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Liveaboard Diving in Washing Machine
Bahamas Dive Site: Washing Machine
If you are looking for high levels of excitement during a dive then the Washing Machine dive site is for you. The name gives it away, there is a strong circular tide there which can roll you head over heels as though you are in a washing machine. The current only runs in a certain area, so it is easily possible to avoid it and watch the antics from the sidelines. The current will sweep you down to 12m (40ft) initially and then lift you right back up to 5m (15ft) onto a sea ledge. It's recommended that only more experienced divers delve into this. This dive site is located off the coast of Highbourne Cay, located in the north of the Exuma Cays, it has excellent visibility of approximately 30m (100ft) and its GPS coordinates are 23.564:75.8725.
What You Will See
After being tumbled through the washing machine effect of the waters, there are also a few gems for you to see once you have stopped. At the end of the washing machine the current will drop you on a lavish reef patch inhabited by schools of colourful tropical fish, schools of Batfish are also present here and small underwater jungles of soft and hard corals. This site will also give you the chance to see the so very graceful sea turtles and timid nurse sharks, which call this area their home.
The beaches which border on this site are known to be some of the most beautiful in the world, with tropical birds pairing and breeding here during the summer seasons. Beauty under and above the water.
How To Get There
The liveaboards that go around the Bahamas, in this case the Exuma Cays , depart from the Prince George Wharf on the island of Nassau. Nassau is the capital city of the Bahamas and also holds an international airport, Lynden Pindling International Airport which will be your point of entry. Flights arrive here from numerous destinations around the world including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and other Caribbean islands. Nassua lies just 55km (35mi) north of the start of the Exuma Cays, and as the Washing Machine lies in the North of the Exuma Cays it will likely be one of the first sites you will visit.
Washing Machine Diving Reviews
- 9.1 Superb
- 53 Verified Reviews
Amazing ride and unbelievable current.
Diving Washing Machine in January on the Blackbeards Morning Star
The Washing Machine is always fun.
Diving Washing Machine in January on the Aqua Cat
Sceptical at first but after just one trip through I was ready to experience it again!
Diving Washing Machine in February on the Blackbeards Morning Star
I loved this drift dive it gives you a rush at the start then you get to travel steady along the coral head till you get to the sand beds.
Diving Washing Machine in March on the Aqua Cat
Exciting and fun. Loved the rolling and twisting and just drifting without making any effort to kick
Diving Washing Machine in March on the Blackbeards Morning Star
The washing machine is an experience of a lifetime
Diving Washing Machine in April on the Aqua Cat
Exhilarating. The name says it all. You won’t get to explore much as you’re moving pretty fast, but it seemed like a once in a lifetime experience being at the mercy of mother natur.
Diving Washing Machine in May on the Aqua Cat
Personally... not for me.. prefer having control... don’t like being thrown around.... the reef afterward was awesome though!
Diving Washing Machine in May on the Blackbeards Morning Star
This was a truly different dive--an amusement park experience under water
Diving Washing Machine in June on the Aqua Cat
Like a roller coaster underwater!
Diving Washing Machine in August on the Blackbeards Morning Star
Fun, interesting experience.
Diving Washing Machine in November on the Bahamas Aggressor
best one yet, such a fun dive
Diving Washing Machine in November on the Blackbeards Morning Star
Probably my favorite dive ever. Lived up to it's name and was an absolute blast. Would have dove over and over if allowed.
Diving Washing Machine in January on the Blackbeards Sea Explorer
The washing machine was on the gentle cycle as we went through.
Diving Washing Machine in February on the Aqua Cat
it was on the gentle cycle....lol......good thing too, I was wore slap out by the time we did that dive.
Diving Washing Machine in July on the Aqua Cat
So much fun! What an unusual dive site!
Diving Washing Machine in August on the Blackbeards Sea Explorer
Super fun and beautiful corral heads with beautiful fish
Diving Washing Machine in August on the Blackbeards Sea Explorer
super fun current/drift dive
Diving Washing Machine in August on the Blackbeards Sea Explorer
Not recommended for those with equalizing problems or weak finners
Diving Washing Machine in March on the Blackbeards Sea Explorer
We had the “gentle cycle”. I hope to return to experience “extreme agitation” one day.
Diving Washing Machine in April on the Blackbeards Morning Star
We nailed the full moon peak and it was a wicked ride
Diving Washing Machine in August on the Aqua Cat
Washing machine is tons of fun! Just enough craziness before needing the dive with a very beautiful reef
Diving Washing Machine in August on the Blackbeards Sea Explorer
The Washing Machine was wild. We had an excellent current that really jostled us around. A very exciting drift dive for sure.
Diving Washing Machine in September on the Blackbeards Morning Star
Drift diving was really nice and the corals were beautiful
Diving Washing Machine in November on the Blackbeards Morning Star
We didn't get the current promised due to slack tide, but did see a giant hammerhead which was really cool.
Diving Washing Machine in December on the Aqua Cat
Unique - I would suggest that you guys try to set up some sort of marker on the bottom. With 20 divers, there was really no heads up when we got to the washing machine and whole bunch of people didn't swim down to hit it. Needs better dive briefing and if you could put a mooring pin market so divers knew it was coming it would enrich this experience.
Diving Washing Machine in December on the Aqua Cat
This was a fast drift dive and was fun!
Diving Washing Machine in April on the Aqua Cat
A fun exhilarating drift.. but, easy for groups to get separated
Diving Washing Machine in June on the Blackbeards Morning Star
Exciting and fun. First time in a current like that where you felt comfortable and knew you were safe while having fun.
Diving Washing Machine in June on the Blackbeards Morning Star
Not nearly as vigorous as we were anticipating!
Diving Washing Machine in September on the Aqua Cat
So much fun, I'd never done a drift dove before so this was an extra special treat!
Diving Washing Machine in August on the Blackbeards Morning Star
This was a fun dive, a bit short, but the current was nice to ride after 3 earlier dives that day. The reef was colorful, and had some bigger angelfish/parrot fish on it. Unfortunately it was our only drift dive of the week.
Diving Washing Machine in December on the Bahamas Aggressor
perfect, would have loved to do it twice
Diving Washing Machine in April on the Blackbeards Morning Star
Excellent drift dive and diffenrent from others
Diving Washing Machine in February on the Blackbeards Sea Explorer
It was good but I am not a fan of drift dives.
Diving Washing Machine in May on the Blackbeards Morning Star
This is a really fun experience. I had limited drift diving experience, but this was a thrill. It was conducted safely, and the whole dive was a good time.
Diving Washing Machine in August on the Blackbeards Morning Star
Excellent!!!! A lot of fun, feeling of flying above the corals...
Diving Washing Machine in December on the Aqua Cat
Not much current on this dive , unfortunately
Diving Washing Machine in March on the Blackbeards Morning Star
Exciting but not as ‘turbulent’ as I had hoped for.
Diving Washing Machine in October on the Aqua Cat
The washing machine was out of order, but Lobster, no lobster was a great substitute!
Diving Washing Machine in February on the Blackbeards Morning Star