By Jillian Morris Brake
White sand beaches lined with palm trees stand idyllic next to a striking azure sea. This scene describes the islands of Bimini along with countless other tropical destinations around the world. Slip beneath the surface however, and Bimini reveals its true beauty and some of the most amazing underwater views you can find on the planet.
These tiny islands, nestled alongside the Gulf Stream, have an eclectic history woven with tales of epic fish, smuggled rum and Hemingway’s haunts. They are also known the world over for their incredible fishing, renowned shark research station and some of the bluest waters you can find.
Whether you are a scuba diver or just like to snorkel, slipping into the crystal clear waters surrounding the island is a must. Coral reefs are teaming with fish; nurse sharks nestled under ledges as green turtles and eagle rays cruise effortlessly by. Look for lobster, thousands of snapper or a delicate pair of butterfly fish as you explore.
Bimini is also home to the only mangrove habitat on the western Grand Bahama bank and this forest is alive with creatures big and small, above and below the surface. Juvenile nurse sharks and lemon sharks use the roots as a nursery area for the first part of their life, as do juvenile conch, lobster and other reef fish. Barracudas patrol the edge looking for a possible meal, while southern stingrays bury themselves in the sand and delicate seahorses hide among bright orange sponges attached to the roots.
If you are looking for some larger critters to check out you can head to the northern tip of the islands with a local guide and get the chance to swim with wild spotted and bottlenose dolphins. The spotted dolphins are more playful and tend to hang around for longer periods of time, spiraling, spinning and dancing with divers. Encounters can last minutes or hours with these inquisitive and charismatic mammals. I prefer sharks, but dancing with wild dolphins is a pretty amazing experience.
For those like me, who prefer sharks, there are plenty of JAWSOME opportunities to get up close and personal with a variety of species. Local dive operators and eco tour guides offer Caribbean reef shark dives year round, while great hammerhead shark dives are offered in the winter months. A visit to the world famous Bimini Biological Field Station (Sharklab) is also a must. You can tour the facility and even meet a baby lemon or nurse shark. Bull shark cage diving is also offered seasonally on the north island.
From delicate creatures to the ocean’s mightiest predators, the waters surrounding Bimini offer unique animal encounters like nowhere else in the world. Make sure Bimini is on your travel Bucket List and dive into a truly remarkable underwater adventure.