Cruise port · Bahamas · Bahamas
Bimini cruise port guide
Bimini is the closest Bahamian island to Florida, a small, laid-back cluster of cays famous for big-game fishing, clear water and Ernest Hemingway lore. For cruise passengers it’s mainly a Virgin Voyages stop, where guests come ashore to the line’s Beach Club at Bimini for a pool, beach and included food, or explore Alice Town, snorkel wrecks and meet wild dolphins.
- Beach club days
- Snorkeling
- Dolphin watching
- Virgin Voyages cruisers
Photo: Original picture by NASA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Country
- Bahamas
- Region
- Bahamas
- Type of stop
- Cruise port
- Language
- English.
- Currency
- Bahamian dollar (BSD), equal to the U.S. dollar. U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere; cash is handy for local vendors.
- Best time to visit
- March–May
- Average highs
- 75–86°F through the year
About Bimini
Bimini sits only about 50 miles (80 km) east of Miami, but it feels a world away, with sandy lanes, golf carts, conch shacks and fishing boats. North Bimini is home to Alice Town, the main settlement, and the Resorts World Bimini complex, while South Bimini is quieter, with mangroves and a famous shark research station. Hemingway spent time here in the 1930s, fishing and writing, and the island still celebrates that history.
This port is ideal for a relaxed beach day with some local flavor. It suits travelers who like snorkeling, simple island life and good conch salad. If you want big attractions or shopping, you won’t find them, and the island is small enough that you’ll see most of it in a day.
Where cruise ships dock in Bimini
Bimini is mainly a Virgin Voyages call. Ships anchor offshore and bring guests ashore by tender to North Bimini, where Virgin’s Beach Club at Bimini offers a large pool, beach, loungers, included food and bars. Allow time for tenders, and know that rough seas can affect the call. From the beach club area, you can walk, rent a golf cart or take a local taxi to Alice Town, a few miles south. Check Virgin’s app for what’s included and the day’s timings.
Best things to do in Bimini on a cruise
- 1
The Beach Club at Bimini
beach
Virgin Voyages’ beach club has a large pool, a long beach, loungers, cabanas for rent, DJs and bars, with food included. It’s a relaxed, adults-oriented day in keeping with Virgin’s style. Poolside loungers go first, so come ashore early if that’s where you want to be.
- 2
Alice Town and the King’s Highway
culture
Bimini’s main settlement stretches along a narrow road with colorful houses, small bars, churches and conch stands. Look for the site of the old Compleat Angler Hotel, where Hemingway stayed, and Radio Beach, a calm public beach just steps from the road.
- 3
SS Sapona wreck
wildlife
A concrete-hulled ship that ran aground off South Bimini in a 1926 hurricane, later used for target practice. Its rusting remains sit in shallow water, attracting fish and making for a fascinating snorkel stop on boat tours.
- 4
Wild dolphin excursions
wildlife
Atlantic spotted and bottlenose dolphins live in the waters around Bimini, and boat trips offer the chance to watch, and sometimes swim with, wild pods. Sightings aren’t guaranteed, and responsible operators follow strict guidelines.
- 5
Bimini Road
history
An underwater line of flat limestone blocks off North Bimini that some claim is the remains of a lost civilization; geologists consider it natural beachrock. Either way, it’s an intriguing snorkel site in shallow water, visited on boat tours.
- 6
Golf-cart exploring
adventure
Rent a golf cart to cruise North Bimini’s roads, stopping at beaches, conch stands and viewpoints. It’s the classic way to get around and lets you see much of the island at your own pace.
Bimini weather by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 7524 | 7524 | 7725 | 7926 | 8127 | 8429 | 8630 | 8630 | 8530 | 8328 | 8026 | 7725 |
| Low °F (°C) | 7222 | 7323 | 7424 | 7725 | 7926 | 8228 | 8429 | 8529 | 8429 | 8127 | 7825 | 7524 |
| Rain in (mm) | 2.050 | 1.230 | 1.537 | 2.460 | 4.6118 | 6.7170 | 4.4112 | 5.2131 | 6.0152 | 4.6118 | 2.973 | 2.255 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 |
What to eat and drink in Bimini
Conch salad, made fresh with lime, peppers and onion, is the must-try dish, often from beachside stands. Cracked conch, conch fritters and fried fish are popular, and Bimini bread, a sweet, soft loaf, is a local specialty. In season, lobster appears on menus. Drink Kalik or Sands beer, or a rum punch. At the Virgin beach club, food is included; in Alice Town, bring cash for local stands.
Tips for your port day
- Allow time for tenders, and head back before the final rush.
- Bring cash in small bills for golf carts, local taxis and conch stands.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen, especially if snorkeling the Sapona or the Bimini Road.
- Check Virgin’s app for beach club inclusions and the day’s schedule.
- Calls can be affected by rough seas; keep plans flexible.
Cruise lines that visit Bimini
Often on the same itinerary
Bimini cruise FAQs
Which cruise lines go to Bimini?
Mainly Virgin Voyages, which runs The Beach Club at Bimini on North Bimini and includes the island on many of its sailings from Miami.
Is Bimini a tender port?
Yes, for Virgin Voyages ships. They anchor offshore and tender guests ashore. Allow time for tender lines, and know that rough seas can affect the call.
How far is Bimini from Miami?
About 50 miles (80 km) east of Miami, making it the closest Bahamian island to the U.S. mainland.
What is included at the Virgin Voyages Beach Club at Bimini?
The pool, beach, loungers and food are included. Cabanas and some drinks cost extra; check Virgin’s app for current inclusions.
Can you swim with dolphins in Bimini?
Sometimes. Wild Atlantic spotted and bottlenose dolphins live around Bimini, and boat tours offer chances to see or swim with them, but sightings aren’t guaranteed.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: Wikipedia, Wikidata, NASA POWER climate data.