Dive Travels
The 5 Best Dive Sites in the Bahamas
With over 700 islands, the Bahamas is the perfect destination for scuba divers of any level.
The islands may be known for shark diving. After all, the country has been a shark sanctuary since 2011 and attracts tiger, nurse, hammerhead and bull sharks among others. But, there’s so much more to explore. Drift dives, wrecks, caves and blue holes are just a few of the possibilities.
Because there are so many sites to choose from, it can be a daunting task to pick one diving area. For that reason, liveaboards are the best option for a diving holiday in the Bahamas. That way, you’ll get to experience a huge number of dive environments in just one week.
To spike your interest and help with your holiday planning, the following five locales can be considered the best dive sites in the Bahamas.
1. Tiger Beach – Grand Bahama
You’re probably already aware that the Bahamas are known for shark diving. From hammerheads to nurse sharks, there’s a huge variety of dives available, but one of the best is at Tiger Beach, one hour off Grand Bahama. As you’ll soon come to realize after entering the water, these shallow, clear waters act as a cafeteria for tiger sharks. Every day, 365 days a year, dozens of sharks show up to dine on chum provided by divemasters. Tiger sharks are the main attraction, but Tiger Beach also attracts nurse, lemon and Caribbean reef sharks.
Dive Type: Shark
Recommended Level: Beginner
Featured Creatures: Tiger Sharks
2. Current Cut – North Eleuthera Island
Known as the Bahamas’ best drift, Current Cut is a thrill ride second to none. Located between North Eleuthera Island and Current Island, tidal changes create river-like currents through this narrow gap. This is because the tide on the Atlantic side rises before the tide on the Eleuthera Sound side, creating a flow of water that can reach up to 9 knots. When the tide falls, the water flow changes direction. Divers and snorkelers alike make the trip to be washed through the 300-foot gap. En route, you may see squadrons of eagle rays, barracuda and even some sharks. Most diving trips include three passes, lasting 15 minutes each.
Dive Type: Drift
Recommended Level: Intermediate
Featured Creatures: Eagle Rays, Turtles, Barracuda and Spanish Hogfish
3. The Washing Machine – Exuma Cays
A solid member of the Exuma Cays liveaboard route, the Washing Machine is, as its name suggests, a wild ride. At incoming tide, the current (with speeds up to 3 knots) rushes through a small cut and off a ledge before making a hard left turn. As the water moves, it swirls, turning each diver head over heels in the same way a washing machine turns clothing. To avoid the chaos, simply head for the right side of the passage where the water moves in a calm manner. After the ride through the washing machine, divers glide peacefully over a reef before ascending to their safety stop. The average depth of this dive site is just 55 feet (17 meters), but divers are encouraged to have experience with drift dives before attempting the Washing Machine.
Dive Type: Drift
Recommended Level: Intermediate
Featured Creatures: Your fellow divers tumbling in the current
4. Over the Wall – Andros
The Bahamas is famous for its wall diving. With several points where islands drop into the deep ocean, it’s easy to see why. One wall site in particular attracts tec and night diving enthusiasts alike. It’s called “Over the Wall.” Here, the Tongue of the Ocean swallows Andros Island, which drops out to 5971 feet (1,820 meters). While a day dive in the area is fantastic with miles of wall to explore in every direction, the real magic happens in the dark of night. At 65 feet (20 meters), divers are encouraged to switch off their dive lights, leaving nothing but darkness until the water comes alive with bioluminescent dinoflagellates. The high concentration of these plankton create a nightly spectacle that, once seen, is impossible to forget.
Dive Type: Wall/Tec/Night
Recommended Level: Advanced
Featured Creatures: Bioluminescent Dinoflagellates
5. The MV Comberbach Wreck – Long Island
The MV Comberbach is a purpose-sunk wreck near the Stella Maris Resort on Long Island. The wreck was prepared for scuba diving and sunk in 1986, but the ship herself was a British steel freighter in her past life. Now she sits upright in 90 to 100 feet (27 to 30 meters) of water. Luckily, marine life has claimed this boat as an artificial reef. Colourful coral and sponges grows on the Comberbach’s exterior, and dozens of blacktip reef sharks reside onsite. For wreck divers, the Comberbach is easily explored. An old bus sits in her forward cargo hold! Furthermore, the clarity of the water combined with the intact structure makes the Comberbach perfect for wide-angle photography.
Dive Type: Wreck
Recommended Level: Advanced
Featured Creatures: Black-tipped Reef Sharks
Special Mention: Dean’s Blue Hole – Long Island
Geologically, the Bahamas stand out for many reasons, but perhaps the most defining feature are the blue holes. There are hundreds of them! While many are dive-able, one fascinates free divers like few other places on Earth. Found on Long Island, Dean’s Blue Hole holds the record for the deepest blue hole in the world, bottoming out at 662 feet (202 meters). Many freedivers use Dean’s Blue Hole as a training facility, but its proximity to shore, clear visibility and lack of current make this site accessible to anyone.
Dive Type: Free Dive
Recommended Level: Beginner to Advanced (depending on depth)
Featured Creatures: Grunts, Snappers and Sea Turtles
We hope we’ve inspired you to plunge into the Bahamas greatest dive sites. Of course, there are hundreds more to explore. Do you have a favorite Bahamian dive? Tell us about it!
About the author
Sandro is a globetrotter and sea lover. He’s been working as a diving instructor in various paradises around the world.
