Clear waters and the largest coral reef in the Western Hemisphere
rank Bahamas diving and snorkeling among the world's best. Every
island here offers at least one variety of Bahamas diving -
including wall, cave, and wreck dives - and organizing an excursion
is easy with the amount of dive operators available. Certification
is necessary before any Bahamas diving can take place, but most
operators include these lessons in with a dive package for
beginners.
Bahamas diving locations are famous the world over, and weighing
your dive site options can be difficult. There are more than enough
fabulous Bahamas diving locations just in the Nassau area (where
dive operators are also the most plentiful), but limiting your
Bahamas diving experience to just one area would be a mistake. Here
are some of the better known Bahamas diving spots to choose from:
NEW PROVIDENCE:
The Wall: Experienced divers will love this 3,000 wall of living
creatures. The Thunderball Reef: Bright coral formations and schools
of tropical fish call this reef home, a relatively shallow Bahamas
diving location that's great for scuba and snorkeling enthusiasts
alike. The reef has also starred in scenes from several James Bond
movies. The Mahoney Wreck: The remains of this early 19th century
ship are a must-see for Bahamas diving of all calibers. Fish of all
shapes and sizes swim among its scattered pieces. Shark Arena:
Located just above a beautiful coral wall, this feeding site usually
attracts more sharks than any other Bahamas diving locale.
GRAND BAHAMA:
Dolphin Dive: One of the most unique Bahamas diving experiences,
divers feed and interact with dolphins in the open water. Theo's
Wreck: Sitting in 100 feet water, this coral-adorned sunken
freighter is one of the best known Bahamas diving excursions around.
Ben's Cavern: This more advanced Bahamas diving environment is part
of the Lucayan Caves National Park.
EXUMA ISLANDS:
Dog Rocks: If you're looking for fish, this spot is among the best
Bahamas diving reefs.
BIMINI ISLANDS:
Nodules: This is Bahamas diving for the fit and energetic, a wall of
sponges, coral, and deepwater sea fans. Bimini Road: This reef dive
is so-called because of the mysterious rectangular stone slabs that
seem to mark a roadway along the water's sandy bottom. Some
speculate it forms part of the lost city of Atlantis. For Bahamas
diving and snorkeling enthusiasts, it's just a great dive.
Bahamas fishing also has a great international reputation,
especially the deep-sea and bonefishing varieties of the sport.
Amateurs and experts alike have many Bahamas fishing options to
choose from, and just about every island is set up to organize a
Bahamas fishing charter for a day out on the water. Boat excursions
for Bahamas fishing average B$650 for deep-sea and $250 for
bonefishing per day, including crew and equipment. Visitors looking
to do a little Bahamas fishing need to apply in person for a fishing
permit (costing $20) at any port of entry before setting out.
The Bimini Islands are ideal for just about any type of Bahamas
fishing, but their waters are best known for their big game catches
like marlin and tuna. The islands are located in the middle of the
Gulf Stream, a convenient deep-sea area promising some of the
biggest catches in Bahamas fishing and an even bigger story to tell.
ANDROS ISLAND:
Bonefishing is the name of the game in the Andros Islands, where the
most popular type of Bahamas fishing involves trolling along in
pursuit of the wily game. A year-round activity, bonefishing takes
place along the islands' shore-hugging flats, inside of the barrier
reef that encircles much of the Bahamas. Fishing in this way
requires lots of patience, with long periods of waiting culminating
in a primal struggle between the fisherman and his prey.
The Exuma Islands offer up a little bit of every kind of Bahamas
fishing, including deep-sea fishing in Exuma Sound, fly-fishing, and
trolling in the reef and flats closer to shore. Bahamas fishing
connoisseurs gather here frequently for tournaments, including an
international competition held every July 4th at the Staniel Cay
Yacht Club. |
