Warm, crystal-clear waters and drop-offs close to shore make Nassau Paradise Islands a diver's dream. Mysterious blue holes and caves, historical wrecks and vibrant living reefs, soaring wall dives and thrilling shark watches, all await learning and experienced divers. From packages that include instruction, lodging, and meals to solo launches for expert divers, Nassau/Paradise Island has dives for any certified bottom-dweller.
The Lost Blue HolePerhaps the most unusual dive site in The Islands Of The Bahamas. This natural hole in the open ocean floor is about 100 feet across and 200 feet deep. Here you will find large schools of reef fish, such as sergeant majors, chromis, and angelfish.
Trinity CavesThese caves are a collection of shallow caves with three major openings. In 45 feet of water, the caves go in about 30 feet with the largest opening being eight feet across and four feet high. Look for large lobsters and reclusive groupers.
Piece Of CakeThis site is located at a depth of 25 feet, and you will find many caverns that you can swim through. Nurse sharks and lobsters are found at this location. Divers have a very enjoyable time looking under the ledges and in the cracks and crevices at this site.
The Miranda WreckUnique in its placement, this 90-foot wreck lies on its side in two sections. A good medium-depth wreck to give the diver ample time to explore and observe the rays and many open-water fish that make their home on and around the Miranda.
The Grennen WreckThis is another of our medium-depth dives to yet another wreck. Located in 60 feet of crystal-clear water, divers will find blue tangs, yellowtail snappers, and barracudas.
Southwest ReefThis dive site has a huge, healthy expanse in 15 to 30 feet of water. This reef has beautiful fields of Blade Fire Coral, punctuated by pristine elkhorn and brain corals, providing refuge for schools of grunts along this picturesque reefscape.
Elkhorn GardensGreat snorkeling, located just offshore of Goulding Cay.
Fancy PurpleLocated on the Southwest Reef, this dive features lots of lobster and conch, where high-profile coral heads shelter a wide range of Caribbean tropicals.
Goulding CayGoulding Cay is a small island one mile offshore. Surrounding this cay are shallow, pristine coral reefs. Dominated by elkhorn coral, they rise so near the surface they are awash at low tide. This is also an incredible snorkeling site.
Hollywood HoleThis site is a section of Goulding Cay that offers a nice bit of sand to play in and get acclimated to scuba diving—with plenty of coral heads nearby.
Little ElvisA large-area, shallow reef that is densely populated with elkhorn and star corals. You will also encounter schooling grunts and large grouper.
The B.J. WreckThis is a 100-foot-long cargo freighter sitting upright in 50 feet of depth. One large open hold can be explored on this wreck. A common sight here is a huge, midnight-blue parrotfish who makes his home in the wreck.
S.S. PLPThis wreck was sunk in 1992. It's approximately 200 feet in length and sits in 100 feet of water. Expect to see larger pelagic species here, with amberjacks and pompanos seen regularly.
Fish SchoolAn isolated coral head that attracts literally thousands of margates, French grunts and lane snappers. Schools of African pompano are frequently spotted along here. The head itself houses numerous eels. This dive is 60 feet.
Pumpkin Patch ReefFish watchers will be rewarded with schooling horse-eye jacks, angelfish, barracuda, parrot fish and a variety of groupers.
Porpoise PensHigh-profile coral heads shelter a wide range of Caribbean tropicals. Also nearby, the second major movie set for the feature film "Flipper."
The ShipyardThe site consists of four wrecks that sit in 90 feet of water. The Ana Lise, a 150-foot freighter lying on her port side; the 95-foot Helena C; the 90-foot Bahama Shell; and the newest one, a wooden-hull cargo ship sunk early in 1994.
The De La Salle WreckA 100-foot island freighter is sitting upright in 70 feet of crystal-clear water, offering great photographic opportunities. Expect to see schools of snappers, schoolmasters, and grunts in the wheelhouse.
The Fish HotelHome to thousands of schooling juvenile blue-striped and French grunts, yellow goatfish, and Bermuda chub. Depths on this flat, circular reef range from about 10 feet to 35 feet.
The Barracuda ShoalsThe finest shallow reef in the area, with depths that never exceed 30 feet. Barracuda typifies the look of a healthy, shallow Bahamian reef. Groupers, angelfish, filefish, and schools of grunts and snappers are found throughout this reef.
The Thunderball ReefA treat for any diver, this is one of the most-filmed reefs in the world, used during several of the James Bond movies. The outstanding feature here is the magnificent stands of elkhorn and staghorn corals. Dazzling reef fish are found on the 25-foot-deep reef. The reef starts in five feet of water, so it is excellent for snorkelers as well as divers.
Bahama MamaThis dive has a sunken "party boat" called the Bahama Mama that was sunk in January of 1995. With the addition of the wreck, an average site has now become an outstanding site. Off to the side at a coral head, you may find a large green moray. This dive is about 50 feet deep.
Tears Of AllahEnjoy the James Bond? You'll love this dive because it features a wreck used as a movie set for the thriller "Never Say Never Again." The dive is about 40 feet.
The Cannonball ReefAnother site also filmed during many movies, this site is known for its fantastic snorkeling and shallow diving. Angelfish are in abundance here. Schools of sergeant major, rock hind, grouper, and squirrel fish, and an occasional barracuda or lobster, are found here.
The Angelfish ReefThis site contains numerous grey angels, queen angels and French angels and is shallow enough for snorkelers and divers alike. You can often find puffer fish, starfish, yellow stingrays, and conch.
The White HoleA circular patch of sand surrounded with numerous brain coral, mountainous star coral, large flower coral, and typical fish seen on most shallow reefs.
The LTC BargeThe barge sits upright in about 20 feet of water and can be entered through the wheelhouse. A wonderful siteat which to spend an hour of bottom time observing large schools of small fish along with spectacular angelfish and butterfly fish. Superb photographic opportunities with accommodating angelfish.
Vulcan BomberWhile not a real bomber, a set created for the Bod thriller "Thunderball" resembled a large bomber. Today the thin coating has weathered away, and large curtains of gorgonians, sponges, and other growth drape from its gymlike framework. This dive is about 40 feet.
Wilaurie WreckAn awesome night dive, this dive site is a former Bahamian mailboat now lying in a 50-foot reef area. This site is an awesome night dive. Expect to see turtles, octopi, and numerous trumpet fish.
RunwayInshore from the wall on a small, sand-surrounded patch reef, this site features the male Caribbean reef shark—different from the females found at Shark Arena. This is a shark feeding site.
Runway WallThis beautiful wall is located approximately 25 yards from the sand feeding area at Runway. When diving here before feeding activities, the sharks will follow you along the wall for a beautiful natural encounter. This is a wall dive and a free-swim shark dive.
Shark ArenaLocated on the top of Shark Wall, this is a primary feeding site for Stuart Cove. As a result, this site typically attracts more sharks than any of their other locations. This is a 45-foot dive.
Wreck On The WallThis site offers a great dive with an old sailboat wedged into a crevice and protruding halfway over the wall.
Shark BuoyDived on rare occasions when weather permits, the buoy is anchored in 6,000 feet of water and features a population of transient silky sharks. The sharks migrate in to feed on schools of jacks and other fish attracted to the chain anchoring the buoy.
Shark WallThis site is located on a beautiful coral wall out along the Tongue of the Ocean. The sharks have come to associate divers with food and remain in the vicinity throughout, adding an edge to what is already a beautiful dive. This dive is 80 feet.
The Mahoney WreckA must-see for divers, this site dates back to the 1800s. As a navigational hazard it was blown apart and now lies scattered in 30 feet of water. An incredible collection of groupers, snappers, grunts, pipefish, angelfish, butterflies, eels, and invertebrates are always present on her scattered remains.
Sea VikingThis dive has a wreck sunk in 1996, the newest addition to New Providence's artificial reef program.
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