24 replies to this topic

[houdiver]

Well I know I still owe some dive trip reports from last year (Galapagos, Curacao) but I wanted to get this year off right with a brief dive report. Spent the last week in Bimini diving and had an experience of a lifetime but I'll get to that shortly.

The dive trip was organized through Bimini Undersea who took care of the flight from FLL, accomodations, and diving. Stayed at the Big Game Resort which all things considered was a good location. It's the largest accomodations option on the island and the only complaint my group came away with was the day and a half they didn't have bottled water and the day they didn't have any fish (I ate a cheeseburger in Bimini, how wrong is that?). The dive operator there is fantastic, great staff, let us dive where we wanted and on our own. The rest of the island is filled with some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet (if anyone makes it to the end of the world bar you may find a little something I left behind). ;-)

The weather, unfortunately, did not cooperate the whole time. We missed a couple of dive days due to the high winds blowing in. The temperature on the island was what we expected (highs in the mid to high 70s, lows in the 60s). Water temperature was also what we expected ranging from the mid to high 70s and a 3mm wetsuit was plenty.

We were fortunate in that we were the only divers there at the time so we got to request the dive sites we wanted to hit. We requested the two wrecks they're famous for (the barge and the sapona) and the continental shelf in addition to some other popular ones (tuna alley, turtle rocks, little caverns, etc). The Nodules at the continental shelf was definitely the most beautiful site. Lots of colorful coral and reef fish on the "nodules" then out over the shelf it's nothing but blue. On the trip we saw our fair share of nurse sharks, turles, rays, barracuda, lobster and crab (night dive), and reef fish. On the barge we also happened upon schools of permit and african pompano.

But the dive that we will never forget (as mentioned above) was at south turtle rocks. A pair of atlantic bottlenose dolphins decided to not only check us out but actually stayed with us and played for about 15 mins. I've had dolphins race by in the past but never had them stay with us divers. According to the dive operators, in the 12 years they've been there it's only happened a few times. Not wanting them to leave I started playing with them, dolphin kicks, barrell rolls, somersaults...I was told I do a good dolphin.

All in all a great trip, highly recommend it to anyone (especially you floridians who live right there). We were given a three day dive credit for the days we missed so I will be back soon.

Kal

Edited by houdiver, 24 January 2005 - 10:55 AM.

[WreckWench]

Great report...can't wait for vis and temps, pics and other details! Maybe we should consider this to be a SD destination???? -ww

[Walter]

Probably not the atmosphere for which you're searching.

[warren_l]

I was in Bimini in November with Blackbeards. From what I remember, there isn't a lot to see or do in town, as it is a pretty small and quiet place. There were some popular drinking holes like the Compleat Angler and The End of The World. It was a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't consider it a big party spot.

[Dive_Girl]

I guess I'd disagree with you Walter (shocker ). But, I'm WAY biased here. Bimini is my favorite dive vacation spot (I go yearly if not more when I can) as well as diving with Bimini Undersea. Melanie who runs the dive op for Bill & Nowdla is one of my closest friends from college and the reason I started diving eventually becoming an instructor (she's my diving mentor).

I'm not sure what takes place on SD trips, but the dive sites are just gorgeous in Bimini and although there aren't a bazillion night life places, there are a three great touristy ones and several several non-touristy ones (my personal favorites) on the North Island. You could easily spend a whole day hitting the "resorts" on the South Island, taking in the Shark Lab and the Fountain of Youth too!

There are things to do topside including kayaking (there is a type of mineral springs deep in the mangroves you can kayak too), and fishing (then you won't have to worry about a day without fish - well that's if you catch any! ). I always set aside a day to rent a golf cart, load up the cooler and drive around the island...how relaxing! There are beaches and more beaches, so beach combing and laying out are great past times. Depending on when you go there may be several activities going on, regattas, fishing tournaments, etc.

As for the diving, there are typically 3 dives a day, with night dives scheduled twice a week. A day typically starts at 9am with two dives in the morning, return to the dock for lunch, and one in the afternoon unless there is a night dive planned. Diving is usually done around 4pm or 9:30pmish for night dive days leaving time for clean up, dinking around and then heading out. They are full days in my opinion. They also run a couple dolphin trips each week too, quite the experience and not on scuba (snorkel free dive).

Bimini is NOT touristy by any means, and so you get a real feel for the island life and island time (nothing is rushed, what switch from my world forcing me to relax). It's what I cherish most about the island. The pricing is also what sells.

Kamala, if there is enough interest, you really should look into the pricing and I'll get you in touch with Chris.

I'm headed there in April and can't wait!!!!

Edited by Dive_Girl, 24 January 2005 - 03:44 PM.

[flatwood]

Whats the water temp there in late april and may?

[Dive_Girl]

I recall low 80s in April. Starting May - November temp ranges from mid to high 80s.

Edited by Dive_Girl, 24 January 2005 - 03:38 PM.

[houdiver]

I would have to agree with Dive Girl. This island is great for groups because you have the opportunity to almost take over bars and make them your own. We only had six in our group but everywhere we went we made friends with the bar owners (not sure how anyone could not), ate with them, drank with them, sang with them, had a great time. I hope this island never goes touristy (although the casino and golf course being built will probably make this happen). Melanie, Oddley, and the crew at Bimini Undersea are all great and took good care of us all. I would definitely sign up for another trip back there.

[houdiver]

WW,

Visibility varied a lot while we were there depending on the winds. On average I would say we had abou 40-50 ft but that climbed up to 100+ feet on some dives. We were a little unlucky getting the weather system that blew through the southern US the last couple of weeks so that definitely hurt us and our poor vis days were not the norm. The air and water temps are posted above and I hate to say this but I didn't pack my video and housing on this trip due to weight restrictions (sea plane to Bimini) and having to take two sets of gear with me (one for a friend...I don't believe in that much redundancy) . I do have some good video footage from the Galapagos and Curacao but I haven't had the time to do much with either.

Kal

[Dive_Girl]

This island is great for groups because you have the opportunity to almost take over bars and make them your own. We only had six in our group but everywhere we went we made friends with the bar owners (not sure how anyone could not), ate with them, drank with them, sang with them, had a great time. I hope this island never goes touristy (although the casino and golf course being built will probably make this happen). Melanie, Oddley, and the crew at Bimini Undersea are all great and took good care of us all. I would definitely sign up for another trip back there.

But did the bartenders make you kiss them before serving you drinks!!?? LOL, ok maybe that's just Shorty's tactic (Shorty is also Audley's father!). I'm glad to hear you had a great time! Good observation regarding groups on the island. I haven't been on an SD trip just yet, but I am betting the people I would want to spend time with would be the SDers, so taking over an establish in the evening would work great and what an easy way to move with a larger group!

Ok, stepping off my Bimini podium and going back to work...

Oh, and here's a photo of me, Audley and Mel! I need that tan back!

Attached Images

• 

[jextract]

Audley is one lucky man.............

[houdiver]

Thanks for the spelling on Audley. No kisses from Shorty (fortunately) but he did get one from my sister. I think at one point I traded my sister for Keisha (Audley's sister) sight unseen. I did however get kisses from Sher-RAE (as she wanted to be called) and Mama (who asked me to take off my underwear for the wall while sitting on the bar...did it in the bathroom, instead). Ahhh, I miss island life already.

Edited by houdiver, 24 January 2005 - 06:01 PM.

[Funewgy]

I guess I'd disagree with you Walter (shocker ).

I'm with Dive Girl on this one. I have been to Bimini the last three July's. The first two fishing...well, make that feeding the fish (because we didn't catch #$%$). That's actually the reason that I got certified...but I digress.

Anyway, to make a short story longer, Bimini diving is outstanding. Visibility in the 100ft range, a variety of dive opportunities, and cold beer at the Compleat Angler. Surprisingly enough, even though this is the closest Bahama island to the States it is not commercial at all...at least not yet.

"Two thumbs up."

[ScubaDadMiami]

I've been to Bimini many times. It is only about 40 miles from Miami.

My preferred transportation from Miami is liveaboard dive boats. No running back to dock for tank fills for us!

It is so beautiful there that I don't want to waste any time on land; I'd prefer staying out on the water and doing more dives.

There's another island about 12 miles south of Bimini called Cat Cay (not Cat Island, which is in another part of the Bahamas). There are pretty amazing wall dives there. If you like drift diving, this area can be a real thrill though not typically as strong as Cozumel.

During the summer, the water temperature is 85 or so and the visibility is typically about 80 to 100 feet. Need I say more?

Winter is great if you can hit your trip at the right time. Sometimes, however, the winds blow over the Gulf Stream enough to make it a pretty rough crossing. Just last weekend, we crossed in 15 to 20 foot seas in the Gulf Stream. Lucky for me, I made the crossing in a cruise ship, where I didn't feel a thing. I've also made the trip in a 30 foot boat with 12 to 16 foot seas, and it was not pleasant.

I'd be happy to consider trips there but I would prefer a liveaboard so that I can bring all of my own gear including tanks. Liveaboards also tend to be a lot more reasonable considering that everything is included.

[RICHinNC]

Great Shades of Valhalla.....Am I the only one jealous of the bartenders????