The Tribune

Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts & Lodges yesterday announced that Bimini Sands Resort & Marina had become the latest Bahamian property to join its branded Expedition Collection.

“We are thrilled that Bimini Sands invited us back to Bimini,” said Guy Harvey, an international marine wildlife artist, scientist and conservationist.

“Our fans want us back in Bimini to help promote and protect the island’s heritage they have enjoyed for years, and hope to pass on to the next generation.”

Guy Harvey returns to Bimini after helping to re-open the Bimini Big Game resort in 2010. “We turned the lights back on in sleepy Alice Town, but now it’s a boom town on North Bimini,” said Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts & Lodges’ president, Mark Ellert.

“Bimini Sands offers our customers what they want –lots of activities, great facilities and an incredible vacation value. Add the laid back vibe of South Bimini, and whether you’re travelling with family or friends for a weekend or a week, you’ll have a visit worthy of a Hemmingway story.”

The only resort on South Bimini, Bimini Sands Resort & Marina is a familiar beacon to boaters, with its oceanfront townhouses steps from a powder soft beach.

In addition to being the only marina in Bimini to carry the internationally-recognised Blue Flag designation for environmental stewardship, it is also a member of the Shark Free Marina Initiative and an active promoter or shark conservation measures.

South Bimini is home of the Bimini Shark Laboratory under the direction of Dr Samuel Gruber, a collaborator of Dr. Harvey and his Guy Harvey Research Institute in cutting edge shark tagging and research.

“South Bimini is one of the world’s foremost shark research outposts. It’s only fitting we should have our Outpost here, too,” said Mr Ellert.

The Bimini Sands Resort & Marina has an extensive activities programme supervised by Grant Johnson and Katie Grudecki, both graduates and former managers of the Shark Lab. It offers a full complement of resort facilities in addition to its eco-tourism activities and water sports.

The resort is also home to Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba Centre, a full service dive operation established last year by Outpost director of dive operations, Neal Watson.

“Neal is synonymous with Bimini diving,” said Mr Harvey. “If you’re diving in Bimini for research or recreation, why dive with anyone else, and why stay anywhere but Bimini Sands?”

Mr Watson added: “We gave our dive boat my nickname, the Dive God, so there would be no confusion over who’s running the show. But given Guy’s diving record, it looks like we’ll be working on our rock, paper, scissors skills to see who’s in charge when he comes aboard!”

Guy Harvey was inducted this past year into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame.

“We have townhouse units sitting directly on the beach with a new infinity pool complex, some of the best dining and entertainment to be had in Bimini, and a marina with floating docks, fuel, on-site customs and a direct channel to open water,” said Frank Cooney, owner of the resort.

”Unquestionably, we are the best family friendly resort in Bimini for the Guy Harvey Outpost customer, whether you’re an angler, diver or just a beach-potato.”