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There are lots of fantastic reasons to visit The Bahamas.
Most of them revolve across the hypnotic blue seas this territory is known for. With 700 islands and hundreds of cays to find, it’s a real playground for vacationers, particularly divers. And in the case of shark diving, The Bahamas delivers up-close encounters and unforgettable underwater moments.
Divers are lured by the nation’s big range of dive websites and the number of sea creatures usually noticed beneath its waves. Many shark species name this area dwelling, and sightings can embody Nice Hammerhead Sharks, Hammerhead Sharks, Tiger Sharks, Bull Sharks, Lemon Sharks, Caribbean Reef Sharks, Oceanic White Tip Sharks, Silky Sharks, and Nurse Sharks.
However it’s not all adrenaline and deep dives.
There’s loads of room to chill out in between adventures—assume beachfront hammocks, breezy resort patios, and sluggish, sunny afternoons made for doing completely nothing.
The irresistible alternative for a scenic, eventful dive compels divers to drop all the pieces and head to The Bahamas. If you’re able to plan a shark dive, or every other type of dive, in The Bahamas, right here’s what you want to know…
How shark diving in The Bahamas works
For a lot of divers, shark diving in The Bahamas is a should on any Caribbean bucket listing. With quite a lot of dive spots to select from, and excursions led by skilled, educated guides, it’s straightforward to see why this journey tops the charts. Right here are some things to remember in case you’re planning a shark dive in The Bahamas:
What to anticipate when shark diving in The Bahamas
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Forward of your journey, the dive masters normally share directions and security tips with divers. In case you’re on a shark dive, this briefing session might embody data on the shark species you may anticipate to see, and what to do whenever you encounter a shark.
Whereas some shark diving adventures do embody cages for the security of divers, in areas like The Bahamas, there are distinctive alternatives to swim safely in open waters with sharks. These encounters focus on extra docile kinds of sharks, permitting increasingly folks to dive in for this once-in-a-lifetime expertise.
Take into account that whereas shark diving in The Bahamas, you gained’t have to fret about being left alone with sharks. Your guides will likely be there all through the encounter and you may belief that they know methods to hold everybody protected.
Persist with knowledgeable dive firm and also you’ll be in good arms!
Do I should be an authorized diver?
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Whereas divers must be licensed to participate in most shark dive experiences, there may be normally the choice to snorkel with a cage dive. This relies completely on the dive firm. When you have by no means dived earlier than, you may additionally prefer to take the chance to become a certified diver whereas on trip in The Bahamas. You’ll be able to seek the advice of your dive firm to substantiate which certifications they require to facilitate this superb expertise.
How a lot does shark diving value in The Bahamas?
The price of shark diving within the Bahamas varies vastly relying on the dive firm, location, size of the tour, variety of tanks, and different elements. You might also have to contemplate the extra value of renting tools. On common, a shark diving expertise in The Bahamas may value anyplace from $130 USD to $440 USD per particular person relying on the placement and the shark species you might be in search of. This worth doesn’t embody transportation, tools rental and speciality programs.
It’s a good suggestion to test with the dive firm you might be contemplating to substantiate what’s included in your worth. To cut back the price of your expertise, you may additionally take into consideration going with one of many all-inclusive resorts in The Bahamas the place scuba equipment is included for certified divers.
The place to seek out the very best shark diving in The Bahamas
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Diving in The Bahamas is an extremely memorable expertise. There are a couple of islands to contemplate when selecting the place to dive with sharks in The Bahamas:
Nassau / New Windfall Island
New Windfall Island is dwelling to Nassau, the capital metropolis, and one of many extra fashionable areas in The Bahamas for diving. Its proximity to the USA makes Nassau an ideal possibility for vacationers seeking to expertise a tropical getaway whereas avoiding a long-haul flight. In case you trip on this vacation spot, you can get pleasure from memorable dives and even enterprise to far off islands.
Divers love Nassau for its comfort (a great deal of eating places, bars, resorts, procuring, leisure), and for the unimaginable dive sightings. Shark divers can sit up for seeing Caribbean Reef Sharks, Silky Sharks, and even the occasional Tiger Shark. It’s not unusual to see different kinds of marine life together with fish just like the Nassau Grouper, stingrays, and sea turtles whereas diving on this space.
Image: On the all-inclusive Sandals Royal Bahamian, you can snorkel and dive from the resort’s non-public island, Sandals Barefoot Cay. This island is simply minutes from the resort by boat or kayak.
The dive adventures out there in Nassau embody shark feeding dives, organized by skilled dive groups. In case you’ve received your coronary heart set on a shark dive, you should definitely select a good firm to information your expertise.
Grand Bahama
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Bahamian waters are nice for diving of all types, however one of many excellent islands for shark diving is Grand Bahama. This island is situated simply round 100 miles east of Palm Seashore, Florida, on the northernmost tip of The Bahamas. Grand Bahama is the 4th largest island within the nation and it’s liked by divers as a result of there’s simply a lot to see.
Tiger Seashore is a well-liked spot to shark dive in Grand Bahama and is discovered about 20 miles off the island’s west finish. It sits on a shallow sand flat with crystal clear waters and thriving coral reefs which are dwelling to a plethora of marine life together with moray eels, groupers, snappers, and sea turtles.
Tiger Seashore can be top-of-the-line locations on this planet to come across Tiger Sharks. It’s common to see as many as 17 pelagic tiger sharks collectively on this space in addition to different species like Lemon Sharks, which love foraging for meals in sandy inshore areas. Different sightings can embody Nurse Sharks, Caribbean Reef Sharks, and Nice Hammerhead Sharks.
Do you know: Tiger sharks reside in shallow coastal waters and may develop to be 18-feet lengthy. Some can weigh as a lot as 2,000 kilos!
Cat Island
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It’s going to take nearly half-hour to get to Cat Island from Nassau by aircraft. That’s greater than sufficient time to get primed and excited for a shark dive on this stunning island. Whereas solely 48 miles lengthy and 4 miles large, Cat Island is likely one of the best diving sites in The Bahamas. The island is especially alluring for shark diving as a result of it is likely one of the finest locations on the planet to see Oceanic Whitetip Sharks. This shark species normally dwells within the deeper waters however tends to come back nearer to shore within the spring, particularly across the time of tuna migration.
Along with Whitetip Sharks, additionally it is potential to seek out Silky Sharks and Dusky Sharks whereas diving round Cat Island. You might also see Tiger Sharks, Nice Hammerheads, Blue Sharks, and even Blue Marlins and stingrays. In March, chances are high excessive close to Cat Island for additionally seeing Thresher Sharks, that are generally present in temperate and tropical oceans. Thresher Sharks are the curious kind and are identified for getting near divers.
In the end, what you’ll see whereas shark diving round Cat Island relies on the season and the timing of your dive. One factor’s for positive – you’ll nearly definitely have sightings on this space that’ll make your dive worthwhile!
Suggestions for shark divers visiting The Bahamas
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Whether or not it’s your first dive or simply your first shark dive within the islands, it’s necessary to know what to anticipate. Listed here are some extra shark diving suggestions, together with what to deliver:
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Don’t flip your again on an approaching shark. You will need to be as cautious and attentive as potential throughout this expertise.
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Once you encounter a shark, keep very nonetheless.
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Don’t attempt to contact the sharks.
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Keep away from shark diving at daybreak, nightfall, or at evening when some species transfer inshore to feed on fish.
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Keep away from shiny jewellery which could look like fish scales to sharks.
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Excessive distinction clothes is mostly not advisable. Black wetsuits are normally the go-to for shark diving. These are extra impartial in comparison with grey or white fits which sharks can confuse with fish.
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It is likely to be comforting to maintain one thing in your hand that you need to use to information too-curious sharks away from you, like a PVC pipe. Usually, you gained’t want this as your guides will likely be there consistently to make sure you’re snug and protected.
Skilled tip: Plan your keep at an all-inclusive resort in Nassau like Sandals Royal Bahamian to get pleasure from as a lot meals and (alcoholic) drinks as you want, with out worrying about your funds. On high of that, Sandals gives all their company free scuba diving (max. two tanks a day) – this contains skilled tools!
What to deliver
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In case you’re critical about shark diving throughout your journey to The Bahamas, you’ll must resolve whether or not to deliver your individual diving gear or hire gear whenever you arrive. Renting dive gear could be useful because it permits you to pack mild. Along with dive gear, you’ll additionally want a wetsuit or two. Black wetsuits are usually advisable for shark diving (as defined in our suggestions above).
Forward of your journey, you need to test together with your dive firm to substantiate what’s included together with your dive, and what you’ll must deliver alongside. Along with dive gear and fits, you may additionally prefer to pack some snacks, drinks, water, and anything you’ll wish to have with you on the journey.
Tip: Skilled scuba diving gear is free to make use of for company at all-inclusive resorts like Sandals Royal Bahamian, which relieves the stress of packing a few of your dive gear.
The most effective time to shark dive in The Bahamas
The best time to visit The Bahamas general is December to Mid-April when the climate is more likely to be optimum. Nonetheless, in case you are seeking to shark dive in The Bahamas, chances are you’ll wish to take into account what species of shark you hope to come across beforehand. There are specific instances of the yr whenever you’re extra more likely to see sharks, or a selected shark species, in The Bahamas. This may fluctuate from month to month and it’ll assist to ask questions referring to timing whereas reserving your dive trip.
Some sharks, like White and Blacktip Reef Sharks, Oceanic Whitetip Sharks, and Tiger Sharks, could be discovered year-round. To see a Bull Shark within the wild, journey between February and April. Hammerhead sightings are commonest between December and February. If it’s monumental Whale Sharks you wish to encounter, a January or February journey can be your finest guess.
To get the timing proper, it helps to resolve what sort of shark dive expertise you’re in search of forward of time.
Prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime shark encounter!
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Put together to dive down deep in Bahamian waters and are available face-to-face with essentially the most majestic creatures! You’ll seize breathtaking images and have an otherworldly expertise on this outstanding Caribbean vacation spot.
In case you’re counting down the times till you may lastly benefit from the rush of shark diving in The Bahamas, take into account staying within the consolation of an opulent suite at Sandals Royal Bahamian and reserving knowledgeable shark dive with Island Routes.
With an all-inclusive trip that features shark diving, you may refuel after your dive with meals, drinks, and anytime snacks at any of the ten on-property eating places. Then hit the swim-up bar, or take it straightforward with a laid-back seashore day on Sandals’ non-public offshore island. Whichever means this trip flows, it’s going to be one to recollect!
Image: After your shark dive—ocean views, in-pool loungers, and on a regular basis on this planet to soak it in on the all-inclusive Sandals Royal Bahamian.
