What is Bimini really like? We tried Virgin Voyages’ exotic Beach Club

Words by Nick Dalton

Palm-fringed shores, crystal-clear water and a distinctly Virgin vibe — the Beach Club at Bimini offers cruise guests a Caribbean-style escape just 50 miles from Miami. This exclusive slice of the Bahamas isn’t a private island, but it feels like one, with soft white sand, a meandering lagoon-style pool and endless loungers.

From unlimited island-style lunch plates to DJ-led pool parties, here’s what it’s really like to spend the day at Virgin Voyages’ Beach Club at Bimini.

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What is Virgin Voyages’ Beach Club at Bimini in the Bahamas?

The Beach Club at Bimini is the Caribbean through and through yet is barely 80km (50 miles) from Miami on the Florida coast. The white sand stretches away into the distance and the turquoise sea ripples seductively. It isn’t actually a private island, but it is a private enclave for Virgin Voyages guests. It’s on North Bimini, one of a small island group that forms the Bahamas’ closest point to the US mainland.

What to expect when you arrive in Bimini, Bahamas on a cruise

Your ship – ours was the neatly revamps Scarlet Lady – docks at a simple, modern pier with a deserted public beach disappearing in one direction and luxury accommodation emerging from the palm trees and other lush greenery in the other. This isn’t the Beach Club, it’s Resorts World Bimini, a large community of bungalows and villas stretching away to the sea on either side of the narrow island.

A string of golf cart-like buses ferries everyone five minutes through lush vegetation, past discreet homes, the Fisherman’s Village shops and marina, and Bimini Hilton, the sea often visible through the greenery. Alternatively, it’s a soothing 20-minute walk – which many people choose to take on the way back.

The entrance has the charm of a National Trust garden, low-key with a single-storey timber gatehouse that opens on to a vista of beach and sea behind the swaying palm trees and the sunshades in Virgin’s trademark red and white.

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Beach Club at Bimini facilities, food and things to do

There really is the feel of a casual getaway, rather than the frenetic US vacation resort atmosphere of some cruise ‘private island’ spots. Sun loungers for all along the soft, white sands – no charge, and no one in charge trying to tell you where to sit.

And it’s not just the beach… the timber decking path from the entrance crosses The Lagoon, a long, meandering swimming pool lined with plenty more loungers. Cosy timbered cabanas can be rented but it’s as much fun swinging in a hanging wicker chair or a hammock.

There are neat open-air bars – drinks, like on ship, are chargeable, but aren’t extortionate. The Pier Pressure cocktail – a real taste of the islands with pineapple rum, dark rum, banana liqueur, ginger, pineapple and lime – is $13 (around £10). And there are plenty of timber tables and chairs amid the palms to eat at.

A Virgin Voyages visit includes unlimited lunch dishes, a delightful selection of small plates – have them all or pick and choose – served from a couple of smart outdoor shacks. West Indian pumpkin curry with plantain chips, Bahamian mango and macadamia, Caribbean rice and black beans… and that’s only part of the trayful of offerings.

Inside opens immediately to a panorama stretching away to the ocean, through the palms and sun loungers. There’s watersports gear, including kayaks, to hire, and places for sand sports such as volleyball. The visit comes to a finale with a poolside party led by an equally poolside DJ.

RockStars – the upper tier of Virgin Voyages guests – have their own area at the end of the beach with bar and staff to bring their lunch over.

Should you want to really go for it, there’s the Mermaid Hideaway, a vintage Airstream caravan between pool and beach with decking and games area. From $1,000 for the day for up to 10 people – but you get $200 drinks credit.

A five-minute walk away is Fisherman’s Village, a small shopping and dining spot with mini supermarket, souvenirs and beachwear.

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Other things to do on Bimini islands

North Bimini is about 11 km (7 mi) long, yet the occupied portion is only 200m (700 ft) wide. Alice Town, the main settlement, a collection of shops, restaurants, and bars sits on a quiet, tree-lined road, the King’s Highway. It’s only a little over 2km (a mile or so) from the Beach Club, and only half that, about a 15-minute walk, from the ship, so worth a stroll.

This is a place filled with natural wonders and top-notch experiences, all still giving plenty of time to enjoy the Beach Club. Not far offshore Bimini islands is the wreck of SS Sapona, which ran aground in the great hurricane of 1926 and was then uses as a rum store during prohibition.

There are snorkelling and swimming trips to marvel at the coral, fish – and placid reef and nurse sharks. There are also jet-ski and kayak tours. Other excursions allow you to swim with stingrays and dolphins. A fishing charter gives the chance to reel in snapper, grouper and barracuda – with a catch-and-release policy meaning you don’t have to worry about getting your haul home. A heritage and cultural tour takes in Dolphin House Museum, a history treasure trove colourfully built from recycled materials as well as beaches and beauty spots.

And, if you really want to get away from it all, the public beach near the dock has a Robinson Crusoe-like feel… although nowhere to get an ice-cream.

The rest of the time

When Virgin Voyages are not in residence, the hideaway becomes Bimini Beach, part of Resorts World, which sells $40 day passes (Hilton guests free), without food, although burger-style fare is available to buy. Other cruise companies that visit Bimini sell the beach as an excursion – Carnival advertises its Pool & Beach Experience, with four hours’ free drinks, for $99.99.

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Is the Beach Club at Bimini worth it? Our verdict

A splendid, laid-back day, particularly given the number of people the Beach Club accommodates. The beach itself is beautiful, the place for a long stroll in the surf if you get tired of lazing on your sun lounger. Much more of a getaway than some Caribbean getaways, and considerably less commercial. Lunch is a delight. And there’s plenty more to see and do, either excursions or simply wandering freely, given that you can come and go at will.

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