Bimini Anchorage

[rognvald]

Boatguy,
I know "everyone" goes into Bimini Harbor. If money isn't an issue, it's cheap by US standards. However, you don't have to pay to go to a marina if you're willing to work your way around the south end of the island and follow the deeper water to an acceptable spot in the vicinity of Nixon's Harbor. There's access to the island by dinghy into the harbor and very good protection from anything out of the North. Be certain you're anchored in sand and not sand over coral-- so check your hook and set it well. Another good spot is behind a shoal area(see charts) in good holding sand just east of Cat Cay if you get a big southerly with the potential for a quick evening departure for NW Channel Light when things settle down. I don't like Skip's "anchorage" to the west of Bimini since it has a continual swell and would be a death trap if the wind changed quickly and the west side of Bimini is hard rock under thin sand. Everyone should see old Bimini once. It's a funky little town reminiscent of some of the poor areas we saw as kids when driving the old US 41 to Florida. The buildings need paint, the streets are dusty and need repair, not everything works, the service is marginal at best but it is safe and the people seem happy to live as they have lived from the beginning. But, you don't go to the Bahamas for the people and the towns . . . its the water and that makes it worth it. Good luck and good sailing.

[CSY Man]

Sure Rognvald, Bimini is a funky town, not Las Vegas, that is why some of us go to Bimini, to get away from the slick sh!t...


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by CSY Man

Aye Skipmac:
The fishing tournaments are the exception that confirms the rule, so uh, don't go there then.
Good excuse for checking in with the dink however.
Normally Customs and Immigration wants you to take a dock so they can "inspect" the boat. They never do however, just good for the local economy.
After a few years I realized the documentation said my CSY 33 had a 9 foot draft. (Coast Guard Typo).
That was my excuse for anchoring of Radio Beach, taking the dink to shore and check in that way. (Old channel to shallow for a 9' draft)
After they dredged the channel, no more, except one time the officer let me get away with anchoring the big boat outside and taking the dink in, except I got no cash receipt, but got the Cruising Permit. No doubt the $150 went straight to his pockets, whatever...

Believe, if I had had a clue I would have picked another time to go. But I was between boats and needed a fix bad so chartered a boat for 2 weeks to dive Bimini area and that was the time we could all get off work. I did discover the dink trick but customs was so busy they didn't even ask.

CSY with a 9' draft. Must have been the custom race version.

[AnchorageGuy]

The anchorages off the Big Game Club and Bimini Bay Resort are still viable anchorages. We were there last winter researching our Bahamas anchorage guide. The space near Bimini Bay has been reduced because of construction. The seaplanes still come and go and there is now a new fast ferry from Ft. Lauderdale to Bimini Bay. The current is strong so using a Bahamian Moor can help. Just be sure to dive or snorkel over your anchor once it's set. The current is less at Bimini Bay Resort but you are much farther out of town. If you time your arrival for one of the tournaments you will be hard pressed to find dockage. That's why you should always call ahead. the Big Game Club will let you tie up to clear in if they have dock space. Chuck

[AnchorageGuy]

Also wanted to add, we were weathered in at Bimini for two weeks while the winds stayed up to 25 knots or better straight down the harbor and no one could get out of the harbor. There were several boats in both anchorages, especially near the Big Game Club. None of the boats dragged their anchor during those two weeks and at times the winds were gusting much higher than 25. When there is wind against current, the harbor gets very sloppy. Chuck

[Boatguy30]

Chuck, can you anchor and dinghy ashore to clear customs? Also can you still purchase the guest pass mentioned in a previous post? I may do this in janurary.

I have not been in touch with other boat for a few days. I'm honestly think they didn't notice other boats anchored so they assume there was no where to anchor.

Thanks, Jeff

[AnchorageGuy]

Originally Posted by Boatguy30

Chuck, can you anchor and dinghy ashore to clear customs? Also can you still purchase the guest pass mentioned in a previous post? I may do this in janurary.

I have not been in touch with other boat for a few days. I'm honestly think they didn't notice other boats anchored so they assume there was no where to anchor.

Thanks, Jeff

Jeff, We've not heard of any guest pass. Bimini Bay Resort is a long way from town but they will let you land your dinghy. The Big Game Club will also let you tie up your dinghy or there is a seawall next door. Customs is in The Big Game Club and Immigrations is just down the street. Have a great time. We really like Bimini. Chuck

[Boatguy30]

Thanks, may head straight for the abacos from Titusville area if weather is right, or else head south towards Anglefish creek and then over to Bimini or straight on to Morgan's bluff. Bimini has never really been a good option in the past for us due to draft but we did spend a rough night or two anchored around the south end about 11 years ago.

[Cormorant]

The guest pass for Bimini Bay resort that I mentioned earlier wasn't something you had to purchase -- they gave them out for free if you asked. But that was a few years ago, when they were trying to get the resort off the ground and sell the associated condos. I think it helped to let prospective real estate buyers see people there enjoying the facilities, instead of a ghost town. So . . . the free pass deal may or may not still be available.

[AnchorageGuy]

Originally Posted by Boatguy30

Thanks, may head straight for the abacos from Titusville area if weather is right, or else head south towards Anglefish creek and then over to Bimini or straight on to Morgan's bluff. Bimini has never really been a good option in the past for us due to draft but we did spend a rough night or two anchored around the south end about 11 years ago.

The entrance to Bimini and the channel has been dredged and is now being maintained to allow the new ferry to get in and out for the new casino. So you should not have any depth problems. Chuck

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by rognvald

Boatguy,
I know "everyone" goes into Bimini Harbor. If money isn't an issue, it's cheap by US standards. However, you don't have to pay to go to a marina if you're willing to work your way around the south end of the island and follow the deeper water to an acceptable spot in the vicinity of Nixon's Harbor. There's access to the island by dinghy into the harbor and very good protection from anything out of the North. Be certain you're anchored in sand and not sand over coral-- so check your hook and set it well. Another good spot is behind a shoal area(see charts) in good holding sand just east of Cat Cay if you get a big southerly with the potential for a quick evening departure for NW Channel Light when things settle down. I don't like Skip's "anchorage" to the west of Bimini since it has a continual swell and would be a death trap if the wind changed quickly and the west side of Bimini is hard rock under thin sand. Everyone should see old Bimini once. It's a funky little town reminiscent of some of the poor areas we saw as kids when driving the old US 41 to Florida. The buildings need paint, the streets are dusty and need repair, not everything works, the service is marginal at best but it is safe and the people seem happy to live as they have lived from the beginning. But, you don't go to the Bahamas for the people and the towns . . . its the water and that makes it worth it. Good luck and good sailing.

Second the recommendation on all your suggestions but I still like anchoring off the beach, both here and at West End. I have done so a number of times quite comfortably with very little or no swell at all and no rolling. You just have to tuck in very close to the beach.

I did qualify that this spot is not tenable if there is a chance of a front aka norther coming in or any other source of winds with a westerly component. However if you do happen to get caught there even in the dark you can easily pull anchor and bail out. The beach is totally clear with no coral heads or hazards so you can safely take any course away from the beach to deep water.

Oh, and the friendly people in the Bahamas are absolutely one of the reasons I go there.

[Boatguy30]

New boat draws 3' vs last 2 at 6'6" so whole different world.

[rognvald]

Originally Posted by CSY Man

Sure Rognvald, Bimini is a funky town, not Las Vegas, that is why some of us go to Bimini, to get away from the slick sh!t...


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

CSY,
I've never been to Las Vegas but I'll take your word as gospel. I'm glad you're able to escape to Bimini for a break from the "slick sh!". May I suggest, next time, you try the Liberty City area in Miami. It is much closer and you don't have to cross the Gulf Stream. Good luck and Make It Funky! James Brown - Make It Funky - YouTube

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by rognvald

CSY,
I've never been to Las Vegas but I'll take your word as gospel. I'm glad you're able to escape to Bimini for a break from the "slick sh!". May I suggest, next time, you try the Liberty City area in Miami. It is much closer and you don't have to cross the Gulf Stream. Good luck and Make It Funky! James Brown - Make It Funky - YouTube

Problem is the diving just isn't that good in Liberty City and it's hard to find a good spot to anchor.

[rognvald]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Problem is the diving just isn't that good in Liberty City and it's hard to find a good spot to anchor.

Skip,
Au contraire . . . I understand the diving is great . . . although of the dumpster variety and in regards to anchoring . . . the possibilities are limitless . . . although the "holding" would definitely be dangerous. Good luck, good sailing and may the mean streets be kind to your keel.
Captain Rognvald: in seclusion