Austin Smith Wreck Liveaboard Diving
Aqua Cat
BahamasUS$1,995 from
Explore the crystal clear waters of the Exuma Cays, Bahamas, while aboard the luxury 102ft Aqua Cat. This catamaran offers smooth rides for up to 30 guests in 11 large cabins, each with private AC.
Blackbeards Morning Star
BahamasUS$995 from
Blackbeard’s Morning Star is a beautiful yacht offering year round budget liveaboard cruises to the best dive sites in the Bahamas. The three comfortable dorm-style cabins are air conditioned.
Blackbeards Sea Explorer
BahamasUS$995 from
One of the best ways to explore all that the Exuma Cays, Bahamas has to offer is aboard Blackbeard’s Sea Explorer. At 65ft, she features three dormitory style cabins with their own air conditioning.
Blackbeards Sea ExplorerWhat To Expect On An Austin Smith Wreck Liveaboard
The Austin Smith wreck is one of the wreck dives located in the Exuma Cays, off the east coast of Normans Cay. It was a Bahamian marine force Cutter involved in fighting the Cubans. When it came to the end of its service, the ship was deliberately sunk in 1995. Austin Smith was one of the Bahamian marines who died in an attack by the Cubans and so in honour of him, they sunk the ship to create an artificial reef and 'new life.'
It lies at around 18 metres (60 ft) and even after more than 20 years it is still fully intact. It is about 25m (90 ft) long and the bow lies towards the East. If you want to experience its full potential, then it would be beneficial to have at least your Advanced Open Water certificate or higher. It is known to have excellent visibility of around 30m (100ft) most of the year round and its GPS co-ordinates are; 23.6193:75.9695.
What You Can See
The wreck itself is not suitable for penetration (unless you are fully qualified for it), but there are many holds and hatches where you can look into it and spot things such as oil barrels, a jungle of entangled metal and even a few cables here and there. Apart from the impressive wreck, there is a high abundance of marine life which lives in, on and around it. It has done a great job as an artificial reef with a lot coral, sea fans and sea sponges thriving on it. Other marine life you will almost certainly spot are Barracuda, Angel Fish, Eels, Parrot Fish, Grouper and more. Something to watch out for is the Fire corals, as they are around and something you don't want to get in contact with. Lastly, it is a very popular spot for Reef Sharks, it is a special sight seeing these creatures swim in and around the wreck.
If you head slightly north of the wreck then you will get to a section filled with overhanging rocks, with its most popular inhabitant being a green moray eel.
How To Get There
Lynden Pindling Airport is the international airport of Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. This will highly likely be your port of entry into the Bahamas. Flights arrive here from places such as the United Kingdom, The United States, Canada and multiple other Caribbean locations. The liveaboards will depart from Nassau's main port, Prince George wharf.
Austin Smith Wreck Diving Reviews
Very cool and unique dive with the sharks!
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in March on the Aqua Cat LiveaboardGood shark feeding event
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in February on the Bahamas AggressorThe wreck got pretty much distroyed by a hurricane some time ago, nevertheless it's still interesting. It also was the site of the second shark feed of the trip, so it was a lot of fun.
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in February on the Aqua CatAustin Smith was one of the best dives! Lots of sharks and turtles!
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in February on the Blackbeards Morning StarThe Austin Smith Wreck was interesting to look at, although it was not one of the top dive sights for me this trip.
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in December on the Bahamas AggressorFantastic! Dive with the sharks and watch their behavior is unforgetable.
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in November on the Bahamas AggressorThe reef shark encounters were well worth the time.
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in April on the Bahamas Aggressor