Diving in the bahamas - The Bahamas - page 43

» Barracuda Heads This perennial Long Island favorite is a vast, sandy expanse studded
with a jumble of large coral heads, with the usual species of multicolored reef fish fluttering
about. Big barracuda also patrol the area.
» Shark Reef Thrill-seekers dig this very special shark feed. Divers kneel on the sandy
seabed in about 40ft, then a bucket of chum is released from the stern of the dive boat. A
gang of Caribbean reef sharks will immediately dart to the scene, vying for the free meal.
» Dean's Blue Hole On Long Island, the deepest undersea blue hole in the world is access-
ible from shore.
NEW PROVIDENCE
The strength of New Providence is the sheer variety of attractions, including superb ship-
wrecks, breathtaking walls along the Tongue of the Ocean, a varied topography and healthy
coral gardens. But what makes it so unique is the shark diving. Divers from all over the
world come here to experience a fantastic adrenaline rush at Shark Wall and Shark Arena
, two feeding spots south of the island. On a coral rubble patch, in less than 65ft, the divers
form a semicircle a few meters away from the feeders to watch the show. And what a show!
A dense cloud of Caribbean reef sharks tear hunks off the a bait pole, ripping it away with
a shake of the head. After 15 minutes of intense activity, the remains are tossed aside and
the dive continues at a calmer pace.
Less, uh, adrenaline-pumping dive sites:
» Bond Wreck A tugboat and the remains of a mock fighter plane were used in the James
Bond films Thunderball and Never Say Never Again . Swim around and inside the ribs of
the mock-up, festooned with soft and hard corals, all with vivid hues.
» Wil Laurie A massive wreck draped with corals and glowing sponges; in about 60ft.
» Bahama Mama A 110ft-long pleasure vessel which was scuttled in 1995.
» Sea Viking A vessel still in good shape, on the edge of the drop-off. The abundant fish
life is a bonus.
SAN SALVADOR
'San Sal' boasts world-class wall-diving. The island is an exposed seamount, surrounded
by walls that tumble vertically to several thousand feet. Its isolation and the depth of the
water make it a magnet for both pelagic and reef species, including big numbers of groupers
and hammerheads. There are also big cave and tunnel formations. Most dive sites are
scattered along the west coast, sheltered from the prevailing winds. Don't think this is all
challenging diving, however. You don't need to go deep - the wall starts at just 50ft or so.
The local dive center, Riding Rock Resort & Marina ( Click here ) uses at least 20 dive sites.
Don't miss Devil's Claw , Telephone Pole , Doolittle's Grotto , North Pole Cave , Black
Forest and French Bay .