Andros, Bimini, and the Berry Islands
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Andros, Bimini, and the Berry Islands - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Andros Lighthouse
As you enter Fresh Creek Harbour, you’ll see this historical lighthouse built circa 1892 to navigate boats into the southern entrance of Fresh Creek Channel. No longer in use, the lighthouse and a brace of rusty cannon near a delightful small beach is an island landmark and a picturesque view including a large, rusty old shipwreck.
Andros Town, Andros Island, BahamasSight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
2. Andros Lighthouse
Fresh Creek | Nautical Site/LighthouseIf you enter Fresh Creek by boat or ferry, you'll see this old white lighthouse (circa 1892) east of the Andros Lighthouse Yacht Club & Marina. Walk through the marina and you'll see that the tower overlooks two rusty cannons and big shipwreck. To the east lies a quiet beach.
Central Andros, Andros Island, Bahamas -
3. Androsia Batik Works Factory
The Androsia Batik Works Factory in Andros Town is home to the famous Androsia batik that has been adopted as the official fabric of The Bahamas. Small Hope Bay Lodge’s Birch family established it in 1973 to boost employment in Andros. The brightly colored hand-dyed cotton batik has designs inspired by Andros’s flora, fauna, and culture. You can prearrange a batik lesson ($25) and make your own design on a choice of fabric, garment, or bag. Self-tours are free. The unique brand is seen and sold throughout The Bahamas, the Caribbean, and online. The outlet store (with different opening times) offers bargains on shirts, skirts, wraps, fabric, jewelry, books, crafts, and souvenirs.
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4. Ansil Saunder's Boat Building Shop
Alice TownIn Bailey Town, near the government park, is Ansil Saunder's boat-building shop where you can see his beautiful flats fishing boat called the Bimini Bonefisher, handcrafted from oak, mahogany, and island horseflesh. Ansil is firstly a bonefisherman of some repute, having scared up a 16-pound, 3-ounce bonefish for Jerry Lavenstein in 1971—the still-standing bonefish world record. Ansil is equally famous for taking Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on a guided boat tour to the East Bimini wilderness. Dr. King wanted inspiration for an upcoming speech to be given for striking sanitation workers in Memphis. He found it in the mangroves, so rich in life and full of God's Creation, says Ansil, who recited his Creation Psalm to King. Three days after the Memphis speech, Dr. King was killed. At the time, with some foreboding, Ansil says that Dr. King mentioned to him that he didn't think he would live very long. To those who inquire, Ansil proudly shows memorabilia from Dr. King's wife and various VIPs. Saunders became an active member of The Bahamas independence movement, and met Margaret Thatcher and Queen Elizabeth of England twice. Saunders is regarded as one of The Bahamas's living legends—and a consummate ambassador. You probably can't find, in all the country, a more historically rich guide to take you fishing or to the Healing Hole in one of the boats he crafted.
North Bimini, Bimini Islands, Bahamas242-347–2178-shopSight Details
Rate Includes: Donations accepted -
5. Bailey Town
Most of the island's residents live in Bailey Town in small, pastel-color concrete houses, just off King's Highway, north of the Bimini Big Game Club and before Porgy Bay. Bailey Town has two of Bimini's biggest grocery stores, where goods and produce come in by mail boat usually on Thursday; Friday is the best day to shop. It's also a good place to find a home-cooked meal or conch salad from shacks along the waterfront. Don't miss a bite at Joe's Conch Stand; it's a local institution.
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. Bimini Biological Field Station Sharklab
Often featured on the Discovery Channel and other TV shows, the Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation's Sharklab was founded decades ago by Dr. Samuel Gruber, a shark biologist at the University of Miami. Important research on the lemon, hammerhead, nurse, bull, and other shark species has furthered awareness and understanding of the misunderstood creatures. Visitors can tour the lab at low tide. The highlight is wading into the bay where the lab keeps several lemon sharks, rotating them on a regular basis. The tour leader gets in the pen with the sharks, captures one in a net, and speaks about its behaviors and common misconceptions people have of the lemon. The hands-on presentation, done by the research assistants or researchers themselves, is entertaining and educational. Tours are offered daily but visitors must call in advance; the times aim for low tide. This is a special vacation highlight for families with children.
15 Elizabeth Dr.- 242 - 347–4538Sight Details
Rate Includes: $10 donation desirable -
7. Bimini Museum
Alice TownThe Bimini Museum, sheltered in the restored (1921) two-story original post office and jail—a two-minute walk from the ferry dock, across from the island straw market—showcases varied artifacts, including Adam Clayton Powell's domino set and photos, a fishing log, and rare fishing films of Ernest Hemingway with artifacts from the old Rod & Gun Club. Also view photos from Bimini's Prohibition rum-running era, rum kegs, old cannonballs, and Martin Luther King Jr.'s immigration card from 1964. The exhibit includes films shot on the island as early as 1922. The museum is privately managed.
King's Hwy.- 242 - 347–3038Sight Details
Rate Includes: $2 donation requested -
8. Bimini Nature Trail
Developed by Bimini Sands Resort on undeveloped property, this mile-loop trail is one of the best of its kind in The Bahamas. Its slight rise in elevation means a lovely shaded walk under hardwood trees such as gumbo-limbos, poisonwood (marked with "Don't Touch" signs), and buttonwood. Check out the ruins of the historic Conch House, a great place for sunset-gazing. There is also a pirate's well exhibit devoted to the island's swashbuckling history. Excellent signage guides you through the island's fauna and flora if you prefer doing a self-guided tour. However, for the best interpretation and learning experience, book a guided tour through Bimini Sand's front desk. Kids always love petting the indigenous Bimini boa on the guided tour. The trail was recently improved by Bahamian bird-watchers such as Erika Gates of Freeport's famous Garden of the Groves reserve.
- 242 - 347–3500 - resortSight Details
Rate Includes: Free. Guided tours $12 -
9. Bimini Roads
Avid divers shouldn't miss a trip to underwater Bimini Roads, aka the Road to Atlantis. This curious rock formation under about 20 feet of water, 500 yards offshore at Bimini Bay, is shaped like a backward letter J, some 600 feet long at the longest end. It's the shorter 300-foot extension that piques the interest of scientists and visitors. The precision patchwork of large, curved-edge stones forms a perfect rectangle measuring about 30 feet across. A few of the stones are 16 feet square. It's purported to be the "lost city" whose discovery was predicted by Edgar Cayce (1877–1945), a psychic with an interest in prehistoric civilizations. Archaeologists estimate the formation to be between 5,000 and 10,000 years old. Carvings in the rock appear to some scientists to resemble a network of highways.
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10. Bimini Sands Beach
Patrons of Bimini Sands Resort & Marina are not the only ones who love Bimini Sands' mile-long beach. This gorgeous stretch of white-sand powder, with its offshore snorkeling, is so enticing that vacationers from North Bimini and even Floridians often take the quick ferry over or boat across the Gulf Stream for the day. The southern cove and point once had facilities which are, at this writing, closed, but the beach and beautiful waters are still a magnet for boaters. To clear Bahamas Customs, who are stationed at the airport, it's best to slide into Bimini Sands' marina where you have access to amenities including the Pool Bar and freshwater pool. The southern beach gets particularly busy during spring break but the northern stretch stays relatively secluded. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: partiers; snorkeling; swimming
- 242 - 347–3500 - Bimini Sands Resort & MarinaSight Details
Rate Includes: Free. Ferry plus taxi from North Bimini $5. -
11. Captain Bill's Blue Hole
One famous Andros sight that nature lovers should catch is Captain Bill’s Blue Hole, one of hundreds in Andros and in The Bahamas National Trust's Blue Hole National Park. Blue holes are the top of extensive water-filled underground cave systems formed in the ice age. Located northwest of Small Hope Bay, the National Trust has made Captain Bill's popular and comfortable with a boardwalk and a shady gazebo. Steps allow you to jump 30 feet down to cool off and there’s a nature trail around the hole’s 400-foot diameter. Accessible by car or bike, Captain Bill's is included on most guided tours.
Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
12. Chub Cay Beach
As well as the 400-yard beach right at the marina, Chub Cay has a splendid 1¼-mile strand with great swimming and nearby snorkeling. The Club House with its pool is a mere 400 yards away for refreshments. Amenities: none. Best for: swimming; snorkeling.
- 242 - 325–1490 - clubhouse and marina office -
13. Conch Sound & Ocean Hole
South of Nicholl's Town's eastern shore, Conch Sound is a wide bay with strands of white sand and tranquil waters where you can also find Conch Sound Ocean Hole, a sea-filled blue hole where you can snorkel around and see the rich marine life. The flats are a convenient wading spot for bonefishermen who can wade for hours. Commercial fishermen bring their catches to a little beach park nearby. You can buy fresh catch and dine at a couple of shacks. Amenities: only at nearby restaurants. Best for: solitude; fishing; snorkeling.
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14. Dolphin House
Bimini historian and poet laureate Mr. Ashley Saunders has spent decades constructing this eclectic home and guesthouse from materials salvaged from local construction sites and the sea, and writing a two-volume set on Bimini's history. Mr. Saunders offers walking tours of Alice Town, which begin with a tour of his structure—named for the 27 mosaic, sculpted, and painted dolphins throughout—then continues through Alice Town to tell the island's history. His books on the history of Bimini make for a fascinating read and souvenir. You'll see intricate conch shell and coconut crafts for sale.
- 242 - 347–3201Sight Details
Rate Includes: Tours $20/hr -
15. Fountain of Youth
Famous explorer Juan Ponce de León heard about a Fountain of Youth possibly located in Bimini, so in 1513, on his way to discovering Florida and the Gulf Stream, he landed on Bimini but never found the fountain. The historical result? Somehow Biminites adopted a freshwater natural well that was carved out of limestone by groundwater thousands of years ago and used it to commemorate Ponce de León’s search. Now there’s a plaque to celebrate the myth. So, nonetheless, go there and make a wish (without casting a penny—this is an ecoisland). You'll find the Fountain of Youth on the road to the airport.
- 242 - 347–3500 - Bimini Sands Resort & MarinaSight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
16. Fresh Creek
Fresh Creek is an estuary, a hamlet, and a harbor, forming the north side of Andros Town and the south side of Fresh Creek settlement, both joined by a small bridge. The north Fresh Creek side is more built up with a few docks, stores, churches, motels, and restaurants, including Hank’s Place, a local hot spot. On the south Andros Town side, the ferry and mail boats off-load at the dock next to the closed Andros Lighthouse Beach Club & Marina. You can still walk around the resort's point to get close to the lighthouse, small beach, and shipwreck. The Andros Tourist Office and some shops are a short walk away. The creek itself cuts over 16 miles into the island, creating tranquil bonefishing flats and welcoming mangrove-lined bays that boaters and sea kayakers can explore. Upstream, there's even a remote Sunset Point houseboat where you can stay surrounded by the flowing water and scintillating views.
Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
17. Great Harbour Cay Beach
Two crescents scoop Great Harbour Cay's east coast with 5 miles of almost unbroken powder. Travel north to discover Sugar Beach with its bluff-surrounding romantic private coves. Progressing south, the beach becomes Lover's Beach, thinning out until Hotel Point Beach where the strand widens and you can see waves clash from two directions. Farther south still is famous Great Harbour Beach itself, where you'll encounter the fabulous boutique hotel Carriearl and its fine pool, restaurant, and bar. On the south end of Great Harbour Beach near the airport, you'll find The Beach Club, a popular daytime bar and grill with a gift shop. Play beach volleyball, or take a yoga class. (They may ask for a small donation.) At the extreme south are the shallow, simmering sandbars of Shelling Beach that let you wade out for yards. At low tide, you can cross the tidal Shark Beach Creek to the pristine Haines Cay that, hidden from the north by a hill, offers an even more splendid, long beach. Along Great Harbour Cay's powdery 5-mile stretch, nearby reefs beckon snorkelers and gin-clear waters invite kayakers and paddleboarders. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: shelling; swimming; walking; snorkeling.
- 242 - 367–8005 - marina and resort -
18. Haines Cay Beach
At low tide, walk across from Shelling Beach estuary, round the point, and walk south a half mile and you'll discover one of The Bahamas's most unspoiled, beautiful beaches. It's 2 miles long with excellent snorkeling on its north end and swimming all along. Wear some sturdy footwear for the land walk. It's also reachable by kayak. There are no trees for shade, so an umbrella, lots of fluids, and sunscreen are advisable. Amenities: none. Best for: swimming; walking; snorkeling; solitude.
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19. Healing Hole
Hidden in the west coast mangroves of East Bimini is the Healing Hole—a cold spring of freshwater amid the hot sea saltwater with, some say, real, and others, mythical, healing powers. Hard to get to and find, it’s best to hire a guide in a shallow boat, or, if you want exercise, in a kayak. You can only get there in mid-to-high tide, and make sure to take insect repellent. You’ll see much life above and below water. For ecolovers and adventure-seekers only.
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20. Kamalame and The Saddleback Cays
East of Staniard Creek lies a series of serene cays, idyllic for beach drops or consummating the ultimate Robinson Crusoe fantasies. The first is Kamalame Cay, home to the luxurious resort of the same name. Just past Kamalame, uninhabited Big and Little Saddleback cays boast sparkling, white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. You'll need a small, private boat to reach either (note that these cays are a regular drop point for guests of Kamalame Cay). Little Saddleback is tiny with no shade, so bring plenty of sunblock. Big Saddleback has a wider crescent beach, and plenty of shade from the pine trees. Also nearby is Rat Cay, which offers excellent snorkeling especially around the adjacent blue hole. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; snorkeling; swimming; walking.
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