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But while just about any Bahamian dive site
is sure to impress a first-time visitor who is unaccustomed to the clear turquoise waters and brilliant reefs of The Bahamas,
dive instructors lucky enough to have experienced just about every known site say not all dive sites are equal.
~ Pristine reefs ~
Barracuda Shoals is a relatively
shallow reef at 40 ft, just off the south side of Rose Island, a few miles from New Providence. Despite its beauty, it's
not a busy site.
"That's what we really love about it. It's not that
popular, so the reefs are pristine and alive with an abundance of grouper, sergeant majors, snapper and even moray eels."
Second-favourite dive site, the wall near the Bahama Mama wreck off the south
end of New Providence. Another site ideal for divers, regardless of their experience level, this wall starts at 40 ft
and slopes down gradually. Although the site is excellent for beginners the clarity of the water, the majestic
corals, schooling fish and abundance of Caribbean reef sharks make it a treat for even the most experienced divers.
Awe-inspiring walls are found throughout The Bahamas. Some end at the sand bottom 60 to 100 ft down.
Others seem to drop away forever. Each wall offers a unique experience with profile, shape, size and colours varying
immensely.
Hole in the Head is found along a wall about nine miles south of Coral Harbour.
The wall itself drops down 110 ft, but it's actually an arch-shaped coral creation that makes this site different from any
other.
"The opening is about six by six and runs 10 feet long. You can see light at
the end, so it's not like plunging into a train tunnel," he jokes, "but what's really wild is that the area is usually teeming
with sharks. You often bump into them halfway through, but if you're smart, they always get right of way."
There is one popular site that the
adventure seeker still finds exciting - the Arena. At about 70 ft, this is the site where Nassau Scuba Centre launched
its shark feeding programme more than 15 years ago. It was moved when the shark population exploded into the hundreds.
Today, the number of Caribbean reef sharks at the Arena has dwindled to fewer than 100, but they always startle first-time
visitors when they surface and surround the boat.
"We've never had
any incidents, so when we get out there and someone says? We're going in there?' We break the ice by telling
them that sharks are man eaters, so the ladies are safe!"
The shark dive begins with
a brief educational session on the background and behaviour of Caribbean reef sharks. After the session divers take
the plunge to observe between 20 and 40 sharks cruise in for an afternoon meal offered by trained feeders.
Mysterious
blue hole is a favourite dive site not for beginners, just 11 miles off the eastern end of New Providence.
"The first time you go into a blue hole, it's a little weird, but when you get down there and look
up and see the sunlight streaming down through this perfect circle, you realize why it's so special!"
Blue holes occur throughout The Bahamas, but this one has unique features that draw divers back again and again.
The entrance to the blue hole, which is surrounded by powdery white sand banks, is about 35 feet below the surface and
is about 100 ft in diameter.
The blue hole itself reaches depths of 200 ft, but you don't have
to dive that deep to experience some amazing natural features. The interior of the hole compares itself to a 360-degree
wall dive, and at about 35 ft down (total 70 ft depth) is a 20 ft indented ledge where divers often stop to pose for
a one-of-a-kind photograph.
Bahama Divers offers blue hole dives three times a week
and always includes a lead instructor and backup safety diver.
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