Explore the Virgin Voyages Beach Club in Bimini

Welcome to Bimini, a captivating gem in the Bahamas that offers a unique beach club experience unlike any other cruise destination. Forget crowded ports and expensive excursions; here, a dedicated slice of paradise awaits right on the island. Think of it as your own exclusive spot by the sea, complete with all the amenities you could wish for, all included with your cruise. I’ve found that places like this, where the destination itself is the curated experience, can be so refreshing for families. It means less planning and more spontaneous enjoyment, which is exactly what I look for when traveling with my little ones.

The Beach Club Experience

This isn’t your typical private island. Instead, Virgin Voyages has partnered with Resorts World Bimini to create an exclusive beach club on North Bimini Island. It’s a dedicated area reserved just for cruise passengers, offering a stylish and relaxed atmosphere. I love that the access is built right into the cruise fare. It makes the day feel like a special perk, and there’s no need to worry about purchasing separate entry tickets. This concept really appeals to me as a mom; it streamlines the day and allows us to focus on making memories.

The beach club is designed to feel like a European beach club or a private resort, but without the hefty entrance fee. While it’s technically owned by Resorts World Bimini, Virgin Voyages played a key role in its design. Even if Virgin Voyages isn’t your cruise line, you might be able to get day passes when a Virgin ship isn’t in port, though that’s not something I’ve explored myself.

Getting to and Around Bimini

As soon as your ship docks in Bimini, a complimentary open-air tram is ready to whisk you away. This is convenient, especially with kids in tow. The tram makes a few stops, with the first being Fisherman’s Village Marina. Here, you can rent a golf cart for independent exploration of the island, book a guided tour, or do some souvenir shopping. If your only goal is the beach club, simply stay on the tram; it’s the next stop. I’ve learned that public transport, even simple trams like these, can make a huge difference in how smoothly a day unfolds with children. It avoids any potential stress of finding our own way.

For those not sailing with Virgin Voyages, the tram also heads to the public beach areas beyond the exclusive club, where you’ll find food trucks and water sports vendors. Bimini itself is quite small, with Alice Town being the main settlement. It’s situated close to Florida, making it an easy destination for a short cruise.

What to Do at Bimini Beach Club

The primary allure of Bimini is its beautiful beaches, and the beach club encapsulates this perfectly. Most visitors, including my family, tend to spend the entire day here, soaking up the sun and enjoying the amenities. The first thing you’ll likely notice are the two inviting lagoon pools. They are lined with lounge chairs and cabanas, offering a great alternative if you prefer calm, clear water over the ocean waves. I always try to arrive a bit early if I want to snag a poolside chair for the kids to enjoy the shallow areas easily. Virgin Voyages even brings out fun pool floats mid-day, which the children absolutely adore.

Flanking the pools is the popular Lagoon Bar, a great spot to relax with a drink. I’ve found a swing chair there to be pure bliss. Beyond the pools, the main beach area features rows of complimentary lounge chairs complete with shade umbrellas. It’s important to note that the rearmost rows may not have umbrellas, and rentals aren’t typically available. For those seeking a bit more privacy or comfort, cabanas are available for rent, and padded daybeds and circular loungers are scattered around.

For a change of scenery, head to The Hideaway, a shady grove filled with hammocks – a perfect spot for a quiet moment or an afternoon nap. The Lounge offers a roofed, open-air space with ocean views, ideal for escaping the direct sun while still enjoying the scenery. Near the Main House, you’ll find Belvedere Beach, equipped with volleyball and bocce ball courts, as well as cornhole. It’s a nice area for some light activity.

While the beach club itself doesn’t offer extensive water sports rentals, activities like stand-up paddleboard yoga are sometimes available. If you’re keen on other water activities, you can book tours or rent equipment independently from places like Kayak Beach, just outside the port gates, or a water sports shack further along the beach.

For those traveling in suites or as VIPs, there’s the RockStar Retreat. This exclusive area features a bar, private restrooms, and patio seating. It’s a wonderfully relaxed space to order drinks and food without the crowds. Being able to have lunch served directly to your table in such a serene setting is a wonderful perk, especially when you have active children.

Dining at the Beach Club

You won’t find any buffets here, which is a pleasant surprise. Instead, the beach club offers a complimentary seated lunch service from late morning into the afternoon. There are two “Beach Eats” pavilions where you can order from a menu and have your food brought to you. Even VIPs can order from their retreat area, with a server bringing meals. I appreciate this table-service approach; it’s much more civilized and easy when you’re managing young children and don’t want to juggle plates.

The lunch menu is quite diverse, featuring dishes like Lechon Asado, Caribbean chicken and coconut curry, West Indian pumpkin curry, and steamed red snapper in banana leaf. You’ll also find fresh salads, crispy cassava, grilled corn on the cob with jerk mayo, and tropical fruit. For dessert, the Rum cake with guava sauce is a must-try specialty. The curries and the grilled corn are particularly memorable; I’ve found that Caribbean flavors really shine here.

Using Your Sailor Loot and Bar Tab

Forget about carrying cash. At the Bimini Beach Club, your onboard RFID bracelet is all you need. Your drinks and any purchases will be charged directly to your shipboard account. This means you can easily use any credit you have from a Virgin Voyages’ Bar Tab package or Sailor Loot to fund your day. It’s incredibly convenient, and I never have to worry about keeping track of bills or change, which is a huge relief when you’re on vacation.

Connectivity and Weather

Good news for those who need to stay connected: Virgin Voyages’ onboard Wi-Fi extends to the beach club. You might need to re-authenticate your device, but you’ll have internet access while you’re on Bimini. This is helpful for sharing photos or checking in with family back home.

Bimini enjoys lovely weather year-round, with average highs ranging from the low 70s in winter to the mid-80s in summer. The summer months, however, tend to be the rainiest, with September being particularly prone to rainfall and being part of hurricane season. Even on a beautiful day, the beach can get windy, and conditions can change. If the ocean is rough, water sports might be affected. In such cases, the pool area is more sheltered, making it a great option to stay cool and enjoy the water.

When you arrive at the beach club, you can find a map in The Main House, located to your left as you enter. It’s a helpful way to orient yourself and plan your day. I always like to get a sense of the layout, especially with kids, so we know where everything is.