Your Journey Begins in Bimini

Bimini’s biggest advantage is proximity, but how you travel makes all the difference. Commercial options can still involve delays, limited schedules, or indirect routing, especially during peak travel times.

Private charter flights with Air Flight Charters turn Bimini into a true on-demand destination, allowing you to depart and arrive within hours, not days.

• Ultra-Short Flight Times: Reach Bimini from South Florida in under an hour.
• Flexible Departures: Travel when you want, without being tied to airline schedules.
• Fast Customs & Arrival Process: Smaller airports allow quicker transitions from aircraft to the island.
• Ideal for Weekend & Day Trips: Perfect for spontaneous escapes or short-stay travel.
• Seamless Group & Leisure Travel: Efficient for couples, groups, or private villa stays.

Bimini is served by a small but well-positioned airport that supports both regional and private aviation, making arrivals quick and efficient.

Bimini is served by two aviation facilities, one primary airport for conventional aircraft and one seaplane base. Each offers distinct advantages depending on your aircraft type and final destination.

South Bimini Airport

Located on the quieter southern island, this is Bimini’s primary gateway for conventional aircraft. The airport welcomes both international and domestic flights, including private charters from the U.S. and beyond.

• IATA Code: BIM
• ICAO Code: MYBS
• Runway: Asphalt runway suitable for light jets, turboprops, and piston aircraft
• Location: South Bimini

Upon arrival, travelers take a short ferry or water taxi ride (approximately 5-10 minutes) across the channel to North Bimini, where most hotels, restaurants, and attractions are located. The ferry is frequent and informal; simply walk off the plane, clear customs, and catch the next boat.

North Bimini Airport / Seaplane Base

This facility is a seaplane base rather than a conventional runway airport. Located in North Bimini near Alice Town, it serves as an official port of entry with Customs and Immigration facilities.

This airport is best suited for seaplanes and amphibious aircraft. Travelers arriving via conventional private jets will use South Bimini Airport and transfer by water.

With Air Flight Charters, we can coordinate your arrival based on your specific aircraft type and preferences, ensuring seamless customs clearance and onward transportation to your final destination.

Bimini is famous for big game fishing, Hemingway lore, and being the closest Bahamian island to Florida. Here is what you need to know to make the most of your trip.

South Bimini Airport, North Bimini Action

You land on South Bimini. Almost everything else, hotels, restaurants, bars, marinas, beaches, is on North Bimini. A quick ferry or water taxi gets you across in under 10 minutes. Build this into your travel time.

Golf Carts Are the Only Way to Move

North Bimini stretches about seven miles end to end. Rental golf carts are everywhere near the ferry dock. Cars are unnecessary and rarely used. Reserve your cart in advance during peak season or on weekends.

The Gulf Stream Is Right Offshore

Deep sea fishing here means short runs. Marlin, tuna, and wahoo are found within a few miles of the coast. Half-day fishing trips are practical, not rushed. This is why Bimini earned its reputation as a sportfishing capital.

Three Famous Dive Sites Close to Shore

The SS Sapona shipwreck sits in shallow water accessible by boat. The Bimini Road, an underwater rock formation some link to Atlantis, is viewable by snorkel. The Healing Hole requires a guide but is a natural phenomenon unique to Bimini. All are within a short boat ride from North Bimini.

Hemingway’s Shadow Is Everywhere

Ernest Hemingway wrote and fished here. His favorite bar, the Compleat Angler, burned down but his presence remains in the stories, the fishing tournaments, and the island’s character. Even if you have not read a word of his work, you will feel the history.

Winter Brings Hammerheads

From December through March, great hammerhead sharks gather off Bimini’s coast. Diving with them is a world-class experience for certified advanced divers. Book well in advance, operators fill up quickly during hammerhead season.

Beaches Are Different Here

Radio Beach on North Bimini is the main public beach. It is fine for swimming and sunbathing but not the endless pink sand you find elsewhere in the Bahamas. The real beauty of Bimini is in its waters, snorkeling, diving, and fishing, not sprawling shorelines.

Temperatures by Season

– December to February: 65°F to 75°F (18°C to 24°C). Hammerhead season. Evenings can be cool. Light jacket recommended.

– March to May: 72°F to 82°F (22°C to 28°C). Prime fishing and comfortable beach weather.

– June to August: 78°F to 90°F (26°C to 32°C). Hot. Afternoon showers pass quickly. Best visibility for diving.

– September to November: 75°F to 85°F (24°C to 29°C). Hurricane risk peaks September through October. Fewer crowds.

What to Pack Specifically for Bimini

Polarized sunglasses (essential for spotting fish and navigating shallow water), a rash guard for diving and snorkeling, a dry bag for boat trips, insect repellent for summer evenings, and a light jacket for winter months.

The Sapona Wreck Is a Snorkel Must-Do

The concrete shipwreck of the SS Sapona sits in 15-20 feet of water, easily accessible by boat. It is one of the most photographed spots in Bimini. Local tour operators include it in nearly every snorkel excursion.

The Dolphin House Is Worth the Visit

Poet Ashley Saunders built this seashell-covered museum and guesthouse by hand. It is quirky, colorful, and a genuine passion project. He offers tours himself if he is around. Do not rush through it, chat with him if you can.

Sunday Is for Church and Rest

Many bars and restaurants open but with reduced hours. Some close entirely. The island observes a slower rhythm on Sundays. Plan your grocery and supply runs for Saturday.

Resorts World Bimini Is the Large Property

The 305-room resort at the north end has a casino, pools, multiple restaurants, and a marina. It is the island’s only large-scale property. If you prefer smaller, more local accommodations, look elsewhere on the island.

Day Trips from Florida Are Very Real

At just 30 minutes from Fort Lauderdale by private charter, Bimini is closer than many domestic Florida destinations. Fly in for breakfast, fish until lunch, and be back home by dinner. No overnight stay required.

How Long to Stay

A weekend is enough to sample the island. Three to four days allows for a fishing trip, a dive excursion, and relaxed exploration. A week is ideal for serious anglers or divers who want multiple days on the water.

Bimini’s proximity to Florida makes it one of the most accessible international destinations by private charter, with short, direct routes.

• Given Bimini’s proximity to Florida, just 50 nautical miles from Miami, flight times are among the shortest of any international destination from the U.S. mainland. Below are the most requested private charter routes to South Bimini Airport (BIM / MYBS):
• Miami (MIA / KMIA) to Bimini: Approximately 25 to 30 minutes. The shortest international flight from the U.S. mainland to any destination.
• Fort Lauderdale (FLL / KFLL) to Bimini: Approximately 25 to 35 minutes. A favorite for South Florida weekend charters and day trips.
• West Palm Beach (PBI / KPBI) to Bimini: Approximately 20 to 30 minutes. The closest Florida departure point to Bimini’s shores.
• Orlando (MCO / KMCO) to Bimini: Approximately 1 hour. Direct access from Central Florida without coastal detours.
• Atlanta (ATL / KATL) to Bimini: Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes. Bypass commercial connection schedules with a direct private flight.
• Northeast Corridor to Bimini: Fly non-stop from New York (JFK / KJFK), Boston (BOS / KBOS), or Washington D.C. (DCA / KDCA) in approximately 3 to 3.5 hours.
• Tampa (TPA / KTPA) to Bimini: Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes, offering Gulf Coast travelers direct access to this close-to-home paradise.
• From Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE / KFXE), seaplane charters can reach Bimini in approximately 25 minutes, offering an alternative for travelers seeking the ultimate direct water landing experience.

Bimini’s location makes it an ideal starting point for broader travel across the Bahamas and nearby regions.

• Miami & South Florida: Just a short flight away, often used as the primary departure point.
• Berry Islands: A quieter chain of islands offering more seclusion and boating-focused travel.
• Nassau: A larger, more developed destination with resorts, dining, and nightlife.