Bimini cruise port guide

Arrival & Getting Ashore

Orientation, not a walking route

Cruise ships dock at the Resorts World Bimini Cruise Port, whose owner and operator identifies a single berth within the resort complex and links to the visiting ocean-cruise lines. This is an alongside arrival on North Bimini, not an airport transfer from South Bimini.

The port operator advertises a free tram towards Bimini Beach. Its transport information describes the service as circulation around the resort property. Use it for the resort stops; plan separate transport if your aim is Alice Town. A complimentary tram ride does not establish entitlement to enter a beach club or use its pools.

For Virgin passengers, the Beach Club information expressly includes a free cruise-dock-to-club tram. If you need assistance boarding transport, arrange it with the ship before disembarking; a docked ship alone does not establish a step-free journey to your chosen beach.

About this port

Bimini offers two quite different cruise days: a beach-club visit within the Resorts World complex, or an outing into North Bimini's settlements for the Dolphin House, local food and Radio Beach. The cruise port is on North Bimini. Alice Town is a separate destination from the resort, while South Bimini involves another boat crossing.

Your cruise line makes a substantial difference to the beach-club option. Virgin Voyages includes its Beach Club experience; passengers on other lines should use their own excursion details to establish admission and facilities before heading there.

Getting Around

For Alice Town, arrange local transport with a clear collection point and return agreement. The Bahamas tourism board lists M&D's Taxi Service in North Bimini. Resorts World also directs visitors to its front desk for golf-cart rentals and offers bicycles. Before hiring, establish the permitted route, return location and hire conditions.

Keeping the day on North Bimini avoids adding an inter-island ferry connection. The tourism board distinguishes the airport on South Bimini from the visitor settlements and beaches on North Bimini. Reserve a South Bimini outing for a deliberately organised trip rather than adding it after lunch.

Things to Do

Dolphin House and Alice Town: At the Dolphin House Museum, Ashley Saunders has turned his home into an artwork using objects gathered from the island, including shells and glass. The Bahamas tourism board places it in Alice Town, where you can combine a visit with a meal. This gives an outing beyond the resort a clear destination before returning to the cruise pier.

Radio Beach: The tourism board identifies this as part of North Bimini's continuous stretch of beaches. Choose it as the beach component of an island outing, with the return pickup settled before swimming. Carry what you need for the day rather than assuming your ship's resort package applies here.

The Beach Club: This is the convenient choice when included with your sailing. Virgin's offer includes food, soda, water, Wi-Fi, beach facilities and the tram; cocktails are charged through The Band. Resorts World states that Bimini Beach closes to its other guests during Virgin calls and that its ordinary non-hotel passes exclude cruise passengers. Buy any required cruise excursion through the appropriate channel.

Getting back to your ship

Return to the Resorts World cruise pier, rather than simply asking for a marina or ferry landing. Allow for the journey from Alice Town, any rental return and the final approach to the ship. Beach-club passengers should also leave time for a tram queue. Use the ship's all-aboard time as the deadline and keep its local contact details available if your independent transport is delayed.

Practical Information

The national tourism FAQ confirms that Bahamian and US dollars are accepted interchangeably. Carry small cash for an independent outing, a payment card, sun protection, water and a towel. Keep your ship's access card or wearable with you, along with the identification specified onboard. Beach-club inclusions are tied to the operator and booking; they should not be transferred from one cruise line's advertising to another's visit.