An aura of mystery, a quirky ambience and the confluence of geographical features make these islands a fun spot for divers

Nestled between the Gulf Stream and the Bahama Banks, Bimini is often overlooked by divers since it's less than 50 miles from Miami. But it has a quirky ambience all its own, a large diversity of fish species and a stunning underwater topography, surprising divers who often say they had no idea diving could be so different that close to the mainland.

Bimini is actually an island chain with three main islands and a string of islets running south to Cat Cay. It sits in a wild subtropical Atlantic environment that contributes to its abundant marine life. Mangroves and the shallow Bahama Banks provide a natural sanctuary where fish raise their young. The Gulf Stream supplies nutrients that support the fish.

Crystal waters in hues of neon blue lure divers to 23 dive sites with reefs, wrecks and drift dives. Don't expect wall dives here since Bimini's wall is actually the Continental Shelf, a sheer cliff plummeting from the depth of 145 feet to more than 2,000 feet.

Dive sites are concentrated around the north and south islands with patch reef formations, plenty of fish and wrecks. Eleven miles to the south is Cat Cay, with stronger currents for drift dives along distinctive barrier reef-type formations and shallow vertical drops.

LOST CONTINENT?

Could Bimini hold powerful ties to the mysterious Lost Continent of Atlantis?

In 1936, Edgar Cayce, a psychic, predicted that the first signs of Atlantis would be found in the Bahamas. Twenty years after his death, a pilot spotted an unusual formation of underwater rocks resembling an ancient road less than a mile off North Bimini's shore.

A natural limestone formation or a man-made wonder?

Huge pillow-shaped rocks line up to form a road in 15 feet of water, and massive schools of fish seem to linger in this mysterious place. The Stones of Atlantis or Bimini Road captures the imagination of divers and snorkelers alike.

WRECK DIVES

The Sapona, a rusting wreck lying half out of the water, has a fascinating history. Owned by a famous Bahamian rum smuggler, this experimental concrete ship was used as a floating warehouse just off Bimini's shore during Prohibition. She ran aground in a hurricane.

Her most interesting claim to fame is in the legends of the Devil's Triangle. In the 1940s a squadron of Avenger airplanes on a training mission used the Sapona for target practice. While en route -- over the Devil's Triangle -- the entire squadron disappeared as did two search planes sent to find them. No trace of the planes has ever been found.

This shallow wreck is now home to many smaller tropical fishes.

Currents are often strong at Bimini Barge, which is really close to the big Continental Shelf drop-off. The good news is that here you'll see lots of bluewater fish like pompano, bonito and jacks. The wreck, an oceangoing tug, features large nooks and crannies for exploring and rests between 65 and 90 feet.

Lesser known but equally interesting is the Bimini Trader, a 90-foot freighter blown out to sea by Hurricane Andrew and now a thriving habitat for marine life. A coral-encrusted anchor believed to be from the 1800s, was recently discovered near the wreck site.

MORE MUST-SEE SITES

Divemaster favorites include Little Caverns, a 60-foot dive site sprinkled with tall coral heads. Some have grown together forming swim-throughs and harboring creatures that like to lurk in the protective habitat. Here, less than a half-mile from the Gulf Stream, divers may spot larger species like shark, grouper, rays and an assortment of jacks.

Bimini's new dive site is Bull Run, a two-tank dive around Cat Cay. It's not a shark feed dive but a shark gathering place from the days when live-aboard dive boats used to feed them there. Sharks have a good memory and when the boat arrives, it's greeted by black tip and Caribbean reef sharks, along with other marine creatures hoping for a handout.

Divers can also play with wild dolphins on weekly dolphin excursions with Keefe's Bimini Undersea. No feeding, just a very special dive to see dolphins in the wild.

Water temperatures range from the mid 70s in winter to the high 80s with calm winds in summer. Because the islands are made of rock and sand, there is no runoff so Bimini boasts exceptional visibility, averaging 75 to 100 feet.

ISLAND LEGENDS

Bimini is blessed with a colorful past. It was a base for rum runners during Prohibition. Ernest Hemingway lived and wrote here for a spell. When record blue marlin and giant sailfish started appearing on the docks, the island became a premier fishing destination. It calls itself the Big Game Fishing Capital of the World.

Locals live in Bailey Town, not far from the tourist center of Alice Town. It is a small community with little hotels, fishing boats, a market, conch sellers on the beach and friendly locals everywhere.

Watch fishermen bring in the catch of the day. Visit the tiny watering hole, End of the World Bar, with its walls plastered with undergarments. Stop by the wooden garage on Bimini Bay and meet Ansil Saunders, a fourth-generation boat builder who still crafts boats by hand and will tell you stories from the past. His brother, Ashley, an island historian, author and artist, has adorned the interior of the Dolphin House with castoffs from the sea.