Freeport
Freeport is one of the world’s most famous shark dive location - it’s an amazing underwater attraction you can’t miss.
Explore Grand Bahama
Grand Bahama Island, part of the stunning Bahamas archipelago, offers a captivating diving experience that attracts enthusiasts from around the world. Known for its pristine sandy beaches and vibrant marine life, the island boasts a variety of dive sites suitable for all skill levels. From the bustling dive hubs of Freeport and West End, divers can embark on exciting boat trips to explore the island's underwater wonders. Beginners will find the calm, clear waters ideal for entry-level courses, while advanced divers can pursue thrilling specialties like cave and wreck diving.
One of the island's standout features is its incredible shark diving opportunities. Sites like Tiger Beach and Shark Junction provide unforgettable encounters with tiger, Caribbean reef, and nurse sharks in their natural habitats. The island is also a haven for wreck diving enthusiasts, with famous sites such as Theo’s Wreck and the Sugar Wreck offering a glimpse into maritime history. For those interested in vibrant reefs, Sanctuary and Silver Reefs promise colorful coral gardens teeming with life. With water temperatures ranging from 24°C-31°C/75°F-88°F, the best time to dive is during the dry season from November to May, ensuring divers enjoy warm, sunny weather and stable ocean conditions.
Adding to the island's allure is the "March of the Spiny Lobsters," a unique phenomenon where countless lobsters migrate to deeper waters during October and November storms. This event, coupled with sightings of turtles, eagle rays, and octopus, makes Grand Bahama a thrilling destination for nature lovers. Whether diving from the shore, a boat, or a liveaboard, the island offers diverse underwater adventures that are sure to leave a lasting impression.
Places to explore
Dive Activity
Diving in Grand Bahama
Grand Bahama, a gem for divers, offers an array of impressive sites. The Theo's Wreck, a 70-meters/230-feet freighter sunk in 1982, is a must-see, lying at about 31 meters/100 feet and teeming with marine life. Another notable site is the Sea Star Wreck, excellent for exploring various fish species and coral formations. Shore dives like Paradise Cove provide easy access to vibrant reefs. Night dives reveal a different world with nocturnal creatures like lobsters and octopuses. Whether you prefer the flexibility of shore diving or the thorough exploration of liveaboard options, Grand Bahama caters to all, offering a balance between relaxation and adventure.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Grand Bahama
Grand Bahama offers an incredible array of marine life, making it a paradise for divers. The island's coral reefs are home to a variety of colorful reef fish, including parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish, which are common throughout the year. These vibrant species are often seen darting among the coral formations, providing a picturesque underwater scene. Seasonal highlights include sightings of majestic sharks, such as the Caribbean reef shark and hammerhead sharks, which are more frequently encountered during the warmer months. Divers might also be lucky to spot loggerhead and hawksbill turtles gliding gracefully through the water, particularly around the spring and summer months. Additionally, eagle rays are often seen in deeper waters, showcasing their elegant movements as they pass by divers. These experiences make Grand Bahama a captivating destination for marine wildlife enthusiasts.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
Alamy/Fiona Ayerst
Tiger Shark
462 Sightings
J
31
F
57
M
117
A
42
M
47
J
45
J
10
A
0
S
6
O
19
N
34
D
54
iStock/HakBak1979
Bull Shark
91 Sightings
J
23
F
22
M
31
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
3
D
12
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 27
iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda
51 Sightings
J
3
F
1
M
7
A
0
M
11
J
9
J
7
A
3
S
0
O
8
N
0
D
2
AdobeStock/G Russel Childress
Great Hammerhead Shark
47 Sightings
J
5
F
18
M
13
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
11
iStock-FionaAyerst
Lemon Shark
440 Sightings
J
25
F
56
M
101
A
38
M
49
J
47
J
19
A
0
S
8
O
17
N
32
D
48
AdobeStock-Marc Henauer
Grey Reef Shark
311 Sightings
J
6
F
21
M
53
A
30
M
44
J
59
J
21
A
7
S
6
O
18
N
8
D
38
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 2
AdobeStock-hakbak
Nurse Shark
188 Sightings
J
13
F
11
M
41
A
12
M
17
J
33
J
4
A
6
S
1
O
7
N
15
D
28
AdobeStock-Nikolai Sorokin
Blacktip Reef Shark
145 Sightings
J
5
F
16
M
31
A
16
M
17
J
7
J
8
A
5
S
0
O
15
N
13
D
12
k
Caribbean Reef Shark
100 Sightings
J
25
F
14
M
34
A
6
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
6
N
12
D
2
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 250
Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
Grouper/Basslets
71 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
6
A
14
M
21
J
18
J
4
A
0
S
0
O
4
N
0
D
2
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 80
iStock/Extreme-Photographer
Stingrays
66 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
16
A
7
M
2
J
9
J
8
A
2
S
0
O
10
N
1
D
10
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 110
iStock-Rainer von Brandis
Snapper
50 Sightings
J
3
F
1
M
1
A
0
M
13
J
9
J
10
A
0
S
0
O
4
N
9
D
0
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 100
iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish
26 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
5
A
0
M
0
J
5
J
0
A
2
S
1
O
7
N
0
D
4
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 130
Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish
24 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
12
J
2
J
0
A
2
S
0
O
5
N
1
D
0
The best Months to dive in Grand Bahama
Grand Bahama offers excellent diving opportunities year-round, thanks to its warm tropical climate. Water temperatures range from 24°C/75°F in winter to 29°C/85°F in summer, providing comfortable conditions for divers throughout the year. Visibility is typically good, often exceeding 30 meters/100 feet, making it ideal for exploring the vibrant marine life and coral reefs.
While diving is possible all year, divers should be aware of seasonal weather variations. The summer months, from June to November, bring the hurricane season, which can affect diving conditions due to increased winds and potential storms. However, outside this period, the weather is generally calm, with minimal currents, making it a favorable time for diving enthusiasts to visit.
