September Newsletter
LIFE BENEATH THE WAVES – UNDERWATER ADVENTURE PARADISE
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As Covid-19 travel restrictions ease travellers can return to the beloved Islands of The Bahamas. With the last few months spent cooped up at home in quiet solitude Canadians yearning for escape, exploration and warmer temperatures can start packing their vacation bags. The Bahamas is a paradise for underwater adventure, and for good reason. With the clearest water in the world, an abundance of marine life, and over 700 islands to visit, it won’t take long to understand why It’s Better in The Bahamas. |
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Hidden beneath the Caribbean waves, off pristine white sand beaches or in isolated cays, the islands offer a range of diving experiences. Take the opportunity to discover the country’s prehistoric past by diving the least understood and explored ecosystems on the planet. With more than a thousand blue holes, underwater caves and wrecks to explore, come see for yourself why The Bahamas is a premiere diving destination.
Here are just a few suggestions of The Bahamas’ best dive sites to write down and more importantly cross off your travel bucket list.
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Thunderball Grotto, Exuma Cays |
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Live your Hollywood James Bond dreams at Thunderball Grotto in the Exuma Cays. The famous ‘James Bond Cave’ was named after the franchise’s spy film “Thunderball” and has been the film location for not one, but two 007 spy movies.
Here, amongst brilliantly coloured coral reefs, lives an abundance of exotic marine life including yellowtail snappers, angelfish and sergeant majors. The impressive cave system, unique for its small, almost hidden entrance is a favourite amongst tourists for snorkeling, diving and wading.
Thanks to its Hollywood past, the cave has become a hot vacation spot for celebrities. Book a day-trip and see for yourself why this is the spot for divers.
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Dean’s Blue Hole, Long Island |
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The world’s second deepest blue hole is here in The Bahamas near Clarence Town on the coast of Long Island. The maximum depth of most known blue holes is 110-metres making Dean’s 220-metre drop off extraordinary. The site is enclosed on three sides by a natural rock amphitheater with a blue lagoon and white sand beach on the fourth side. Dean’s Blue Hole is a superb spot to enjoy some of The Bahamas best diving and snorkeling. Turtles, seahorses, tarpons and many more tropical fish will meet visitors. With calm waters and warm temperatures it’s like being in a salt-water swimming pool.
The Vertical Blue Free Diving Competition has been held annually at Dean’s Blue Hole since April 2008. This is an international judged competition and many world and national records have been set here during the sporting event.
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The Lost Blue Hole, Nassau |
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A natural blue hole formed during the ice age, The Lost Blue Hole has been regarded as one of the most unique and iconic dives on the islands of The Bahamas and one of the most unusual in the world. This blue hole is known for its expansive dimensions, a one hundred-foot diameter opening and overwhelming depth of 60-metres. But don’t let this intimidate you; the dive is accessible for every diver, from beginner to expert.
Visible from the ocean surface The Lost Blue Hole is another vast world underneath the sea with one of the top coral reef sites. Thanks to the site’s sheltered walls there is an abundance of marine species amongst which divers can swim. Nurse sharks, reef sharks, angelfish, manta rays, large sea turtles and amberjacks are all waiting for you to arrive.
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If you watched the 2005 film “Into the Blue,” starring Paul Walker and Jessica Alba then this dive site might look familiar to you. Maybe you remember hanging on the edge of your seat when the trio discovered the crashed aircraft. In The Bahamas, it is not uncommon for planes and boats to be sunk for films or as attractions for divers. Film producers acquired this 1932 DC3 aircraft to be used as the backdrop for various underwater action scenes. The site is now an artificial reef and the perfect setting for Instagram-worthy selfies, not Hollywood movies.
Although weather and salt water has deteriorated the integrity of the aircraft over the years it is still an extraordinary dive site. Clear blue waters provide full visibility of the magnificent coral reefs that expands along the full length of the dive. Located in the southwestern end of New Providence this shallow water excursion is accessible for beginner and advanced divers. The best time to visit is during high season, which runs from mid-December to April.
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Wreck of the Hesperus/Turtle Wreck, Bimini |
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Book a flight to Bimini to see one of the top ten wreck dive sites in The Bahamas. The Hesperus, a cement barge that sunk with all its cargo, is a favourite with divers and underwater photographers. Getting its nickname from the loggerhead turtles that gather on the ship at night, this shallow wreck receives plenty of sunlight, making it an ideal home for hundreds of tropical fish and coral. With the top of the wreck less than ten feet under the surface and warm water temperatures year-round, this hot spot is perfect for both scuba divers and snorkelers.
Experts know the best time to explore the Hesperus is at night. Visitors have described night dives as “the best dive of their Bahamas trip.” With the ocean current at bay, loggerheads, yellow rays, blue and red squids surround the wreck. Divers will encounter stingrays, barracudas, red snappers, lobsters, kingfish and nurse sharks. There is a chance you may also come face-to-face with a blacktip or hammerhead shark swimming through the wreck.
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Cessna Wreck (also known as Cessna Wall), Nassau |
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If exploring an underwater aircraft is next on your travel bucket-list, book a diving trip to Nassau to discover the wreck of a Cessna 310. The plane was used as a prop in the Jaws 3 (or 4) film and was intentionally crashed and sunk into the Caribbean Sea by a stunt pilot.
One hundred feet from the twin-engine plane stands the beautiful sponge covered Cessna Wall. With clear visibility and warm waters this brilliant dive is a great opportunity to swim amongst coral reefs and exquisitely coloured fish. Be sure to keep your eyes peels for your own Jaws encounter. It is not uncommon for divers to receive a visit from friendly gray reefs sharks.
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ABOUT THE BAHAMAS
With over 700 islands and cays and 16 unique island destinations, The Bahamas lies just 55 miles off the coast of Florida, offering an easy fly away escape that transports travellers away from their everyday. The Islands of The Bahamas have world-class fishing, diving, boating and thousands of miles of the earth’s most spectacular water and beaches waiting for families, couples and adventurers. Explore all the islands have to offer at www.bahamas.com or on Facebook, YouTube or Instagram to see why It’s Better in The Bahamas.
PRESS INQUIRIES
Anita Johnson-Patty
General Manager, Global Communications
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation
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Media Contact:
Nicola Blazier / Nancy Drolet
Jesson + Co. Communications
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