A picturesque archipelago, bathed in some of the clearest water on the planet and located just off the coast of Florida, the Bahamas are an ideal liveaboard diving getaway that offers a mix of international service and Caribbean charm.
The country has earned itself a reputation as the shark capital of the Caribbean, where sites such as Tiger Beach and at Bimini can bring you as close as possible to some of the largest predators in the sea - tiger sharks and great hammerhead sharks. But to think that liveaboard diving in the Bahamas is all about sharks would be to miss out on some of the most stunning scuba diving in the area. The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park and Eleuthera have some of the richest reefs in the Caribbean that are home to large schools of jacks and barracuda, as well as a many smaller species such as jawfish and gobies. The area is one of incredible beauty, with a seemingly endless chain of white or pink powder beaches and alluring turquoise waters that are ideal for liveaboard cruises. You will find blue holes, wrecks, walls … it’s a veritable underwater playground for lucky divers that visit.
The Bahamas are also well known as a center for adventure. Almost every warm water-based activity is available here, plus some eco-tourism opportunities. You can base yourself at a first class hotel or all-inclusive resort in Freeport or Nassau, or choose for a remote island getaway on one of the hundreds of outer cays.
The Bahamas is comprised of 700 islands with the best dive sites spread over 100,000 square miles of ocean. This means that a liveaboard tour is the best option to explore this mesmerizing country:
This liveaboard route in the central region of the Bahamas is the most popular option. The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park is one of the world's most successful marine parks. The crystal-clear tropical Atlantic pours over the deep cuts between the cays and constantly shifting sand bars. Waters are thick with coral reefs that are alive with every ocean creature imaginable, from angelfish and butterflyfish, to the charismatic food-chain toppers like grouper and barracuda, right down to the tiniest living invertebrates.
Highlights include the Lost Blue Hole, with resident nurse sharks, blacknose sharks, and its lobster-filled crevices, the Austin Smith Wreck and Blacktip Wall at Exumas, where blacktip reef sharks are sighted. Longer expeditions also visit Cave Rock at Eleuthera for the chance to dive with Caribbean reef sharks. [More details on these dive sites: Eleuthera, • Exuma Cays, Nassau].
Liveaboard trips are 6 or 7 nights in duration, with longer 10 night trips visiting Eleuthera. This route is suitable to certified divers of all experience levels and cruises run all year round.
> [More details: Nassau and the Exumas Trips]This route in the north of the Bahamas is the place to be for the ultimate liveaboard shark action. The world famous Tiger Beach is located in Grand Bahama, and this is where you can encounter its eponymous tiger sharks, as well as great hammerheads, lemon sharks and Caribbean reef sharks. At Bahama Banks, you can get in the water with pods of Atlantic spotted and bottlenose dolphins. [More details on these dive sites: Grand Bahama , Tiger Beach].
Some liveaboard safaris take in the less visited sites of Bimini, located on the edge of an oceanic trench, where you can dive on wrecks with sting rays and turtles, as well as a spot to meet bull sharks and great hammerheads. [More details on these dive sites: Bimini].
Tours of Grand Bahama are 7 or 10 nights long. Liveaboard cruises to Grand Bahama and Bimini are also for 7 or 10 nights. There are also some 14 night charters that include the Exumas and the Berry Islands where you might see whales. This route is open all year round and is best suited for experienced divers who are not going to get spooked by large predators.
> [More details: Grand Bahama and Bimini Trips]
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The warmest months in the Bahamas are the summer months of July and August at 90°F/32°C. The cooler winter months of January and February can drop to 78°F/25.5°C. June to October are the wettest months, with the north experiencing twice as much rain as the south. The hurricane season is June to November.
The seas are warm throughout the year. The warmest water temperatures (85°F/30°C) occur from June to September. This is also the period with the calmest seas and the best visibility, although the visibility is good year round. The winter water temperatures are comfortable but can drop to 77°F/25°C in November.
Although a year round destination for divers, there are some seasonal marine creatures in the Bahamas. May to July is the best time to see tiger sharks at Tiger Beach. March to June is best for oceanic whitetip sharks. May is the most reliable month for fish action and coral spawning.
Still wondering when to dive? Check out the full seasonal dive conditions on our Bahamas diving destinations page.
The Commonwealth of The Bahamas comprises around 2,500 cays and 700 islands (30 of which are uninhabited). The closest point of the islands to the USA lies around 56 miles (90 km) off the coast of Florida. New Providence Island is home to the capital, Nassau, connected by bridge to Paradise Island.
There are 3 ports used for liveaboard dive cruises in the Bahamas, depending on which boat and which route you choose:
Elizabeth on Bay Marina in downtown Nassau and Nassau Harbour Club Marina on East Bay Street are a short fixed-fare taxi ride from Nassau’s Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS). Airports such as Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Atlanta are the principal US gateways. There are many direct flights from other US and international cities. Airlines that fly to Nassau include American Airlines, Air Tran, Bahamas Air, British Airways, Delta, Jet Blue, Spirit, United, US Airways. Return flights from Nassau to the USA are considered domestic flights, making the onward journey easier as you can make "domestic" not "international" connections.
Old Bahama Bay Resort, Lighthouse Pointe Hotel, and Grand Lucayan Resort are a 30-45 minute taxi ride from Grand Bahama International Airport (FPO) in Freeport, the country's second largest city. There are direct flights from Atlanta (Delta), Ft. Lauderdale (Bahamas Air), and Miami (American Airlines).
Due to local airport transport regulations, the Bahamian liveaboard operators do not provide boat transfers. We recommend you take out insurance to cover diving and travel activities, including trip cancellation. See our insurance programme for a competitive quotation:
If you plan on staying in the Bahamas before or after your liveaboard diving safari, you can find a huge range of accommodation options at hotelscombined.com, our affiliated hotel reservation specialists. Browse their website then use your credit card to make a booking:
All reservations carry a 'Lowest Price Guarantee' to ensure you get the value for money.
Need more info for your Bahamas adventure? Check out our frequently asked questions page for all the answers!.
