Top Dive Sites

Thunderball Grotto

Description: Known for its stunning underwater cavern with natural skylights, Thunderball Grotto offers an exhilarating dive experience. Featured in several Hollywood films, it provides a maze of tunnels and chambers that open up to the brilliant sunlight filtering through.

Marine Species: You’ll encounter a vibrant array of tropical fish such as angelfish, sergeant majors, and parrotfish. There are also occasional sightings of nurse sharks and stingrays.

Unique Encounters: One of the site’s highlights is swimming through the underwater caves adorned with coral formations. The play of light and shadow within the cavern creates an almost surreal experience.

Photography: The combination of natural light streaming in from above and the diverse marine life makes this spot perfect for keen underwater photographers. Wide-angle shots capture the grandeur of the caverns, while macro photography allows you to focus on smaller marine creatures.

Suitability: Ideal for intermediate to advanced divers due to the need for good buoyancy control and navigation skills to safely explore the tunnels and caverns.

Blue Hole

Description: A mesmerizingly deep sinkhole surrounded by an almost perfectly circular rim of coral, the Blue Hole is an iconic dive site in the Exumas. Descending into this underwater abyss reveals a breathtaking structure with steep walls that vanish into the dark depths.

Marine Species: As you descend, you’ll witness a spectrum of life, from reef fish like groupers, snappers, and barracudas near the surface to the occasional sighting of large pelagic species at greater depths.

Unique Encounters: At Blue Hole, divers can often spot Caribbean reef sharks and sometimes bull sharks patrolling the deeper waters, adding an element of excitement to the dive.

Photography: Excellent for dramatic wide-angle shots that capture the sheer scale and depth of the hole. The rugged walls encrusted with coral and occasional shark sightings provide dynamic subjects for your lens.

Suitability: Best suited for advanced and tech divers comfortable with deep dives and potential nitrogen narcosis. The depth and cavernous nature necessitate careful planning and monitoring.

Shroud Wall

Description: This dive site features an impressive vertical wall that drops off into the azure abyss, creating a visual spectacle of coral and marine life. The dramatic cliff edge covered in vibrant corals and sponges is the main attraction of Shroud Wall.

Marine Species: Expect to see a variety of coral species, sponges, and gorgonian fans. Common fish include trumpetfish, butterflyfish, and the occasional eagle ray gliding past.

Unique Encounters: The site offers fascinating crevices and overhangs inhabited by lobsters and moray eels. The wall itself is teeming with life, from tiny shrimps to larger reef predators.

Photography: Great for wide-angle photography to capture the immense drop-off and colorful sea fans. The site also provides ample opportunities for macro shots of the intricate marine life within the cracks and crevices.

Suitability: Suitable for intermediate to advanced divers due to the depth and the need for good buoyancy to navigate the wall dives efficiently. A controlled descent and ascent are crucial here.

Considerations for Each Dive Site

Water Temperature: The water temperature in the Exumas generally remains quite warm throughout the year, ranging from 75°F (24°C) in the winter to a balmy 85°F (29°C) in the summer. It’s ideal for diving year-round, and a 3mm wetsuit should suffice for most dives. However, for those who are more sensitive to colder water, a 5mm wetsuit might be more comfortable during the winter months.

Visibility: Visibility in the Exumas is often crystal clear, ranging from 80 feet (24 meters) to over 100 feet (30 meters). This remarkable clarity makes it an exceptional destination for underwater photography and videography. The best visibility occurs during the cooler, dry months from November to April, though good conditions are frequent throughout the year.

Currents and Tides: Currents in the Exumas can vary significantly depending on the location and time of year. Some dive sites, especially those near cuts or channels between the cays, can experience strong currents. Understanding the tide tables is crucial, as these currents can be strongest during tidal changes. For weaker currents, dives should be planned around slack tide. Beginners might prefer the more sheltered sites with less current.

Safety Tips:

• Always dive with a buddy and carry a surface marker buoy (SMB) to ensure you stay visible to boat traffic.
• Be mindful of the currents and opt for sites suitable for your experience level.
• Monitor your air supply closely, especially when diving deeper reefs or wrecks.
• Familiarize yourself with local marine life to avoid any harmful interactions; for example, some species of jellyfish and lionfish can pose risks.
• Use reef-safe sunscreen to protect both your skin and the delicate coral ecosystems.

Regulations: The Exumas fall under the jurisdiction of The Bahamas National Trust, which manages several marine parks and protected areas. Divers should be aware of the following regulations:

• It’s illegal to disturb or remove any coral, living or dead.
• Fishing within protected areas, like the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, is prohibited.
• Spearfishing is only allowed with Hawaiian slings, and it’s banned within marine parks.
• Divers must not touch or harass marine animals, including turtles, which are protected under Bahamian law.
• Anchoring on coral reefs is forbidden; use mooring buoys where available.