Today, Friday, April 11, 2014, saw Guy Harvey, Chairman of Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts & Lodges announce that Bimini Sands Resort & Marina has joined the company’s Expedition Collection, a portfolio of Outpost properties that stretches through the Bahamas, Caribbean and Galapagos Islands. Bimini Sands Marina provides first class amenities for boats and yachts measuring up to 100 feet in length.
Bimini Sands Resort & Marina in the fabulous America yacht charter destination - the Bahamas
“We are thrilled that Bimini Sands invited us back to Bimini,” noted Harvey, a celebrated international marine wildlife artist, scientist and conservationist. In announcing the company¹s return to the legendary fishing island, Harvey added: “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.”
The company returns to Bimini after helping reopen another resort on North Bimini in 2010. “We turned the lights back on in sleepy Alice Town, but now it¹s a boom town on North Bimini,” notes 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 you¹re traveling with family or friends for a weekend or a week, you’ll have a visit worthy of a Hemmingway story.”
Adds Guy Harvey, “Life’s an adventure, and with this affiliation, we now can enjoy sharing adventures with our friends and colleagues who live and work on South Bimini at Bimini Sands.”
The only resort on South Bimini, Bimini Sands is 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 recognized Blue Flag designation for environmental stewardship, it is also a member of the Shark Free Marina Initiative and active promoter or shark conservation measures.
South Bimini is home of the renown Bimini Shark Lab, 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 world¹s foremost shark research outposts. It’s only fitting we should have our Outpost here too,” added Ellert.
The Bimini Sands Resort & Marina has an extensive activities program 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 Watson¹s Bimini Scuba Center, a full service dive operation established last year by Outpost Director of Dive Operations, Neal Watson. The resort is earning rave reviews among recreational divers, scientists and international film crews for its Hammerhead Shark dives and Big Animal Safaris. “Neal is synonymous with Bimini diving,” adds Guy. “If you¹re diving Bimini for research or recreation, why dive with anyone else, and why stay anywhere but Bimini Sands?”
Neal Watson adds, “we gave our dive boat my nickname, the Dive God, so there would be no confusion over who’s running the show. But given Guy¹s 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,” notes Frank Cooney, owner of the resort.
“Unquestionably, we are the best family friendly resort in Bimini for the Guy Harvey Outpost customer, whether you¹re an angler, diver or just a beach-potato,” he adds with a grin.
About Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts
Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts is based in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The company’s Signature Properties operate under the Guy Harvey Outpost brand name, which include the TradeWinds Sandpiper Suites in St. Pete Beach, Florida, The Islander in Islamorada, which is currently being converted to a Guy Harvey Outpost Resort property, and a 30-unit eco-lodge planned for construction in the Galapagos Islands, on the island of San Cristobal.
Members of the company’s Expedition Portfolio are independently operated and managed boutique sized hotels and lodges in remote destinations that offer superior service and amenities.
Member hotels enjoy access to Outpost marketing and its reservation system and on-line booking engine. Expedition Properties include three in the Bahamas: Old Bahama Bay Resort & Yacht Harbour at West End and the Green Turtle Club and Blackfly Bonefish Lodge, both in the Abaco Islands and Hotel Playa Media Luna in Isla Mujeres, Mexico.
Late last year, the company launched Expedition Outfitters an invitation-only collection of top-of-class dive shops and guided or charter boat fishing outfitters.
The company was founded in 2007 by Mark Ellert, a veteran hospitality professional, and is co-owned by Dr. Harvey, Bill Shedd and Charles Forman.
Shedd is the owner of AFTCO, recognized worldwide for its big-game fishing tackle and merchandise. AFTCO is the official licensee of Guy Harvey sportswear. Both Harvey and Shedd are trustees of the prestigious International Game Fishing Association, IGFA, cofounded by Ernest Hemingway during his days on Bimini. Forman is a practicing eminent domain lawyer and early partner of Dr. Harvey in the growth of his licensing and publishing activities.
About Bimini Sands Resort & Marina
Bimini Sands Resort & Marina is located 50 miles due east from Miami on the island of South Bimini in the America yacht charter location – Bahamas. The resort offers luxury accommodations, full service deepwater marina and spectacular oceanfront.
The resort offers a selection of two story townhouse units with one and two bedrooms, fully equipped kitchen, and living room social areas with patios and balconies above. All accommodations offer either marina or ocean views, and are equipped with central air. All resort accommodations are on or within a short stroll of the beach.
Central to the main resort compound is a fully protected deepwater marina with state of the art floating docks for boats up to 100 feet, utilities, a full service fuel station and onsite Customs & Immigration on peak weekends.
The marina has earned the coveted Blue Flag designation for environmental stewardship and is a member of the international ³Shark Free Marina Initiative², promoting catch and release of all shark species.
The resort offers a complement of food and beverage experiences including the popular Bimini Twist Restaurant, Mackey¹s Sand Bar and the Square Grouper. An extensive eco-tourism and watersports program is operated by the resort, including the Neal Watson Bimini Scuba Center.
