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Liveaboard Diving in Bahamas
Your Bahamas scuba diving adventure will plunge you into crystal clear waters teeming with large pelagics among magnificent coral gardens, hidden caves, historical wrecks and vertical walls.
There is no better way to see this picturesque archipelago of islands than on a Bahamas liveaboard, it's an easy, comfortable and enjoyable way to travel and explore the underwater world. It certainly contains all the elements for a possibly unforgettable experience. The Bahamas is an archipelago consisting of 700 islands located in the Atlantic Ocean. The Bahamas provides a mecca for paradise islands, crystal clear waters and thriving wildlife, in and out of the water.
With temperate weather, clear waters and a thriving marine environment, this is the place for some impressive diving in the Caribbean. The Exuma Cays area will provide divers and snorkelers with numerous flourishing coral reefs along with all their inhabitants in an area containing 365 islands. There is an abundant population of sharks in this area which indicates a healthy reef and aside from sharks there are also rays, groupers, lobsters and many more tropical fish.
The name Bahamas comes from the Spanish words 'baja mar' which means shallow water, with just about all areas accessible by divers. One of the main diving areas that will be visited is the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. With their motto being 'Take only photographs, leave only footprints' their aim is to protect their precious environment while still letting anyone enjoy it. It is one of the National Park and Protected Areas managed by the Bahamas National Trust, so due to it being protected there is very minimal damage to the environment, which allows for 'peace of mind' exploration in pristine, essentially untouched waters. Dive sites you may visit in this area include The Washing Machine, Cathedral, Jeep Reef or the Austin Smith Wreck.
With the Bahamas having large numbers of sharks, the Tiger Beach dive site, one of the dive sites offered on liveaboard trips, offers the experience of diving with sharks in close proximity. Species which have been spotted there include Tiger Sharks, Lemon Sharks, Caribbean Reef sharks and more. As there is no chumming of the water or feeding of the sharks, it is considered the pinnacle of shark diving.
You will also have the opportunity to see the romantic pink beaches of the island Eleuthera, which are surrounded by ancient, prosperous reefs.
To get a taster of the diving world of the Bahamas, Nassau and its neighbouring island of Paradise Island provide numerous opportunities. Some including shipwrecks, one dive site called Lost Blue Hole is exactly that, a large natural Blue Hole that can be explored by divers. You may also visit the humorously named 'Fish Hotel' dive site which has an abundance of large schools of fish. Their sites are of all different depths so any divers can go exploring there.
More About Liveaboards In The Bahamas
The liveaboards in the Bahamas generally run for a 8 days/7nights period with the price starting from $US300 a day, however, please note this excludes gear rental, which if needed will be $US175 per 7 day trip, or Nitrox, which starts from $US100 per trip. Diving/Trip insurance is highly recommended for all passengers. There are approximately four liveaboard itineraries around the Bahamas per month. Each one will take no more than 14 passengers. Divers are required to have their Open Water certificates, but apart from that, all levels are welcome. The dive staffs priority is your safety so they will do thorough briefings before all dives and make sure everything is on top form before jumping in.
Liveaboard trips in the Bahamas offer luxurious and comfortable accommodation onboard, with a professional and experienced crew. You will get the chance to do up to 5 dives a day (including night dives) and in between these you can relax onboard and have freshly prepared meals served throughout your trip.
Tips For Travellers
Diving in the Bahamas is possible all year round. Each season provides divers with a different kind of diving experience, all which have their own individual charm. The springtime (April and May) provide a high abundance of the Mahi Dolphin Fish, a very unique fish that is also not extremely common. In the winter time (November to March) there are high chances to see schools of Hammerhead sharks, an experience on its own.
When it comes to temperatures and diving conditions, they can vary but not to extremes that would prevent anyone from getting into the water. November commences the winter weather, bringing in cold fronts from time to time. Mostly these are mild, if stronger, then it can have an effect on the visibility, but not for more than a day or so. The waters around this time are around 25 - 26 degrees Celsius (77-80 degrees Fahrenheit) so even though it is winter, they are still pleasant temperatures to dive in. The summer months, which are June to September, have the best conditions with waters being around 30 degrees Celsius (85 degrees Fahrenheit). The riskiest months for storms is August, however, they are not at all frequent and would only affect the visibility for a day or two.
The official language is English, their currency is the Bahamian Dollar, however, the US dollar is widely accepted. Most nationalities you can get a visa upon arrival for between 3 months and 8 months. Finally, there are no required vaccinations you must have to enter the country, nevertheless, it is always a good idea to be up to date with your vaccinations before travelling.
Departure Ports And How To Get There
Bahamas liveaboards primarily depart from the capital city Nassau. Nassau inhabits 70% of the entire Bahamas population. It has an international airport, Lynden Pindling International Airport, which will be your main port of entry into the Bahamas. It is easy to access Nassau, either through flying or ship/ferry. Flights land at the international airport from multiple cities in the United States, cities in the Caribbean and the United Kingdom. You can also get ferries or cruise ships to and from other islands which will dock at the Prince George Wharf.
Grand Bahama is also a departure point for some itineraries in the Bahamas. Guests will fly in and out of Grand Bahama International Airport, (airport code is FPO). Transfers are generally not included in the trip cost. It is a 30 - 45 minute taxi ride to Old Bahama Bay. Approximate cost is $US75.
Bahamas Diving Reviews
- 9.0 Superb
- 93 Verified Reviews
Overall the diving was excellent. While some reef decline is evident, the overall health of the reefs is good. I'll gladly make a return visit.
Diving Bahamas in March on the Bahamas Aggressor
The diving was good, but the sea life was less than expected. The walls had nice coral formations.
Diving Bahamas in February on the Bahamas Aggressor
Diving with the sharks is a lot of fun
Diving Bahamas in March on the Blackbeards Morning Star
Little concerned about the conditions in the caribbeans being over fish but the crew knew where to take us and the dive sites were quite nice
Diving Bahamas in October on the Aqua Cat
The mos wonderful 2 weeks of my life.
Diving Bahamas in July on the Blackbeards Morning Star
The best 2 weeks of my life.
Diving Bahamas in July on the Aqua Cat
Diving in Bahamas was great!
Diving Bahamas in March on the Phoenix
Great!
Diving Bahamas in February on the Blackbeards Morning Star
Fantastic diving. 25C water and perfect conditions.
Diving Bahamas in March on the Phoenix
As the dive master said, around Nassau it’s “wreck, wreck, wreck, shark, shark, shark.” There is plenty to look at, both large and small. I loved the abundance and the canyons of the Exuma dives.
Diving Bahamas in March on the Phoenix
Recommend it for anyone
Diving Bahamas in February on the Aqua Cat
Wrecks and Sharks as highlight. Night diving as well. Not an abundance on coral or diversity.
Diving Bahamas in February on the Phoenix
For me Bahamas did not have enough marine species It seems that i prefer to look fish and coral than wreck
Diving Bahamas in February on the Bahamas Aggressor
Overall this was a wonderful experience that we will likely do again
Diving Bahamas in February on the Aqua Cat
Overall diving in The Bahamas was what I expected and enjoyed it!
Diving Bahamas in February on the Blackbeards Morning Star
everything was wonderful!
Diving Bahamas in February on the Aqua Cat
Great
Diving Bahamas in February on the Phoenix
A great experience! Only down side was some weather that can not really be planned for and that the showers were shutdown for a few days.
Diving Bahamas in January on the Blackbeards Morning Star
It was incredible. There is so much to see that there is never a dull moment.
Diving Bahamas in January on the Blackbeards Sea Explorer
Fine but not the best.
Diving Bahamas in January on the Blackbeards Morning Star
Great visibility and cool sea life
Diving Bahamas in December on the Bahamas Aggressor
Amazing
Diving Bahamas in December on the Blackbeards Morning Star
Great!!
Diving Bahamas in December on the Blackbeards Morning Star
Awesome!
Diving Bahamas in December on the Blackbeards Sea Explorer
Great
Diving Bahamas in December on the Blackbeards Morning Star
Brilliant
Diving Bahamas in December on the Blackbeards Morning Star
We felt we did not get to dive all the best sites and were very limited due to the weather
Diving Bahamas in December on the Bahamas Aggressor
Very beautiful but there are sites where the corals are very fragile with few fishes. We got to protect our oceans. A lot of reef sharks. The hammerheads and bull sharks can be seen in Bimini. Stay sharky Bahamas, please keep them alive.
Diving Bahamas in December on the Aqua Cat
very good - lots of diversity - reasonably healthy gorgonians, finger corals, fans etc. Hard corals (star, maze, brain etc are less abundant) Lots of large and small sealife
Diving Bahamas in December on the Phoenix
Fantastic! We'll be back!
Diving Bahamas in November on the Phoenix
Only 2 dives with difficult level of current, generally great conditions, lots of sharks, good variety of fish and coral, turtles, southern sting rays.
Diving Bahamas in November on the Phoenix
Oh I will definitely be back
Diving Bahamas in October on the Bahamas Aggressor
Amazing! Loved the clear water and sharks on every dive!
Diving Bahamas in September on the Blackbeards Sea Explorer
Extremely enjoyable and memorable!
Diving Bahamas in August on the Blackbeards Morning Star
First liveaboard and first time Bahamas, very good memory and awesome trip.
Diving Bahamas in August on the Aqua Cat
I had a fantastic time and would certainly go again.
Diving Bahamas in August on the Blackbeards Morning Star
Inolvidable, preciosa, divertida, emocionante.
Diving Bahamas in August on the Bahamas Aggressor
Wonderful overall. In some locations, the Reefs did not look as healthy as one would hope. But they were still fun to dive!
Diving Bahamas in July on the Bahamas Aggressor
Loved it because off the views. Marine land is not the best in therms of quantity of fish and kind of bit the views makes it wonderful.
Diving Bahamas in July on the Blackbeards Morning Star
The diving in the Bahamas was incredible. This trip is for shark lovers. While it lists the required experience as Open Water certification, I would suggest that more experience and a certain comfort level with being in the water with larger apex predators should also be a requirement. Our experience also included mild to strong current for the region which should also be a consideration.
Diving Bahamas in June on the Bahamas Aggressor
was ok. need to stop fishing to bring corals back. catch fish lose coral. Might have been better if it had not been so rough.
Diving Bahamas in May on the Phoenix
I like it. It’s colorful and clear. It’s got a nice variety of things to see.
Diving Bahamas in June on the Blackbeards Sea Explorer
Positive, it may be for me a once in a lifetime, diving from a boat has advantages over shore diving, being a resident in the Red Sea Area mostly I shore dove.
Diving Bahamas in May on the Aqua Cat
Diving was awesome!
Diving Bahamas in May on the Blackbeards Morning Star
I don't know if I'll be able to dive anywhere else! This was top notch.
Diving Bahamas in April on the Phoenix
Very good more than expected
Diving Bahamas in April on the Phoenix
A great getaway for me wife and I. Our best vacation yet.
Diving Bahamas in May on the Aqua Cat
Overall I really enjoyed the diving. I did 22 dives on this trip and all of them are very fond memories to me. I look forward to diving there again
Diving Bahamas in March on the Aqua Cat
A very enjoyable week. New friends. New experiences. Looking forward to doing it again
Diving Bahamas in April on the Bahamas Aggressor
Excellent. Great visibility with little to moderate current. Temps were fine even off the outer wall area
Diving Bahamas in March on the Blackbeards Morning Star
Reefs are pretty degraded and there is very little fish on them. Nevertheless reef structures are hard to compare to any other place. Highlights are the sharks.
Diving Bahamas in February on the Phoenix
were positively surprised. The reefs are partly very good intact and the many sharks pretty tame.
Diving Bahamas in December on the Phoenix
exceeded all expectations
Diving Bahamas in February on the Phoenix
Would do again
Diving Bahamas in February on the Bahamas Aggressor
this was an top notch experience
Diving Bahamas in December on the Blackbeards Sea Explorer
Awesome diving, sharks at every dive, living coral reef
Diving Bahamas in November on the Phoenix
I loved it! No complaints from me - but some of the more experienced divers on my trip thought a few of the dives were unimpressive. I loved the wrecks - two planes, two ships, and this giant underwater pyramid thing that used to be used for some fish farming experiment? I can't remember the names of everything we hit, but it was fun, never too much current, and always lots to see and do.
Diving Bahamas in August on the Bahamas Aggressor
I will come back.
Diving Bahamas in September on the Phoenix
Very good. I did not expect many sharks due to low season but pleasantly surprised. The reefs were diverse, colourful and healthy. Top that with lots of marine life and you have a nearly perfect live aboard trip. And for the cheap price- worth every dollar
Diving Bahamas in August on the Blackbeards Sea Explorer
Warm clear water, the repetative diving at the same sights became boring!
Diving Bahamas in July on the Bahamas Aggressor
I loved the dives, very diverse, clear waters, something for everyone and every level of certification.
Diving Bahamas in April on the Blackbeards Morning Star
Very good, but expected too see more fish. Coral has obviously been severely damaged which was a shame.
Diving Bahamas in April on the Blackbeards Morning Star
Very nice experience with a great staff and a colourful coral reef
Diving Bahamas in April on the Bahamas Aggressor
Great sealife with lots of shark and turtle encounters.
Diving Bahamas in March on the Aqua Cat
Loads of fun. Loved the trip
Diving Bahamas in March on the Aqua Cat
More than what I expected. corals very healthy, interesting variety of species from big stock to small.
Diving Bahamas in February on the Blackbeards Sea Explorer
Excellent. The most diving I have ever done in so few days. Night dives were excellent and instruction (ADV Open Water) was top notch
Diving Bahamas in January on the Blackbeards Morning Star
Overall we had very good visibility each time, though the water was a bit chilly in Dec. We saw many rays, lobsters, crabs, lion-fishes, sharks, etc. Night dives were even more fun.
Diving Bahamas in December on the Aqua Cat
Excellent
Diving Bahamas in November on the Blackbeards Sea Explorer
Everything about the trip was amazing. Great crew, some nice amazing people that i met on it, water was warm and pretty clear, prolly could have been clearer but the hurricanes were there a week before and a week after. We were right in the middle of a break, couldn't have got luckier. I love it, ready to do it again!
Diving Bahamas in September on the Blackbeards Sea Explorer
The diving as good. The reefs are healthier in some areas than others. The captain did a nice job of taking us to the appropriate areas due to winds and weather. The shark dives are amazing. The night dives are really unique and lots of fish, turtles, crabs, lobsters and of course reef and nurse sharks!
Diving Bahamas in March on the Aqua Cat Liveaboard
A bit chilly in March, but otherwise wonderful!
Diving Bahamas in March on the Blackbeards Morning Star
Great confidence builder for future dive trips.
Diving Bahamas in February on the Bahamas Aggressor
Diving was a lot of fun, great marine life. Visibility in some sites was worse than the expected because of the bad weather we've faced, in spite of the outstanding effort the capitain made to keep us away from bad weather conditions at all times.
Diving Bahamas in February on the Aqua Cat
This was a great trip, and the diving was really nice. There are other locations I'd like to see before returning to dive the Bahamas again. However, the convenience and ease to get there was outstanding, which made it a great get-away trip without a huge travel itinerary.
Diving Bahamas in December on the Bahamas Aggressor
Although I expected to see healthier reefs, I really liked diving in the Bahamas because of the variety of dive sites offered (deep/shallow, coral vs. sponge dominated, seagrass beds)
Diving Bahamas in December on the Bahamas Aggressor
Good. Mainly because it is easy to get to.
Diving Bahamas in December on the Aqua Cat Liveaboard
Great reef formations, animal life and variety.
Diving Bahamas in December on the Blackbeards Morning Star
All dives met my expectations and more. I highly recommend this liveaboard.
Diving Bahamas in November on the Bahamas Aggressor
Really good, we did so many dives and I loved each and every one of them.
Diving Bahamas in August on the Blackbeards Morning Star
I would consider another trip, but largely because of the boat staff.
Diving Bahamas in April on the Bahamas Aggressor
enjoyed the sharks the most
Diving Bahamas in March on the Bahamas Aggressor
Good. If we were to do it again, we would certainly avoid the winter months. The weather was not at all what we hoped for.
Diving Bahamas in January on the Carib Dancer
Except for the Caribbean reef sharks it was disappointing, not as good as Cozumel and Belize, which surprised me.
Diving Bahamas in January on the Carib Dancer
The reef shark action was fantastic. I'd dive the Bahamas again just to get the interaction with the sharks.
Diving Bahamas in November on the Carib Dancer
Fabulous
Diving Bahamas in September on the Carib Dancer