Diving and Snorkeling in the Bahamas

The Bahamas lives up to the Caribbean's reputation for renowned world-class snorkeling and diving. This amazingly gorgeous vacation spot features some of the most spectacular and unique underwater scenery, guaranteed to take your breath away.

The beauty of the Bahamas' ocean habitat is truly remarkable, and only a few places around the world have as many diving and snorkeling opportunities as the Bahamas. Beneath the perfect azure waves, snorkelers and divers can explore underwater sites such as caves, shipwrecks, and much more.

Snorkeling and Diving in the Bahamas

Many islands in the Bahamas have dive shops, so you can experience all of the wonders of the sea while on your Caribbean vacation. Divers can even charter a boat to reach dive sites. But keep in mind that some of the more remote islands in the Bahamas may not have all of the equipment you need for your diving or scuba diving excursion, and you may not be able to get your air tanks filled. You can hire a dive guide to take you exploring on the ocean floor. If you visit during the season, you can dive for shell fish and lobsters, which is done without tanks.

Most islands in the Bahamas offer organized snorkeling tours for those who prefer to stay a bit closer to the surface. Most likely, you'll have to take a boat out to the coral reefs to see the vivid marine life, but snorkeling right offshore is possible on some islands.

Before You Go

There are a few things you should do to prepare for your underwater exploration. First of all, snorkeling and diving are two exciting, but very different, watersports. Snorkelers and divers can explore many of the same underwater sites, but some sites cannot be reached without diving gear.

The primary difference between snorkeling and scuba diving is the person's location in the ocean. Snorkelers stay near the water's surface while breathing through a snorkel tube. Divers venture further into the depths of the sea by breathing with air tanks. Before braving the deeper parts of the ocean, divers must have a diving certification. You can get certified to dive before your vacation or when you arrive in the Bahamas by a certified dive instructor.

In addition to its pristine snorkeling and diving sites, the Bahamas is also known for its scuba instruction at one of the most famous dive schools in the world, as well as the National Association of Underwater Instruction (NAUI) and the Underwater Explorers Society (UNEXSO).  Most larger resorts in the Bahamas offer dive instruction in their pool.  After a few hours of class instruction you will be ready to dive with the assistance of a pro diver.  If diving solo is on your bucket list, you must complete a 5-day training course and obtain your "C"-card.  This certification is legally required if you wish to dive alone.

Best Bahamas Islands for Scuba Diving/Snorkeling

The Bahamas is comprised of hundreds of islands, so vacationers can find thousands of dive sites offshore. You're sure to find the perfect dive or snorkel spot while on your Bahamas vacation. You will also find numerous dive shops in the Bahamas, and many hotels and resorts offer special dive packages.

Bimini

Bimini consists of multiple islands and islets, which might make it more appropriate to refer to it as "The Biminis." This beautiful section of the Bahamas consists of North and South Bimini, which are two distinct islands that are separated by an ocean strait. Bimini is especially known for its great fishing, but also features a wonderful underwater environment that is perfect for snorkeling, scuba diving, and watching the amazing marine life.

Underneath the ocean surface surrounding Bimini divers can find black coral gardens and reefs to explore, as well as shipwrecks, sea gardens, shallow shoals, and blue holes. Some people say that a part of the lost continent of Atlantis lies beneath the waves about 500 yards off of the coast at Bimini Bay. Other aquatic sites that may attract divers and snorkelers are an underwater cliff that extends about 2,000 feet down into the ocean, an actual underwater mountain. The waters around Bimini have an awesome drop-off at the rim of the continental shelf.

Here is a list of scuba diving and snorkel shops on Bimini:

New Providence Island/Paradise Island

The waters surrounding New Providence and the nearby Paradise Island make for some fairly easy aquatic exploration. Many divers and snorkelers visit the Rose Island Reefs, Gambier Deep Reef, Lost Ocean Hole, the Booby Rock Channel, the Goulding Reef Cays, or underwater shipwrecks located in shallow parts of the sea near the coast. If you're looking for some great snorkeling, check out New Providence's Love Beach. New Providence has so many great dive sites that you may not be able to see them all in one trip.

Divers and snorkelers can find plenty of dive operators in Nassau. Most hotels and resorts on the island have snorkeling and diving equipment available and can arrange for snorkeling cruises to take you further out into the ocean. If you're a novice to snorkeling and scuba diving, look for diving instructors at some hotels who conduct short courses prior to your dive trip

The following chart contains contact information for dive operators in New Providence and Paradise Island:

Andros

Andros is especially popular among divers because of its marine life, which is abundant in the barrier reef that runs parallel to the island's eastern coast. At depths of 104 feet, which drops off into the the Tongue of the Ocean, Andros' barrier reef is one of the largest in the world, behind Belize and Australia, making it a great haunt for divers. Divers can explore the mysterious blue holes in Andros' waters. Blue holes are formed when underground caves fill with seawater, causing their ceilings to collapse and revealing their clear, deep pools. They give off an inky-blue aura when seen from above.

Underwater explorers can also adventure to shipwreck sites like the Barge Wreck. Several hotels on the island provide diving and snorkeling equipment as well as special lodgings with dive packages. Here are some of the island dive operators:

Eleuthera

Eleuthera has some great secluded beaches where travelers can snorkel offshore in maximum privacy. Another unique feature of Eleuthera is the Current Cut. This fast moving gully can carry you on a flowing underwater current for 10 minutes. The waters around Eleuthera also hold various shipwreck sites and a submerged locomotive, which was being transported by a barge that sank in 1865.

Here are companies on the island that offer snorkel and dive equipment for rent:

Grand Bahama Island

Surrounded by beautiful coral reefs, Grand Bahama Island has a lot of dive spots, like the Wall, the Caves, Theo's Wreck, and Treasure Reef. Divers also frequent Spit City and Ben Blue Hole. The unique aspect of snorkeling and diving in Grand Bahama Island is that the island is home to UNEXSO, which offers dive lessons for beginners.

Other dive operators on Grand Bahama Island are as followed:

Long Island

With its shallow bays edging sandy powder soft beaches, Long Island has many possibilities for snorkelers. The south part of the island may be especially interesting to snorkelers because of its dramatic sea cliffs. Also, the east area of Long Island has great snorkeling.

Other Islands

Here are a few other options, on Abaco, Exuma and elsewhere:

Whether you stay on Grand Bahama, New Providence, or one of the Out Islands you will find numerous locations that are ideal for underwater exploration; in fact some of the best diving and snorkeling in the Caribbean surrounds the Bahamas.  Beneath the surface of the ocean you are sure to make some of the most lasting memories of your Bahamas vacation, so be sure to soak them up.