🏖️ Why Bimini Bahamas Is the Ultimate Easy Caribbean Getaway
Popstar Kit + a Valentine's Day trip to the Bahamas, a ferry cancellation, and the best lesson in surrender I never saw coming.
Hello, fabulous! Let me tell you about the time I let go of the clipboard...
Those of you who know me know I am that person when it comes to travel planning. The one with the color-coded Google Doc, the backup reservations, the “just in case” itinerary printed out and also screenshot on my phone. I plan. It’s basically my love language.
So you’d think Valentine’s Day would’ve had me in full spreadsheet mode. But this year, I wasn’t even stressed about it. We’d just gone to Puerto Rico and had Hawai’i on the calendar. The Amalfi Coast was already being whispered about for the fall. I was completely at peace with a nice dinner and a good bottle of wine.
Speed, however, had feelings about it. He really wanted to go away for the weekend. And when someone feels that strongly about something and you don’t, the answer is simple: let them plan it.
I just had one condition: I told him I didn’t want to know any details. I just wanted the glorious bliss that comes with just showing up. He was nervous — he knows I have a certain standard, regardless of budget, because inexpensive does NOT mean cheap — but he was also confident he’d find something that could satisfy both of us.
So I handed him the clipboard, voluntarily with zero conditions, and went about my life.
He really wanted to go somewhere neither of us had been yet and looked at everything — Key West, staying local, a few Caribbean options. And when he found a ferry that went directly to AND from the Bahamas with a package deal at Resorts World Bimini? He was sold!
Readers, I let him cook.
And oh, did he deliver.
But first, a snag…
The afternoon before our trip, Speed told me just enough to pack: we were taking a ferry to Bimini, the Bahamas, and the only requirement was to “bring your swimsuits and your passport.” Which, honestly, is all I needed to hear.
We were both giddy. His mom came through as dog grandma extraordinaire and took the babies. I pulled out every swimsuit I owned because my tan was not going to achieve itself. Passports? Located. Excitement level? Stratospheric.
We were ready. We were packed. We were going to the Bahamas, y’all!
And then, at about 10pm the night before we were supposed to take the ferry from Fort Lauderdale directly to Bimini...
Speed got a cancellation notification.
Did he tell me? No.
I had NO IDEA that while I was happily fantasizing about blue Bahama waters, my #besthusbandever was in full crisis management mode. Sneakily hunting down last-minute flights to Nassau, frantically booking a hotel room in the middle of one of the busiest parts of town, and somehow keeping his face completely normal around me. If you know him, you know this was a FEAT.
Why didn’t he tell me? He didn’t want to get my hopes up in case it didn’t work out. He was protecting the dream while actively rebuilding it from scratch. PAST MIDNIGHT.
This man.
The next morning, we got in the car and left for what I thought was the ferry terminal. The sun was out. The vibes were immaculate. We were heading to the Bahamas and I was already mentally horizontal on a beach somewhere.
I was happy. Speed was happy. The whole car was happy.
We merged onto I-95 heading south toward Fort Lauderdale, music playing, me probably already talking about what I was going to order on the ferry, completely relaxed, completely in my element, completely —
“So... I have to tell you something.”
I looked at him.
“The ferry was cancelled.”
I’m sorry. The ferry was WHAT?!
I will not pretend I handled it with grace. There were at least ten minutes of full Sandra meltdown. The “wait, what do you mean cancelled, what are we doing, where are we going, NASSAU?!” energy was very present and very real. He just let me have it — calm as anything, patiently waiting for me to just breeeeeeathe.
As he calmly explained our new itinerary and patiently answered every rapid fire question with confidence, something clicked. I looked at this man who had spent the last twelve hours fixing everything so I wouldn’t have to feel even one second of panic... and I decided to fully and completely surrender. To just trust him and enjoy the ride. He clearly had it handled.
I’m not gonna lie to you — it was hard. But it was also one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
And then, just like that, we were on a plane. And then we landed. And then we were in the Bahamas… and everything else melted away.
About Bimini
Bimini is not what you expect. It’s small. Like, golf-cart-as-primary-transportation small. And I say that as the highest possible compliment, because there is something deeply, spiritually correct about cruising around a Caribbean island with the wind in your hair and zero traffic to speak of. Speed drove. I sat there looking cute and pointing at things. It was perfect.
Here’s the quick download:
Population: ~2,300
Location: ~50 miles east of Miami
Size: About 7 miles long and 700 feet wide — yes, really
Made up of: North Bimini, South Bimini, and East Bimini. We stayed in North Bimini.
It’s technically the Bahamas, so yes — you need a valid passport. Don’t let that stop you. The trip from South Florida is 30 min by air, shorter than most people’s commutes.
The vibe is laid back, unhurried and deeply unbothered. It is the physical embodiment of “we’ll get there when we get there” — which, depending on where you are in life, might be exactly what the doctor ordered. It was for me.
Also, I need you to understand something. I have been to Hawaii. Croatia. Mallorca. Puerto Rico. Greece. I live in Florida. I have seen some beautiful water in my day, okay?
Out of all of them, Croatia’s coast still has my whole heart. But Bimini’s beaches are BY FAR the prettiest if you’re looking for that classic, dreamy, sandy-beach-turquoise-water situation. That color is UNREAL.
Standing on the beach staring out at it, I genuinely felt like I was inside a Microsoft screensaver. Standing in it was even more surreal.
And because the island is so tiny, you see that water from both sides as you’re golf-carting down the main road. It just keeps showing up. So gorgeous!
How To Get There
There are four ways to get to Bimini for those of us without a private yacht (for now):
Ferry — Balearia ferry from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. Scenic! Potentially cancelled! (Ask me how I know.)
Fly direct — American Airlines (AA) from Miami International Airport (MIA). About 30 minutes in the air. This is the move.
Seaplane — Tropic Ocean Airways. On my list for next time.
Cruise ship — If Bimini is a port stop on your itinerary.
How We Got There
The day we landed in Bimini was the day of the very first inaugural American Airlines direct flight from MIA to Bimini. We had literally just missed it by one day and were actually standing in the Bimini airport when that historic flight landed.
Which means if you’re reading this and planning your trip, that flight exists for you in a way it simply did not exist for us. We’re a little jealous.
Because that flight wasn’t an option when the ferry cancelled, Speed had to book us from MIA to Nassau, and then a second flight from Nassau to Bimini the next morning — which meant a hotel night in Nassau we hadn’t planned for.
Was I mad about it? Uh, no…
Speed chose the British Colonial Nassau and I need you to know it was gorgeous. I forgot I wasn’t supposed to be there. We had dinner at their bar restaurant called Woodes Rogers Tavern right on the property — good food, great live music, and since it sits right on the beach, we ended up taking a little walk and settling into chaise lounges for conversation under the stars. Much needed unplanned magic.
Our taxi driver from the airport to the hotel was so awesome that we asked for his number on the spot and had him pick us up the next morning for our flight out to Bimini.
Nassau was a detour, but a pretty great one. We felt like we were on vacation, which was the most important thing.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
If you’re flying, you’ll land at Bimini Airport in South Bimini. Here’s what you do: exit the terminal, turn left toward the parking lot, and follow the crowd. A van taxi will take you to a water taxi for about $5 per person. The water taxi to North Bimini takes less than 5 minutes and costs $3 per person. From there, a quick taxi ride gets you to your accommodation.
I know what you’re thinking. That’s a lot of steps. It sounds like a whole thing. It is not a whole thing. From exiting the airport to arriving on North Bimini is about 15-20 minutes total and it is surprisingly seamless. Just follow the crowd and trust the process.
Pro tip: The moment you step off the water taxi on North Bimini, someone will try to rent you a golf cart. Smile, decline, and keep walking. You will get a significantly better rate negotiating on your own. I’ll tell you exactly how further down. 😉
Where We Stayed
We stayed at Resorts World Bimini and genuinely loved it. I’m typically a boutique hotel or private villa kinda girl, but this place won me over completely.
The room: Spacious, comfortable, great balcony with a fantastic view. My one and only con: the bathroom has a glass door that’s open at the top and bottom, so if you require true privacy for your... moments of solitude... you’ll want to strategize. You’ve been warned.
The pools: Where the resort really shines. There’s a lagoon pool with a swim-up pool bar, an adults only rooftop pool, and the Beach Club with a family pool, an adults only pool, AND beach access. This alone made it worth it.
1// Rooftop pool 2// Beach club pool 3// Swim-up pool bar The service: Genuinely wonderful. Warm, above and beyond, and deeply human. One night, Speed slept through dinner so he had to hunt some down at about 9pm. Luckily, The Tides, one of the restaurants was still open and hooked him up. The lady helping him gave him flowers to give me so the meal would feel more special (and he’d stay out of trouble!). I mean. Come on.
The lobby bar/coffee station: Makes Starbucks drinks on-site. I had the best Caramel Frappuccino I’ve had in years and I’m not even sorry about it. Such a great perk.
Next time: Now that we know the lay of the land, next time we’d love to rent a villa or vacation rental and just buy a day pass to the Beach Club. We also heard great things about Katt’s Kottages right across from Radio Beach — that’s on the list. But I’ll be honest… if Resorts World had another amazing deal, we’d happily pack a bag in two seconds flat.
Pro tip: Book direct with Resorts World for your first trip, especially if you’re planning to take the ferry. When ours cancelled, they handled everything — and offered us two extra nights at $99/night. Our weekend getaway became a 5-night vacation. Speed scored MAJOR points.
Getting Around the Island
Your options: walk, taxi, or golf cart. The resort has a free tram to Fisherman’s Village and the Beach Club. Taxis are roughly $5 per person per ride.
Golf carts are the way to explore, but negotiate. We were immediately quoted $100/day plus fees after getting out of the water taxi from the airport, which we declined. Politely.
The next day we walked to Fisherman’s Village, found a huge golf cart lot full of locals renting them out, and got ours for $60/day, cash. No fees, no fuel charges. The secret? We showed him we only had $60 in our wallet. Negotiation is an art form, friends.
I was a golf cart passenger princess for most of the trip, but one afternoon I drove it back to the resort myself and I felt like an absolute rock star…can’t you tell?!
Pro tip: The island is flat and walkable, but the Beach Club is about a 20-minute walk from the resort in the heat. We did it once and it was fine, but the free tram exists for a reason. Use it, especially mid-day. Your knees will thank you.
The Food Situation (Honest Review)
I’ll be real with you because that’s what we do here: the food was hit or miss. It was my only real con, but a notable one. Here’s the full breakdown so you can eat better than we did.
THE HITS
Beach 360 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — My absolute favorite and I’m furious we didn’t eat here until our last day. Mahi mahi sandwich, incredible fries, right next to the Beach Club with that ridiculous ocean view. Go here first.
Joe’s Conch Shack ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — A must. Conch ceviche, conch fritters, piña colada in hand. The drinks take forever because you order food and drinks at two separate registers and the bartender is not in a hurry. Island time is real, y’all.
Nate’s Bakery ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — SO good. Cinnamon bread and guava & cream cheese bread. The guava one was insane and they give you a giant loaf. We shared some with our golf cart guy because he was awesome and we like to reward great customer service, even if it’s just with food.
Beach shacks on Radio Beach — Look, they probably wouldn’t pass a health inspection in Florida. But the food was tasty, the bar was right there, and the vibe was everything. Go with the flow or pack a beach picnic. Either way, you win.
The Tides (hotel) — The Valentine’s four-course special was a letdown, BUT they did hook Speed up one night after he slept the afternoon away and had to hunt down dinner. Not only was the food incredible, but they included flowers for him to give me to get him completely out of trouble. So this one’s a 50/50 and I’d try it again.
THE MISSES
Edith’s Pizza — The taxi driver recommended the fried chicken. Bless his heart. It came smothered in ketchup and tasted like grocery store frozen chicken. The views are gorgeous though, so grab a drink and enjoy those. And maybe order a pizza instead.
Hemingway’s (resort) — Burger came out room temperature. Pasta was fine but forgettable. Service was great, but I couldn’t overcome the meh. If everything else is closed though, it’s eat here or starve. You choose.
My 3 Daughters — Generous portions, but a little bland. Conch fritters were decent, just not Joe’s level. Pretty view from the dining room, though.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
The most important thing I can tell you about food in Bimini is that most restaurants close by 5pm because they cater to the cruise ships. Google will lie to you and say they’re open until 7. They are not. Be in your seat by 4pm or you’re eating at the resort. We learned this the hard way. Now you don’t have to.
Next time: I’d hit up Brennen’s Grill, Stuart Conch Salad Stand, and Bimini Hideaway.
Things To Do
We were only planning on being in Bimini from Friday to Sunday, but our trip was extended by two nights, which meant we had a lot more time. Had we known this was going to be the case, we’d have planned at least two activities with one being on the water.
The perfect set-up would’ve been: one beach day, one pool day, one boat day, one sightseeing day. As it was, this is what we ended up doing … which was fabulous and I’m not complaining.
Pools: We lived in them. The resort’s swim-up bar pool, the rooftop pool, and the Beach Club pools were all glorious. But fair warning: on days when cruise ships docked, the Beach Club got super busy. We’d check in, assess the situation, and immediately pivot to a different pool or Radio Beach instead. Check the cruise ship schedule and you’ll be good.
Dolphin House Museum: Do not skip this. It’s $20/person and completely worth it. The founder, Sir Ashley Saunders, is a published author and local legend who built the entire house himself over decades — covered floor to ceiling in dolphin mosaic art and found objects. He gives you a personal introduction and answers every question. It’s weird and wonderful and totally unique. We saw a few other groups while we were there but the tour flows so you never feel crowded.
Shipwreck of the Gallant Lady: On the southernmost tip of the island, past the cemetery, down a dirt road — and worth every bump to get there. The Gallant Lady was a Belizean freighter that ran aground during Hurricane Mitch in 1997 and has been rusting dramatically against the rocks ever since. The day we went, the waves crashing against the wreck were cinematic. We stayed to watch the sunset from the jeep and it was spectacular. Add this to your list and bring your camera.
Fisherman’s Village: Small but charming and a five minute walk from the resort. A few boutiques, an ice cream shop, a restaurant bar, and a little market for snacks. Good for a slow morning wander. You can also walk along the harbor to get some beautiful water views.
Radio Beach: Bring $40 cash to Radio Beach for two loungers and an umbrella set up right in the sand. Worth every penny, and you’re supporting local families directly.
Next time: Swim with dolphins, food tour, feed the stingrays and sharks, jet skiing, snorkeling, and the Bimini Biological Field Station shark lab tour (1.5 hours — apparently incredible)
Taking the ferry back
We were told to get to the tram that takes you to the ship by 4pm, to check in and be ready to sail at 6pm. So that’s what we did. You’re allowed a carry-on bag and a personal item (that’s what we had), with the option to pay for additional luggage.
During check-in, we upgraded to premium seats which got us a dedicated area, a little snack situation, and enough space to actually move around like humans. And I will say — the ferry has amenities: a food and bar concession, a duty free shop, an outdoor balcony for fresh air, and charging ports.
Here’s a look inside the ferry (not my video but short & sweet).
But I’ll be real with you. As great and easy as it was, I prefer to take a flight next time. Here’s my logic:
The ferry transit takes about 2 hours plus you need to arrive at least 2 hours early for international customs (unless you want to wait in a really long line) and leave 30 minutes on the back end for domestic customs. That’s 4.5 hours total, if there are no delays.
AA’s direct flight is 30 minutes. Even with airport check-in, the math just makes sense to take the AA flight. Cost wise, it’s a wash.
Also consider that there’s only one scheduled ferry a day and they don’t sail daily. So if a ferry cancels, you have to either wait until the next one or book last minute flights. If last minute cancellations are not your thing and budget predictability matters to you (me), just book the flight from the jump and sleep easy. But if your schedule is flexible and you want to walk around a lot, then the ferry is a fun option.
The only way I’m back on the ferry is if there’s a significant discount involved. But am I glad I did it once? Absolutely. And I will do the seaplane eventually.
What To Pack
Not much. You’re going to a tiny island and will probably be rocking your swimsuit the entire time. Less is more here.
Lightweight, colorful everything — This is not the place for neutrals. Wear the color! Be the postcard! Great brands to try: Spartina 449, Farm Rio, Diarrablu, Cup She (I love their one-piece bathing suits), and Avarra. Pro tip: hit up thrift stores or reseller markets like Poshmark and Ebay to score high-end resort wear at a fraction of the price.
A good coverup or two — You’ll go from beach to golf cart to lunch to pool without changing…make it cute! This, this and this are beautiful and can double as dresses for lunch or a casual dinner by the water.
A lightweight beach tote: I use a Rifle Paper Company tote bag that isn’t sold anymore but here are similar options: this, this, and this. Just make sure whatever tote you bring can fold it up so it doesn’t take much room in your luggage.
Cash — So many things (beach umbrellas, golf cart rentals, local food shacks) are cash only or cash preferred. Bring more than you think you need and you’ll probably need a little more. There’s an ATM in the resort lobby.
Reef-safe sunscreen — The water is too beautiful to mess with. Protect it.
Comfortable sandals you can actually walk in — You will be on your feet more than you think. This is not the place for the cute-but-deadly pair. You can’t go wrong with Olukai, Sanuk (my fave sandal brand EVER!), Reef, and Oka-B (which are like Crocs but cuter).
A light layer for the ferry or plane — The AC situation can be aggressive. Bring your favorite scarf, light blanket or sweater — your choice — but bring something.
The Final Verdict
8/10. I’d go back in a heartbeat. It’s the perfect 3-4 night trip — enough time for a boat day, a beach club day, a town-and-beach day, and one full day of doing absolutely nothing and feeling zero guilt about it.
But more than the beaches — and those beaches are unreal — what I’m taking home from this trip is something I didn’t expect to need so badly:
The reminder that I don’t always have to be the one holding the plan.
Speed took care of everything. Every detail, every reservation, every midnight pivot when the ferry became a flight. He just... handled it. And I got to be present. Fully, completely, un-spreadsheet-edly present. On a golf cart. In the most impossible blue water. With my person.
There’s a version of me that would have white-knuckled the whole trip — cataloguing every hiccup, mentally rewriting the itinerary, staying one step ahead of the fun instead of actually in it. Although I try not to be, I’ve been that person.
But this time I let go. And it turns out, when you trust the right person with the clipboard... you get Bimini.
That’s the real souvenir. 💖
You just read about a trip where I surrendered the planning to Speed and it somehow became the best Valentine’s Day trip of my life. You know what made the difference? It wasn’t the hotel. It wasn’t the water — although that water was unreal. It was the moment I stopped white-knuckling the plan and actually let myself be there.
Easier said than done. I know. Which is why I made you something.
Leave This At Home is this month’s Popstar Kit — twelve printable permission slips for the woman who plans everything, controls everything, and somehow still can’t fully enjoy anything. Each permission slip covers something we've been quietly denying ourselves — the right to let the plan fall apart, to put the phone down, eat the bread, spend the money, and get in the car without knowing where you’re going.
You print them. You sign them. You mean them.
Some of them are going to make you laugh. Some of them are going to hit you somewhere you weren't expecting. One of them — and I won't tell you which one — might make you cry a little. In the good way. The way that feels like permission you've been waiting a really long time for someone to give you. Consider this me giving it to you.
And then you go live your life like the fabulous woman you already are.
It’s waiting for you in the Printables library. Not a Popstar yet? Become a Popstar and get instant access. Your first permission slip is to stop waiting.
Have you ever let someone else take the wheel — literally or figuratively — and been totally surprised by where you landed? I want to hear everything. Hit reply or leave a comment and tell me all about it! ☀️
If you love travel, you’ll want to give these a read too.
→ Read more Sandrapop here.
Loved this? Share the love! Hit the heart, restack it, or send it to the friend who needs a Bimini in her life — or just a reminder that she doesn’t always have to be the one holding the clipboard. 😉
