The publishers and readers of Scuba Diving Magazine accord the popular position. An archipelago of 700 islands and cays, the Bahamas is located in the Atlantic Ocean. For diving it offers vast opportunities: sunken Spanish galleons, inland blue holes, caves and forest-like coral reefs, teeming with marine life.
Neal Watson, Bahamas Diving Association President states:
As the official dive association for The Islands of The Bahamas, we are honored to receive this award by such a prestigious dive magazine. Our 36 members take this award very seriously and appreciate the fact that The Bahamas is one of the few places in the world where divers can get close to, and experience big animals underwater.
This region has a vast array of Marine life:
• Nassau Grouper, the “national fish” of The Bahamas, Estimates reported off Cat Cay indicate that somewhere between 30,000 and 100,000 groupers took part in a recent spawning there. Grouper spawning is timed with a full moon and usually occurs in late January or early February. At that time, shoals, balls and walls of groupers can be witnessed.
• March of Spiny Lobster is a widespread phenomenon, occurring on both the Great and Little Bahamas Banks
• Dolphins, sharks, lots of other corral fish, turtles . you get the thrilling experience of feeding sharks here.
The Bahamas Diving Association is the official alliance of dive operators for the country, consisting of 36 resorts, dive operators and dive liveaboards boats within the Islands . Liveaboards around the world take you to the outer reaches, where few divers go-and that’s particularly true in the islands of the Bahamas.
Diving delights of the Bahamas:
The Bimmis: Some people say that a part of the lost continent of Atlantis lies beneath the waves about 500 yards off of the coast at Bimini Bay. The region is popular for sighting wild dolphins.
New Providence Island/Paradise Island: Way too many awesome sites , you will not be able to visit all of these in a short visit.
Andros: Andros’ barrier reef is third largest in the world, behind Belize and Australia, making it a great haunt for divers. Its beautiful blue holes, formed by collapsed underground caves are most definitely worth a sighting.Underwater explorers can also adventure to shipwreck sites like the Barge Wreck.
Eleuthera: The best bet for a more exclusive beach. Beaware for the current cut here is the fastest.
Long Island: With its shallow bays edging sandy powder soft beaches, Long Island has many possibilities for snorkelers.
Spectacular coral reefs, intriguing ship wrecks,, colorful fish life and much more awaits the novice and the seasoned scuba diver or snorkeler alike. A trip to the Bahamas is a diving trip of a lifetime!
