Bimini comes into view low and flat, a thin strip of land in the Gulf Stream set against water that changes color as you approach. Deep blue gives way to turquoise, then to pale, shallow flats where the bottom is visible from the surface. Boats slow as they near the harbor. The island’s shape becomes clear quickly: narrow roads, short distances. The sea is always present, either in sight or just beyond a line of buildings.

This closeness defines how Bimini works. You move between water and land and then you repeat. People arrive by boat, by ferry, or by air, then orient themselves around the harbor, the beaches, and the flats. It is tiny archipelago that rewards attention rather than itinerary-building.

Beginning Feb. 14, American Airlines will be kicking off the only nonstop flights from the United States to Bimini on a major carrier, creating a direct air link from South Florida to one of the Bahamas’ most water-driven destinations.

Getting There Just Got Easier

American’s new service will operate three times a week from Miami, with flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays aboard Embraer 175 aircraft. The route is part of the airline’s expanded winter schedule out of South Florida and brings Bimini within a short, manageable flight for travelers who want to spend more time on the island than in transit.

The airport sits close to Alice Town and the harbor, keeping arrivals informal and efficient. Within minutes of landing, visitors are moving along the island’s main roads or toward the water. The schedule supports short stays and repeat trips, making Bimini practical for long weekends rather than requiring extended planning or time off.

Explaining the Geography of Bimini

Although it’s often referred to as a single island, Bimini is actually a small archipelago. North Bimini and South Bimini form the main inhabited center, connected by a short causeway, while surrounding cays and islands stretch outward in different directions. East Bimini (which you can reach in a flats boat) lies undeveloped across shallow water, with long stretches of exposed shoreline and open flats, while places like Cat Cay and Gun Cay sit nearby with private docks, reefs, and anchorages. This geography shapes how visitors experience the destination: short boat rides open access to different beaches, snorkel sites, and fishing grounds, and time in Bimini often moves laterally across water rather than staying fixed in one place.

Underwater Bimini

For many visitors, the first real introduction to Bimini happens offshore. The island is known for its diving and snorkeling, with shallow reefs and consistently clear water that allow long stretches of time in the sea without complicated logistics. Coral formations sit close to the surface, fish move easily between reef and open water, and visibility often extends far beyond what first-time visitors expect.

Sites near the Bimini Road and surrounding reef systems allow snorkelers and divers to enter the water quickly and stay there. Boat rides are short, and excursions focus on time in the water rather than extended transits. Conditions accommodate a wide range of experience levels, from first-time snorkelers to seasoned divers looking for relaxed but rewarding reef time.

The emphasis is on accessibility and repetition. Many visitors return to the water day after day, using the same sites in different light and tide conditions.

The Shark Lab

Bimini is home to the Bimini Biological Field Station, commonly known as the Shark Lab, founded in 1990 by marine biologist Dr. Samuel H. Gruber. Gruber established the research station on South Bimini after years of studying shark behavior, drawn by the island’s shallow waters and the consistent presence of lemon sharks close to shore. From its early days, the lab focused on long-term field research, allowing scientists to tag, track, and observe sharks across generations in the same environment. Over time, the Shark Lab grew into an internationally recognized center for marine research, education, and conservation, hosting scientists and students from around the world. Its continued work has helped position Bimini as one of the most closely studied shark habitats in the Atlantic, adding a layer of scientific significance to waters visitors experience firsthand. It’s definitely worth the hop over to South Bimini (it’s on the same little island as the airport).

Fishing, Flats, and Open Water

Fishing remains central to Bimini’s daily rhythm. The island sits close to the edge of the Gulf Stream, allowing boats to reach deep water shortly after leaving the dock. Offshore trips target species such as tuna and marlin, while closer to shore, broad flats support bonefishing in shallow, clear water.

Guides work these waters year-round, adjusting outings to tide, light, and conditions. Bonefishing takes place across pale flats where anglers wade or pole quietly, watching for movement and adjusting position with each shift in the water. Offshore trips remain compact, with boats returning to the harbor well before the day is over.

For visitors, fishing becomes less about spectacle and more about time spent reading the water and moving through it deliberately.

The Dolphin House Museum

Away from the shoreline, one of Bimini’s most distinctive stops sits quietly along the road in Alice Town. The Dolphin House Museum is the lifelong project of local artist Ashley Saunders, built by hand using shells, glass, sea debris, and materials gathered from around the island.

The structure itself is the exhibit. Walls are lined with mosaics, ceilings curve with embedded coral and stone, and narrow passageways open into rooms filled with light and color. Dolphins appear throughout the design, worked into surfaces and patterns alongside references to the sea.

Visits are guided by the creator himself, offering insight into both the construction and the personal history behind it. The museum provides a grounded, human counterpoint to time spent on the water, reflecting how Bimini’s environment shapes creative expression as much as recreation.

What You Eat Here

Food in Bimini follows the harbor and the catch. Conch salad is prepared fresh across the island, chopped to order with citrus, peppers, and onion at small stands and casual eateries. Cracked conch and fried fish appear frequently, served simply and often within view of the water where boats unload.

Seafood plates remain straightforward, prioritizing freshness over presentation. Meals are casual, paced to match days spent outside rather than structured dining schedules.

One of Bimini’s quieter surprises is its pizza. Edith’s Pizza has become a reliable stop for travelers looking for something casual that delivers consistently. And it’s all about two words: lobster pizza.

At Hemingway’s Poolside Rum Club (at the Bimini Big Game Club), pizza appears in a different setting. The new, extremely popular Bimini Pizza layers local flavors into a resort environment, served poolside with open views across the water. It fits naturally into a day built around swimming, snorkeling, or time on a boat.

Together, these spots reflect how dining works best on the island: informal, situational, and grounded in places people already spend time.

Where To Stay

THe Bimini Big Game Club remains one of the island’s defining places to stay, positioned directly on the harbor with its marina steps from guest rooms. Fishing culture shapes the experience, from early-morning departures on the dock to afternoons watching boats return. The property’s location keeps guests connected to daily activity along the water, and it’s a town square of sorts for Bimini. Everyone ends up passing through here.

Resorts World Bimini offers a different base, centered around large pools, swim-up rooms, and direct access to shallow, vividly colored water. The resort provides a self-contained option for travelers who prefer amenities on site, while remaining close enough to the island’s core to encourage exploration beyond its grounds. (It’s also the home of a major cruise port that doubles as a quiet beach club on non-cruise days).

Why Bimini, Why Now

With nonstop service launching this winter, reaching Bimini becomes simpler.

Easier access supports shorter stays and return visits, allowing travelers to experience Bimini in layers rather than all at once. It is an island that rewards repetition, attention, and time spent close to the water — now reached more directly than ever before.

What the Flights Cost

American Airlines says the flight takes around 52 minutes — that’s rather generous. It will likely be much shorter than that. You can find tickets right now for about $368 right now, based on what we found on Google Flights.