How to Spend Your Port Day in Bimini, Bahamas

If you’re heading on a Bahamas cruise, there’s a good chance you’ll spend one of your port days exploring the beautiful islands of Bimini. For us, this was our very first port day on our Carnival Cruise and the longest one we had during our trip. Unfortunately, I didn’t know what to expect when we docked, so I made a few mistakes regarding timing that could have added more to our day.

That’s why I’m here to ensure you have all the important information you need to make your port day fun and stress-free!

Now, I do want to note that this is based on my experience with Carnival Cruises, so some information may be different if you’re visiting Bimini with a different cruise line. However, there are some universal things each cruiser will be able to do in port, so be sure to keep reading so you know what your options are!

Quick Overview of the Bimini Port

The bridge from Bimini to the cruise dock

Bimini is actually made up of two islands, North Bimini and South Bimini. When you dock at the cruise port, you’ll be on North Bimini, and if you want to visit the south island, you’ll have to arrange some sort of water transportation to get there.

The cruise port itself is the smallest and least chaotic of all the ones we visited. With only room for one ship at the dock, it’s super-easy to get on and off, and security is pretty minimal, too. And since there’s only one ship, you won’t be sharing the island with many other tourists compared to some other popular port stops.

How to Get Around Bimini

girl on a tram in Bimini — *Free tram in Bimini*

The quickest and easiest way to get around Bimini’s most popular spots is the tram. Free trams run consistently between the cruise pier, Fisherman’s Village, and Resort World during the day, providing a convenient way to reach these locations. However, the tram can fill up quickly with other guests, so you might have to wait a few minutes to get a seat.

If you plan to explore on your own, golf carts and e-bikes are also available for rent around the island. Golf carts typically cost about $100 for a full day, and keep in mind that you’ll have to find parking for it.

Last but not least, you can walk! While some destinations like Resort World’s Bimini Beach might be a bit too far to hit on foot, you can easily walk to a lot from the cruise pier in about 20 minutes. Just be sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring water and sunscreen.

Top Things to Do in Bimini on a Carnival Cruise Port Day

Bimini Shore Excursions with Carnival Cruise

Reef sharks in Bimini Bahamas — *Sharks on our reef shark snorkeling tour*

The very first thing you should check out for your Bimini, Bahamas day is the shore excursions! At each port, Carnival will have a list of different activities you can book with local providers. These have a wide range of prices, time frames, and activity levels, so you should be able to find something that appeals to your tastes.

If you’re looking for a grand adventure, I highly recommend getting off land and checking out some of the water-based activities, like snorkeling with reef sharks or through the Sapona Shipwreck, jet skiing, or interacting with stingrays! However, there are calmer excursions, too, like reef fishing, kayaking, and culture tours.

Resorts World Bimini + Bimini Beach Club

Another very popular option for Carnival Cruise guests is spending the day at Resorts World. This is a Hilton Hotel with 750 acres of waterfront and beach access that they’ve built up into quite a destination, and they offer day passes for cruisers starting at just $40.

You can book a number of different Resorts World passes directly through Carnival Cruises, with prices depending on the amenities you choose. You can get anything from basic beach access to unlimited bar access and VIP cabanas.

The Bimini Beach club is a great place to lounge around all day, with multiple pools, beachfront loungers, hammocks, and umbrellas, as well as multiple restaurants to enjoy during your day. Carnival Cruise passes also come with a free Bahama Mama.

The main Resorts World Hotel also has a decent bit to do, from a rooftop pool to multiple restaurants, a casino, and some small shops.

These passes are a great option if you just want a chill day with minimal hassle. Keep in mind this is a cashless venue, so you’ll need a credit or debit card, as well as your own towel.

Public Bimini Beach

If you don’t want to drop $40+ on the private beach, the public Bimini Beach is also a great choice! This no-frills beach is located right next to the end of the cruise pier and offers loungers and umbrellas for rent on a first-come, first-served basis. You can also grab a meal from local vendors at the food trucks for a more authentic Bahamian meal. If you want something quiet, free to enter, and authentic, this is the place to be.

Fisherman’s Village

Another place you should definitely check out is the Fisherman’s Village! This colorful little shopping and dining center is located right past the public beach in town. It’s only one street, but you’ll find lots of cute souvenir shops to browse around, plus coffee, gelato, and local food. There’s also live music here to add to the atmosphere, and the colorful buildings are perfect for some photos. Just keep in mind that it closes down around 5 pm and you’ll only need about an hour to do the whole thing.

If you decide to do the Carnival Cruise’s scavenger hunt, you’ll want to stop into several of these shops to grab your free souvenirs.

The Fisherman’s Village Marina is also a super-cute spot to walk around! It’s got great views of that side of the island, and the area has some nice sidewalks and landscaping.

See More Bimini Content on YouTube!

Closing Thoughts on a Port Day in Bimini

As you can see, there’s not a ton to do in the Bimini Port, but you can definitely fill up a day with fun in the sun while you’re here. I highly recommend taking a shore excursion out on the water to really enjoy that Bahama beauty. But if you do, be sure you plan some other activities to fill up your day, such as renting a golf cart to get out of the port, or purchasing a day pass to Resorts World. Since the Fisherman’s Village only takes an hour, you might wind up with several hours of free time you don’t know what to do with if you only book a 2-hour shore excursion.

All in all, this is such a cute and relaxing port, and I know you’ll have a great time!

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to drop them below, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. If you enjoyed this post, please give a like, share it with your friends, and don’t forget to subscribe to the free blog newsletter for more content like this in the future!