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DIVE INTO THE BAHAMAS

With The Bahamas starting just 50 miles off the Florida coast, this heavenly haven is close, calm and clear.  That's why many southern boaters love the Bahamas.

An exploration of the Bahamas shouldn't end, however, at sea level.  The islands feature some of the finest scuba diving in the world.

James Bond fans know the diving in the Bahamas is good, thanks to films like Thunderball, Dr. No, and Never Say Never Again.  Fans of the TV series Flipper know that the show was filmed in the clear and friendly waters of the Bahamas.

As word spread of the great diving in the Bahamas, high-quality dive operations developed quickly.  Government aid helped fuel this growth on the smaller islands, in that tourism had already developed on New Providence and Grand Bahama.  In the 1970s, many excellent operations opened throughout the Bahamas and still flourish today.  Today, all of the popular dive spots have shops to support the diving desires of everyone.

These operators make it easy to explore the underwater world of the Bahamas.  Many of the best dives are off-shore and difficult to locate.  Given the expertise and efficiency of dive shops, boaters should always utilize their services.  It's ultimately easier and more enjoyable to let local dive shops handle all aspects diving.  Many of them are located at or near a marina.

WHERE TO GO

Divers will find generally crystal-clear water anywhere, with temperatures ranging from 76 degrees Fahrenheit to the north in winter to a typical 84 degrees Fahrenheit anywhere in the summer. The destination choices are many and the dive (and vacation) experiences as varied as the 700 islands of The Bahamas!

Some of the top destinations for divers and their families include the Abacos, Andros, the Berry Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Eleuthera, the Exumas, Grand Bahama, Long Island, New Providence (including Paradise Island), and San Salvador. However, keep in mind that almost any island you choose will have at least one dive operator and some of the world's best scuba diving and snorkeling. Live-aboards provide yet another ideal way to dive and experience this incredible dive vacation spot.

AN OVERVIEW OF DIVING OPTIONS

A few of the many highlights of New Providence diving include wrecks used in James Bond films, Fish Hotel, Barracuda Shoals, Shark Wall, Tunnel Wall, the famed Southwest Reef, and the Mahoney and other ships of The Graveyard. From casinos and nightlight to shopping, topside time in Nassau and out on Paradise Island make bustling New Providence a popular diver’s getaway.

Over on Grand Bahama, world-famous dolphin and shark diving combine with extensive cave systems, wrecks, and reefs. This is Bahamas diving at its most varied, with the addition of excellent topside options on the bustling island.

Known as the ‘Out Islands’ of The Bahamas, the options are almost endless. The Abacos feature dives with huge tarpon and grouper, along with a small island feel rarely found in the Caribbean. Andros features the third longest barrier reef in the world, blue holes, and a similar yesteryear atmosphere. The Berry Islands are about as remote as you can get, making them ideal for divers in search of dives few have experienced.

Long a Hemingway hangout, Bimini diving is quickly becoming known for its convenience and quality. Cat Island is yet another remote Out Island secret, with shore diving and more available to island adventurers. Eleuthera provides an unusual Bahamas current diving experience, as well as lots of reef diving. The Exumas feature lots of caves, including the famed Thunderball cave featured in several Bond films.

Finally, Long Island is typical of the Out Island dive vacation experience, with world-renowned shark dives, great reef diving, and topside time that’s about as laid-back as any in The Bahamas. Of course, many other even smaller islands offer diving that’s just as good. It’s just a matter of picking that one (or more) perfect Bahamian destination!

Many resorts and dive operators in The Bahamas provide economical dive packages and there are professional dive operations throughout the islands that offer regularly scheduled dives and personal custom diving. The people of The Bahamas are friendlier than ever, the facilities are better than ever, and the diving is virtually unmatched.

For divers and non-divers alike, snorkeling in The Bahamas is excellent. The waters surrounding The Bahamas are clear and shallow, offering an abundance of fish, coral reefs, and underwater gardens to explore. Popular snorkeling sites include The Abacos' Pelican Cays National Park, the Andros Barrier Reef, Harbour Island's Devil's Backbone, Long Island's Rainbow Reef, and San Salvador's Wreck of the Frascate. New Providence and Grand Bahama Island also have vast stretches of shallow reefs, most lying just a short boat ride or swim from shore.

LIVE-ABOARDS

For those who just can’t choose which island to visit for their dive vacation, one additional great option in The Bahamas is going by live-aboard. Some of the many draws to Bahamas live-aboard diving include: only unpacking once (this includes clothes and dive gear); relative total cost; more dives each day, if desired; diving flexibility; generally smaller dive groups; less-explored diving; onboard photography and video services; and advanced certification courses and other educational opportunities.

Convenience is another factor--Bahamas live-aboards typically depart from both South Florida and directly out of The Bahamas. Their destinations are widely varied, but all promise pristine diving away from any possible crowds, lots of diving, flexibility, and more.

START PLANNING

For a list of popular dive and snorkeling sites and further information on scuba diving, shark diving, dolphin encounters, and snorkeling in The Bahamas, call (800) BAHAMAS or (800) 866-DIVE (Bahamas Diving Association) or visit www.bahamas.com or www.bahamasdiving.com (Bahamas Diving Association).