Explore New Providence

Nestled in the northern parts of the Great Bahama Bank, New Providence offers an unparalleled diving experience. Its azure waters and pristine sands lure travelers, but beneath the surface lies a realm of vibrant reefs, dramatic drop-offs, and historical shipwrecks. Dive environments range from colorful coral gardens to the thrilling walls that plunge into the ocean's depths. Adventurous divers can explore mysterious tunnels and caves or engage in exhilarating shark dives that get the adrenaline pumping. The island's unique position as "Underwater Hollywood" provides a cinematic backdrop with dive sites featured in classic films, offering a touch of glamour to your underwater adventure.

Nassau, the bustling capital, is the heart of diving on New Providence, with a plethora of dive centers and resorts catering to all levels. Whether you're a novice looking to take your first dive course or an experienced diver seeking the thrill of a liveaboard trip to the Out Islands, there's something for everyone. The waters teem with life, from playful octopuses and vibrant angelfish to majestic Caribbean reef sharks and graceful turtles. Diving is possible year-round, but the dry season from November to May is considered the best, with water temperatures ranging from 27°C to 31°C/81°F to 88°F, ensuring comfortable dives with excellent visibility. New Providence is not just a dive destination; it's an unforgettable underwater journey.

Places to explore

Dive Activity

Diving in New Providence

New Providence, the bustling heart of the Bahamas, offers an array of exciting dive sites for both shore and liveaboard divers. Among the top wreck dives is the "James Bond Wrecks," featuring the "Tears of Allah" and the "Vulcan Bomber" from iconic 007 films. These sites are perfect for those seeking a cinematic underwater adventure.

Popular shore dives include the "Blue Hole," where divers can explore intricate cave systems and spot diverse marine life. For night dive enthusiasts, the "Lost Blue Hole" offers mesmerizing bioluminescent displays and encounters with nocturnal sea creatures. New Providence's diverse options cater to every diver's dream, balancing convenience and exploration through its shore and liveaboard offerings.

Top Wildlife Sightings in New Providence

New Providence, part of the Bahamas, is famed for its vibrant marine life, attracting divers with its rich biodiversity. The coral reefs host a variety of common reef fish, including parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish, which swim amidst the corals year-round. These colorful species are easily spotted during dives at sites like the Tongue of the Ocean and the Love Shack Reef. Seasonal highlights include the chance to swim alongside majestic sea turtles and graceful stingrays, especially in the summer months. Shark encounters are another thrilling aspect, with reef and nurse sharks frequently sighted in waters near Shark Wall and Shark Arena throughout the year. These experiences are typical for divers seeking both routine and exciting encounters in New Providence's waters.

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: 600

Wrasse

114 Sightings
J
8
F
8
M
9
A
13
M
14
J
4
J
10
A
13
S
11
O
8
N
9
D
7

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

Total number of species: 27

Barracuda

109 Sightings
J
10
F
5
M
7
A
9
M
6
J
12
J
14
A
12
S
14
O
10
N
6
D
4

Loggerhead Turtle

102 Sightings
J
12
F
0
M
12
A
6
M
4
J
9
J
6
A
13
S
14
O
13
N
7
D
6

Green Turtle

84 Sightings
J
6
F
1
M
6
A
13
M
11
J
8
J
10
A
7
S
6
O
5
N
7
D
4

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

Total number of species: 200

Moray Eel

79 Sightings
J
3
F
6
M
6
A
8
M
9
J
9
J
2
A
4
S
11
O
4
N
11
D
6

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

Total number of species: 2

Nurse Shark

756 Sightings
J
55
F
58
M
69
A
47
M
88
J
64
J
95
A
54
S
61
O
38
N
77
D
50

Grey Reef Shark

589 Sightings
J
46
F
46
M
58
A
41
M
67
J
38
J
75
A
34
S
45
O
35
N
58
D
46

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

Total number of species: 80

Stingrays

394 Sightings
J
40
F
24
M
45
A
23
M
22
J
26
J
41
A
34
S
40
O
20
N
44
D
35

Blacktip Reef Shark

367 Sightings
J
34
F
28
M
46
A
27
M
36
J
29
J
27
A
24
S
26
O
28
N
39
D
23

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

Total number of species: 12

Lionfish

302 Sightings
J
26
F
21
M
31
A
20
M
19
J
32
J
33
A
27
S
28
O
14
N
28
D
23

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

Total number of species: 250

Grouper/Basslets

267 Sightings
J
19
F
24
M
28
A
13
M
34
J
26
J
25
A
21
S
22
O
23
N
8
D
24

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

Total number of species: 100

Parrotfish

259 Sightings
J
15
F
16
M
30
A
19
M
18
J
28
J
29
A
33
S
25
O
20
N
11
D
15

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

Total number of species: 90

Angelfish

198 Sightings
J
13
F
8
M
23
A
12
M
23
J
20
J
22
A
25
S
18
O
12
N
14
D
8

Caribbean Reef Shark

178 Sightings
J
5
F
17
M
15
A
11
M
16
J
15
J
25
A
12
S
20
O
0
N
19
D
23

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

Total number of species: 130

Butterfly Fish

109 Sightings
J
9
F
6
M
5
A
4
M
18
J
10
J
8
A
16
S
14
O
4
N
9
D
6

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

Total number of species: 110

Snapper

71 Sightings
J
5
F
4
M
1
A
5
M
6
J
13
J
8
A
15
S
12
O
2
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: 60

Squirrelfish

56 Sightings
J
1
F
3
M
4
A
3
M
3
J
0
J
3
A
21
S
7
O
4
N
6
D
1

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

Total number of species: 7000

Crab

56 Sightings
J
9
F
1
M
1
A
8
M
0
J
6
J
2
A
13
S
4
O
1
N
6
D
5

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

Total number of species: 150

Sweetlips and Grunts

55 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
2
A
11
M
5
J
10
J
5
A
6
S
6
O
6
N
0
D
1

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

Total number of species: 85

Surgeonfish

54 Sightings
J
2
F
4
M
0
A
3
M
5
J
7
J
8
A
6
S
9
O
5
N
3
D
2

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

Total number of species: 3

Trumpetfish

49 Sightings
J
3
F
1
M
3
A
7
M
6
J
10
J
5
A
6
S
2
O
3
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: 40

Jackfish

48 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
3
A
4
M
2
J
5
J
2
A
5
S
9
O
12
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: 350

Damselfish

47 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
0
A
2
M
11
J
4
J
2
A
6
S
7
O
6
N
1
D
5

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

Total number of species: 40

Triggerfish

46 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
2
A
4
M
4
J
4
J
9
A
5
S
6
O
5
N
2
D
5

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

Total number of species: 55

Lobster

41 Sightings
J
6
F
1
M
8
A
5
M
6
J
4
J
2
A
3
S
4
O
0
N
1
D
1

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

Total number of species: 60

Spiny Lobster

40 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
3
A
2
M
1
J
8
J
3
A
5
S
3
O
2
N
7
D
4

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

Total number of species: 130

Pufferfish

38 Sightings
J
5
F
4
M
4
A
2
M
4
J
6
J
0
A
3
S
4
O
0
N
5
D
1

The best Months to dive in New Providence

New Providence offers year-round diving opportunities with generally favorable conditions. Water temperatures range from 24°C/75°F in winter to around 29°C/84°F in summer, providing comfortable diving experiences throughout the year. Visibility is typically excellent, often exceeding 24 meters/80 feet, allowing divers to enjoy the vibrant marine life and expansive coral reefs.

Weather factors such as wind and currents can occasionally impact diving conditions. The winter months, particularly December to February, may bring stronger winds, leading to choppier seas and slightly reduced visibility. However, these conditions are usually manageable, and diving remains possible. The hurricane season, from June to November, might also pose some challenges, although hurricanes rarely affect the area directly. Overall, New Providence is a reliable diving destination year-round, with only minor seasonal variations to consider.

Dive Centers

Dive Sites