]

Have done Bimini more than dozen times with 4ft draft cat. Most marinas in north Bimini have plenty of water. However, highly recommend your first approach to both north and south be at high tide if possible. Great Harbor can be similarly problematic if you haven't done it before. In both cases, try to follow bigger boat in. Good luck.