Bimini Bahamas Day Trip

Do you ever go back through old photos of vacations just for the sake of remembering that very moment? I do, I love going through pictures of family vacays, sighing deeply, and smiling because those memories are the ones I never want to forget.

I've had a handful of people recently ask me about our last vacation to Florida and how we ended up in the Bahamas so today I want to take the opportunity and share with you all how to make a "quick" but certainly sweet day trip happen, next time you're in south Florida.

So of course the moment I go to link the website this pops up:

STOPPED?! The ferry we used no longer does it's shuttle... lol butttt they did link the new vessel that will leave from Ft. Lauderdale (30 mins away from Miami) Balearia Caribbean

So while I cannot speak on the new vessel if it's like the one that departed from Miami, it is completely S A F E, reliable, and great!

**LET ME TAKE THE TIME TO MENTION NOW: YOU NEED A PASSPORT! TO MAKE THIS TRIP HAPPEN**

Bimini is nothing short of breathtaking. Located only 79 mi off the coast of Miami, it's beaches and people were fantastic.

Once we arrived on the island we went through "customs" which is incredibly loose in comparison to other places. A long golf cart picked us up and shuttled us to the resort beach. We grabbed lunch on the patio of a restaurant bar. (Overpriced but decent) All while enjoying the vivid blue water and overall view. I was so ready to jump in and get into the water, but my mom "needed" to buy souvenirs, so we ordered a taxi and had them shuffle us away..

The taxi took us further inland to a more "local" spot where they sold shirts and other things... While the surrounding ocean was what travel brochures are made of, the housing and evident poverty were a constant reminder that we were in a 3rd world country. Nevertheless, everyone was friendly and kind. Once my mom finished her shopping we walked up to Radio Beach... man, oh man, oh man. I can't tell you if I fell in love with the scenic landscape that looked like a desktop photo background or the coconut rum drink stand or how untouched the beach looked because there was not a lot of people there... but all I know is that in that moment everything felt right.

We spent the rest of the time in the water. Someone parked their boat next to us, turned up the tunes and we soaked up the sun. We swam and played in awe of this earth's beauty. For the first time in a long time (honestly probably this first time this year) I was genuinely happy. I couldn't stop smiling, I couldn't believe that I was actually experiencing pure joy in it's rawest form. Tbh I think what was so incredible was that, that moment was not attached to a person or to an idea. That moment stood independently, this past spring was incredibly difficult from work to personal life filled with days that were composed mostly of tears and pain. Re-working what I thought "should have been...", "what am I suppose to do...", to "what's next..." I almost felt like I would never feel that feeling of happiness and wholeness again. Yet, there I was on radio beach miles away from everything that was "normal" laughing and being mindful in that very moment and no one could take it, it was mine..

As the sun past over us our time had come to an end, we went up to some very fragile bathroom showers and rinsed off before calling our taxi back. He shuttled us back with the other 200+ passengers that had come with us to start our trip back home.

And just like that we were back at the port of Miami- tired but full of life and fullness.

Friends if you are pressed for time and want a quick escape, I highly recommend trying this day trip out! Incredibly worth it :)

Pro tips:

• When buying your tickets consider upgrading to business class only because it gives you the ability to be first off the boat and not having to wait through customs (both ways)

• if you have an extra night to spare book a room for the over night experience

Xoxo,

Caro