Alice Town
Hemingway's beloved island haunt, where deep-sea fishing legends were born and Caribbean charm endures along the King's Highway.
Alice Town sprawls along the western shore of North Bimini, a narrow strip of bars, restaurants, and marinas that has welcomed fishermen and adventurers since the mid-nineteenth century. This is where Ernest Hemingway spent parts of 1935-1937 aboard his beloved boat Pilar, chasing blue marlin by day and drinking at the Compleat Angler by night.
The settlement retains much of the character that attracted Hemingway and generations of anglers after him. The Gulf Stream flows just offshore, bringing big game fish within easy reach of the harbor. Local captains whose families have fished these waters for generations guide visitors to productive grounds. And along the King's Highway, colorful bars and restaurants serve fresh seafood to the soundtrack of tropical music.
Hemingway's Bimini
Ernest Hemingway arrived in Bimini in 1935 and quickly fell in love with the island's exceptional fishing and unpretentious character. He based himself at the Compleat Angler Hotel, writing portions of To Have and Have Not and gathering material for Islands in the Stream while spending most of his time aboard Pilar in pursuit of blue marlin.
The author's presence attracted other famous visitors and established Bimini's reputation as a world-class big game fishing destination. Hemingway's legacy lives on in the stories told at local bars, the framed photographs on restaurant walls, and the annual fishing tournaments that draw participants from around the world.
World-Class Sport Fishing
Alice Town sits at the edge of some of the most productive game fishing waters in the Atlantic. The Gulf Stream flows within three miles of the harbor, carrying blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish, wahoo, dolphin fish, and various tuna species past Bimini's shores.
The Bimini Big Game Club and other marinas along the waterfront host charter fleets that head out daily in pursuit of these prized species. Tournament fishing remains a Bimini tradition, with events throughout the year attracting serious anglers competing for record catches. For flats fishermen, the clear shallows of North and South Bimini offer excellent bonefishing.
King's Highway Character
The King's Highway runs the length of Alice Town, a single main street lined with the establishments that define island life. Bars with names like The Big Game Club, The Anchor, and Stuart's Conch Stand offer cold Kalik beer, rum cocktails, and fresh conch prepared every possible way.
The architecture is distinctly Bahamian: colorful wooden buildings with tin roofs, decorated with fishing memorabilia, nautical flags, and hand-painted signs. Golf carts are the preferred transportation, weaving between pedestrians and the occasional car along the narrow street. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, with locals and visitors mixing easily.
Historic Waterfront
Alice Town's protected harbor has sheltered vessels for more than 150 years. The original settlers arrived in 1848, establishing a community that would grow wealthy from wrecking, fishing, and during Prohibition, rum-running to Florida just 50 miles away.
Today the waterfront accommodates modern marinas capable of handling large sport fishing yachts alongside simple docks where local fishing boats tie up. The customs and immigration office processes arrivals from Florida, many of whom make the three-hour crossing specifically to experience Bimini's legendary fishing and island hospitality.
Getting there
Alice Town is accessible by air or sea. South Bimini Airport receives flights from Fort Lauderdale and Nassau, with a short ferry ride connecting to North Bimini. Private boats can make the 50-mile crossing from Miami in approximately three hours depending on conditions. The Bimini ferry provides service from Fort Lauderdale. Within Alice Town, most destinations are walkable or accessible by golf cart.
Frequently asked questions
- Can you still visit the Compleat Angler where Hemingway stayed?
- The original Compleat Angler Hotel was destroyed by fire in 2006. However, Hemingway's legacy lives on throughout Alice Town in photographs, memorabilia, and the fishing culture he helped establish. Several bars and restaurants display Hemingway memorabilia and share stories of his time on the island.
- What is the best time to visit Bimini for fishing?
- Blue marlin fishing peaks from May through September, with tournament season running through summer months. Wahoo and tuna are most abundant from November through March. Bonefishing on the flats is productive year-round but peaks from October through June when water temperatures are cooler.
- How do I get from South Bimini Airport to Alice Town?
- A short ferry ride connects South Bimini Airport to North Bimini. The ferry terminal is adjacent to the airport, and boats run regularly to meet incoming flights. The crossing takes only a few minutes, and taxis and golf cart rentals are available on the North Bimini side.