The Big Game Is On: Historic Bimini Big Game Club Resort Re-Opens to Boaters and Eco-Tourists

BIMINI, Bahamas, June 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The legendary Bimini Big Game Club has officially re-opened as a Guy Harvey Outpost Resort & Marina with reservations now being booked for the busy summer boating season.

General Manager Chris Pollock said the venerable 51-room resort and 75-slip marina, located in the heart of the island's cultural hub, Alice Town on North Bimini's southern tip, is now accepting reservations.  Guests can call 1-800-867-4764.

Pollock said the Outpost concept of the Big Game Club resort is designed to take the resort beyond that of a "fishing lodge" -- though admittedly a majority of visitors will be there for the world class fishing that attracted the likes of Ernest Hemingway, who lived-in and wrote about Bimini in the 1930s. With more than 50-record-setting catches in the waters around the tiny out-island, Bimini has earned its title as Sport Fishing Capital of the World.

"The Guy Harvey Outpost concept is to create an eco-destination attracting both fishing and diving enthusiasts while focusing on adventure travel, sustainable tourism and marine conservation," said Pollock. "Our plan is to work in concert with educators, scientists and other professionals to make the Outpost a diverse experience that can be enjoyed on many levels, including a working laboratory offering individuals and families one-on-one interactive opportunities to learn about marine science and nature."

Behind the Outpost concept is an experienced, executive team headed by Dr. Guy Harvey, who is widely recognized as the world's finest marine wildlife artist and a leading authority in marine conservation.  Guy Harvey's background includes credentials as a marine biologist, diver, photographer and angler.  The Outpost team, which includes businessmen and sportsmen Mark Ellert, Charles Forman and Bill Shedd, recently launched a multi-million dollar program to upgrade, improve amenities and rebuild a sense of out-island adventure and discovery at the Big Game Club resort, which was founded in 1936.  The current day resort in its heyday attracted many celebrities and world figures including Dr. Martin Luther King, Lana Turner, Sammy Davis Jr., Jimmy Hoffa and Rita Hayworth to name a few. Since its sale by the Bacardi family in 2000, the Club has passed through several owners and has been closed for the past two years.

Pollock said many improvements are underway at the 75-slip marina resort, which is located on the main navigation channel in Bimini Bay, which separates North and South Bimini.  The marina can accommodate boats up to 145 linear feet. By Spring 2011, a full service fuel dock will be operational.

By the end of this month, Pollock said all of the standard guestrooms and suites will have been fully reconstructed with new bathrooms, furniture and accessories.  The new Bimini Big Game Bar & Grill, which overlooks the marina, will be completed with all new décor and offering an island casual menu for all day dining.  A diving operation headed by scuba diving legend and world record holder, Neal Watson, will open later this summer.

There are Phase II plans that will include a Guy Harvey Theater, guest lecture series and interactive sessions with Dr. Harvey and the Guy Harvey Research Institute at NOVA Southeastern Oceanographic Center and day trips to the Bimini Biological Field Station's world-famous shark lab.

About the Bimini Big Game Club, a Guy Harvey Outpost Resort & Marina:

SOURCE Bimini Big Game Club