Bahamas Pilot Notes
Bimini Islands
Bimini: 25 43N, 79 81W
Port of Entry: Clear Customs after secur-
Pilotage: The Biminis are located on the
ing boat in a marina. Check w/ dockmaster
NW corner of Grand Bahama Bank. The
for forms to take to Customs office & Immi-
Gulf Stream runs at its strongest between
gration office near ferry dock.
the islands and the South Florida coast. Use
Dockage: Bimini Blue Water, VHF 16/68,
caution crossing, especially in the winter
242-347-3166; 800-688-4752; fax, 242-347-
months when N winds blowing counter to
3293. Bimini Big Game Fishing Club & Hotel
the current can kick up particularly steep
(VHF 16; 800-737-1007; 242-347-3391; fax,
seas in a very short time. See the Weather
242-347-3392; Weech’s Bimini Dock VHF
chapter for more information on the Gulf
18; 242-347-3028. Note strong currents run-
Stream. The stream can cause surge in ex-
ning through harbor.
posed anchorages along the W side of the
Anchorage: Good anchoring available off
islands. Alicetown is the primary harbor of
marina docks N end of harbor. Do not block
the Biminis, though customs clearance is
marina access or seaplane ramp. Note strong
also possible in Cat Cay.
currents; bottom shoals rapidly to E and N.
Waypoints
Services: Fuel, water, groceries, liquor, hard-
Great Isaac Light, center of island
ware, laundry, iced and some marine supplies.
Bimini, just 45 miles from Miami, is a con-
26 01.8N, 79 05.4W Fl W 15s 152ft, 23M White venient first port of call. The entrance channel
tower, 137ft
is frequently shifted to follow deep water. A
North Rock Light, 1.9 km N of North Bimini
privately maintained range on South Bimini
beach will direct you over the bar. The channel
25 47.92N, 79 15.57W Fl W 3s 40ft, 8M White then parallels the beach running north into
tower, 29ft. Visible 022°-343°
the harbor. Contact any marina via VHF for
entrance directions if needed. It is best to ar-
rive in good light when shoals will be visible.
Great Bahama Bank
route from South Riding Rock Light to the
Russell Beacon remains, then on to North-
Pilotage: Many vessels drawing less than
west Channel. Vessels should expect little
6ft cross the banks from Gun Cay Light 25
protection anchoring between South Riding
34.5N, 79 18.8W to Northwest Channel
Rock and Castle Rock.
Light, a distance of about 62nm. Mariners
Waypoints
are cautioned that the aids to navigation on
North Cat Cay
the banks cannot be considered reliable. They
may be missing, off station, or showing incor-
25 33.4N, 79 16.6W Q Fl
rect characteristics due to hurricane damage.
South Riding Rock Light
Leaving Gun Cay, avoid the shifting shoals
east of the cut between Gun Cay and North
25 14.1N, 79 09.1W Fl W 5s 11M White
Cat Cay. The controlling depth of this route
framework structure. 35ft.
has been reported as 5ft. The water depths
Silvia Beacon Light
improve approximately 10nm E of Gun Cay.
Deeper-draft vessels may want to travel from
25 27.45N, 79 01.58W Fl W 4s 20ft
North Rock Light 25 47.9 N, 79 15.45W to
Mackie Shoal Light
Northwest Channel, taking care to avoid
Mackie Shoal in approximate position 25
25 40.9N, 78 39.45W Fl W 2s 20ft
39.2N, 78 42.2W. Vessels anchoring on the
Russel Beacon Light
banks are advised to show an anchor light.
The Sylvia Beacon, Mackie Shoal, Russel
25 28.5N, 78 25.5W Fl W 4s 20ft
Beacon, and Northwest Channel Lights have
Northwest Channel Light
been reported extinguished.
Good depths have been reported on the
25 28.1N, 78 09.63W Fl W 3s 20ft
(reported missing Jan 06)
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