Do you know that you can look beyond the sea horizon and catch glimpses of another country? The thrill is even bigger when the adventure involves continents. Check out the one place where you can see Africa from Europe.
This is not something that you experience everywhere. Therefore, I don’t let such opportunities slip through my fingers. I have my sights set on the Bahamas and Miami. The two places are so close to each other that a flight from one to the other will take you between 45 minutes and 3 hours. You can even take a short ferry ride of 2 hours.
Can you see the Bahamas from Miami?
You can see the Bahamas from Miami when viewing from the top of Panorama Tower in Miami. It’s the tallest building in Miami and is the best place to observe the Bahamas if the weather allows it. Cloudless days and clear nights provide the best views.
If you decide to climb an 85 story building to see the Bahamas, ensure you capture everything worth treasuring. For such moments, I recommend a good pair of binoculars. It is portable and easy to use, and you get to see the Bahamas from Miami more up close. I use these Binoculars on most of my travels to cater to my broad range of outdoor adventures.
In this article, I have covered the details of the one place where you can see the Bahamas from Miami. Further, find out what other activities you can engage in while in Miami or the Bahamas.
How Far Is the Bahamas From Miami?
The Bahamas are 50 miles (90km) southeast of Miami. This is the shortest distance between the coastal city of Miami and the westernmost district of the Bahamas, Bimini. The Bahamas is a collection of about 700 islands, and Bimini, which consists of several islands, is closest to Miami.
The Bahamas is a country off the south-eastern coast of the State of Florida, USA. Being a collection of islands, the Bahamas’ coastline stretches over 2200 miles (3542 km).
The Bimini district lies on the western coast of the Bahamas. As I stated before, Bimini is the westernmost part of the Bahamas.
Miami is the 7th largest city in the USA. It is located in the state of Florida on the eastern coast of the USA. These locations put Bimini and Miami right opposite each other. Bimini is, therefore, the part of the Bahamas closest to Miami.
Separating the two is the Atlantic Ocean stretching about 50 miles (80km) wide. This distance is how far Miami is from the Bahamas.
Where Can You See the Bahamas From Miami?
You can see the Bahamas from Panorama Towers in Miami. Panorama Towers is the tallest building in Miami at 830 feet (252m) tall. From the skyscraper, you can see parts of Bimini, especially on a clear day.
Now, why do you need to go to the Panorama Towers? Wouldn’t standing on the beach work as well?
Miami city is relatively flat. According to Healthline, about 3 miles (5km) is the farthest you can see when standing on a flat surface. This is due to the shape of the earth, which curves beyond your vision.
As you rise higher, though, the horizon extends further, which allows you to see longer. So, having a good view of the Bahamas (50 miles away) would require you to be about 1700ft (518m) high. Does the Panorama tower rise that high? Let’s find out:
Panorama Tower
Panorama Tower is currently the tallest building in Miami, at 830 feet (252m) high and 85 stories. This building took everyone by storm when the developer first proposed it. He claimed that it would surpass Four Seasons Hotel Miami, the tallest building in Miami at that time.
The developer also claimed that on the 57th floor, you’d get a spectacular view of major cities around Miami, including Bimini town in the Bahamas! This sparked some heated debates, with residents claiming that it would be impossible to see that far away.
So, how true is it? Well, his statement turned out to be true to some extent. You can see some parts of Bimini on a day with fine weather. A clear night, however, provides the perfect opportunity to see the lights of Bimini.
Note that you won’t see a significant portion of the Bahamas, but tall buildings will be visible. See where my favorite binoculars come in handy?
So far, Panorama Tower in Miami remains the only place where you can see the Bahamas.
When Is the Best Time to See the Bahamas From Miami?
Clear days and clear nights provide the best time to see the Bahamas from Panorama Tower in Miami.
Miami experiences a tropical monsoon climate with hot, wet and humid summers and warm dry winters. The best time for adventure is during winter through to spring, a period that runs from December to May. On the other hand, summer (June to September) comes with fog and rain which may hinder your view.
What Else to Do in Miami?
Explore the Art Deco Historic District
If the beach is not your thing, visiting Art Deco Historic District is worth your time. Here, you’ll get in touch with Miami’s cultural and architectural heritage, which hosts more than 800 historic buildings.
Historical buildings dominate this place. Further, the buildings host hotels and restaurants where you can enjoy your favorite meal.
Indulge in the Bayside Marketplace
Along with Miami’s waterfront is the Bayside Marketplace, which is an open-air shopping mall. Besides shopping, the mall hosts restaurants and bars where you can dine and drink. The experience here is so unique that it draws both the locals and tourists.
Bayside Marketplace takes the position of the most visited attraction in Miami. Some boats can take you on tour around Biscayne bay. You can also take the opportunity to ride a water taxi to various points along the coast
Experience the Bayfront Park
Bayfront Park sits just next to Bayside Marketplace. Impressive monuments and sculptures add to the beauty of the park. The venue is home to activities suitable for all, including families.
Lee & Tina Hills playground is packed with structures for kids to play with. If you love music, you are sure to like the park’s solar-powered amphitheater.
Don’t be limited by the above activities though. Check out this Miami Guide for more ideas.
Can You See Miami From the Bahamas?
It is impossible to see Miami from the Bahamas because the human eye cannot see as far as 50 miles on a flat surface. The Bahamas is fairly flat, and its buildings are not tall enough. You would need to be on high ground to see a long distance, such as a cliff or skyscraper.
How to Get to the Bahamas
I already said that it only takes a short time to travel from Miami to the Bahamas and vice versa. Since you cannot see Miami from Bahama’s, you can still take advantage of the short distance between the two locations and visit Bimini. You will be amazed at how much the island has to offer.
If you are in Miami, a ferry ride to Bimini takes you about 2 hours. Alternatively, a flight takes you about 45 minutes. If you decide to head to the Bahamas, make sure that your trip counts. I have highlighted a few activities below that might interest you.
What Else to Do in the Bahamas
Visit the Sapona Shipwreck
Do you love history? The Sapona Shipwreck in Bimini is a great place to combine snorkelling or diving with a bit of history.
According to Wikipedia, the Sapona was a cargo steamer that was destroyed by a hurricane back in 1926. To date, the wreck is still visible in Bimini and is a great attraction for snorkelers and scuba divers. It is also a great place to see diverse marine life.
Do you want to video-explore the shipwreck before heading there? Check out the video below for a tour of the Sapona Shipwreck.
Give the Fountain of Youth a Try
How would you like to leave Bimini looking and feeling younger? Whether you believe in the mythical fountain of youth or not, the locals of Bimini can swear by it. This is a several thousand year old well that rests on limestone.
The Healing hole, as the locals call it, is said to restore youth if you drink its water or swim in it. If you are feeling optimistic enough to try, you can find the Healing Hole on the shoreline of North Bimini.
Explore the Bimini Museum
Visiting the Bimini Museum is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the rich history of the island.
You can check out pictures, stories, and artifacts that are significant to Bimini. Also, you can explore the memorabilia of notable guests of the island. A good example is the famous American journalist Ernest Hemingway. Also, look out for souvenirs from Martin Luther King Jr. and the former New York Congressman, Adam Clayton Powel.
Final Thoughts
It is evident that you can see the Bahamas from Miami. Whether you are backpacking or traveling, both of these locations have many other activities that you can indulge in. Even better, the 2-hour ferry ride gives you more reasons to explore both.
