Protecting the Sharks of the Bahamas

The Bahamas National Trust and the PEW Environmental Group have recently launched a campaign to establish the Bahamas as a shark sanctuary. Their goal is not to criminalize sport- or sustenance-fishing, but rather prevent a commercial shark fishery from being started in Bahamian waters. The Bahamas boasts some of the healthiest shark populations in the northern Atlantic, and the environmental and economic reasons to protect sharks here are vast.

Not only do sharks play an unrivaled role in preserving and maintaining the health of our marine ecosystems, but shark-based tourism in the Bahamas generates upwards of around $80 million dollars every year.

As part of this campaign to "Protect the Sharks of the Bahamas", the crew from the Bimini Sands Recreation Department teamed up with our friends at the SharkLab to distribute some fantastic, informative posters around Bimini yesterday.

The goal is to build local support for this protection effort, and judging by the response of the Biminites we spoke with, this campaign will be very successful. Every single Biminite our team spoke with was supportive of the idea of banning commercial shark fishing in the Bahamas!

Bimini Sands has been supporting shark conservation around Bimini for years, most notably by becoming the first Shark Free Marina, not only in the Bahamas, but in the entire world!

Next time you visit Bimini, make sure you make it a point to learn about the importance of sharks in the Bahamas. Not only can you tour the world famous Bimini Biological Field Station right here on South Bimini, but you can also join one of Bimini Sands' extremely popular Shark Encounters, and see these amazing animals for yourself!

(Photo Above: Emily Marcus from the SharkLab, Pat David from Ebbie's Bimini Bonefish Club, and Katie Grudecki from the Bimini Sands Recreation & Activity Department)

Celebrate New Year's Eve with Bimini Sands!!!

Anyone who has been to Bimini for New Year's Eve knows that it is one of the best places to celebrate, and now the rest of the world is learning this fact thanks to several travel websites, articles and blogs ranking Bimini among the 10 great places to ring in the New Year!

Along with noting that "Bimini is an excellent getaway anytime of the year," TravElated lists the Bimini Sands fireworks display as the key reason that Bimini made their list. The Bimini Sands New Year's Eve fireworks display is not only the best on Bimini, but the best in the Bahamas!

So join us this year to celebrate the start of 2011, we'll save you a spot at the Sand Bar!

And check out more info about New Year's Eve on Bimini at the links here and here.

KiteBoarding Bash at the Bimini Beach Club!

The Bimini Beach Club just finished hosting our first ever Bahamian Bash kiteboarding convention, and what a great time it was for everyone involved!

Kiteboarding dealers and enthusiasts from around the globe joined the Bimini Kiteboarding team for 5 days of fun on Bimini, checking out the new line of 2011 boards and equipment from some of the top companies in the industry.

November usually brings some breezy days to the Bahamas, and the weather didn't disappoint the group that was eager to make the most of the windy weather.

For more information on this, and other kiteboarding activities around Bimini, check out the Bimini Kiteboarding website!!

Bimini Sands Helps "Make a Wish" Come True!

Back in 2009, Bimini Sands was honored to help the Make a Wish Foundation bring a special guest out to the islands of Bimini for an unforgettable experience.

Lizzie Sautter, along with her family, wanted to participate in some real-life shark research, and there is nowhere in the world better to do that than right here on South Bimini. Joining our friends at the SharkLab, the Sautter family was able to experience the thrill of working with one of the most exciting, and misunderstood animals on the planet.

Recently, the team from Oceanic Allstars posted a great video chronicling Lizzie's experience on Bimini. Check it out in the window above, and Click Here for more information on the Make a Wish Foundation.

International Coastal Cleanup Day on Bimini

September 25, 2010 was International Coastal Cleanup Day, and as we have done dozens of times in the past, a crew from Bimini Sands joined the effort to pick up trash along the beaches of Bimini.

Teams from the Ministry of Tourism, the SharkLab (BBFS), the entire Bimini Sands Recreation & Activity staff, and even the local kids from the Bimini Sands Kid's Club joined forces for a day of beach cleaning, as part of an internationally organized effort.

In just a few hours, the team on South Bimini removed over 600 pounds of debris from our beaches, and that is not including the totals from North Bimini.

Bimini Sands recognizes that all of us, local Bahamians and visiting guests, have a responsibility to take care of this island, and we encourage all our guests and employees to help us keep Bimini a beautiful, clean Island in the Stream.

As the End of Summer Nears, a New Season of Fun and Relaxation at Bimini Sands Begins

With the summer months winding down, Bimini's tourism industry is about to make a distinct shift with the seasons.

The boating crowds will get smaller, the marinas will have a few more empty slips, and the beaches will be even less crowded than normal. And while Bimini's busy summer season is always an incredible time in the Bahamas, the "off season" around these tiny islands is something you have to experience.

Love fishing? The autumn months welcome the start of Bimini's legendary wahoo season.
Looking to get out snorkeling, kayaking, or exploring? Bimini's waters are crystal clear and warm all year round, and some of the islands most beautiful residents, like the spotted-eagle rays, return in the fall after summer vacations of their own.
Craving some excitement? Check out the the thrilling new water sports offered with Bimini KiteBoarding at the Beach Club.
Looking to relax on the beach? During Bimini's "off season", it's likely you'll have a few miles of pristine beach all to yourself.

Here at Bimini Sands, we have everything you need to enjoy all of the wonderful opportunities that Bimini has to offer. From our luxury condos looking directly on to the beach, to our incredible restaurants and bars at the Bimini Beach Club, to our diverse array of eco-tourism activities with our Recreation and Activity Department, it's time to get in on the fun of Bimini's "off season."

Bonnie Helps Clean Bimini

Tropical Storm Bonnie blew through the Bahamas last weekend, and while the windy weather made some activities around Bimini a little hard to accomplish, it also gave the crew from the Bimini Sands another chance give back to the local community.

Over the last several years, Bimini Sands has joined the gang from South Bimini's famous SharkLab several times to participate in clean-up efforts around the island, and last Friday we did it again to pick up trash and litter along all the road-sides of South Bimini.

So while the winds of Tropical Storm Bonnie swept through, we were busy sweeping away the litter from our roads and bringing it to the dump.

All of us, visitors and residents, have a responsibility to keep Bimini clean. Whether its cleaning up the beaches, the reefs or the roadways, Bimini Sands has been at it for years. And we'll continue to work towards bringing Bimini a brighter, cleaner future.

Bimini Sands Celebrates US & Bahamian Independence!

Two HUGE celebrations occur in July every year around Bimini, and Bimini Sands has proven to be "the place to be" for these incredible parties.

First, Bimini Sands sets off the best fireworks show in all of the Bahamas to celebrate US Independence on the 4th of July, and not even a week later, we do it all over again on the 10th for Bahamian Independence Day!!!

Food, fun, fishing, and fireworks... Bimini Sands has everything you need to celebrate all summer long!

Flamingo Visits the Beach Club!!!

The Beach Club on South Bimini gets lots of visitors every week, with the Bimini Twist restaurant, Mackey's Sand Bar, the Square Grouper Tiki Bar, the Island Sushi Bar, beautiful beaches, excellent snorkeling, and even KiteBoarding lessons available, there is truly something for everyone. And now it seems as if even the national bird of the Bahamas wants to get in on the fun!

For the last few days, a beautiful West Indian Flamingo has been spending its days hanging out on the flats near the Beach Club. And while they are much more common in the southern islands of the Bahamas, particularly Inagua, every few years a few individuals make a brief stop on Bimini as they migrate around the Caribbean.

So grab your camera and head on down to the Beach Club to see this rare, beautiful sight! We've got plenty of fun and food waiting for you, and the flamingo, to enjoy...

KiteBoarding at the Bimini Beach Club!!!

Bimini Sands has recently added another exciting new program to our resort amenities, Bimini Kite Boarding!

Based out of the Bimini Beach Club, the Bimini Kite Boarding program offers the opportunity to join one of the fastest-growing, most thrilling sports on the water.

Along with Kite Boarding, guests can enjoy Stand-Up Paddle Boarding and Wake Boarding as well.

For More Information, Click Here... And make sure you stop by the Bimini Beach Club on your next visit to Bimini!

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Visits Bimini Sands!

Bimini Sands just wrapped up five days of filming with the National Geographic Channel's hit series Dangerous Encounters with Brady Barr.

The crew came to Bimini to film some of the incredible shark species that these islands are famous for, and ended up with some great footage of Lemon sharks, Nurse sharks, & Tiger sharks that will appear on an upcoming episode of Dangerous Encounters.

Along with South Bimini's famous SharkLab, the crew from the Bimini Sands Recreation & Activity Center helped the National Geographic team get the shots they needed. One member from the Recreation Center also joined the film crew recently for a week of filming sawfish on the west side of Andros.

To find out more about these, and other exciting episodes of Dangerous Encounters with Brady Barr, check out the National Geographic Channel's website, or stop into the Bimini Sands Recreation & Activity Center!

Bimini Sands in Southern Boating Magazine!

The May issue of Southern Boating Magazine has dedicated itself to the beautiful islands of the Bahamas. This "Bahamas 2010 Special Addition" has loads of great information about all the islands of the Bahamas, including two separate articles that mention the Bimini Sands Resort & Marina and Bimini Beach Club!

In their "Bahamas Update", Southern Boating explains "We recently found a pleasant surprise in the greatly refurbished Bimini Beach Club and Marina on the south end of South Bimini. If your goal is an exquisite white sand beach overlooking the most crystal-clear aqua ocean, the Beach Club is tops. If sipping frosted drinks at a poolside tiki bar is high on your list—that works, too. The elegant restaurant features the area’s only sushi bar."

Later in the issue, Southern Boating introduces its readers to the Shark-Free Marinas initiative, and correctly points out that "Bimini Sands Resort & Marina was the first in all of the Bahamas to sign onto the campaign," and also talks about other marinas that have followed suit.

Make sure you pick up the latest issue of Southern Boating to find even more reasons to make the Bimini your reel-life paradise!

Bimini Sands at the Bimini Career Fair

The school year is almost over and high-school seniors all over the US, and the Bahamas, are thinking about what to do after they graduate. Each year, Bimini hosts a Career Fair to help give students a better insight into the many jobs and careers available right here on Bimini, and Bimini Sands was once again asked to help showcase the different opportunities available in the tourism industry.

Representatives from the Recreation & Activity Center and the Beach Club Restaurant spent the afternoon talking with students and answering questions about what it takes to succeed in this industry. Katie and Grant, from the Bimini Sands Recreation & Activity Center, even brought a Bimini Boa to the Career Fair to help highlight the numerous eco-tourism opportunities that Bimini has to offer.

Our crew from the Recreation & Activity Office were also asked to give a presentation at the Gateway Christian Academy on North Bimini before the Career Fair. Bimini Sands is proud to have one of the most popular, and diverse eco-tourism programs on all of Bimini, and we're always eager to try to motivate the youth of Bimini to get involved in this exciting industry.

Bimini Boa Research on the Bimini Nature Trail

With the opening of the Bimini Nature Trail back in 2008, the Bimini Sands Resort & Marina created one of the most talked-about new attractions around the Bahamas. Since then, the Bimini Nature Trail has welcomed hundreds of guests, numerous school groups from around the Bahamas, and several film and print teams. Now, the Bimini Nature Trail is poised to host our first scientific research crew.

Members of the Global Insular Conservation Society are developing a project aimed at investigating the famous, yet mysterious, Bimini Boa and they have decided to use the Bimini Nature Trail as one of their primary study sites. The Bimini Boa is a completely harmless snake that is found no where else in the world, and is even listed by some conservation groups as an endangered species. And while this beautiful reptile is becoming a more familiar part of Bimini's eco-attractions, there is still little known about its life-history.

The more we know about Bimini's wildlife, the more we will appreciate it, and the more we appreciate it, the more we will work to preserve it. Check out the Global Insular Conservation Society's website HERE to find out more about this exciting project.

And for more information on the Bimini Nature Trail, click HERE.

Bimini Nature Trail in National Geographic TRAVELER Magazine!

The latest issue of National Geographic TRAVELER magazine features an article titled "Great Winter Escapes," and names the islands of Bimini among their list of 15 destinations that fit their ultimate winter vacation criteria, "inspired natural settings, authentic to the core, full of local flavor and strong tradition."

Describing Bimini as an island "poised for eco-tourism," Bimini Sands' very own Bimini Nature Trail gets an honorable mention in the article. Kayaking through the mangroves is another highlight named in the magazine, and the Bimini Sands Recreation & Activity Center offers the best kayaking trips anywhere on the island. In fact, last year Bimini Sands was a finalist in the Bahamas prestigious Cacique Awards in the category of "Sustainable Tourism" for developing Bimini's first comprehensive eco-tourism program.

Pick up the January/February issue of National Geographic TRAVELER at your local news stand, or check out the article online here.

And make sure you stop into the Bimini Sands Recreation & Activity Center during your next visit to Bimini!!!

Happy New Year from Bimini Sands!!!

The entire staff from Bimini Sands wants to wish you a Happy New Year!!!

Bimini Sands hosted a huge crowd as we rang in the new year with a fantastic New Years Eve party down at the Bimini Beach Club. People young and old joined us for a night of fantastic food, drinks and the best fireworks show in all of the Bahamas!!!

If you missed it this time, make sure you join us for New Year's Eve next year, and have a fantastic 2010!

The Search For Atlantis Continues....

One of Bimini's most famous dive sites is the fabled Road to Atlantis, also known as the Bimini Road. Legend has it that the Lost Continent of Atlantis may actually be waiting to be discovered somewhere near the islands of Bimini, and over the years scores of researchers have visited the island to investigate this mystery.

According to news reports, a Florida based company is getting ready for a major undertaking in the continuation of the search for Atlantis. Check out the story here.

Stay tuned to the Bimini Sands Blog for more news about this exciting prospect, and for more background on the Bimini Road, check out the video below.

Get HOOKED With Bimini Sands!

The National Geographic Channel's popular fishing show "HOOKED" has visited South Bimini twice within the last few months. Crews from Hoff Productions, the company that produces HOOKED, have filmed with both the famous Bimini Biological Field Station, as well as the staff of the Bimini Sands Recreation and Activity Department.

It's no secret that Bimini is THE place to come if you want to experience exciting fishing, and with two upcoming episodes of HOOKED to feature Bimini, the fast-approaching 2010 fishing and boating season is bound to be even more exciting than normal with anglers looking to bring home their own incredible fish stories.

Stay tuned to the Bimini Sands blog for more information about the airing dates of these two episodes of HOOKED, and for more information about the show and when you can catch the next episode, Click Here.

Bimini Sands Halloween Party!!!

The Bimini Sands Resort & Marina is always trying to give back to community of Bimini, and especially to the children of this beautiful island. From our free Kid's Club activities for local children, to our Recreation Staff giving lectures and presentations in Bimini's classrooms, we're always looking for fun things that can involve the youth of Bimini. Our annual Halloween party is one of our favorite things though.

Hosted at the Bimini Sands Beach Club, we offer the best children's Halloween on the island. And this years Halloween party was our biggest ever!

Over 150 local children showed up this year to join us in the fun, with scavenger hunts, pumpkin decorating, costume contests and the scariest Haunted House in the Bahamas keeping everyone entertained, and sometimes even frightened. And did we mention the candy? In addition to all the other free fun-and-games, the Bimini Sands team made sure every kid in attendance got their fill of free Halloween candy.

Thank You to everyone who helped out with the party this year, and we're already thinking of ways to make next year's Halloween Party even better!!!

Bimini Sands Shark Free Marina Video

A few months back the Bimini Sands Resort & Marina signed on as the first "Shark Free Marina" in the world, and now the initiative to 'reduce worldwide shark mortality" has taken off to include more than 30 marinas in 4 different countries.

Our friends at OceanicAllstars.com recently posted a video further describing the efforts that Bimini Sands and the Shark-Free Marinas initiative are encouraging. Check out the video below for more information on this important effort, and check out the Bimini Sands YouTube Channel for more videos about the Bimini Sands Resort & Marina.

Bimini to be Featured on Sci-Fi Channel

Next Wednesday, October 14, the Sci-Fi Channel's hit show "Destination Truth" will air an episode filmed around the islands of Bimini.

The show's host, Joshua Gates, and his crew visited Bimini Sands a few months back and scoured the island and surrounding waters to investigate the mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle. Check out the Destination Truth website for more info, and tune in next Wednesday to see what they discovered!

UPDATE: Check out this great article from the Bahamas Weekly about the Destination Truth crew's visit to Bimini. Click Here!

"The Best Boat Ride Ever"

The Bimini Sands Recreation & Activity Department offers tons of opportunities for fun and adventure around Bimini. Whether it's our Shark Encounters, snorkeling trips, Bimini Nature Trail tours, kayaking expeditions, island tours or other possibilities, we've got something for everyone to enjoy.

For the younger adventure seekers, we even offer Kid's Club activities that both local Bahamian children and visiting guests can experience. This past weekend, our Kid's Club group took part in what can only fairly be described as "the best boat ride ever."

A group of about 15 children boarded the Bimini Sands pontoon tour boat for a fun and informative island tour with our Recreation Department staff. The children get to learn all about the history and environment of Bimini as we cruise around the islands, and there's always the possibility for exciting wildlife sightings... And there was plenty to see on this trip.

Anxious to see some animals, the group saw everything they could have asked for including sea turtles, stingrays, blacktip sharks, spotted eagle rays, a tiger shark and even a pod of bottlenose dolphins.

No matter what your age is, next time you're on Bimini make sure you check out all the possibilities this island has to offer at the Bimini Sands Recreation and Activity Center.

Bimini Sands New Year's Special!!!

With Labor Day Weekend coming to an end, Bimini's busy summer boating season is winding down. But that doesn't mean that you can't start planning your next visit to Bimini Sands today.

While the summer weather makes the boating and fishing fantastic around Bimini, this little island offers big fun all year round. Whether you're looking for an adventurous getaway or a relaxing vacation, Bimini Sands has everything you need to make your visit to the Bahamas a wonderful and unforgettable experience. And with our great New Year's Special Offer, your trip to paradise is more accessible than ever.

For just $95/night*, Bimini Sands is offering up a luxurious condo rental, complimentary breakfast, New Year's Eve dinner, snorkeling trip and the best fireworks show in the Bahamas. And, kids under 12 years old stay free with each paying adult.

For more information about making reservations for New Year's, or any other time, check out www.BiminiSands.com

*Price is based on double occupancy and a minimum 3 nights stay

Sea Turtles Now Fully Protected in the Bahamas

Starting today, September 1 2009, all sea turtles in the Bahamas are now fully protected by law.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources has amended the Fisheries Regulations to "prohibit the harvesting, possession, purchasing and sale of marine turtles, inclusive of their parts and eggs."

All seven species of sea turtles that exist today are listed as "endangered", and five of those seven species are found throughout the Bahamas. The sea turtles that are found in the Bahamas are the Loggerhead, Green, Hawksbill, Leatherback, and Olive Ridley.

Both Loggerheads and Hawksbill turtles even use the western beaches of Bimini for nesting.

In passing this amendment, the Bahamas has taken a significant step forward in promoting marine conservation and we applaud all who were involved in this effort.

Miss Universe Contestants at the Bimini Sands Beach Club & Mackey's Sand Bar

Check out the video above to see the beautiful ladies of the 2009 Miss Universe pageant having a blast at the Bimini Sands Beach Club Restaurant and Mackey's Sand Bar!!!

And for more great videos, check out the Bimini Sands YouTube Channel by clicking here.

Miss Universe Contestants Visit Bimini Sands

The islands of Bimini got even prettier this past Saturday, August 8th, when 20 contestants from this year's Miss Universe competition paid us a visit for the day.

The Miss Universe pageant is being held on Paradise Island, Bahamas this year and as a special treat for the contestants they broke into smaller groups to visit a few selected "Out Islands" for the day. And while we're sure all the contestants would have loved to visit Bimini, we were happy to welcome the contestants from Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Georgia, Ghana, Great Britain, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, and Sweden.

Not only did the girls get to see the islands aboard the Bimini Sands "Party Bus" and our comfortable pontoon tour boat, but they also spent the end of their day the same way every day should end around Bimini, and that's relaxing at the Bimini Beach Club and Mackey's Sand Bar on South Bimini.

Good luck to all the contestants! And for more information on the Miss Universe pageant or any of the contestants, check out www.missuniverse.com

Independence Day Celebration at Bimini Sands!!!

Bimini Sands is set for a spectacular 4th of July Celebration on South Bimini!

Bring the whole family, and join us for this exciting weekend full of fun and sun!

Bimini Sands always offers the best accommodations, the best restaurants and the best activities on the island, but this weekend we also offer the best FIREWORKS display on all of Bimini.

Check out the video below for a sample of last years fireworks display, and we hope to see you this weekend!

Memorial Day Weekend is Here!!!

After finishing up a busy winter season here at the Bimini Sands Resort & Marina, we're now gearing up for the official start of Bimini's busy summer boating season, and we couldn't be more excited about it!

All year round, Bimini Sands offers the best facilities and amenities on the island. Our marina is the most sheltered marina on the island, and our floating docks make docking as simple as can be. We've got 3 restaurants and 2 bars on our properties, including the Beach Club Restaurant and Mackey's Sand Bar. Our condos offer luxurious lodging with the best views of Bimini's legendary beaches and dazzling waters. And Bimini Sands also has the quickest access to Bimini's fishing and diving destinations.

But that's just the start...

Starting this weekend, our Recreation & Activities team will be offering weekly Shark Encounters, Snorkeling Trips, Kid's Club activities, Sunset Island Tours, Free Family Movies on the Beach, Banana Boat Rides, and much, much more! We've even got the Bimini Stompers, Bimini's premiere Junkanoo ensemble, performing right on our property every week!

Make sure to check out our website often to book your room, dockage, or space on our exciting activities... We look forward to seeing you soon!

Shark Free Marinas & Baby Sharks on National Geographic

In January of 2009, Bimini Sands became the first official Shark Free Marina in the Bahamas. In an effort to help keep the oceans clean and fish stocks thriving, we're asking that our guests strictly practice "Catch & Release" with all sharks hooked around Bimini. Our Recreation & Activities Directors, Grant & Katie, are actually former shark researchers and are always willing to discuss the importance of sharks to the Bahamas, and the oceans as a whole.

Now, after just a few short months, the Shark Free Marinas Initiative is steadily gaining momentum!

More and more marinas around the Bahamas are signing on every week, and the initiative is even spilling over to other countries around the globe.

Check our the new Shark Free Marinas website here, and click the video below for more info on this important effort.




And in other Shark News, Bimini Sands was recently listed at the end of an exciting episode of the National Geographic Channel's hit show "In the Womb." The crew from Nat Geo came to Bimini last year to work with Bimini's famous lemon shark population, and like many other production companies, they chose Bimini Sands Resort & Marina for their accomodations. Click here for more info on the show.

Actress January Jones is Scared FOR Sharks

Ocean conservation group Oceana is starting to roll-out a new series of public-service-announcements, both print and video, to highlight the plight of the world's sharks. And if you're looking for information on sharks, what better place to come than Bimini?

A few months back, the Bimini Sands Resort & Marina welcomed actress January Jones and Oceana to the island for work on their upcoming video PSA's. January came to Bimini to work with the Bimini Biological Field Station in the hopes of getting some more hands-on experience with sharks. Now she's taken what she learned here, and is helping get that information to the public.

Check out the latest news from January Jones' work with Ocean here.

And check out the photo (above) of January Jones discussing sharks with Bimini Sands' Recreation directors Katie and Grant.