Bimini

The first inhabitants on the island were the Lucayans, and the name “Bimini” means “two islands” in the Lucayan language. Located between the Gulf Stream and the Great Bahama Bank, Bimini is home to turquoise waters, miles of white-sand beaches, historic towns and landmarks, and abundant natural attractions. Bimini is the westernmost district of the Bahamas composed of a chain of islands located about 53 miles (81 km) due east of Miami, is the closest point in the Bahamas to the mainland United States, and approximately 137 miles (209 km) west-northwest of Nassau. The population is 2,008 as of the 2010 census.

Bimini has three islands, North Bimini, South Bimini, and East Bimini. The largest islands are North Bimini and South Bimini. The District of Bimini also includes Cay Sal Bank, more than 62 miles (100 km) further south, which is geographically not a part of the Bimini Islands but a separate unit. North Bimini is about seven miles (11 km) long and 700 feet (210 m) wide. Its main settlement is Alice Town, a collection of shops, restaurants, and bars along “The King’s Highway”. The second major road is called Queens Highway and runs almost the length of the island parallel to King’s Highway.

It also boasts some of the world’s best diving and fishing grounds, and is known as the Bahamas’ big game-fishing capital. Ernest Hemingway lived on Bimini from 1935 to 1937, staying at the Compleat Angler Hotel. He worked on To Have and Have Not, wrote some of his books including “Islands in the Stream,” and wrote a few articles, but mostly he fished aboard his boat Pilar, trolling the deep blue offshore waters for marlin, tuna and swordfish. The ocean surrounding the islands is considered to be one of the world’s top big-game fishing spots. Supposedly, Hemingway was attracted to Bimini by tales of the incredible fishing available in the Gulf Stream, the legendary “river” of warm water that rushes north past the Bahamas. An Atlantic blue marlin with a mass of 500 pounds (230 kg) caught off Bimini. Martin Luther King, Jr., crafted part of his famous speech, “I Have A Dream,”  while drawing upon creative inspiration from his time on the island. He composed parts of his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech while sailing with local boat builder, Ansil, who still lives on the islands today. Legendary landmarks such as the Healing Hole, Bimini Road, and the Fountain of Youth are just a few locations that have maintained their mystical status in local island lore. The Fountain of Youth was rumored to exist within the shallow pools of South Bimini. Today there is a small freshwater well with a plaque commemorating the Fountain of Youth, on the road leading to the South Bimini Airport. Bimini Road, some believe is a remnant of the legendary Lost City of Atlantis.