Bimini Islands, Bahamas

The Bimini group of islands in the Bahamas is 50 miles (80km) east of Miami and spans an area no larger than 10 square miles (26 sq km). The main island, North Bimini, is barely seven miles long (11km) and no more than 1,200ft (366m) across at its widest point. The islands are best known for the excellent fishing opportunities, with visitors from around the world coming here to test their skills and catch an array of fish including tuna, sailfish, mako shark, barracuda and, above all, blue marlin. One of the island's most famous fishing enthusiasts, Ernest Hemingway, lived there for two years in the 1930's. The small hotel and bar where Hemingway lived, which became an unofficial Hemingway museum, unfortunately burnt down in 2006. Almost all the action happens in Alice Town, a laid-back town on the main island where fishermen gather to swap stories. During spring break in April the town becomes a little raucous with the arrival of enormous crowds of college students. Scuba divers are also lured by some mysterious stone blocks in the waters off North Bimini known as the Bimini Road, which islanders claim are part of the Lost City of Atlantis. The Bimini Biological Field Station, commonly called the Sharl Lab, is one of the world's top marine research and conservation centres and is located on South Bimini Island.