Diving of Bahamas
New Providence Island: Many ships have sunk near Nassau in the past 300
years, and all the dive outfitters here know the most scenic wreck sites. Other
underwater attractions are gardens of elkhorn coral and dozens of reefs packed
with life. The most spectacular dive site is Shark Wall, 16km (10 miles) off New
Providence’s southwest coast; it’s blessed with incredible, colorful sea life and the
healthiest coral offshore. You’ll even get to swim with sharks (not as bait, of
course).
Grand Bahama Island: The island is ringed with reefs, and dive sites are plentiful,
including the Wall, the Caves (site of a long-ago disaster known as Theo’s
Wreck), and Treasure Reef. Other popular dive sites include Spit City (yes,
that’s right), Ben Blue Hole, and the Rose Garden (no one knows how this one
got its name). What makes Grand Bahama a cut above the others is the presenceof a
world-class dive operator, UNEXSO, the Underwater Explorer Society.
Lucayan National Park: This park on Grand Bahama is the site of a 9.5km-long
(6-mile) underground freshwater cave system, the longest of its type in the world.
The largest cave contains spiral staircases that lead visitors into a freshwater world
inhabited by shrimp, mosquito fish, fruit bats, freshwater eels, and a species of
crustacean (Spelionectes lucayensis) that has never been documented elsewhere.
In the 16-hectare (40-acre) preserve are examples of the island’s five ecosystems—
pine forests, rocky coppice, mangrove swamps, whiteland coppice, and
sand dunes. Pause to sunbathe on a lovely stretch of sandy beach or hike along
paths accented by orchids, hummingbirds, and barn owls.
Bimini Although: Bimini is most famous for its game fishing, it boasts excellent
diving, too. Five kilometers (3 miles) of offshore reefs attract millions of colorful
fish. Even snorkelers can see black-coral gardens, blue holes, and an odd configuration
on the sea floor that is allegedly part of the lost continent of Atlantis (a fun
legend, at any rate). Divers can check out the wreck of a motorized yacht, the
Sapona (owned by Henry Ford), which sank in shallow waters off the coast in
1929.
Andros: Marine life abounds in the barrier reef off the coast of Andros, which is
one of the world’s largest and a famous destination for divers. The reef plunges
1,800m (5,906 ft.) to a narrow drop-off known as the Tongue of the Ocean. You
can also explore mysterious blue holes, formed when subterranean caves filled
with seawater, causing their ceilings to collapse and expose clear, deep pools.
Pelican Cays Land and Sea Park (Abacos): Known for its undersea caves, seemingly
endless coral reefs, and abundant plant and marine life, this national park,
13km (8 miles) north of Cherokee Sound at Great Abaco Island, is a highlight for
scuba divers.
Harbour Island (Eleuthera): In addition to lovely coral and an array of colorful
fish, divers can enjoy some unique experiences here, such as the Current Cut,
an exciting underwater gully that carries you on a swiftly flowing underwater current
for 10 minutes. Four wrecked ships also lie nearby, at depths of less than 12m
(39 ft.), including a barge that was transporting the engine of a steam locomotive
in 1865, reportedly after the American Confederacy sold it to raise cash for its war
effort.
Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park (Exumas): A major attraction, this park was the
first of its kind anywhere on the planet. The 35km-long (22-mile), 13km-wide
(8-mile) natural preserve attracts divers to its 453 sq. km (175 sq. miles) of sea
gardens with spectacular reefs, flora, and fauna. Inaugurated in 1958, it lies some
35km (22 miles) northwest of Staniel Cay and 64km (40 miles) southeast of Nassau;
it’s only accessible by boat.
Long Island (Southern Bahamas): Snorkeling is spectacular on virtually all sides
of this island. But experienced divers venturing into deeper waters offshore can
visit underwater cages to feed swarms of mako, bull, and reef sharks. Dive sites
abound, including the Arawak “green hole,” a blue hole of incomprehensible
depth.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
The best beaches of Bahamas
Beaches of Bahamas
Cable Beach (New Providence Island): The glittering shoreline of
Cable Beach proffers easy access to shops, casinos, restaurants, watersports,
and bars. It’s a sandy 6.5km-long (4-mile) strip, with a great
array of facilities and activities.
Cabbage Beach (Paradise Island): Think Vegas in the Tropics. It
seems as though most of the sunbathers dozing on the sands here are
recovering from the previous night’s partying, and it’s likely to be
crowded near the mega-hotels, but you can find more solitude on the
beach’s northwestern extension (Paradise Beach), which is accessible
only by boat or on foot. Lined with palms, sea grapes, and casuarinas,
the sands are broad and stretch for at least 3km (13⁄4 miles).
Xanadu Beach (Grand Bahama Island): Grand Bahama has 97km
(60 miles) of sandy shoreline, but Xanadu Beach is most convenient
to Freeport’s hotels, several of which offer shuttle service here. There’s
more than a kilometer (2⁄3 mile) of white sand and (usually) gentle surf.
Don’t expect to have it to yourself, but if you want more quiet and
privacy, try any of the beaches that stretch from Xanadu for many
miles in either direction.
Tahiti Beach (Hope Town, Elbow Cay, Abacos): Since this beach is
so isolated at the far end of the island, you can be sure that only a
handful of people will ever visit these cool waters and white sands.
The crowds stay away because you can’t drive here; you have to walk
or ride a bike along sand and gravel paths from Hope Town. You can
also charter a boat to reach the beach—which isn’t too hard, since the
Abacos are the country’s sailing capital.
Ten Bay Beach (Eleuthera): Ten Bay Beach lies a short drive south of Palmetto
Point, just north of Savannah Sound. Once upon a time, the exclusive Cotton Bay
Club chose to build a hotel here because of the fabulous scenery. There may not
be any facilities now, but ever since the hotel closed, the white sands and turquoise
waters here have been more idyllic and private than ever.
Pink Sands Beach (Harbour Island, Eleuthera): Running the entire length of the
island’s eastern side, these pale-pink sands stretch for 5km (3 miles) past a handful
of low-rise hotels and private villas. A coral reef protects the shore from breakers,
making for some of the safest swimming in The Bahamas.
Saddle Cay (Exumas): Most of the Exumas are oval-shaped islands strung end
to end like links in a 209km (130-mile) chain. One notable exception is Saddle
Cay, with its horseshoe-shaped curve near the Exumas’ northern tip. It can be
reached only by boat but offers an unspoiled setting without a trace of the modern
world—and plenty of other cays and islets where you can play Robinson Crusoe
for a few hours, if you like.
Stocking Island (Exumas): One of the finest white sandy beaches in The Bahamas
lies off Elizabeth Harbour, the archipelago’s main harbor, which is close to
the little capital of George Town on Great Exuma Island. You can reach Stocking
Island easily by boat, and the sands of this offshore island are rarely crowded;
snorkelers and divers love to explore its gin-clear waters. In addition to its beach
of powdery white sand, the island is known for its blue holes, coral gardens, and
undersea caves.
Cat Island (Southern Bahamas): The white beaches ringing this island are pristine,
opening onto crystal-clear waters and lined with coconut palms, palmettos,
and casuarina trees—and best of all, you’ll practically have the place to yourself.
One of our favorite beaches here, near Old Bight, has a beautiful, lazy curve of
white sand. Another fabulous one lies 5km (3 miles) north of New Bight, at the
Fernandez Bay Village resort. This one, set against another backdrop of casuarinas,
is unusually tranquil. A good shoreline here is the long, sandy stretch that
opens onto Hawk’s Nest Resort & Marina, on the southwestern side. None of the
Cat Island beaches has any facilities (bring everything you need from your hotel),
but they do offer peace, quiet, and seclusion.
Cable Beach (New Providence Island): The glittering shoreline of
Cable Beach proffers easy access to shops, casinos, restaurants, watersports,
and bars. It’s a sandy 6.5km-long (4-mile) strip, with a great
array of facilities and activities.
Cabbage Beach (Paradise Island): Think Vegas in the Tropics. It
seems as though most of the sunbathers dozing on the sands here are
recovering from the previous night’s partying, and it’s likely to be
crowded near the mega-hotels, but you can find more solitude on the
beach’s northwestern extension (Paradise Beach), which is accessible
only by boat or on foot. Lined with palms, sea grapes, and casuarinas,
the sands are broad and stretch for at least 3km (13⁄4 miles).
Xanadu Beach (Grand Bahama Island): Grand Bahama has 97km
(60 miles) of sandy shoreline, but Xanadu Beach is most convenient
to Freeport’s hotels, several of which offer shuttle service here. There’s
more than a kilometer (2⁄3 mile) of white sand and (usually) gentle surf.
Don’t expect to have it to yourself, but if you want more quiet and
privacy, try any of the beaches that stretch from Xanadu for many
miles in either direction.
Tahiti Beach (Hope Town, Elbow Cay, Abacos): Since this beach is
so isolated at the far end of the island, you can be sure that only a
handful of people will ever visit these cool waters and white sands.
The crowds stay away because you can’t drive here; you have to walk
or ride a bike along sand and gravel paths from Hope Town. You can
also charter a boat to reach the beach—which isn’t too hard, since the
Abacos are the country’s sailing capital.
Ten Bay Beach (Eleuthera): Ten Bay Beach lies a short drive south of Palmetto
Point, just north of Savannah Sound. Once upon a time, the exclusive Cotton Bay
Club chose to build a hotel here because of the fabulous scenery. There may not
be any facilities now, but ever since the hotel closed, the white sands and turquoise
waters here have been more idyllic and private than ever.
Pink Sands Beach (Harbour Island, Eleuthera): Running the entire length of the
island’s eastern side, these pale-pink sands stretch for 5km (3 miles) past a handful
of low-rise hotels and private villas. A coral reef protects the shore from breakers,
making for some of the safest swimming in The Bahamas.
Saddle Cay (Exumas): Most of the Exumas are oval-shaped islands strung end
to end like links in a 209km (130-mile) chain. One notable exception is Saddle
Cay, with its horseshoe-shaped curve near the Exumas’ northern tip. It can be
reached only by boat but offers an unspoiled setting without a trace of the modern
world—and plenty of other cays and islets where you can play Robinson Crusoe
for a few hours, if you like.
Stocking Island (Exumas): One of the finest white sandy beaches in The Bahamas
lies off Elizabeth Harbour, the archipelago’s main harbor, which is close to
the little capital of George Town on Great Exuma Island. You can reach Stocking
Island easily by boat, and the sands of this offshore island are rarely crowded;
snorkelers and divers love to explore its gin-clear waters. In addition to its beach
of powdery white sand, the island is known for its blue holes, coral gardens, and
undersea caves.
Cat Island (Southern Bahamas): The white beaches ringing this island are pristine,
opening onto crystal-clear waters and lined with coconut palms, palmettos,
and casuarina trees—and best of all, you’ll practically have the place to yourself.
One of our favorite beaches here, near Old Bight, has a beautiful, lazy curve of
white sand. Another fabulous one lies 5km (3 miles) north of New Bight, at the
Fernandez Bay Village resort. This one, set against another backdrop of casuarinas,
is unusually tranquil. A good shoreline here is the long, sandy stretch that
opens onto Hawk’s Nest Resort & Marina, on the southwestern side. None of the
Cat Island beaches has any facilities (bring everything you need from your hotel),
but they do offer peace, quiet, and seclusion.
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