Liveaboard Diving in Austin Smith Wreck
What 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
- 9.1 Superb
- 40 Verified Reviews
- 10.0 Exceptional
- brett W
United States
The landscape around the wreck is more barren than the other dives in exuma. But the wreck is cool and we saw lots of life including sharks, rays, and tons of big lazy grouper.
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in March on the Phoenix
- 9.2 Superb
- peter R
Canada
Wonderful! Lots of reef sharks
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in February on the Blackbeards Morning Star
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Brad J
- United States
Shark feed was great. So many incredible videos.
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in January on the Blackbeards Sea Explorer
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Luka Z
Slovenia
Shark feed and night dive was absolutely wonderful.
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in December on the Blackbeards Morning Star
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Yannig W
France
We adored it and found a huge nurse shark sleeping :)
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in December on the Aqua Cat
- 7.6 Good
- Robert K
- United States
easy but deep dive - interesting wreck with lots of sea life
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in December on the Phoenix
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Elizabeth G
- United States
Good, very accessible wreck, interesting
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in November on the Phoenix
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Lou M
- Canada
This dive was very exciting. Not only did we experience a shark feeding, we had a chance to explore the wreck as well. A very memorable dive!
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in August on the Blackbeards Morning Star
- 9.2 Superb
- Antonio Ginés B
Spain
Alucinante. El pecio es bonito de por sí, además pusieron la pirámide para atraer tiburones y el espectáculo fue fascinante.
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in August on the Bahamas Aggressor
- 9.2 Superb
- Marie Josee L
- Canada
Amazing. I actually pet a Grouper 😳😳loved it so much.
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in July on the Blackbeards Morning Star
- 8.4 Very good
- Gary V
- United States
This was a shark dive. I am very jaded with shark dives as I have seen numerous similar dives. It was OK as a shark dive. I left the shark dive early to check out the Wreck and surrounding area. For people who have not experienced shark dives, it was probably a great experience--well set up and executed.
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in June on the Aqua Cat
- 9.2 Superb
- Michael P
- United States
I’m not a big fan of wrecks. This is cool if you are. The shark feed was here so that made it worth it.
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in June on the Blackbeards Sea Explorer
- 8.0 Very good
- Russell B
- United States
Exiting to see the feeding Frenzy!
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in May on the Aqua Cat
- 6.8 Review score
- Susana B
- Spain
Very nice a lot of fishes and Austin is amazing friendly grouper
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in April on the Phoenix
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Rob R
- United States
A fun shark feed dive with lots of reef sharks and some very powerful groupers who ate when they wanted.
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in May on the Aqua Cat
- 6.8 Review score
- Marc V
- France
Two dives, lots of fun but very few sharks, sadly.
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in April on the Bahamas Aggressor
- 10.0 Exceptional
- jeffery C
- United States
I'm a fan of wreck dives the Austin Smith is a great one to check out with the two hull sections an of course Fred the friendly grouper
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in March on the Aqua Cat
- 9.2 Superb
- Brett H
- United States
Great. Friendly Groupers. Curious Sharks
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in April on the Bahamas Aggressor
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Russell B
- United States
Excellent with great visibility
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in March on the Blackbeards Morning Star
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Brian J
- United States
Shallow wrecks are great in my opinion, lots of fish and even one that enjoys being petted
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in February on the Blackbeards Morning Star
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Erin V
- Canada
friendliest grouper I have ever seen.
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in February on the Phoenix
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Harvey C
- United States
The Austin Smith Wreck is a great dive. Very accessible and picturesque. We did an unscheduled second shark feed there, which was outstanding. The wreck is just the perfect setting.
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in January on the Aqua Cat
- 7.6 Good
- thomas W
Denmark
Shark feed dive was a nice experience. Opportunity to see sharks real close
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in August on the Blackbeards Sea Explorer
- 9.2 Superb
- Hugo L
- Canada
Very nice place. Easy dive with a great wreck and sharks
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in April on the Bahamas Aggressor
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Susannah G
- United States
Very cool and unique dive with the sharks!
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in March on the Aqua Cat Liveaboard
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Vinicius S
Brazil
The 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 Cat
- 9.2 Superb
- David J
- United States
Austin Smith was one of the best dives! Lots of sharks and turtles!
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in February on the Blackbeards Morning Star
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Sarah R
- United States
The 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 Aggressor
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Vania C
- Brazil
Fantastic! Dive with the sharks and watch their behavior is unforgetable.
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in November on the Bahamas Aggressor
- 7.6 Good
- Anthony C
- United States
The reef shark encounters were well worth the time.
Diving Austin Smith Wreck in April on the Bahamas Aggressor
