© Mares

Explore Nassau

Nassau, the capital city of the Bahamas, offers an unparalleled diving experience that attracts enthusiasts from around the globe. Its allure goes beyond the postcard-perfect beaches and shimmering azure waters, bringing to life a vivid underwater world teeming with adventure. With diverse dive sites ranging from submerged cliffs and plunging walls to vibrant reefs and eerie shipwrecks, Nassau is a dream destination for divers of all skill levels. The thrilling shark dives, particularly at the Runway Wall, also known as Shark Arena, provide adrenaline-pumping encounters where divers can witness hand-fed sharks up close. The island of New Providence, where Nassau is located, boasts numerous incredible dive sites. While many favorites are found on the western side, the entire island offers a wealth of underwater exploration opportunities. Shore dives at shallow reefs like Piece of Cake and Angelfish Reef are perfect for beginners, while more advanced sites reachable by boat challenge experienced divers. Dive centers and liveaboards abound, offering trips to the best sites in the Bahamas and even further afield to the surrounding Out Islands. This idyllic Caribbean hotspot even served as the backdrop for classic movies like "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," adding a touch of cinematic magic to its underwater wonders. Whether you're just starting or seeking advanced and specialty courses, Nassau provides the ideal setting for every diver's journey.

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Dive Activity

Diving in Nassau

Known as the “Underwater Hollywood” of the world, Nassau’s wreck diving sites have been used in a multitude of films over the years, thanks to their almost perfect conditions and bountiful marine life all just as abundant as they are easily accessible. In 1916, “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” was the first movie to be filmed here. The most famous cinematic features to be filmed were the James Bond movies, “Thunderball,” shot in 1965. Divers can explore the Vulcan Bomber that appears in this iconic picture, while Tears of Allah wreck from Sean Connery’s 1983 Bond movie “Never Say Never Again,” is also available for all to enjoy.

On a more normal note, Nassau’s reef diving scene is unparalleled. Easy, shallow reef sites are plentiful, where beginners and seasoned divers can be mesmerized by kaleidoscopic healthy corals teeming with tropical species.

Wall diving is just as popular, where vertical cliffs plunge into the abyss, while impressive tunnels, swim-throughs and caverns allow for excellent cave diving experiences. Tec divers will be adorned by depths at Lost Blue Cove and Trinity Caves, while Stuart’s Cove, also known as Runway Wall, boasts exceptional walls, in addition to rainbow reefs.

Shark diving is a major attraction, such as at Shark Buoy, where numbers of silky sharks assemble to feed on reef fish, allowing for exciting close encounters and observable natural behaviours.

Dive Centers

Bahamas Aggressor

Bahamas Aggressor

Nassau, Bahamas
Bahamas Aggressor II

Bahamas Aggressor II

Nassau, Bahamas
All Star Aqua Cat

All Star Aqua Cat

Hurricane Hole Marina, 32548 Paradise Island, Bahamas

Dive Sites

MS BUCEO - CENTRO DE BUCEO, 1870 AVELLANEDA
Stuart Cove’s Shark Arena (★4.6)

Stuart Cove’s Shark Arena (★4.6)

Also known as “The Arena,“ this is the most popular site of Stuart Cove’s famous Shark Adventure. During the dive, you will kneel on the sand bottom and form a semicircle in front of the professional shark feeder who will place a bait box in the center to attract the sharks.
David M. (#2588036)
Ray of Hope (Wreck) (★4.7)

Ray of Hope (Wreck) (★4.7)

The Ray of Hope is a 200-foot long Haitian freighter that was sunk as an artificial reef in 2003. She is fully intact, allowing divers to penetrate her interior, cabins, and gangways. Sitting in just 40-60 feet of water, this is the perfect dive for all levels of divers.
Aqualung
The Pumpkin Patch (★4.4)

The Pumpkin Patch (★4.4)

The Pumpkin Patch is a spectacular reef dive, shallow enough to snorkel, that sits off the southwest coast of New Providence. Water flowing off the Great Bahama Bank twice a day, during the tidal change, over the wall and into the Tongue of the Ocean brings nutrient-rich water making this reef a haven for all.
Mares, Janez Kranjc
Sand Chute (★4.3)

Sand Chute (★4.3)

The Sand Chute is a nice, easy reef dive that is boat accessible and sits on the southwest corner of the island of New Providence. A very active reef with lots to see.
Mares, Janez Kranjc
James Bond Wrecks (★4.4)

James Bond Wrecks (★4.4)

With their glory days long past, these purposefully sunk wrecks have become amazing artificial reefs for an array of fish, turtles, and eels to call home. Due to the Bahamas’ gin-clear water, Universal Studios sunk a number of vessels here to shoot many of the James Bond films on.
Mares, Janez Kranjc
Periwinkle Reef (★4.2)

Periwinkle Reef (★4.2)

Periwinkle Reef is located off of the island of New Providence and maximum depth is 21-25ft/6-8m with excellent visibility most days. It is a boat accessible dive site.
Mares, Janez Kranjc
Lost Blue Hole - Bahamas (★4.6)

Lost Blue Hole - Bahamas (★4.6)

Located a little to the south of Rose Island, this blue hole, 30 m in diameter and 52 m deep, is suitable for diving from basic to technical levels. It starts at 13 m with a small cave at 22 m.
Scubapro
Hollywood Bowl (★4.2)

Hollywood Bowl (★4.2)

Also known as Goulden Cay, the Hollywood Bowl is the dive site correlated to this government protected island and sits directly west of the island of New Providence. This site has been featured in several Hollywood films, hence the name, and is a great site for snorkelers and beginning divers.
Scubapro, Stephen Frink
Nassau (★4.5)

Nassau (★4.5)

All around the island of New Providence, where the famous city of Nassau is located, lies many different dive sites and different types of diving from blue holes and thriving reefs to shark dives and old Hollywood movie wrecks.

The best Months to dive in Nassau

The welcoming tropical climate provides great year-round diving, with comfortable water temperatures throughout the seasons, varying from 27–31°C/80.6–87.8°F. The best of Nassau’s diving is seen around November to May, when the dry season brings stable weather and ocean conditions.

The rainy season runs from June to October, and while diving is possible, storms may sometimes interrupt schedules, though downpours usually pass quickly and clear days still occur. Plus, bargains on accommodation and diving can be snatched during this low season.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Nassau

Expect life of varying sizes, from the Bahama sea star, snappers, sea bass, blue tang, spiny lobster, eels, angelfish, butterflyfish, octopus and the native Nassau grouper. Lots of beautiful anemonefish, starfish species, diverse crustaceans, and macro creatures can also be spotted.

An amazing variety of hard and soft corals thrive here too, including sponges, barrel coral, elkhorn, staghorn and incredible black coral structures.

Encrusted wreck sites host schooling silversides and mirrors of barracuda, while turtles and stingrays glide across reefs. The big boys include Caribbean reef sharks and silky sharks, and lucky divers might even spot tiger sharks and dolphins.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 27

iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda

Barracuda
296 Sightings
J
28
F
15
M
27
A
37
M
18
J
39
J
38
A
33
S
23
O
18
N
6
D
14
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle

Green Turtle
217 Sightings
J
14
F
3
M
19
A
27
M
26
J
20
J
29
A
11
S
16
O
13
N
23
D
16

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel

Moray Eel
206 Sightings
J
16
F
13
M
9
A
20
M
26
J
27
J
23
A
17
S
18
O
11
N
17
D
9

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse

Wrasse
205 Sightings
J
8
F
11
M
17
A
34
M
26
J
12
J
17
A
21
S
19
O
14
N
14
D
12
iStock-ShaneGross
Loggerhead Turtle

Loggerhead Turtle
143 Sightings
J
12
F
1
M
19
A
14
M
9
J
18
J
10
A
16
S
15
O
14
N
7
D
8

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

iStock/Juliosanjuan
Eagle Ray

Eagle Ray
66 Sightings
J
4
F
1
M
4
A
9
M
5
J
9
J
7
A
14
S
8
O
2
N
1
D
2
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle
47 Sightings
J
1
F
8
M
2
A
6
M
10
J
2
J
1
A
3
S
5
O
0
N
5
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 2

AdobeStock-hakbak
Nurse Shark

Nurse Shark
1.3k Sightings
J
87
F
92
M
116
A
109
M
140
J
141
J
133
A
102
S
90
O
71
N
108
D
79
AdobeStock-Marc Henauer
Grey Reef Shark

Grey Reef Shark
874 Sightings
J
71
F
69
M
89
A
73
M
103
J
80
J
101
A
47
S
52
O
54
N
71
D
64

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer
Stingrays

Stingrays
770 Sightings
J
63
F
50
M
92
A
56
M
46
J
79
J
84
A
64
S
61
O
38
N
75
D
62

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 12

iStock/cinoby
Lionfish

Lionfish
705 Sightings
J
58
F
47
M
67
A
62
M
57
J
75
J
82
A
70
S
59
O
40
N
46
D
42
AdobeStock-Nikolai Sorokin
Blacktip Reef Shark

Blacktip Reef Shark
699 Sightings
J
59
F
52
M
89
A
64
M
59
J
72
J
61
A
69
S
37
O
40
N
59
D
38

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 100

iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish

Parrotfish
616 Sightings
J
38
F
52
M
64
A
55
M
46
J
67
J
88
A
67
S
43
O
39
N
21
D
36

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish

Angelfish
565 Sightings
J
34
F
40
M
58
A
55
M
64
J
63
J
81
A
53
S
37
O
30
N
26
D
24

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
Grouper/Basslets

Grouper/Basslets
486 Sightings
J
37
F
39
M
48
A
48
M
58
J
52
J
58
A
35
S
28
O
37
N
11
D
35

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish

Butterfly Fish
308 Sightings
J
23
F
20
M
22
A
25
M
45
J
26
J
42
A
35
S
28
O
13
N
13
D
16

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 85

iStock-mirecca
Surgeonfish

Surgeonfish
179 Sightings
J
7
F
9
M
7
A
21
M
16
J
15
J
28
A
19
S
24
O
14
N
6
D
13

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 110

iStock-Rainer von Brandis
Snapper

Snapper
167 Sightings
J
10
F
14
M
10
A
20
M
13
J
22
J
27
A
29
S
16
O
6
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal
Damselfish

Damselfish
143 Sightings
J
7
F
9
M
9
A
9
M
32
J
13
J
20
A
13
S
13
O
7
N
2
D
9

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix
Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts
137 Sightings
J
6
F
3
M
11
A
16
M
14
J
19
J
26
A
16
S
15
O
8
N
1
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Spiny Lobster

Spiny Lobster
130 Sightings
J
4
F
6
M
11
A
12
M
12
J
18
J
13
A
21
S
15
O
3
N
11
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

iStock-wrangel
Triggerfish

Triggerfish
124 Sightings
J
7
F
1
M
5
A
15
M
15
J
9
J
24
A
15
S
8
O
11
N
5
D
9

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
Trumpetfish

Trumpetfish
112 Sightings
J
3
F
2
M
7
A
17
M
14
J
14
J
20
A
13
S
7
O
7
N
3
D
5

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Squirrelfish

Squirrelfish
111 Sightings
J
3
F
9
M
7
A
13
M
10
J
2
J
10
A
29
S
7
O
4
N
10
D
7

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

iStock-Hoatzinexp
Jackfish

Jackfish
108 Sightings
J
9
F
7
M
5
A
12
M
6
J
8
J
14
A
11
S
11
O
15
N
3
D
7

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
Pufferfish

Pufferfish
107 Sightings
J
4
F
3
M
15
A
10
M
12
J
10
J
7
A
18
S
8
O
6
N
11
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 28

Udo Kefrig
Clownfish

Clownfish
103 Sightings
J
1
F
8
M
9
A
8
M
14
J
8
J
14
A
11
S
8
O
16
N
4
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 55

Shutterstock-RLS Photo
Lobster

Lobster
97 Sightings
J
8
F
1
M
12
A
15
M
14
J
9
J
8
A
11
S
8
O
1
N
4
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 7000

iStock-Michael Zeigler
Crab

Crab
93 Sightings
J
10
F
3
M
6
A
14
M
7
J
10
J
5
A
18
S
4
O
4
N
6
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Shutterstock-Levent Konuk
Goatfish

Goatfish
84 Sightings
J
2
F
10
M
9
A
6
M
9
J
3
J
13
A
10
S
13
O
4
N
4
D
1
iStock-June Jacobsen
Whitetip Reef Shark

Whitetip Reef Shark
82 Sightings
J
12
F
1
M
1
A
14
M
12
J
13
J
0
A
3
S
8
O
4
N
5
D
9

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Soldierfish

Soldierfish
63 Sightings
J
3
F
2
M
1
A
4
M
4
J
8
J
8
A
17
S
3
O
6
N
3
D
4
iStock-FionaAyerst
Lemon Shark

Lemon Shark
34 Sightings
J
3
F
4
M
12
A
6
M
3
J
1
J
0
A
4
S
1
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel
Boxfish

Boxfish
33 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
2
A
6
M
6
J
6
J
1
A
9
S
2
O
1
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 30

Shutterstock-s_a_j
Sand Eel

Sand Eel
33 Sightings
J
4
F
1
M
0
A
6
M
0
J
0
J
4
A
2
S
7
O
4
N
2
D
3