When habitancy are inspecting their dream dive locations, one of the places that is often mentioned is the Bahamas, a large archipelago of over 700 islands placed just north of Cuba. So why does the Bahamas offer such a great attraction for scuba divers from all over the world, and what differentiates it from other top dive locations such as the Caribbean and the Maldives? We idea we would survey the Bahamas in more detail, and survey exactly what draws divers here from all over the world, year after year.
When examining the diving opportunities throughout the Bahamas, it is foremost to think the geography of the region, to fully understand how it's location offers such pristine diving conditions throughout the year. The majority of the islands within the Bahamas are sat on a estimate of large plateaus called the Bahama Banks, which are themselves separated by deep ocean trenches which go down to grand depths. Among these trenches, the plateaus themselves are covered in water a mere 6-12 metres deep in most places, contribution warm water refuge to a large collection of marine life. These shallow plateaus, coupled with minimal sedimentary run-off, ensure that the majority of the region benefits from great levels of visibility.
Diving & Snorkeling
As well as the plateaus and trenches, there are also a large estimate of large pinnacles or sea mounts throughout the region, an example of which would be the island of San Salvador, placed in the South East of the Bahamas archipelago. San Salvador is in fact the exposed peak of a large undersea mountain, which plunges to ultimate depths, bestowing the island itself with an practically legendary status for those fans of wall diving.
Also scattered throughout the Bahamas are a large estimate of Blue Holes, caused by a steady erosion of the limestone roofs of limestone caverns over millions of years. The majority of these blue holes are placed in the Grand Bahamas and Cal Say Bank regions, and which literally offer some of the finest diving in the Bahamas.
There are a estimate of major diving areas within the Bahamas, although the more beloved areas for scuba divers consist of the waters nearby Grand Bahamas and New Providence, where accessibility to the mainland Us and a more developed traveler infrastructure had led to increasing numbers of scuba divers visiting these areas in recent times. For the purists, and for those who are ready to travel that bit additional in pursuit of a more unique diving experience, the islands towards the south east of the Bahamas hold rich rewards. Here, particularly nearby San Salvador and idea Island can be found some of the most exhilarating scuba diving opportunities in the Bahamas. Awesome wall dives and large blue holes offer potential encounters with a wide collection of types of fish, shark and ray.
It would be impossible to look at the opportunities for scuba diving in the Bahamas without mentioning the assorted specialist shark dives on offer in the region, particularly the Shark Rodeo and Shark Junction specialist dives in Abacos and Grand Bahamas respectively. In particular, Shark Junction, the home of the Unexso's Shark Feeder schedule offers one of the most unique opportunities for divers to caress and encounter sharks up close. Here, the feedings take place in about 40 feet of water, giving divers the opportunities to watch the Caribbean Reef Sharks eat and cruise past at only an arms length. As well as the encounters with sharks, the Unexso schedule also offers divers the Dolphin caress program, which allows divers the occasion to dive with dolphins up close, literally one of the most incredible experiences on offer throughout the Bahamas.
In summary, the main attraction of the diving in the Bahamas is the ultimate diversity on offer throughout the region, which allows for a wide spectrum of divers with a range of diving experiences to enjoy what is one offer. Awesome wall dives, land locked blue holes, superb coral reefs are all on offer throughout the Bahamas. This diversity of diving opportunities can also be recognised throughout the large collection of marine life to be found in the region, with opportunities to dive with sharks, manta rays, whale sharks and even pods of pilot whales, as well as the resident habitancy of kindly Nassau Groupers.
Whilst the Bahamas has been a beloved destination for scuba divers from North America for some time, it is steadily rising in popularity with scuba divers from areas such as Europe and the Far East. The exquisite diving on offer, in pristine conditions, will literally ensure this trend is set to continue for the foreseeable future.
Scuba Diving In The Bahamas
