The Bahamas are an archipelago of 700 islands situated where the Western Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea. These amazingly clear waters feature more dive environments than you’re likely to see in one trip. The third largest barrier reef is found offshore. There’s also deep walls, fascinating wrecks, blue holes, tunnels, caverns and some of the best shark diving in the world. Plus, he subtropical climate provides approximately 340 sunny days each year and the dive conditions are impressive year-round.
The Bahamas not only hosts hundreds of colorful fish. Pelagic species also love this archipelago. In particular, scuba divers flock to the area for one-of-a-kind encounters with hammerhead sharks, bull sharks, oceanic whitetip sharks and silky sharks.
Other than sharks, graceful dolphins and whales travel around the islands. Also, keep an eye out for the Nassau Grouper, a goliath fish that can reach almost 20 pounds and is the national fish of the Bahamas. Often frantically swimming around the Nassau Grouper are their little friends, the wrasse, which cleans the grouper in exchange for protection.
Perhaps the most iconic aquatic creature is the Queen Conch, a massive mollusk that slowly make their way across the sandy bottoms. Prized for their colorful and extravagant shells, conchs are often harvested in great abundance.
Spiny lobsters are also common, and the “March of the Spiny Lobsters” takes place a couple times a year in shallow waters.
The Bahamas features three international airports, namely Freeport Grand Bahama International Airport, the George Town International Airport on Exuma and Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau. Flights arrive in a seemingly nonstop stream, and flying into the islands is a simple trek. Arriving by cruise ship, ferry or private boat is another popular option.
To travel between islands, you’ll need to use commuter planes, ferries or private transfers by speedboat.
Sheltered from the Atlantic by the other islands in the Bahamas, Exuma and its row of cays (collectively called the Exumas) are known for their shallow coral reefs and colorful walls. Most diving here is easy enough for beginners. Currents are minimal along the reefs, and several shallow sunken ships offer a splendid introduction wreck diving.Advanced and tec divers...
Eleuthera and Harbour Island have the largest number of natural wrecks in the Bahamas. Most of the shipwrecks like Train Wreck or those at Rock Sound lie within Open Water limits (above 60 feet/18 meters).Furthermore, the coral reefs and walls here are pristine and colorful, with the added benefit of healthy marine life. They are also range from shallow to deep...
In Bimini, colorful coral reefs, sheer walls, shallow wrecks and caverns produce a variety of dive types including night dives, drift dives, easy reef dives and tec dives. Of course, this part of the Bahamas is most famous for its shark dives.Beginners will feel comfortable at many of the protected reefs, but the Gulf Stream, which travels past Bimini, can create...
With underwater formations including blue holes, caves, wrecks, pelagic-filled currents, the third largest barrier reef in the world and the incredibly deep Tongue of the Ocean, Andros has a wide range of dive sites to keep every diver interested.Beginners will feel comfortable at many of the protected sites of the barrier reef. Advanced divers can explore the walls...
There are dives to enjoy around the entire perimeter of New Providence, though many of the favorites can be found on the western side of the island. Above Lyford Cay there are several wall dives to take in. Further south, more walls await, as well as a fantastic shark dive or two.The wrecks around the island seem as abundant as the reefs, so getting your wreck diving...
San Salvador is best known for its reef and wall dives. These are formed by the fact that the island is actually the top of a submerged mountain that drops to 15,000 feet (4572 meters). Most of the diving takes place on the leeward side of the island, protected the dive sites from any major currents. Therefore, the reef dives are suitable to novice divers. The wall...
As the home of one of the longest running dive operations, Stella Maris, you know Long Island in the Bahamas must boast some great diving. The island itself features shallow reefs with some deeper sites on the western wall. It’s also home to the world’s deepest blue hole and a few historically important wrecks. Additionally, Long Island is a great jumping off point...
Best known for its shark and dolphin encounters, Grand Bahama Island also features shallow shipwrecks, protected coral reefs along its southern shore and one of the world’s largest underwater cave systems for scuba divers to explore. Grand Bahama Island also boasts dive sites for every level of comfort. Beginners can explore the protected reefs and shallow wrecks...