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Bimini: when your ship stops here

Hemingway's island 50 miles off Miami: public beaches on the west shore, a stone road under the sea, a wreck to snorkel; the famous hotel is gone.

Facts checked Nov 2, 2026, each with its source. No prices on this page.

Bimini is the closest Bahamian island to the United States, about 80 km (50 miles) due east of Miami. North Bimini is about 11 km (7 miles) long and only 200 m (700 feet) wide. The cruise pier, opened in September 2014 where ships used to anchor and tender, is on North Bimini beside Resorts World Bimini, just outside the two settlements: Bailey Town is a 10 to 15 minute walk, Alice Town about 2.2 miles. A free resort tram picks up at the end of the pier and runs around the resort.

Sources: Wikipedia: Bimini; Virgin Islands News Online, 22 Sep 2014: Bimini's new cruise ship pier opens; Cruise Hive, 19 Jan 2025: Things to do in Bimini

Top 3 things to do

  1. 1. Radio Beach and the west shore

    Radio Beach is three beaches in a row on the ocean side of North Bimini, all open to the public, and the most popular on the island. You reach it by golf cart, taxi or on foot.

    Tip: Golf cart rentals are a short walk from the pier; with one you have the whole island for the day.

    Source: Cruise Hive, 19 Jan 2025: Things to do in Bimini

  2. 2. The Bimini Road, by snorkel boat

    A line of big stone blocks 0.8 km (half a mile) long in 5.5 m (18 feet) of water off the north west coast, each block 2 to 3 m across, first recorded in 1968. Geologists call it natural beachrock; others have called it a road to Atlantis, which is why every snorkel boat goes there.

    Tip: It is a boat trip, snorkel or dive. Pick a tour that also stops at the Sapona wreck, so one boat covers both.

    Source: Wikipedia: Bimini Road

  3. 3. Alice Town, Hemingway's island, and the Sapona

    Ernest Hemingway lived on Bimini from 1935 to 1937 and fished from his boat Pilar; a 500 lb (230 kg) blue marlin caught here is said to have inspired The Old Man and the Sea. Off the island lies the SS Sapona, a concrete hulled cargo steamer of 1920, 281 feet (86 m) long, driven aground in a hurricane in 1926: her top is above water and her hull, in 15 to 20 feet (5 to 6 m), is a snorkel and dive site.

    Tip: Alice Town is a taxi ride or a 45 minute walk from the pier. The Sapona is by boat only.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Bimini; Wikipedia: SS Sapona; Cruise Hive, 19 Jan 2025: Things to do in Bimini

What to skip

  • Looking for Hemingway's hotel

    The Compleat Angler, the three storey hotel in the middle of Alice Town built by Henry and Helen Duncombe in 1935, where Hemingway stayed and drank, burned to the ground on 13 January 2006. There is nothing to see but the site.

    Source: Wikipedia: Compleat Angler Hotel

Before you go ashore

You do not have to book a tour: you are free to go ashore on your own. Royal Caribbean sets the all aboard time about 30 minutes before the ship sails, posts it near the gangway, and says the ship does not wait for guests touring on their own.

Source: Royal Caribbean FAQ: Do I need to book a shore excursion?

Back-to-backs that stop in Bimini

Back-to-back cruises from these home ports have a stop in Bimini, from the Royal Caribbean sailings we track:

Sources

Read on Nov 2, 2026. Opening days, hours and rules change: check with the place itself before you go. legtolegcruises.com is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Royal Caribbean International or any place named here.

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