Bimini, Bahamas

A Prohibition-era haven for rum runners, a paradise for sports fishermen and a gambling destination just two hours from Miami, the islands of Bimini have long benefited from their proximity to mainland Florida. The adventures of writer Ernest Hemingway and other famed anglers sparked the transformation of the Bahamian outpost into a destination in the 1930s. Fishing remains a major draw, alongside the hotels, casinos and nightlife that are concentrated along North Bimini’s beautiful beaches. Beyond the sands, snorkeling and diving at a nearby shipwreck and the mysterious underwater formation known as Bimini Road are popular activities. Bimini also offers access to authentic out-island experiences, like hiking a deserted cay or diving off the coast of North Cat Cay to see Rainbow Reef or Tuna Alley, known by some as the best dive site in the Caribbean. The turquoise waters around Bimini also support large populations of sting rays and sharks, the focus of research and conservation efforts at the Shark Lab on South Bimini.