The Bahamas -- Where to Dive
Ty SawyerBahamas April 2008
DIVING THE BAHAMAS
With over 1,000 diving sites, the Bahamas offers a taste of many kinds of diving, from the Andros Barrier Reef to the famous blue holes, massive caves, numerous wrecks, shark feedings and dramatic walls just to name a few. Sea life is abundant, the waters are clear and warm most of the year, and the islands are the perfect place to kick back. Hang by the pool bar and swap critter sightings with fellow divers, spend a quiet night star-watching on a deserted beach or head to the casinos. Here are some great dives to try:
TEN GREAT BAHAMAS DIVES
ANDROS ISLAND:
End of the Reef This is a shallow dive that's also popular with snorkelers. This area offers large Elkhorn corals that create interesting swim-throughs and pockets.
Whip Wire Wall This multilevel wall dive is covered with thickets of wire and black corals. These corals are best seen at deeper depths where the riot of pastels are a treat for the eye.
Shark Experience Watch a dozen Caribbean reef sharks tear into a chumsicle of frozen fish bits. You'll be amazed by the number of sharks milling about. Divers stay at the sandy bottom and watch the activity from a safe distance.
Alec's Cavern An incredible cavern dive that features mature corals, cryptic sponges, squirrel fish and nurse sharks. Bring a flashlight to see inside the many crevices along the way. Check out the face in the rock silhouetted against the blue light.
GRAND BAHAMA
Dolphin Dive UNEXSO For guaranteed dolphin encounters, this is the place to visit. UNEXSO provides a sure thing for everyone who is looking for that special dolphin experience. There are plenty of chances to see dolphins up close and from afar.
Treasure Reef This is a shallow dive featuring a Spanish shipwreck that contained thousands of silver coins. Long gone are the coins, but the wreck is home to schools of French, black and stripped grunts.
SPID City SPID is an acronym for the Self-contained, Portable, Inflatable Dwelling that was once used for habitation experiments in the mid-to-late '70s.Another point of interest is the twin-engine aircraft that sits on the sandy bottom. Schools of parrot fish and the occasional shark swim the coral studded landscape.
NASSAU/NEW PROVIDENCE
Ray of Hope This 200-foot intact and upright wreck was sunk directly behind the Bahama Mama wreck and comes complete with sharks, big groupers and holds full of silversides. Its interior is easy-access and offers entry to galleys, cabins and holds.
Shark Arena Fifty-plus Caribbean reef sharks push and shove while a chainmail-clad diver doles out the snacks.
Thunderball Reef As expected, this is one of the most filmed reefs (named for the James Bond's movie of the same name) and a well-known dive site throughout the world. Even though this is a shallow dive, the corals are large and abundant, displaying plentiful fish life as well.
Other Bahamas Diving Resources:
Bahamas Dive Centers:
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