Located just 50 miles off Florida’s coast, Bimini is the closest Bahamian island to the United States, boasting miles of pristine beaches. Known as Ernest Hemingway’s favorite escape, Bimini is historically significant. Visitors from around the world enjoy its historical complexity and renowned past, including Bimini Road, which some believe is a remnant of the legendary Lost City of Atlantis.
Bimini consists of two main islands — North Bimini Island and South Bimini Island — and numerous cays. The history of Bimini is as fascinating as the islands themselves. Famed explorer, Ponce de León, was allegedly lured here in the early 1500s in search of the ‘Fountain of Youth, and a site still bears that name today. Located just 50 miles from the United States, the islands served as a convenient offshore speakeasy and liquor store during the prohibition era. Rumrunners used to store their stash on the shores and in the S.S. Sapona, now a wreck in the water. And speaking of rum, Ernest Hemingway called Bimini his summer home and Jimmy Buffett spent time here while writing his book. Also of note, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. visited the island in 1968 and composed parts of his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech while sailing with local boat builder, Ansil Saunders.