Bimini Kreuzfahrten

OVERVIEW

Cruise the turquoise waters off Bimini and watch free divers harvest conches in the grassy shallows below the surface. The scenery along the way will be absolutely beautiful, especially the crystal-clear waters that are teeming with marine life. Conch are plentiful, but by law can only be taken by free-diving without scuba equipment. As you will see firsthand, the local Bahamians are exceptionally skilled at plucking these large gastropod mollusks off the ocean floor. Conches are so synonymous with the Bahamas that they have become a cultural icon. The meat is a staple found in salads, fritters, chowders and is even served raw with citrus juices. Conches are celebrated in festivals and parades and are vitally important to the local economy, the reason they must be sustainably harvested. The divers will bring live conches on board and describe their characteristics and how they can tell which ones are legal to harvest.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Watch free divers harvest conches in the grassy flats off shore.
• Gain an understanding of how important conches are to the economy and culture.
• See live conches up close while the divers describe their characteristics.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Fish for the world’s most prized game fish, including marlin, sailfish and bluefin tuna in the crystal-clear waters off Bimini. The captain will select the exact location based on the day’s water conditions, but it won’t take long to reach the prime fishing waters. On the way there, the crew will prepare your fishing tackle and describe the kinds of species that are often caught. Everything you need for sport fishing will be provided on the boat, allowing you and a few others to better concentrate on reeling them in. You might hook a muscular Atlantic sailfish capable of extreme bursts of speed up to 65 miles per hour. Marlin is another billfish often caught off Bimini and is typically the most sought-after species of game fish. Whatever you catch, it will be a thrill to reel in and then release back into the sea for another day.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Fish for some of the world’s most sought-after, hard-fighting game fish.
• Try to catch marlin, sailfish and tuna.
• Board a deep-sea fishing boat ready to go, as everything will be provided and set up.
• Increase your chances for success with fishing tips from the captain and crew.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Cruise the turquoise waters off Bimini in a sleek catamaran and stop to feed stingrays in the shallows. The scenery along the way will be spectacular as you pass South Bimini Island and the wreck of the SS Sapona, a cargo steamer that aground in 1926, much of which is still visible above the water. Upon reaching tiny Honeymoon Harbor, which is only accessible by boat, you will disembark and wade into the crystal-clear waters. It won’t be long before the stingrays approach as they are accustomed to be fed, typically fresh squid. If you are comfortable interacting with these graceful creatures, feel free to touch them. Their skin feels like sandpaper, although it looks smooth. Stingrays measure about three to four feet across with the females being larger than the males. Despite their size, they are docile and quite used to human contact, so you can expect an immensely fulfilling experience.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise a catamaran along the coast of Bimini and on to the islands that lie south.
• Stop at Honeymoon Harbor to feed and touch the stingrays that swim right up to you.
• Learn surprising facts about stingrays, whose actions are often misunderstood.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.