Of all the water-related adventures to be had in the Bahamas, Nassau scuba diving is among the best and most exciting. Nassau Bahamas diving will transport you to a shimmering turquoise world full of colorful coral, schools of fish and a plethora of other marine life. Nassau scuba diving is an experience like no other, from the glorious views on the water’s surface to the vistas that await you beneath, you will be surrounded in authentic Bahamian beauty from the very start.
Snorkeling is a good starting point for all who are unsure of scuba diving, but the two can hardly be compared. To make the most of the spectacular reefs in the Bahamas you really do need to get up close and personal. With your scuba gear on you can really get a feel for the reef as a whole as you explore every inch of it. What’s more is there are dives for absolutely everyone, regardless of your experience level. There are some deeper and more challenging dives that will prove to be a thrilling adventure for the more experienced diver. If, however, you’re new to the scuba world, or you’ve never dived at all, there are still plenty of options for you to choose from.
Nassau Scuba Diving Trip in the Bahamas
Nassau Bahamas scuba diving is sure to make your trip to the Caribbean an unforgettable one. The fact that you can enjoy the beauty of the Bahamas from land before getting an entirely new and different perspective from under the water is what makes the country so special. Bahamas Air Tours has added a third perspective to your tours, with island hopping by air. Now you can view each island or reef from the sky before landing and exploring it both on foot and in your scuba gear. Nothing enhances a Nassau scuba diving experience like a trip with Bahamas Air Tours.
Best Nassau Diving Sites
1 . Stuart Cove/Runway Wall
Considered to be one of the world’s best scuba and snorkeling sites, Stuart Cove showcases some of the very best that the Bahamas has to offer. For a start, it is fairly shallow, making it relatively accessible to divers of any level. However, it certainly isn’t for the faint of heart. This is not due to difficult conditions, but rather due to the fact that it is home to one of the best Nassau shark dive experiences.
Nassau Shark Dive in the Bahamas
Shark diving Nassau Bahamas is a truly exhilarating experience, and you will find yourself swimming alongside Caribbean reef sharks at Stuart Cove. Nothing says “awesome Bahamian vacation” like a Nassau shark dive. Of course, Stuart Cove is not just about the sharks. With miles of stunning coral reef to explore, inhabited by some of the most beautiful and colorful fish, you certainly won’t grow tired of this site. If you’re making a list of top Nassau scuba diving sites, Stuart Cove should be at the top of your list.
2. Current Cut
Yet another thrilling site, Current Cut can be found to the north of Nassau. While other sites, like Stuart Cove, are entirely fine for beginners, this site tends to require a little more experience. The reason for this is because of the powerful current that runs through a small gap between two islands. While you might think this is to be avoided, this is actually the reason people visit. As the tide comes in, the ‘alleyway’ between Great Eleuthera and Current Island is turned into a high-speed waterway. The thrill of being carried along through these tight gaps is almost second to none. This doesn’t mean you won’t find a number of incredible creatures on the way.
Diving with Turtles in the Bahamas
You can see anything from sharks to majestic sea turtles, and you’ll be surrounded by stunning coral formations the entire time. Scuba Nassau tours are bound to take you to some of the most unique and exciting destinations, and with options like Current Cut, you’ll be spoiled for choice.
3. Victory Reef
Located nearby Bimini, this Nassau scuba diving site is one for everyone. Victory Reef displays a mesmerizing coral structure that ranges from 30 – 80 ft in depth. With up to 100 ft visibility on a good day, the beauty of this reef appears to be almost boundless. Since Bimini is found on the very edge of the Gulf Stream, you’re bound to spot a number of larger marine life while you’re here. Sea turtles glide effortlessly through the crystal clear waters and sharks flick their powerful tailfins as they explore the depths of this reef. There is so much to see and do here, from spacious coral canyons to deep gullies, you could explore this reef for weeks before seeing it all.
Nassau Scuba Diving Bahamas
4. The Crater
While some of the other sites offer relatively deep reefs, The Crater, off the coast of Andros, will give you a sense of just how deep the ocean can be. Andros is the largest island in the Bahamas, and while it may seem spacious on land, you will feel a whole lot smaller as you begin to explore the Crater. The Crater is known as a blue hole, and is an enormous opening into a vast underwater cave system below. Curiously, this opening wasn’t always here. It was once level with the ocean floor, and fell away due to erosion to reveal a network of caves beneath. Fortunately, any level of diver is welcome here. What’s more is that there really is something here for everyone. The newer divers can explore the outer rim of this seemingly bottomless hole. Here you will find large turtles, eels and rays as well as an abundance of fish. However, if you’re a diving veteran and you’re looking for something a little more challenging, the wall of the blue hole provides you access to a number of caves. Many of these caves prove to be absolutely stunning, and you may come across some extraordinary marine life as you explore lower down. The Crater certainly belongs on your list of Nassau scuba diving sites, regardless of your experience or skill level.
5. The Washing Machine
As the name suggests, The Washing Machine is a thrilling dive that requires a fair amount of experience. Located in the Exuma Cays, one of the world’s most picturesque archipelagos, this site is bound to be truly unforgettable. Starting at around 15 ft, the current will push you at speed towards a narrow gap in the reef. You’ll be almost entirely at the mercy of the ocean as you tumble head-over-heels through this gap. What you may not realize is that the current is also a descent, and once through the gap you will burst out at a depth of around 50ft. This moment is sure to take your breath away. This dive isn’t just about the excitement of the current, but where the current takes you. As you regain your bearings once you’ve been launched through the gap, you will find yourself surrounded by a stunning coral reef. With countless vibrant colors and more fish than you could ever hope to count, this site is the perfect example of why the Bahamas is one of the world’s top scuba destinations.
Scuba Nassau: James Bond Film Sites
One of the very best things about diving in the Bahamas is how it feels as if you’ve been transported right into a James Bond film. This sense is strongest when you come across one of the many shipwrecks at several of the Nassau Bahamas diving sites. Well, this is not a simple coincidence, the Bahamas has been described as “underwater Hollywood”, due to the number of movies that have been filmed here. Several of the James Bond movies have been filmed, in part, at a number of these shipwrecks.
Nassau Diving Bahamas Plane Wrecks
1965’s “Thunderball” had a number of scenes throughout the Bahamas, one of the most significant of which was filmed at a Nassau Bahamas scuba diving site. The name of the ship is the Vulcan Bomber and it can be found off the southwestern tip of Nassau. The Tear’s of Allah shipwreck was used as a filming location for the 1983 Bond film, “Never Say Never Again”. Shipwrecks weren’t the only backdrops for these movies though. In fact, Thunderball Grotto off the coast of Staniel Cay in the Exuma Cays was named after the film. It was used in a number of shots from the film.
Book a Nassau Scuba Diving Trip
To explore the Bahamas is the experience of a lifetime. Unfortunately, many visitors waste a great deal of their time here on traveling from island to island. Whether they’re on a Nassau scuba diving tour or they’re simply enjoying all that the Bahamas has to offer, the time it takes for boats to travel is simply too long. Fortunately, Bahamas Air Tours allows you to island hop by air.
Not only will this save you significant time, but it also proves to be an exceptionally scenic experience. Soaring over the glittering Bahamian ocean as you enjoy the tour of your life is something that you’re sure to never forget.
Select images courtesy of the Bahamas Ministry Of Tourism.
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