Bahamas travel partners

[christianL]

I am planning a trip to Bimini island in the Bahamas this season, end of June. I am planning to make the trip with a buddy boat of course, however if he backs out then I would need to join one of these boating flings. The problem is they travel Wednesday thru Sunday, which is ridiculous. Normal people would travel Monday thru Friday in order to make good use of 2 weekends. Anyways is anyone familiar with a group that makes the trip Monday thru Friday from ft. lauderdale? Or how hard would it be to just hook up with someone at the boat ramp?

thanks!

 

[clermontsteve]

Re: Bahamas travel partners

how long of a trip is it at 40 MPH? like 2.5 hours? too long for me with kids!

 

[christianL]

Re: Bahamas travel partners

how long of a trip is it at 40 MPH? like 2.5 hours? too long for me with kids!

50 mile trip, 25 mph = 2 hours, you would need a pretty big boat to comfortably do 40 mph, im in a 22 footer

 

[NCCamper]

Re: Bahamas travel partners

Just curious...what kind of boat is your 22-footer? How is it powered? That seems to be a pretty small craft to make the crossing to Bimini.

Thanks!
John

 

[christianL]

Re: Bahamas travel partners

Just curious...what kind of boat is your 22-footer? How is it powered? That seems to be a pretty small craft to make the crossing to Bimini.

Thanks!
John

it's a key west 225DC, with a 225 Yamaha 4-stroke. People regularly make the trip in much smaller craft. Actually, there is a video on YouTube where 3 guys went over on jet skis. It's all about the weather, not boat size.

 

[Ocean Airbrush]

Re: Bahamas travel partners

I make it at least twice a season in my 19' grady. I usually leave right out of haulover inlet in north miami. Let me know when you're going, I might be interested.

 

[peacekeeper6]

Re: Bahamas travel partners

im interested in going

 

[dgopetactical]

Re: Bahamas travel partners

If the boat dont have a swimming pool and a casino, I'll stay here. I have been to Nassau a few times dont like it, its like harlem without traffic lights...I would like to see some of the other islands though.
Denny

 

[jserb]

Re: Bahamas travel partners

I hope this trip works out for you. I am planning on doing this trip as well. You have sparked an interest in me. However not till next year (sorry i cant help you out). Just wondering, anything to do in Bimini??? I have the assumption that i could stop out at some of those little islands and do some fishing and just have fun with the trip. whats your agenda when you get there? Keep this thread goin, id love to see photos of your trip and how it ends up. Sounds like your going on a boating adventure. Im concurring lake Michigan the end of this June so when im out there ill think of you crossing the ocean!

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: Bahamas travel partners

I'm curious to know what there is to do there too. I'd assume that the fishing is priority? How far from Bimini do people fish? Anything other than fishing?

 

[peacekeeper6]

Re: Bahamas travel partners

did this go anywhere? any more information?

 

[christianL]

Re: Bahamas travel partners

Hey folks, sorry it's been a while since I've checked up on the forums.

The status of my trip is as follows:

I could not get any of my boating buddies to solidly commit, so I've signed up for a "Bimini Boating Fling". This is a convoy of no more than 30 boats, a minimum of 22 feet long. We leave on June 23 from Ft. Lauderdale and return June 27. I'm staying at Bimini Sands resort. They have a fairly generous policy on cancellations, due to the trip being very weather dependent, they allow you to change your travel dates for a full year, and you must pay half at the time of booking.

As far as what to do in Bimini:

Being as I've never been, I'll have much more detailed info when I return. The best resource I've found is http://www.bahamas.com/out-islands/bimini. Fishing is supposed to be top notch, and from the pics i've seen, I would imagine endless boating and exploring oppurtunities around the beautiful beaches and waters.

I will most certainly keep this post going with pics of the trip (probably in the form of a link to Flickr), and try to pave the path for you folks that are also thinking about making the trip.

Thanks to all, and I hope to talk with you soon!

 

[Capt and the Kids]

Re: Bahamas travel partners

Christian,

How was the trip? Where did you stay? Iam making the trip next spring and would like some info please.

Thanks

Paul

 

[sasto]

Re: Bahamas travel partners

Bimini is a great place to fish, eat, dive, drink rum and lounge around. Not much else to do, but what a good vacation. $150 for cruise permit if under 35 feet.

 

[Capt and the Kids]

Re: Bahamas travel partners

Looking foward to it. Where did you stay?

 

[sasto]

Re: Bahamas travel partners

North Bimini Harbor at Brown's Marina.

 

[christianL]

Re: Bahamas travel partners

Hey there guys,
the trip overall was great. We trailered down to Ft. Lauderdale from Charleston, SC in one day. We were planning on breaking the trip up, but were making good time and kept going (about 10 hours with stops). Ft. Lauderdale is a great place with plenty to do and great boating.

I should mention an "issue" with the boating fling. The advertised dates were Wednesday, June 23 through Sunday, June 27. We did not find out until about 2 weeks before the trip that june 23 is simply a meeting at the Bahia Mar marina (where we stayed and where the group leaves from). We actually left for Bimini on Thursday. We had to change reservations in Bimini.

As far as the trip over: worst boat ride in 11 years of operating boats. There just happened to be some sort of weird weather system in the area, causing 6-8 foot waves that turned what was supposed to be a nice 2 hour trip into 4 hours of hell. The return trip took about 2 1/2 hours, because the wind was behind us.

We stayed at Bimini Sands resort and marina on the South island. I highly recomend staying on the North island, as that's where all the action is. You can either take your own boat over to the North island, which is a very short trip, but then you always have to haggle with a marina employee about tying up your boat for a few hours. The other option is a ferry ride, for 5$ a person, which could get expensive over the course of the vacation. Next time we do this we'll stay at Bimini Bay resort. Little more expensive but definitely a VERY nice place.

Fishing, snorkeling, drinking, boating, and eating are all top notch activities on the island.

And finally, follow this link to view some pics of the trip, it will open a Flickr slideshow:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/49882579@N08/sets/72157624385335444/show/

If there's something I left out or if anyone has more specific questions please let me know.

 

[sasto]

Re: Bahamas travel partners

Glad you at least had had a good expierence and all returned safe. North Bimini is my favorite of the chain. "Throw 'em down in Alice Town" Also easier to get a big boat into. Someday you may want to try a trip to Port Lucaya or West End, Grand Bahama.

 

[GatorMike]

Re: Bahamas travel partners

As far as the trip over: worst boat ride in 11 years of operating boats. There just happened to be some sort of weird weather system in the area, causing 6-8 foot waves that turned what was supposed to be a nice 2 hour trip into 4 hours of hell. The return trip took about 2 1/2 hours, because the wind was behind us.

Oh man as soon as I have time I have got to tell you about a Bimini trip I made in my 19' Wellcraft a few years back. 2 hrs over in calm seas, almost 10 hrs back in the clutches of Hurricane Ophelia. Will post later.

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: Bahamas travel partners

Gatormike - I want to hear about that.. how scared were you?