FERRY SERVICE TO BIMINI DEBUTS

The ferry boat Maverick (Credit: Balearia)

It's been one year since Baleària Bahamas Express launched its ferry service between Fort Lauderdale and Grand Bahama. Today, the Spanish shipping company begins new ferry service linking Miami to the island of Bimini in the Bahamas. The ferry -- named Maverick -- sails at a speed of 30 knots and has a capacity for 357 passengers. Initially it runs three days a week (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays) with plans to increase that number during the summer season. Departure from Miami is at 9 a.m. (arriving in Bimini by noon) and the return crossing is at 5 p.m. (arriving back in Miami by 8 p.m.) Round-trip tickets are $99.

Bimini is located 50 miles east of Miami and has a variety of accommodations and activities for visitors. Among them are the Bimini Big Game Club, in historic Alice Town;
Bimini Bay Resort on North Bimini, near white beaches and Bimini Sands Resort and Marina on South Bimini, featuring a full service deep-water marina. -- Gerry