Heading to Bimini

Odyssey

Odyssey

Active Member
Jan 8, 2007
1,346
Delray Beach Florida
Boat Info
44EB
Engines
CAT 3116
We are leaving from Boca Raton Inlet for Bimini on Friday, July 20 if anyone is interested in joining us on the crossing.

Randy
 
Randy,

Wish I could :smt089 Make sure to post some pics of the trip. Hope you have a great time.
 
Bimini

Hi Gary:

Just got back from Bimini two weeks ago. I've posted nav notes and charts here if you want to check for updates.

If you plan to clear in Bimini, check to make sure you go to the correct location for immigration and save some hassel. It has been temporarily located at the police/admin building but will be moving back to the Government House sometime around now.

Have a great trip.
 
Asureyez, They are still in the police dept bldg. Thanks for the info on the entrance channel it came in handy when I cut off the markers and made my own entrance in shallow water. I had 4ft the whole way in.
 
Chad - I saw your post about your Bimini trip. I was told there is a newly dredged channel leading into the harbor and you no longer run along the shore (next to Bimini Sands) to get in. The new channel is supposed to marked. Is that correct?

Also, I was told the Customs office is open at Bimini Bay now. Is that correct?

Thanks for your help.

Randy
 
Hi Randy:

here are some charts posted here in CSR that will show you the way in plus read my notes and you'll have no trouble making a safe landfall. I've added some marks on the chart to show existing markers that are not on your charts yet.


http://www.byowneryachts.com/forums/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3772&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15

I read the other post here from a boat just returing from Bimimi that stayed at Bluewater which is just south of Big Game, 40 bucks a night for a 260!

Have a CAVU trip my friend.
 
Thanks for the help! do you know about Customs at Bimini Bay? I understand that a channel has been dredged from Big Game Club all the way to Bimini Bay Resort. Did you see that when you were there?

Randy
 
Randy, yes they did dredge a channel to Bimini Bay Resort. Don't expect to much yet. Alot is still under construction. I think there is a pool in the beach cottages. The marina is complete but the rest is still being worked on. Big Game is still a wonderful resort and this year not so crowded. I think the fishing guys are boycotting the Bahamas due to the recent changes in fishing regulations, and the weather has been so unpredictable. Bimini Bay Resort is so far from the rest of the island, you have to travel thru the locals neighborhoods to get to Alice Town. Myself I'll wait for Bimini Bay Resort to get finished before I pay top dollar for it. I stayed at Bimini Blue Water Resort, it's not much but it's clean and I only paid $40.00 a night for slip and electric, and there is a pool, and it's right "down town".
When you approach Bimini you'll see the newly marked channel in front of Bimini Sands Resort on South Bimini. You can't miss it. All the larger boats were using it when I was there, I even cut of a big chunk to the north of the channel and had good water for my small boat. I marked the entrance as a way point. I'll post the coordinates when I get it off my GPS for you.
I don't remember about the customs office at Bimini Bay, sorry.
 
Bimini

I've been wanting to go since getting my boat last month...what marina are you going to? How long are you going? I am interested if I can get things organized by then...Please send me more info and what time on Friday you are going...

Thanks!!

Barry
 
Hi Barry - we are planning on an early start out of Boca Inlet Friday morning. Right now, I am thinking of staying at Bimini Bay resort which has a new marina, pool and restaurant. I might re-think that and consider one of the other marinas in town.

we'll return on Sunday depending on the weather. Just a short trip this time.

have you been to Bimini before?
 
Bimini

Hi Randy,

No, even though the boat I had before probably would have made it no problem (25' Doral with 65 gallons fuel and a single stern drive), I wanted to wait till I had a larger boat to do the trip...How much does the Bahamian gov collect from us to go there, and do we need a passport?

Barry
 
they charge $150 for boats 30 feet or less and $300 for boats larger than 30 feet. The fee entitles you to 2 visits within a 90 period of time and includes a fishing permit.

The passport rules have been going back and forth lately. According to the US State Dept (travel.state.gov) a birth certificate is sufficient. We've had passports for years so I haven't dealt with that issue.

Bimini is a good destination for a first time crossing. It's also good to go with another boat if possible. If you are considering the trip, I can help with all the details.

Randy
 
Bimini

I'm going to try to arrange my schedule so I can take off Friday and go with you...I won't know till Monday or Tuesday at the latest, so if I can let you know then that would be great. I have a neighbor that just bought a 29 or 30 Amberjack 2006 that was talking about going over too, so I'll let him know and see if he is interested for this Friday.

I heard Bimini Bay is really nice... I'll look them up on the web when I get the chance.

Barry
 
As I will be working in the bilge all weekend, I am really jealous. Don't forget to get you lobster pizza at the endo of the world bar (the Sand Bar). Tell Sarah Hi from Brian and BJ, I am sure we left our mark. Good luck and keep posting as I will live vicariously through you for a while. BTW, I like staying in town better. The marinas are not nice at all compared to bimini bay, but I don't have to dinghy to the north side to party.

briman
 
brimanst said:
I like staying in town better. The marinas are not nice at all compared to bimini bay, but I don't have to dinghy to the north side to party.

briman
Click to expand...

I'm split with this decision. I've stayed at the marinas in town and think I'd like to try Bimini Bay. I hear it's a short taxi ride or we can rent a golf cart. We have a dinghy which might be the clincher.

Sorry you can't join us, it would be nice to have a CSR rendezvous there!

Randy
 
Waypoints for Bimini: See the chartlets linked above in this thread. The waypoints are printed on the chart by the chart publisher and thay are accurate.

Can't get any easier unless I enter'em for ya!
 
Barry - due to an illness in the family, we have postponed our Bimini trip until Friday, July 27. Maybe this gives you more time to plan.

Randy
 
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