Fifty miles off the coast of Miami lies the nearest Bahamian island to the United States, Bimini. And spoiler: It's! worth! the! trip! The crystal clear turquoise waters will amp up any IG feed, the cocktails are sexy, the history is rich, and the vibes are *chef's kiss.* Aaaaand just FYI, my stay at the Resorts World Bimini was the cherry on top. Seriously though—if you're lookin' to jet boat off to a let's-party-but-also-relax tropical vacay with your girlfriends, take it from me, this place is it.
Not gonna lie, prior to my invite to the Bahamian island, I had only really heard of Nassau (i.e., the home of Baha Mar, Atlantis and a Margaritaville resort). So, when the opportunity to travel to Bimini hit my inbox, I was thrilled, to say the least. Upon research, I discovered just how close it was to the U.S. and questioned why the hell I hadn't heard of it earlier (!!). In a matter of days, I hit up Amazon for some cute beach outfits, surprised my mom with a plus-one ticket, packed my bags, and set off for the most epic girls' getaway that absolutely did not disappoint. Let's dive into the deets of where you're staying, eating, drinking, and partying on the island of Bimini, shall we?
P.S. The writer received comped transportation, accommodations, meals, and activities in order to write this story.
Your Bimini Packing List
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Lulu's In the Party Scene Two-Piece Set
Lack of Color The Spencer Wide Brimmed Boater
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The vibe
Bimini is made up of two main islands: North Bimini (approx. seven miles), and South Bimini (approx. two miles). To experience all of the amenities the massive and ~luxurious~ Hilton Hotel at Resorts World Bimini has to offer (keep scrolling for more on that), local experiences, and the island's capital, Alice Town, you're going to want to book your stay at North Bimini.
The greatest part about Bimini is the fact that you can have a completely casual and relaxing experience part of the time, and then you can dance the night away, Rum Punch in hand with not a care in the world. So, pro tip: Pack for both options.
Who you're bringing...
A girls' trip can mean a hell of a lot of things, and guess what? Bimini will accommodate 'em all. Bachelorette party?! Check. Mother-daughter getaway?! Abso-freakin'-lutely (I brought mine). A romantic vacay for two? YUP. A quick solo weekend escape to help you hightail it away from all of your responsibilities?! Uhm, do I even need to answer that? Basically, there are a million and one things to do once you arrive for some R&R.
How you're getting there...
The ferry:
You can take a fast ferry via Balearia Caribbean from Ft. Lauderdale to Bimini in only two hours (!!!) If you're only feelin' a day trip, you can depart Fort Lauderdale at 9 a.m., and ferry back from Bimini the very same day at 6 p.m.—pretty enticing, huh? Sounds like the perfect opportunity to chill on the beach with a sexy drink and beach read in hand.
The seaplane:
If you have the funds, or truly want a once-in-a-lifetime experience, you can charter a seat on the Tropic Ocean Airways seaplane. My mom and I were fortunate enough to snag a spot, and the experience absolutely did not disappoint. The views of the turquoise water from high above are legit incredible. Seriously, I don't think I've ever seen water that shade of blue.
The aircraft:
If you wanna soak up every minute under the Bahamian sun, or need to travel on days the ferry does not accommodate, opt for an aircraft. On the way to Bimini from Nassau, we flew Western Air. It was a short 30-minute plane ride over the crystal-clear water. If you're flying from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini, it's only a twenty five-minute flight, and Silver Airways has got ya covered.
Throughout Bimini island:
The island mostly consists of golf carts, and because North Bimini is only seven miles long, that's the ideal mode of transportation. You can either rent one from the Hilton hotel, or you can use a taxi service. Max, who will also be your local tour guide (more on that below), and the owner of Max's Taxi Service, is your go-to man when it comes to getting around the island.
...and throughout Nassau
Now if you're in Nassau, due to the larger size of the island, you're going to wanna stick to a taxi service to get you to your destination. Romeo Farrington—who also makes one heck of a storyteller—will get you where you need to be pronto.
THE PLUGS: CONTACT MAX IN BIMINI CONTACT ROMEO IN NASSAU
FYI, you're gonna need cute travel accessories.
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Béis Weekend Travel Bag
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Where you're staying
Bimini: Hilton at Resorts World Bimini
If you visit Bimini, you hands down need to stay at Resorts World Bimini. It's a massive beachfront resort that's totally luxurious and vibe-y—hi, cute IG pics—with a million and one things to do: S/O to the two pools, six restaurants, luxe spa, marina, incredible casino, and gorge private beach (!!). My mom and I stayed in an exclusive suite that opened up to a private pool connected to the public swim-up bar (yes, we hit it up often). Wanna save a little for something like a group bach trip? No worries, there are plenty of other room options that are not quite as expensive. I was legit so impressed with my stay here—not only were the accommodations A+++, but the staff was genuinely so kind and welcoming, which truly made the trip.
Nassau: Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau
If you're lucky enough to pop over to Nassau at any point during your stay, you have to check out Nassau's newest resort, Margaritaville. Located in the heart of Nassau, Margaritaville is within walking distance to a ton of local faves including shopping and dining hot spots. My mom and I stayed one night in a beautiful room with an incredible ocean view—it actually felt surreal. But the best (and my favorite) part? The giant lazy river around the resort's exclusive water park. No joke, I spent hours (and I mean hours) floating in this bb.
Where you're eating (and drinking)...
Local to Bimini:
- Smitty's Beach Bar and Restaurant: A relaxed outdoor restaurant featuring beach views and karaoke. This is the bar to go to when you want to watch a game, drink a cold beer, and sing and dance all night long.
- Ebbie's Bonefish Lodge: Ebbie's is where you'll go on a boat tour (more on that later), but it's also the perfect waterfront bar to grab a beer and a bite to eat during the day in your bathing suit and sun hat. Trust, the vibes are immaculate.
- Bimini Seafood Company and Conch Bar: Located inside the Bimini Big Game Club, this waterfront seafood restaurant overlooks the marina. Dress casual—this is the place to be to relax and chill.
- CJ's Deli: Thirsty or hungry and lookin' to grab a beer or tropical cocktail while loungin' on the beach? Hit up CJ's Deli when you wanna take a break from swimming in the ocean.
- Nate's Bimini Bread: Introducing the yummiest bakery on the island, Nate's Bimini Bread will satisfy any sweet tooth cravings. Snag yourself a loaf of the coconut roll bread and guava cookies, and buy a dozen extra to bring home.
- Outdoor bars along Alice Town road: If you want to stop by the same bar and enjoy the fresh coconut rum drinks as I did (pictured below), head to Radio Beach—the tiki-like outdoor bar is located right nearby.
At Resorts World Bimini:
- The Sushi Bar: If you're looking for some Asian fusion food, take a seat at the Sushi Bar located right next to the front desk at Resorts World Bimini. With only 24 seats, it's an intimate venue that delivers.
- The Tides: This baby serves as a breakfast buffet in the morning and a delicious dinner spot at night. Located in the middle of the resort, The Tides is where you want to be day and night. Pro tip: Order the lobster truffle mac, and any other seafood you can get your hands on.
- Hemingway's: Right next to the casino lies Hemingway's, a sports bar that serves up some damn good wings, burgers, cocktails, and bites.
- Beach Club 360: Chillin' by the ocean at Bimini Beach and feelin' like it's time to grab something to eat? Luckily, you won't have to go too far thanks to Beach Club 360—a restaurant right on the beach featuring Bahamian-inspired meals and drinks.
- Monkey Business: Need a break from the kiddos?! Monkey Business has got you covered with its adults-only venue located right next to the adults-only rooftop infinity pool.
In Nassau:
- Margaritaville's JWB Prime Steak and Seafood: The signature steakhouse—named after Jimmy Buffet, ofc—is the place to be for fresh seafood and some pretty damn good steak. The oysters were delish, the lobster was fresh, and the cocktails? So yummyyyy.
- Bon Vivants: The Bahamas is known for its casual, laid-back vibe, but sometimes you need a solid cocktail. Enter: Bon Vivants, the Bahamas' first craft cocktail bar, and the place to be if you want an elevated experience. I had the absolute pleasure of tasting some of the drinks and let's just say, I kept 'em comin'.
What you're doing...
Take a tour of Bimini on land
The best way to see the island is to take a tour led by a Bahamian native. That's why Max Rolle Jr.—a local Biminite (who happens to be related or friends with every person on the island), and genuinely the nicest man in the world—of Bimini Island Tours is exactly who you need to book with. Reasonably priced and wonderfully led, you'll check off every hotspot on the island.
Take a tour of Bimini on a boat
Not only will Ebbie's Bonefish Lodge hook you up with a nice cold one at the on-site bar, but it'll also treat you to a tour of the amazing Caribbean waters via boat. Ebbie, your captain for the day, knows exactly where to visit—like the Sapona shipwreck and Honeymoon Harbour, a hidden beach only accessible by boat with a TON of nursing sharks and stingrays.
Check out the Resorts World casino
Vegas, whomst?! Let me just say, if you're looking to party and test a bit of your luck, Resorts World Bimini will hook you up with its in-resort casino. Just be careful, because the slot machines are dangerous, take it from me (eeep!).
Eat some famous Bahamian conch salad
You can't go to the Bahamas without trying out their famous conch salad. Make the experience even more special by watching it be made in front of your very eyes. We were lucky enough to see a demonstration by local Biminite, Peanut, who put on an incredible show.
Dance the night away
Looking to party it up a bit on your girls' trip?! Heck, I don't blame ya. When we wanted to dance and drink in Bimini, we went to the adults-only bar, Monkey Business, the casino (which has a great bar and dance floor), and local restaurant, Smitty's, for some karaoke.
Chill ocean or poolside
You're in the Caribbean, it's pretty self-explanatory that you're going to need to spend some quality time near/in the turquoise water. Rent a private cabana for the day via Resorts World, chill near the giant resort pool, or go fishing with Ebbie (Bimini is known for its fishing, after all). There's no shortage of water activities, trust me.
SPF is non-negotiable.
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The final verdict of why Bimini is worth your $$
Sure, luxe resorts and experiences will make a trip, but the real ~magic~ about Bimini? The locals. My mom and I had the opportunity to meet and socialize with the local Biminites thanks to Karenda (an employee of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, and a new friend), and her husband, Max (of Bimini Island Tours and Max's Taxi Service). Bahamians are known to be extremely warm and kind people, and we can attest...it's true!
Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers beauty, fashion, travel, and lifestyle. Wanna know how to get the best brows of your life? Gotchu. What about how to find the best fashion deals of the season, the softest sheets on the market, or exactly how to use retinol without irritating your skin? Check, check, and check. Before joining Cosmopolitan, Siena was a writer at Bustle and several other media outlets. As her 2024 goal, she has vowed to find the best (extra) dirty martini NYC has to offer—and yes, that means ~attempting~ to try every cute cocktail spot in the city (hit her up with some recs, pls). Follow Siena on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look at that magazine life.
