The Bahamas are famous for crystal-clear, turquoise water, palm-fringed beaches, and a history full of pirates and European explorers. But on top of all of those appeals, the island archipelago has a few less well-known draws — one of which is the swim with sharks Nassau experience.
Many people might be hesitant to sign up for a Bahamas swim with sharks excursion. They hear the word “shark” and assume it’s something dangerous. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
In this guide, we’re going to explain exactly how to make swimming with sharks Bahamas a reality. We’ll touch on the many types of sharks in the Bahamas and explain how to get to Compass Cay Bahamas to see some of them.
Whether you’re in Nassau or Miami, Bahamas Air Tours can fly you out to go swimming with nurse sharks on a private-class plane. Sign up today to enjoy stunning views from the air, beautiful beaches, and of course, the chance to embark on a swim with sharks Nassau experience; Fly with us on our 5-Star Rated Nassau to Exuma Day Trip
Read on to learn more.
A Bahamas swim with sharks excursion might sound scary, but you’re perfectly safe!
Making Swim With Sharks Nassau a Reality
Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas, and most travelers make their way through either the airport or cruise port on New Providence Island (the island Nassau sits on). While there are many great things to do in and around Nassau, the swim with sharks Nassau experience actually takes place somewhere else.
Destination: Compass Cay Bahamas
Compass Cay is perhaps the best place to go swimming with sharks Bahamas. Located in the Exumas, a chain of 365 islands, islets, and cays, Compass Cay and the surrounding islands are where travelers go to enjoy pristine, undeveloped sites. Some of the other popular islands around Compass Cay include Staniel Cay, Pipe Cay, Bitter Guana Cay, and Big Major Cay.
The beaches of the Exumas are world-famous.
While you can reach the Exumas by boat, the journey takes several hours. On top of that, when the sea is rough, many boats can’t even go out on the water, causing travelers who book in advance to suddenly have no opportunity to explore more of the country. To prevent that from happening, help you save time, and help you get to the Exumas in comfort, we recommend traveling by plane.
When you sign up for Staniel Cay day trips with Bahamas Air Tours, you’ll get to the Exumas in around a half-hour from Nassau. From there, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the Bahamas swim with shark experience and do so much more.
Jaws?
Being an island nation means that there are many kinds of sharks in the Bahamas. Marine biologists have documented 40 different types of sharks in the waters around the country. These include many well-known varieties, such as Caribbean reef sharks, lemon sharks, tiger sharks, and oceanic whitetips.
The sharks at Compass Cay Bahamas are another famous type: nurse sharks. While they may be carnivores, you don’t have to be afraid of nurse sharks — even if you’re swimming and stumble upon one in the wild. That’s because most of the time, they don’t feed on meat but rather crustaceans and shrimp on the ocean floor. Due to their dietary habits, many people see them as oversized catfish!
Nurse sharks have an average lifespan of 25 years and grow to an average length of around nine feet. However, some truly massive specimens have been found reaching 13 feet and weighing 300 pounds! At Compass Cay, you’ll get to see sharks of all different sizes.
How to See Them at Compass Cay Exuma
Now that you know that nurse sharks are one of the more docile types of sharks in the Bahamas, you’re probably wondering where to see them in Compass Cay. The good news is that you don’t have to look very hard to find them!
Swimming with nurse sharks is easy to do at Compass Cay because you can always count on them being at the same spot: at the Compass Cay Marina. Why are the sharks always there?
The owner of the marina is a fan of nurse sharks, and so he decided to bring several to the waters around his marina. Once there, he treated them as pets, causing their numbers to grow over the years. While there’s no official estimate, visitors can spot several dozen nurse sharks swimming around the water.
The best swim with sharks Nassau experience is at Compass Cay.
As the island continues to gain popularity, more and more people are making trips to the Bahamas to enjoy a swim with sharks Nassau experience. The shark sanctuary has become so popular that television channels such as Travel Channel have even featured it in their programs. When you stop by the marina at Compass Cay, don’t be surprised if you feel like you’re in the middle of a travel documentary as well!
Shark Etiquette
We’ve already explained that on a Nassau swim with shark experience, most people don’t have anything to worry about. Nurse sharks are docile and rarely bite or attack humans. However, they’re still wild animals — and big ones at that. That’s why it’s important to take the proper precautions before hopping in the water.
You’ll find several trainers in and around the water at the Compass Cay Marina. Before doing anything, make sure to listen to what they’re saying. They’ll provide you with the information you need to make the most of the unique swim with sharks Nassau experience while ensuring that you stay safe in the process.
Don’t miss out on the excitement of a Nassau swim with sharks experience.
As a general rule of thumb, it’s best not to touch the sharks. Doing so may be tempting, especially when they swim alongside you. However, it may cause them to react or lash out defensively. Admire them with your eyes instead.
Likewise, you’ll also want to avoid bringing any sort of food into the water. It might seem fun to try and feed the sharks, but you don’t want to encourage them to do any kind of biting near your hands or body. They have thousands of needle-sharp teeth that you won’t want to feel!
The Swim With Sharks Nassau Experience Is Only the Beginning
The best Nassau swim with sharks experience might not take place on New Providence Island, but it’s one that all travelers to the Bahamas should experience nonetheless. Bahamas Air Tours specializes in flying customers out to enjoy unforgettable Staniel Cay day trips. And, while many people find the swim with Sharks Nassau experience to be their favorite moment of their Bahamas vacation, the truth is that it’s only the beginning.
By signing up for a day trip with Bahamas Air Tours, travelers will also get to enjoy a host of other exciting activities. These include:
- Swimming with the Exuma pigs at Pig Island (Big Major Cay)
- Hanging out with endangered iguanas on the picturesque Bitter Guana Cay
- Enjoying postcard-perfect sandbars at Pipe Creek
- Visiting Thunderball Grotto, one of the filming locations for the James Bond movies
- Eating a delicious lunch at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club
- And so much more!
Ready to embark on a Bahamas swim with shark experience and take your Bahamas vacation to the next level? Sign up for a Bahamas Air Tours trip today to enjoy the very best that the country has to offer!
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