The trip across was? acceptable.  The weather band Thursday night predicted 5-10 knot winds from the South and 1-2 foot seas.  However, the winds must have shifted over night because we found ourselves facing a Northeast wind and 4-6 foot seas on Friday morning.  When the winds blow in the opposite direction of the Gulfstream, it ain?t good!  But we made it across in about 2.5 hours. 

The seas calmed down about 15 miles from Bimini.  Wow, the turquoise waters are amazing!  We immediately checked in with Customs and Immigration, and then checked into our cottage.  Clearing customs is an experience.  All boats arriving must hoist a yellow quarantined flag as you approach the island.  You?re required to immediately proceed to the customs dock (you can also clear customs at the major resorts on the island, such as the Bimini Big Game) to check in.  The captain ? and only the captain ? must take all the passenger?s passports and check in with the customs agent.  The other passengers must remain on the boat "under quarantine" until the captain returns.  This is why you must bring beer.  To save a little time, you can download the customs and immigration forms and have them filled out befor eyou arrive.  But don?t expect to save too much time ? nobody is in a hurry in Bimini!  The customs agent then fills out a series of paper forms (when?s the last time you saw carbon paper?) and takes your cash.  For boats under 30 feet, the landing fee (which includes a fishing permit) is $150 (cash only, por favor).  All passengers must have a valid passport or a birth certificate and a driver's license.  Oh, and be sure to bring your original boat registration.  I made the mistake of bringing a copy and got the lecture of a lifetime!  After you clear customs, you?re required to walk next door to visit the immigration officer.  More forms, more waiting.  When we got there, there was a hand-written note that said back in 15 minutes, which were obviously ?Bimini Minutes? because it actually took 45 minutes.  An hour later we were officially cleared to stay, and we lowered our yellow flag and raised our Bahamian courtesy flag!

We checked into our cottage on North Bimini and unloaded the boats.  The cottage was, um, rustic.  But hey, that?s Bimini!  We unpacked, grabbed a few drinks and some food, and then jumped back on the boat to explore the islands.

Comments:

	Posted by marcp01, Jul-6-2005 @ 03:04 PM CDT I've not made the corssing to Bimini yet, but I've been pretty far out into the gulfstream fishing when the seas kicked up. 4-6 can be pretty uncomfortable! Keep us all posted next time DiveSpots is planing a trip. I think a group crossing would be awesome.
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