Virgin Voyages’ brand-new Bimini Beach Club is a breathtaking pristine Caribbean beach club located on Bimini Island in the Bahamas.
Before my first Virgin Voyages cruise, I researched and tried to learn everything I could about each cruise port ahead of time. Despite my attempts to prepare for a day at the Beach Club at Bimini, I missed quite a few things and wished I’d known before my day at the club.
In this article, I’m detailing seven insider tips to help you maximize your special time at the Bimini Beach Club. If you have any more questions about the Beach Club at Bimini or general questions about sailing with Virgin Voyages, let me know, and I’ll be happy to share my two cents.
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Before you read on, make sure to bookmark these other Virgin Voyages guides to prep for your sailing:
★ Virgin Voyages Dress Code + Scarlet Night Outfit Ideas
★ The Ultimate Virgin Voyages Packing List
★ Virgin Voyages Drink Package (Bar Tab) Review + Drink Prices
★ Virgin Voyages Spa Prices + Thermal Suite Pass Guide
★ Virgin Voyages Vegan Guide
★ Eastern Caribbean Antilles Cruise Review
★ Cruise Port Guides
How to Make the Most of Your Day at Virgin Voyages’ Beach Club at Bimini
The Beach Club at Bimini is a beautifully-designed private beach club available exclusively to Virgin Voyages sailors. Located just a few minutes from the Bimini cruise port, the Bimini Beach Club is a little slice of paradise, with a white sandy beach and glistening blue water.
The beach is lined with hundreds of comfy lounge chairs, and the club features two large pools and several bars. Lunch is always served, featuring Caribbean-inspired flavors. For sailors who prefer to relax, there are plenty of waterfront loungers, hammocks, and even private cabanas (for an extra fee). For sailors looking for the party, they will find it by the pools.
To make the most of your time at the Bimini Beach Club, follow my seven insider tips below!
Note: This article may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases through these links, at no cost to you. But don’t worry, I only share products I’d truly recommend to a friend.
1. Leave the ship early to secure the best spot on the beach
This first tip is undoubtedly the most important.
Ensure you get plenty of rest the night before and wake up early to snag the perfect spot at Bimini Beach Club. I recommend getting off the ship within the first 30 minutes if your cruise is close to capacity or within the first hour if your cruise has less passengers.
After disembarking, you can take a cute tram directly from the port to the beach club. The ride takes about ten minutes, with one stop in between. Ensure you get off at the right stop (it’ll be obvious, but you could miss it if you don’t pay attention).
Once at the Bimini Beach Club, scope out the area and secure your spot right away.
2. Eat breakfast ahead of time
On my first visit to the Beach Club at Bimini, I mistakenly skipped breakfast, thinking that there would be food right away at the club. Sadly, I was wrong (and hungry)!
Lunch is the only meal served at the Bimini Beach Club, and it isn’t served until 11:30 or so (depending on the day). There also isn’t any coffee, tea, juice, or other breakfast drinks available at the beach club. However, there are plenty of alcoholic drinks available (with your Virgin Voyages bar tab), even first thing in the morning. And there are a few non-alcoholic drink options like soda and coconut water.
With this in mind, make sure you fill your belly and get your coffee (or tea) fix before disembarking the ship. Since getting to the beach club early is important as well, this means you’ll want to wake up early with plenty of time to get ready, eat, and get to the Bimini Beach Club before the crowds.
3. Skip Shore Things on your first visit to Bimini with Virgin Voyages
You might consider booking a Shore Thing (Virgin Voyages’ name for a day trip, tour, or shore excursion) during your time on Bimini. If it’s your first visit to Bimini with Virgin, I recommend skipping the Shore Things and just enjoying all the beach club has to offer.
Besides alcoholic drinks and premium cabana reservations, everything at the Bimini Beach Club is included in the price of your cruise. Unless you hate the beach, you won’t get bored during your day at the Beach Club at Bimini.
You can do your own thing and relax by the water, reading a book and wading in the crystal-clear Caribbean ocean. You can lay in a hammock or rent a private cabana. You can sit by the pool and participate in the party. You can walk along the beach or swim in the water. You can participate in the scheduled activities, which can include things like paddle board yoga and “adult summer camp games” (basically Survivor-style games).
Several shades of blue in the gorgeous Caribbean ocean on Bimini, Bahamas
4. Pick your spot at the beach club strategically
The reason to get to the beach early is to pick your spot strategically. Depending on your preference, you may want to snag a spot where the party will be happening, or get the quietest sun lounger in the club. Here is an outline of the best areas of the Beach Club at Bimini, depending on what you’re looking for:
Quietest beachfront sun loungers: To the left when facing the beach, bordering the Rock Star Suite areas.
Chill hammocks: In the back of the Bimini Beach Club, near the second kitchen (on the left side, when facing the water).
Hidden spot with hammocks: In the back right corner of the beach club (when facing the water).
High energy party atmosphere and music: The pool to the right (as you enter the Bimini Beach Club).
5. Avoid rock star suite areas at the Bimini Beach Club (unless you’re in the suite)
The Rock Star Suite-only areas of the Beach Club at Bimini are not clearly marked unless you look at a map of the club. They’re located on the left end of the beach (when facing the water). Unless you’re staying in a suite and wearing a black wristband, avoid this area.
One of the two pools at Virgin Voyages’ Beach Club at Bimini
6. Don’t miss out on activities
On my first visit to the Beach Club at Bimini, I made the mistake of not signing up for any activities. Not every activity is for everyone, but the moment I saw sailors participating in Survivor-style games, I knew I was missing out. Even though I didn’t join in time, it was fun to watch!
Each sailing has different activities, so be sure to review the lineup ahead of time and join in for any that sound fun to you. You typically can’t book Bimini Beach Club activities ahead of time, but you can reserve a spot with the crew at the beach club.
7. Take a walk along the beach
It’s easy to stay inside the confines of the idyllic Virgin Voyages beach club without leaving. But I highly encourage you to take a long walk down the beach, either by yourself or with a companion. The scenery is stunning, and the white sand is soft on your feet.
Walking along the beach near the Virgin Voyages beach club in Bimini, Bahamas
Virgin Voyages Beach Club at Bimini FAQs
Can I use my bar tab at the Bimini Beach Club?
Yes, you can use your Virgin Voyages drinks package (bar tab) while visiting the Bimini Beach Club. The drink prices are comparable to drinks on board, with some fun unique drinks, and even coconut water straight from coconuts.
Coconut water at Virgin Voyages’ Bimini Beach Club
Is the food at the Bimini Beach Club included in the cost of the cruise?
Yes! Lunch at Bimini Beach Club is all-inclusive, and included in the cost of your cruise.
What is on the menu at the Bimini Beach Club?
The Beach Club at Bimini menu can vary slightly, but in general, it includes locally-inspired dishes like curry (meat and vegan version), grilled corn, rice and beans, fruit salad, salad, cassava, and more. If you’re curious about vegan options at Virgin Voyages’ Bahamas beach club, read my article on Virgin Voyages Vegan Options for a full overview.
Delicious vegan menu at Bimini Beach Club
What time is the Beach Club at Bimini open?
The opening time varies based on the cruise. During my cruise, the club opened from 8am-7pm.
How often do the shuttles between the ship and Virgin Voyages beach club run?
The tram shuttles on Bimini run every few minutes between the Bimini cruise port and Virgin Voyages beach club.
Riding the tram to the beach club from the Bimini cruise terminal
Do I need to go on a Virgin Voyages cruise to visit the Beach Club at Bimini?
Yes. The Beach Club at Bimini is only available for sailors on Virgin Voyages cruises. There is no Bimini Beach Club day pass.
Which Virgin Voyages cruises stop at the Beach Club at Bimini?
The Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady stop at the Bimini Beach Club on Caribbean Cruises, including the following Virgin Voyages itineraries:
★ Fire & Sunset Soirées 4-night cruise
★ Mayan Sol 5-night cruise
★ Dominican Daze 5-night cruise
★ Riviera Maya 5-night cruise
★ Western Caribbean Charm 6-night cruise
★ Dominican & Puerto Rican Daze 7-night cruise
★ Eastern Caribbean Antilles 8-night cruise
In general, Brilliant Lady and Resilient Lady cruises do not stop at the Bimini Beach Club.
Unreal shades of blue at the beach in Bimini, Bahamas
Final Thoughts: Spending a Day at Virgin Voyages’ Bimini Beach Club
Before I took my first cruise on the Valiant Lady, I had no idea what to expect from the Beach Club at Bimini. I’d never taken a cruise before and had spent very little time at beach clubs despite my background as an avid traveler to beach destinations around the world.
When I travel, I typically try to adventure outside typical tourist spots to immerse myself in local culture and life. Going on a cruise with Virgin Voyages pushed me to try a new type of travel that focuses on relaxation and escape from the busyness of life.
My time with Virgin Voyages taught me that even though adventure-packed, culturally-explorative travel is my go-to, there is a time and place for relaxation-focused vacations. I want to explore the world as much as I can, supporting small businesses and building relationships with locals, but an all-inclusive cruise is a way I can recover and refresh while still traveling.
I would definitely visit the Beach Club at Bimini in the future. There is nothing like being able to fully relax by the turquoise blue ocean with all of the amenities Virgin Voyages offers right at your fingertips.
Whatever you do in Bimini, make sure you get off the cruise ship and enjoy the picturesque white-sandy beaches and gorgeous blue Caribbean water. The Bimini Beach Club is truly the perfect place to enjoy Bimini’s stunning natural beauty while being pampered in the same way you would be on the Virgin Voyages ship.
Preparing for an upcoming Virgin Voyages cruise? Be sure to check out my other Virgin Voyages travel guides. If you have any more questions about the Bimini Beach Club, leave a comment on this article and I’ll be in touch as soon as possible.
Happy travels!
PS: If you’re leaving for your cruise in a few weeks (or days), here are a few things I recommend ordering online for your sailing:
Something Red
Scarlet Night is one of the most iconic events on board. Make sure you have something red packed!
GoPro Camera
If you have any water adventures planned during port days, order a GoPro to capture those memories!
Essential Cruise Travel Resources
Have a cruise coming up soon? There are a lot of travel companies out there, but some are better than others. After traveling to dozens of countries and living abroad on several continents, here are some of my favorite websites and resources for planning unforgettable trips.
💪 Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is an essential for any trip—cruise or not! I use SafetyWing, which has affordable rates and coverage for many adventure sports.
🚠 Tours + Activities: Viator (owned by Trip Advisor) is my go-to site for comparing and booking experiences with local tour operators on cruise port days.
📱 Easy phone plans abroad: Use this company to get an eSIM for phone coverage while cruising—without getting a SIM card or canceling your existing plan (unless you want to!)
🎒 Essentials always in my bag: Check out my ‘in my bag‘ page for the items I always have in my luggage.
🚗 Car Rentals: Use DiscoverCars, a highly-rated platform for comparing and booking rental cars around the world.
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