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VISIT Eleuthera - Spanish Wells - Harbour Islands Mayaguana - Great Inagua - Ragged Islands San Salvador - Rum Cay - Conception Islands
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Bimini and Berry Islands BIMINI ISLANDS Island News: The Compleat Angler Hotel was destroyed in a fire that occured Friday morning, January 13, 2006. Owner, Julian Brown, lost his life in an attempt to fight the blaze. The Hemingway Museum, that was an integral part of this famous hotel and bar, was destroyed also, with hundreds of photos and other memorabilia lost as well. Bimini Bay Resort - Has been included in the Small Luxury Hotels of the World Group, and we can tell you they deserve it. This is a wonderful spot for a quick and easy getaway to fish, or just kick back and enjoy the island life in style. In 2006, the landscape and atmosphere of North Bimini changed considerably with the opening of the Bimini Bay Resort. The efficient design and lay-out of this tropical-hued luxury resort complex includes a 136 slip marina, oceanfront homesites, marina condominiums, private island homesites, and restaurants, with more to come---actually, the 96-slip Mega Yatch marina is now finished as well, and the surrounding village and shops are also open. The Robert Trent Jones Jr. golf course and country club, the casino, and a Conrad Hotel are still a ways out, projected for 2010. So far the developers have worked well with the Bahamian government to preserve the environment and natural appeal of the island, and they have engaged the community in educational projects, and in a “paint the town” campaign. This successful campaign involved over seventy structures, homes and commercial buildings, along the King’s Highway. The lively paint matches the resort’s pastel pink, blue, yellow, and green motif.
Update on air service: Chalk's International Airline for now, is flying to again,Bimini, but only to South Bimini Airport, no more seaplane flights. Bimini Island Air, 954.938.8991, from Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport, and Island Air, 954.359.9942 from Ft. Lauderdale Jet Center are offering service to Bimini. Major's Air also has a desk at the Bimini Airport, and works with Bimini Island Air. Phone for Major's is 242-352-5778. Ebbie's Bonefish Club, is a bonefishing operation offering lodging and guiding.....the casual 5 room lodge is located in Bailey Town, just behind Tiger's Den, a popular hangout in Porgy Bay. Rooms have 2 beds, private bath, TV, minifrig, microwave and coffee pot. Bonefish Ebbie (Ebenezer David) is a highly recommended guide. Contact him at: 242-347-2053 at the lodge, cell is 242-359-8273.
Update: Bimini Big Game Club telephone number 242-347-3391. From the States 800- 737-1007. This is the center of activity for most of the fishing tournaments. On South Bimini: Bimini Sands Condos and Marina - Overlooking the Straits of Florida, this luxury property rents one- or two-bedroom condominiums. The pool, beach, and marina make this a sunworshipers dream, and a good spot for a family vacation. The Petite Conch restaurant serves three meals a day, blending Bahamian dishes with steaks, burgers and fries. The property includes a 42-slip marina and a convenient customs office, so guests with boats can tie up and clear their paperwork without traveling to North Bimini. An all-night water taxi shuttles you to North Bimini to dine and party. Bimini Beach Club Hotel - This hotel has closed due to hurricane damage and has no immediate plans to reopen.
May 26, 2009 Fishing Reports FLATS: Fairly normal summer weather patterns are in effect with prevailing winds out of the northeast, and shifting to the south. Bonefish Ansil Saunders (242-347-2178 or 242-347-3098) is one of the best-known guides in the Bahamas, and has a couple of world record bonefish to his credit. Ansil fishes out of one of his 15-foot custom-built skiffs (he's also a world-class boat-builder), and the flats are right in his backyard out of Alice Town. Runs to the fish are from 2 to 15 minutes. Ansil's favorite flies include mostly Charlie variations, with a brown wing and body combined with a pink head being his favorite in skinny water. In deeper water Ansil likes a Chartreuse/White Clouser in a #2-4. We also recommend #2-4 Veverka's Mantis Shrimp, #2-6 Tan Skinny Water Clouser's, #2-6 Brown and White Expoxy Charlies, and #2-4 Borski's Bonefish Sliders and Critters. Rates are $350 for a full day of guided bonefishing, and $200 for a half day. REEF/OFFSHORE: Dorado fishing is good with some action for tuna as well. BERRY ISLANDS Island News: Chub Cay Club and Marina is a new luxury marina and resort under development on Chub Cay. It is operated by Chub International L.C. The marina is open along with the new swimming pool, as is the old but refurbished Harbour House restaurant and bar. The luxurios full-service marina can take yachts up to 200 feet and the new chanel is dredged to 12-feet. The new clubhouse is scheduled to open in the first part of 2009, and will have a new restaurant, bar, meeting facilities, and special member floor with additional amenities. Recent attempts to contact the developer, and to contact the island, have been unsuccessful....they don't answer the island phone and the Florida phones on their web site have been disconnected, so we are investigating to see what's happening here. Will provide an update as soon as we have more information. May 26, 2009 Fishing Reports
A good contact on Great Harbour, the man who really does "know it all" is Anthony. He runs the beach club at Great Harbour. Call him at 242- 464-4167. Other updated contact info: Update on Air Service: We have had great reports about the service offered by AIR CHARTER BAHAMAS. They not only offer the best service to the Berries according to serveral of our clients, but excellent service all over the islands. Contact Cliff at 1.866.FLY.ISLANDS The Great Harbour Inn is closed until further notice.....and Tropical Diversions is out of business. The beaches on the eastern shore are some of the best in the Bahamas, and this is a prime location for adventurous anglers who want to fish on their own without a guide. Fishing Reports: Percy Darville is the man to talk to at Great Harbour about flats fishing. Mr. Darville can arrange for guides, and point you in the right direction to fish on your own. He can be contacted directly at 242.464.4149. Flats Options: Bonefishing out of Great Harbour is a good option for experienced anglers fishing on their own, or with a guide. There are vast flats south of Great Harbour, some of which are ideal for wading. The bonefishing out of Chub Cay is a better option if you're targeting Big Bones and permit. The nearby ocean flats feature average bonefish in the 5 to 8 pound range. There is also a good chance to get a shot at permit too this time of year, and these flats see very little pressure. For boating anglers, there is a vast area of flats available all along the chain of islands and cays between Great Harbour and Chub Cay. Some of our favorite areas include Fanny Cay, the Soldier Cays, and Cormorant Cay. REEF/OFFSHORE: The action for dorado and tuna is good in the "pocket" between Chub Cay and the Joulters. |
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©
2003 Stephen and Kim Vletas
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Fairly normal summer weather patterns are in effect with prevailing winds out of the northeast, but shiftintg to the south at times.