In Bimini, one of the 700 islands that make up the beautiful Bahamas, there are a handful of little known spots that will put a smile on any traveler’s face that’s looking to explore culturally significant sites. Though I was only on the island for a few days, in celebration of JetBlue’s inaugural, first-ever direct flight from Los Angeles to the Bahamas with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism—the handful of spots we were able to visit in my short time there were nothing short of extraordinary. And because Christmas in the Bahamas is never a bad idea, here are a handful of places you ought to check out when you make your itinerary:
Bimini Scuba Center
During one of the days, we all decided to head to Bimini Scuba Center for a boat ride on the Caribbean Ocean. Guided along by three boat guides, we took part in a handful of activities such as deep sea snorkeling old ship ruins, swimming, feeding sharks and feeding stingrays. The latter activity I decided to be brave enough to do and while I freaked out the very second the sea creature sucked his food from out of my hand, it’s an experience I’ll never forget. Maybe next time I’ll get in the water with the sharks.
Ansil Saunder’s Boat Yard
This place was special. Not only was it the worksite to an over 90-year old man named Ansil Saunders, who’d been building boats from scratch and native materials on the island, but it was also home to one of the few special connections that bridges both U.S. and Bahamian history.
In speaking with Ansil, he described how his boat house was the place Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. visited to write his acceptance speech for his Nobel Peace Prize win back in 1964. Explaining how he took Dr. King on a boat ride through Bonefish Creek as he wanted a “tranquil” place for his thoughts, it was there that King found solace through the beautiful, lush scenery of Bimini and asked Ansil to tell him of some of the beauty of the islands history. From there, Ansil treated us to a Psalm he wrote for Dr. King and recited a bit before we parted ways.
Afterwards, Ansil says Dr. King told him: “I feel like I could reach up and touch the face of God in this place.”
Dolphin House
Keeping it all in the family, the next must-see stop in Bimini is called Dolphin House. Built in 1993 (and is still a work in progress as we speak), the three-story house was built entirely by hand by Ashley Saunders, brother to the aforementioned Ansil. Made out of recycled materials, sea shells, sea glass and other random objects native to the island, the home is a “bridge between human and dolphin consciousness” and undoubtedly the island’s most unique and artistic structure. Though there’s of enough quirky but cute island decor to go around inside, it’s the view from the rooftop (where you can take picturs against a makeshift lighthouse) that seals the deal for this place to be a must visit. If you had high hopes of staying in this fun house as an AirBNB though, I regret to inform you that the option isn’t available but things could change in the near future!
