Dolphin House: Ashley Saunders' Iconic Dolphin Tribute in Bimini, Bahamas
Resembling a whimsical creation by Antoni Gaudí on a tropical getaway, Dolphin House is the lifelong passion project of Bimini historian and poet Ashley Saunders. Born on this very site—where the surrounding homes also belong to the Saunders family—Ashley drew inspiration from swimming with wild dolphins. Since 1993, he has crafted this monumental tribute, akin to an oversized shell trinket box. It's one of the Bahamas' most unique attractions and a must-visit if you're exploring the Bimini Islands.
Finding Dolphin House
Closer to Miami than Nassau, the Bimini Islands—comprising North, South, and East Bimini plus scattered cays—are a compact paradise. Locate Dolphin House in Alice Town on North Bimini, the largest island shaped like a fishing hook. This laid-back, charming town is an affordable BS$5 bus-and-ferry ride from South Bimini Airport and offers rare budget accommodations, such as the highly rated Sea Crest Hotel.
Situated inland near the big-game fishing marina, Dolphin House is adorned with intricate mosaics of dolphins, sea glass, shells, Lucayan artifacts, coconut-rum bottles, pickled-sausage jars, and an array of flotsam and jetsam. This one-of-a-kind masterpiece draws from the Saunders family's five-generation history in Bimini, where they once scavenged treasures from shipwrecks.
Downstairs, a fascinating museum showcases salvaged artifacts like a brass naval cannon from an 18th-century British wreck, photos of Ernest Hemingway getting a haircut, conch shells used by pre-colonial Lucayan people, copper from a pirate ship, and more eclectic finds. Don't miss the gift shop stocking both volumes of Ashley's comprehensive Bimini history. The Hemingway images evoke the 1930s, when the famed author fished for marlin and big game from a cottage called Blue Marlin near Brown's Marina.
Channel Hemingway by booking a local fishing charter for sharks, sailfish, swordfish, marlin, and more—rods and tackle provided. Start at the historic Bimini Big Game Club, a stylish 1950s resort popular with anglers. Practice tag-and-release to protect fish stocks. Dive enthusiasts can explore hammerhead shark sandbars and other sites with Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba Center.
Getting to Dolphin House & North Bimini
The Bahamas' scattered islands make travel complex and costly. Ideally positioned between Nassau and Florida, Bimini is a quick 30-minute flight from Nassau, Miami, or Fort Lauderdale. Alice Town serves independent travelers best, while Resorts World Bimini caters to luxury all-inclusive guests.
