Forget The Florida Keys! This Bahamian Island Is The New Easiest Weekend Trip From The U.S.

For that fast weekend escape, many people robotically consider a street journey to the Florida Keys. It’s a basic for a purpose, however the drive down the Abroad Freeway can usually really feel extra like a site visitors jam than a tropical getaway. Right here at Travel Off Path, we’re at all times looking out for a greater, simpler strategy to get to paradise, and we’ve discovered a game-changer.

Think about swapping that lengthy automobile experience for a flight that’s barely lengthy sufficient to complete your drink. That is the brand new actuality for reaching Bimini, the closest Bahamian island to the U.S. coast. It is time to rethink your weekend plans.

The 30-Minute Hop to Paradise ✈️

The most important headache of a Keys journey is the journey time itself. Relying on the place you’re coming from in Florida, you would be a 3-4 hour drive simply from Miami to Key West, and that’s with out the inevitable site visitors. It’s a trek that may eat up an enormous chunk of your treasured weekend.

However now, there is a smarter possibility. As we lately coated, American Airlines is launching the only direct U.S. flight to Bimini, a shocking Caribbean island that’s a mere 50 miles off the coast of Miami. Beginning in February 2026, you may hop on a aircraft at Miami Worldwide (MIA) and be on the bottom in Bimini (BIM) in about an hour—although the precise flight time is nearer to half-hour.

This new route fully modifications the sport for weekend journey. You may depart work on a Friday afternoon and be sipping a cocktail on a white-sand seashore earlier than sundown. It’s a world journey that’s faster and extra hassle-free than a home street journey.

Genuine Island Allure Over Vacationer Traps

Whereas the Keys have their appeal, some areas have change into closely commercialized. Bimini, however, affords a extra laid-back and genuine Bahamian expertise. It’s a spot the place you may hire a golf cart to discover colourful native spots like Fisherman’s Village and eat recent conch salad from a roadside shack.

Bimini is definitely a sequence of islands, with North Bimini and South Bimini being the primary hubs. North Bimini is the place you’ll discover the bustling Alice City, legendary fishing golf equipment, and exquisite stretches of sand like Radio Seashore. South Bimini, the place the airport is positioned, is even quieter, providing a extra serene and secluded vibe.

This isn’t to say there’s nothing to do. You may dive to see the mysterious Bimini Highway formation, swim with wild dolphins, or go big-game fishing in waters that Ernest Hemingway as soon as frequented. It’s an adventurous but enjoyable escape that feels a world away from the crowded bars of Duval Road.

World-Class Resorts With out the Crowds

Discovering a last-minute, high-quality place to remain within the Keys generally is a problem, to not point out costly. Bimini is seeing main new developments which can be elevating its standing as a top-tier vacation spot.

The island is house to spectacular resorts like Resorts World Bimini, which affords a large lagoon-style pool, a on line casino, and a non-public seashore membership that rivals something you’d discover within the Caribbean. Plus, with the brand new Banyan Tree Bimini Resort & Residences on the way in which, the posh choices are solely getting higher.

These developments, mixed with an $80 million overhaul of the South Bimini airport, sign that the island is prepared for a brand new wave of vacationers who’re in search of an elevated expertise. For now, it stays a type of unbelievable locations that also appears like a well-kept secret. Whereas different Caribbean islands are surging in popularity, Bimini affords a novel mix of comfort and discovery.

Earlier than you guide, make sure to examine the newest Bahamas entry requirements to make sure a clean journey. For a fast, straightforward, and actually beautiful weekend getaway, it is time to look past the standard and set your sights on Bimini.