Craving to go on a diving adventure? Explore the world beneath the waves?
We recommend heading off to the Bahamas. Why? Apart from the Bahamas owning the most breathtaking beaches, it is also the promised land of mesmerising diving locations. So which diving spots are worth including in your vacation plan? What sites are better suited for seasoned divers? What are the best times to go?
We are answering all those questions so let’s dive right into it!
Exumas
(Diving season: November – May)
The Washing Machine
Exumas is not just famous for swimming with Pigs. It also homes the Washing Machine dive site – a uniquely splendorous place. Begin your drift diving from 4.5 metres. Push past the narrow reef cuts to 15 metres. The current divers experience here makes them feel like they’re in a washing machine (viola! hence the name). Witness colourful coral reefs, reef fish and stunning nudibranchs. It’s a world of beauty!
You might also be interested in Beaches to Swim in the Bahamas
Andros Barrier Reef
(Diving season: November – May)
The Crater
Dive off into the pretty blue depths in the Andros, Bahamas. This diving site is in an inland blue hole near Small Hope Island. The shallower areas are ideal for novice divers. However, once you dive deeper, the topography changes, making it more suitable for advanced divers.
The entrance opens from a cave system on the ocean floor. Here you can catch big sea turtles sleeping at the bottom, swim alongside stingrays and witness dark ocean creatures and eels. It’s otherworldly.
San Salvador
(Diving season: June – July)
French Bay Wall
Dive into the space of oceanic beauty. It homes a colossal wall with overhangs and crevasses – that begins at a 12-metre depth and continues to descend to a 40-metre depth. Many photographers and videographers, dive here to capture one-in-a-million views. The site is named according to its features: The groupers Gully, Shark Alley and the Devil’s Claw.
Night diving is popular here, as the whole place just comes alive. You can observe plenty of reef fish and explore a few tunnels. It’s going to be unforgettable.
New Providence
(Diving Season: Year-round but avoid the wet season in September and October)
Lost Blue Hole
It’s one of those diving spots that has something for every kind of diver. Novice divers can explore the areas within 14 metres, while seasoned divers can explore the 31-metre depths. It’s streaming with healthy coral and marine life – including stunning sting rays and IUCN Near Threatened Blacknose sharks. This diving spot is easily accessible by boat.
Runway Wall, Nassau
This beautiful diving spot has an 11-metre depth – making it accessible for divers of different experience levels. Here you’ll find wrecks, corals, and reef walls. Best of all – it’s a feeding ground for Caribbean Reef Sharks – a major attraction for divers. There’s a healthy amount of other marine and stunning coral life to swim beside as well.
The Towers, Nassau
This star diving spot is 18 metres in depth. It homes a curious growth of soft and hard corals. On it, you’ll observe a considerable range of sea life. Spot some sea turtles, sharks, and stings rays. An ideal spot to surround yourself with the ongoing hustle and bustle of the sea world.
Grand Bahama
(Diving Season: October – January)
Tiger Beach
Head to the northern tip of the Bahama islands, then take a 27-mile boat ride to reach Tiger Beach – which’s rated as one of the top 30-foot dives in the world. Unsurprisingly the waters are habited by stunningly BIG (nervous laugh*) Tiger Sharks. But that won’t be the only type of sharks and marine life you’ll find here. The water is crispy clear and it’s accessible for beginner divers too.
Bimini Island
(Diving Season: November – May)
Cathedral
Here is a diving spot that’s perfect for all kinds of divers. The reef begins at an 11-metre depth and continues to 15 metres. The whole ocean floor’s covered in vibrantly coloured coral. Take your time (as long as there is enough oxygen in the tank, obviously) exploring the caverns and swimming close to sharks, groupers and other schools of thriving marine life.
Victory Reef
Bimini is nestled at the tip of the Gulf Stream. The Victory Reef is right off Cat Cay. It offers varying depths between 9 to 24 metres. Get ready to feast your eyes on the stunning ocean world. Here, you can observe many green turtles, sharks and sting rays, and a diverse range of reef fish along with beautiful coral life. Just epic!
Eleuthera
(Diving Season: November – May)
Current Cut
Located right between the Great Eleuthera and Current Island. Divers usually set off during the incoming tide. The tidal change makes the water flow through a narrow opening between the islands. It’s a high-speed drift dive, and it’s crazy! The current does the work, you can enjoy the beautiful oceanic world around you. It’s guaranteed to be one extraordinary experience.
Cat Island
(Diving Season: April – May)
Columbus Point
This dive site is on the southeast edge of Cat Island. Deeper waters and stronger currents. It’s ideal for highly fit and experienced divers. The strong currents can attract some pretty massive, breathtaking marine life. We’re talking about large sharks, stingrays and more! Witness the super-rich biodiversity here. Truly mesmerising.
Abaco
(Diving Season: Year-round)
Fowl, Sandy and Pelican Cay
This site consists of 3 National Parks, located just 100 miles from the northernmost Bahamian island. This diving site is insane and a very popular snorkelling spot. You’ll find a rich coral structure with plenty of colourful marine life here. These protected parks are home to a healthy ecosystem, and it’s breathtaking. Ideal for beginner and experienced divers.
Long Island
(Diving Season: November – May)
Deans Blue Hole
We cannot not talk about Dean’s Blue Hole (stop it!). It’s the second deepest and the most otherworldly blue hole recorded on the planet. It’s been a fascination not just for divers but scientists and the general world as well. From above, it looks a little scary. But most seasoned divers stream here to explore this alien water world. The water’s clear and calm thanks to its unique location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Bahamas water so clear?
The water in the Bahamas is so clear due to heavier sedimentary particles that do not get stirred up so easily and the minimal presence of plankton. This could mainly be attributed to the lower nutrient levels in the Bahamas waters.
What are some essential items for a diving trip?
Bring your own toiletries, sea sickness medication and something to keep you warm as you head back to the shore.
What are the basic tools needed to go diving?
An air cylinder, regulator with pressure gauge, buoyancy compensator (BC), wetsuit, snorkel, fins, mask and depth gauge are the basic tool requirements for diving.
Do you require certification to go diving?
Yes. All divers must at least have an Open Water Certification. Special dives require different certifications.
Is rental gear usually included in a diving tour?
Not always, it’s advisable to always check this when making your reservations.
Can travellers dive solo?
Yes, but those who prefer to dive alone must present a Solo Dive Certification.