Bimini Scuba Diving: Sharks, Reefs, and Wrecks
- Charles Davis
- May 10
- 6 min read
The dive master’s site briefing started with, “Always be aware of what’s around you. Do not become fixated in just one direction.” I was reminded of this advice when I took my eyes off the hammerhead shark in front of me just in time to see another one pass over my shoulder. Welcome to Bimini scuba diving.
Bimini scuba diving isn't widely recognized by the general public, but seasoned divers frequently regard it as an ideal "secret" spot. Bimini is considered by many to be the Sport Fishing Capital of the World. The Bimini Islands (North Bimini and South Bimini) and their associated cays are the closest part of the Bahamas to the United States coast—just 50 miles away. You could think of it as the other side of the coin.
Bimini lies on the “deep” side of the Florida Barrier Reef, giving it exceptional wall dives. It is also located east of the Gulf Stream, which brings the same warm water found in the Florida Keys, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale. The Gulf Stream meanders throughout the year, sometimes coming closer to Bimini than to Florida.
The Great Bahama Bank is located on the west side of the islands. The bank averages 15 feet (4.5 meters) in depth and is home to marine life both big and small. Bimini's geography makes it ideal for sportfishing and diving.
.
Shark Diving at Its Best
Most scuba divers hear about Bimini because of its sharks. Florida banned shark dives in state waters, so dive centers can’t attract them; deep waters outside the 12-mile limit aren't suitable for typical shark dives, but Bahamian waters near Bimini are. From December to April, great hammerhead sharks—mainly females over nine feet, sometimes reaching 14 feet—gather in Bimini's shallow waters, along with smaller sharks.
Bahamas is a shark sanctuary which allows the shark population to increase without fishing pressure. There are other locations in the world known for shark dives, however, most take days to reach. Bimini is out your backdoor.
The Bahamas is known as a shark mecca. Year-round, divers frequently encounter Caribbean reef sharks, nurse sharks, and lemon sharks. Less frequent—but still common—are tiger sharks (with peak sightings between October and January), bull sharks, and blacktip sharks. Sharks are common on most dive sites, and specific shark dives are often baited using a controlled feeding process. Photo opportunities present themselves unexpectedly, so make sure you bring your cell phone in a protective case.
Bimini Dive Sites
In addition to shark diving, Bimini scuba diving offers more than twenty distinct dive sites, ranging from shallow reefs to deep walls. Divers can explore wrecks, caverns, and areas rich in marine life. The Grand Bahama Bank provides nearly unlimited variety.
Some of the most popular dive sites in and around Bimini include:
SS Sapona Wreck: "Disclaimer: I have a personal fondness for Ferro-cement dive sites." Mob movies from the late 1950s often refer to cement overshoes—used to dispose of evidence or bodies. Cement does not float… or does it? The SS Sapona proves that cement can float.
Ferro-cement boats have existed since 1848, when J.L. Lambot built a rowboat—one that is still afloat today. The first ocean-going ferro-cement barge was completed in 1917. During World War I, a massive U.S. shipbuilding program and a shortage of steel led to the construction of ferro-cement ships. Only twelve were completed or nearly completed, and the SS Sapona was one of them. World War II brought similar conditions and renewed interest in ferro-cement construction.
The SS Sapona initially carried coal along the New England coast before being sold to a Miami Beach developer for use as an offshore fishing club. Stripped of her machinery, she deteriorated over time and was eventually sold to a Bimini bar owner, who used her for storage and as a “liquor store” for rum runners from Florida. After running aground during a hurricane, the ship was abandoned and later used as target practice by the U.S. military.
Today, the SS Sapona is a very popular snorkeling and beginner dive site. Most of the wreck sits above water in only 15 to 20 feet (5 to 6 meters) of water. Tropical fish are abundant, making it a fantastic location for underwater photography—Perfect for your Smartphone in a Proshot case.
Continental Shelf: This is an unforgettable dive for advanced divers. As mentioned earlier, Bimini lies on the deep side of the Florida Barrier Reef and borders both the Gulf Stream and the shallow Grand Bahama Bank. Near the recreational depth limit, the bank gives way to a dramatic wall that begins around 140 feet and drops thousands of feet into the depths. Located within the Gulf Stream, this site provides a high-speed drift dive where pelagic species are common.
Bimini Barge: This 120-foot-long wreck lies in 80 to 100 feet of water near deeper currents. Intentionally sunk as an artificial reef, it has become a haven for marine life. Moderate to strong currents provide excellent visibility, and jacks, barracuda, sharks, and large groupers are commonly seen. Wreck-certified divers may have opportunities for penetration.
Turtle Rocks: A series of three small rock outcroppings, each offering a different experience. The reef begins in about 10 feet of water and reaches a maximum depth of 35 feet. Spotted eagle rays and nurse sharks are common residents, along with abundant reef fish and healthy coral.
Atlantis Rocks / Bimini Road / Road to Atlantis: In 1938, a noted psychic predicted that evidence of Atlantis would be discovered in the Bahamas in 1968. That year, a pilot reported seeing what appeared to be a road in shallow water off Bimini, sparking claims that the lost city of Atlantis had been found. The site lies in about 20 feet of water and consists of regularly shaped stones stretching about half a mile.
Supporters believe the formation to be a sunken harbor seawall, while scientists attribute it to a natural formation called beach rock. Regardless of interpretation, snorkelers and divers find the site intriguing and thought-provoking under excellent conditions.
Tuna Alley & Victory Reef: These sites lie south of Cat Cay along several small cays. Numerous moorings allow many divers to explore without overcrowding. The reefs generally slope from about 50 feet down to 120 feet, with a ridge around 70 feet. Beyond 120 feet, the bottom drops sharply thousands of feet into the Florida Trench.
Traveling to Your Bimini Scuba Diving Vacation
What may surprise you is that the best way to reach a Bimini scuba diving vacation is via Florida. South Bimini Island has an international airport (BIM) with limited flights from Nassau, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale. Some bookings from Nassau may route through Florida.
North Bimini Island has a seaplane base (NSB) with limited flights from Fort Lauderdale and charter options. Most resorts and tourist attractions are located on North Bimini, but travel between the islands is easy via water taxi. The official schedule runs hourly, though departures are more frequent during busy periods. The fare is approximately $5 per person.
Bimini is about 50 miles (85 km) from Florida, and a high-speed ferry operates between Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades) and Alice Town, Bimini. Baleària Caribbean’s ferry Jaume II carries 635 passengers in air-conditioned comfort and transports up to 144 vehicles. The crossing takes about two hours, and passengers should arrive two hours early for security and customs. A passport is required; U.S. citizens do not need a visa for short stays.
Have You Considered a Multi-Country Dive Vacation?
I don’t know how common this is, but I like to take a day off from scuba diving every four or five days to off-gas and let my body recover. Bimini offers excellent diving—but so does Fort Lauderdale.
Why not consider a few days of diving in Fort Lauderdale before heading to the Bahamas? Fort Lauderdale offers a wide variety of dive sites, many of which are shore dives. After three or four days of diving, take a rest day. On that off-gas day, take the morning ferry to Bimini, check into your accommodations, touch base with the dive center, and explore locally.
At the end of your stay in Bimini, you can take the evening ferry back to Fort Lauderdale for your onward trip home. DAN currently recommends a minimum of 18 hours after multiple days of no-decompression diving before flying. With a bit of planning, you can still enjoy a couple of dives on your final day.
Comments