© Mares

Explore Tongue of Ocean

Diving in the Tongue of the Ocean, located off the eastern shore of Andros, offers an extraordinary underwater adventure that is both diverse and thrilling. This region is bordered by the third-largest barrier reef in the world, providing a stunning backdrop for divers of all skill levels. Beginners can enjoy easy, relaxing dives among countless shallow reefs teeming with vibrant marine life.

For those seeking a deeper thrill, the famous Wall dive presents an awe-inspiring descent into over 3.2 kilometers/2 miles of deep blue water, making it one of the most breathtaking dive sites in the Caribbean. Adventure-seeking divers will find their match at the Great Blue Hole, the second deepest blue hole in the Bahamas, offering an exciting exploration opportunity. The area is also rich with intriguing wrecks and cave dives, each site revealing unique underwater treasures.

Typically accessed by dive boat, these sites provide a varied experience that can include everything from leisurely reef dives to exhilarating wall and cave explorations. The Tongue of the Ocean stands out not only for its breathtaking dive environments but also for its seasonal marine encounters that continue to enchant divers year-round.

Dive Activity

Diving in Tongue of Ocean

The Tongue of the Ocean in the Bahamas offers diverse dive experiences that captivate adventurers and marine enthusiasts alike. Notable wreck dives, such as the "Theo's Wreck," a former freighter, attract divers with its vibrant marine life and intriguing history. Popular shore dives include "Stuart Cove's Shark Adventure," where divers can witness the thrilling choreographed feeding of Caribbean reef sharks. For those seeking unique underwater experiences, night dives in the Tongue of the Ocean reveal a different marine world, showcasing nocturnal creatures and bioluminescent displays. Dive travelers can choose between shore and liveaboard options, providing flexibility for both novice and experienced divers to explore the underwater wonders at their pace.

Dive Centers

Dive Sites

The best Months to dive in Tongue of Ocean

The Tongue of the Ocean offers exceptional diving conditions year-round. Water temperatures range from 24°C–29°C/75°F–84°F, providing comfortable diving throughout the year. Visibility is typically excellent, often exceeding 30 meters/98 feet, thanks to the clear waters and minimal sedimentation.

Diving is possible all year, but the best conditions are usually from November to May when the weather is more stable, and winds are lighter. The hurricane season, from June to November, can bring stronger winds and currents, making some dive sites less accessible. However, even during this period, diving remains feasible with suitable planning and local guidance.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Tongue of Ocean

The Tongue of the Ocean, located in the Bahamas, is a marine haven teeming with diverse aquatic life, making it a prime destination for divers. Common inhabitants include vibrant reef fish such as angelfish, parrotfish, and butterflyfish, which add color and life to the coral gardens. These species are readily seen year-round, offering a dazzling display for those exploring the underwater landscapes.

Seasonally, divers may encounter larger marine creatures. Shark sightings, including reef and nurse sharks, are relatively common, especially during the winter months. Rays, such as the majestic spotted eagle ray, often glide gracefully through the waters, with their presence peaking during the warmer seasons. The area is also a nesting site for sea turtles, which can be spotted during the summer months, adding to the rich tapestry of marine life that the Tongue of the Ocean has to offer.

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.: 200

Moray Eel

Moray Eel

41 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
2
A
3
M
5
J
4
J
2
A
1
S
7
O
5
N
4
D
5

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

Total number of species approx.: 27

Barracuda

Barracuda

36 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
9
A
1
M
4
J
1
J
9
A
4
S
3
O
0
N
2
D
2
Green Turtle

Green Turtle

25 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
4
A
1
M
2
J
0
J
7
A
2
S
4
O
0
N
1
D
1
Loggerhead Turtle

Loggerhead Turtle

25 Sightings
J
1
F
6
M
5
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
2
A
0
S
4
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 approx.: 25

Eagle Ray

Eagle Ray

12 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
3
A
1
M
1
J
0
J
1
A
1
S
3
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.: 600

Wrasse

Wrasse

6 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
2
A
1
M
1
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
1
Common Dolphin

Common Dolphin

4 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
1
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle

4 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
0
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.: 300

Octopus

Octopus

3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
2
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
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.: 12

Lionfish

Lionfish

61 Sightings
J
4
F
2
M
15
A
3
M
4
J
3
J
7
A
4
S
7
O
4
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.: 90

Angelfish

Angelfish

55 Sightings
J
5
F
0
M
16
A
3
M
3
J
1
J
9
A
4
S
6
O
2
N
2
D
4

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

Total number of species approx.: 100

Parrotfish

Parrotfish

53 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
19
A
2
M
4
J
4
J
6
A
2
S
5
O
3
N
2
D
3
Grey Reef Shark

Grey Reef Shark

44 Sightings
J
5
F
3
M
10
A
2
M
0
J
4
J
6
A
6
S
4
O
2
N
1
D
1
Blacktip Reef Shark

Blacktip Reef Shark

42 Sightings
J
3
F
2
M
8
A
1
M
5
J
6
J
4
A
3
S
1
O
6
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.: 80

Stingrays

Stingrays

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

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

Total number of species approx.: 2

Nurse Shark

Nurse Shark

36 Sightings
J
4
F
3
M
1
A
2
M
5
J
4
J
4
A
2
S
2
O
4
N
1
D
4

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

Total number of species approx.: 250

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

Total number of species approx.: 130

Butterfly Fish

Butterfly Fish

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

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

Total number of species approx.: 110

Snapper

Snapper

20 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
11
A
1
M
2
J
0
J
4
A
1
S
0
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.: 60

Squirrelfish

Squirrelfish

18 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
5
A
1
M
2
J
1
J
3
A
0
S
0
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 approx.: 40

Triggerfish

Triggerfish

17 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
3
A
1
M
3
J
2
J
3
A
2
S
0
O
0
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 approx.: 85

Surgeonfish

Surgeonfish

15 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
8
A
0
M
2
J
0
J
2
A
1
S
0
O
0
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 approx.: 250

Scorpionfish

Scorpionfish

15 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
2
A
3
M
4
J
1
J
0
A
1
S
2
O
1
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 approx.: 350

Damselfish

Damselfish

14 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
4
A
1
M
3
J
0
J
2
A
2
S
0
O
0
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 approx.: 30

Stonefish

Stonefish

14 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
2
A
2
M
3
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
3
N
2
D
1

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

Total number of species approx.: 130

Pufferfish

Pufferfish

13 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
2
A
0
M
1
J
2
J
2
A
2
S
0
O
0
N
2
D
1

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

Total number of species approx.: 3

Trumpetfish

Trumpetfish

12 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
1
A
1
M
3
J
0
J
2
A
1
S
0
O
1
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 approx.: 3000

Nudibranch

Nudibranch

11 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
2
M
4
J
2
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
2
D
0

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

Total number of species approx.: 90

Goatfish

Goatfish

10 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
4
A
2
M
1
J
0
J
1
A
1
S
0
O
0
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 approx.: 28

Clownfish

Clownfish

9 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
1
A
0
M
1
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
2
D
3

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

Total number of species approx.: 150

Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts

7 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
3
J
1
J
0
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
0

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

Total number of species approx.: 60

Soldierfish

Soldierfish

7 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
1
J
1
A
1
S
0
O
0
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 approx.: 40

Jackfish

Jackfish

6 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
0
A
1
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
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 approx.: 7000

Crab

Crab

6 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
3
A
1
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
Whitetip Reef Shark

Whitetip Reef Shark

5 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
0
O
1
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 approx.: 38

Stingray

Stingray

5 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
1
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
0
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.: 60

Spiny Lobster

Spiny Lobster

5 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
1
M
1
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
0
D
0
Lemon Shark

Lemon Shark

4 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
2
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
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.: 20

Porcupinefish

Porcupinefish

4 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
3
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
0

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

Total number of species approx.: 8

Bannerfish

Bannerfish

3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
0

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

Total number of species approx.: 3400

Shrimp

Shrimp

3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
3
S
0
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

Boxfish

Boxfish

3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0