Bimini Islands, Bahamas

Satellite view of the Bimini Islands, Bahamas, by NASA
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bimini_island.jpg
Author: NASA


Bimini Islands is a cluster of islands on the western part of the Bahamas. They are the closest islands to mainland United States, some 81 km (53 mi) due east of Miami, Florida. The Bimini Islands cover 23 sq km (9 sq mi) and has a population of 1,600 people (2012 estimate). Most of the adult population are employed in the tourism industry or related subsidiary industries.

Getting to know the Bimini Islands

The Bimini Islands comprise North Bimini and South Bimini. Administratively it also includes Cay Sal Bank, located about 100 km (62 mi) south of the two main islands. The main town in Bimini Islands is Alice Town, which has just one main road, called The King's Highway.

The name Bimini is of indigenous origin. The local Arawak and Taíno Indian tribes who inhabited the islands during the arrival of the first Europeans there called it Beimini. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León described his erroneous search for the Fountain of Youth here, when the actual location should be in the Gulf of Honduras.

There are some pre-Columbian relics on Bimini whose origin is speculative. The lack of written language has obscured the ancient history of the islands.

American author Ernest Hemingway was instrumental in getting exposure to Bimini. He spent much time here, and wrote To Have and To Have Not here.

Visiting the Bimini Islands

There are flights by Bimini Island Air to the South Bimini Airport (BIM) from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

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