Liveaboard Diving in Cathedral

The Cathedral dive site is located within the Dog Rocks Reef which is part of the Abaco islands; a 190 kilometre (120 miles) long island chain located within the Exuma Cays. It is off the coast of Scotland Cay. This is a very popular area for sailors due to calm seas and charming scenery, but for the same reasons it's just as popular for divers. The reason for the name is because they are cathedral shaped swim throughs. The reef starts at 11 metres (36 feet) and it slopes down to 15 metres (50 feet) before it slopes down deeply into the Exuma Sound. The dive site has average to good visibility and next to no currents. Divers of all levels can dive here.

What You Can See

The Cathedral dives have almost a majestic and religious feel to them, with swim throughs that have cathedral style ceilings with 'sky lights' letting in rays of sunlight. The walls are covered in silversides (a common bait fish) which gleam in the sun, looking like jewels and gems sparkling all around you. The walls also contain a diverse population of corals and other substrates of many shapes and sizes, with a few examples being black coral, orange ear and tube sponges. This is a popular feeding passage way for many fish; groupers and trevallies which come to feed on the silversides and many more including multiple smaller pelagic fish species. A special sight to see is when large schools of glass minnows fill the caverns as they are then followed by large groups of predatory fish, ready for a feast. There are also a few larger marine species roaming around here, including a few different species of sharks and on a lucky day, the very graceful eagle rays come by for a visit.

How To get There

Nassau is the capital city of the Bahamas, located in the north with 70% of the population of the Bahamas inhabiting this island and the only one with an intentional airport. This airport is the Lynden Pindling International Airport and you can catch flights to here from places such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and other Caribbean islands. It has one main port called the Prince George wharf, and most liveaboards which travel around the Bahamas will depart from this port.


Cathedral Diving Reviews

  • 8.6 Fabulous
  • 28 Verified Reviews
  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Russell B
  • United States United States

Beautiful with the light transition through the water down to the bottom. Reflected off the sand

Diving Cathedral in March on the Blackbeards Morning Star

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Michael P
  • United States United States

Went to The Church which was very cool and would do it again.

Diving Cathedral in June on the Blackbeards Sea Explorer

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Brad J
  • United States United States

Absolutely stunning. Some of the best shots I got the whole trip.

Diving Cathedral in January on the Blackbeards Sea Explorer

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Linn M
  • United States United States

I really enjoyed the swim throughs

Diving Cathedral in December on the Blackbeards Morning Star

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Nick R
  • United States United States

Beautiful easy swim thru, not claustrophobic at all

Diving Cathedral in June on the Cat Ppalu

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Sarah T
  • United States United States

I loved the swim throughs and the scenery in general.

Diving Cathedral in August on the Blackbeards Sea Explorer

  • 6.0 Review score
  • Maureen F
  • United States United States

This was the best dive of the trip, but so crowded that the time I went through it, lots of silt and cloudiness. The divers were not spaced out or told to be good with bouyancy.

Diving Cathedral in December on the Blackbeards Morning Star

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Steven K
  • United States United States

We loved this dive, some of the most beautiful swim throughs we’ve ever seen

Diving Cathedral in August on the Blackbeards Sea Explorer

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Quannie T
  • United States United States

It was one of the deeper dive sites and it was beautiful.

Diving Cathedral in November on the Blackbeards Morning Star

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Brandon W
  • United States United States

Amazing sea life and towering columns of coral filled with sea life. the pass through swims were magical.

Diving Cathedral in June on the Blackbeards Morning Star

  • 6.4 Review score
  • darren H
  • United States United States

Very low visibility but enjoyable. Great formations

Diving Cathedral in August on the Bahamas Aggressor

  • 7.2 Good
  • Michael B
  • United States United States

Loved it. Rays sponges eels a shark or two. The limestone formations and allys were fun to explore

Diving Cathedral in February on the Bahamas Aggressor

  • 6.8 Review score
  • Marc V
  • France France

The swim-through's were lots of fun and full of life, but unless you hit the dive site at the opportune moment, the lighting can be tricky (photography).

Diving Cathedral in April on the Bahamas Aggressor

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Marie Josee L
  • Canada Canada

Speechless with all the tunnels and depress.

Diving Cathedral in July on the Blackbeards Morning Star

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Antonio Ginés B
  • Spain Spain

Fabulosa formación de corales. Túneles muy divertidos para atravesarlos.

Diving Cathedral in August on the Bahamas Aggressor

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Cecilia F
  • Sweden Sweden

Lovely- love the swim through. The visibility was just awesome. We got some great videos and photos and I will share them with the diving group.

Diving Cathedral in November on the Blackbeards Sea Explorer

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Maja K
  • Slovenia Slovenia

Really nothing special, no wildlife left

Diving Cathedral in March on the Bahamas Aggressor