Sea fans and diver (Explorer Ventures)

Coral bommies are always worth a close inspection (Explorer Ventures)

Caribbean Reef Shark (Explorer Ventures)

A diver floats through the overhangs (Explorer Ventures)

Diver and wreck (Explorer Ventures)

Bahamian reef exploration (Explorer Ventures)

Caribbean reef diving (Explorer Ventures)

Riding Rock Marina (Riding Rock Resort)

Riding Rock Resort (Riding Rock Resort)

Deluxe room at Riding Rock Resort (Riding Rock Resort)

The Caribbean

THE SOUTHERN BAHAMAS

Sharks, dolphins, reefs and walls

Mirrowing Flyingfish reflected (Alex Mustard)

Shore-based resort: Riding Rock Resort and Marina

Liveaboard: Turks & Caicos Explorer II (departs on Saturdays on selected weeks in June and September)

Diving: Sharks, walls, sea mounts, coral gardens, swim-throughs, caves

Nitrox

Willing to share option

 

Gazing down from an aeroplane on the fabulous cays, islands and islets of the southern Bahamas makes one realize that this island nation is only just above water in some places and only just below water in others. Ocean shades of blue, from the palest turquoise to the deepest sapphire, and sand banks and coral cays shading from vanilla to cappuccino, sparkle and twinkle in the sunlight far below. Located east and south of the Florida Keys, the Bahamas are a vast series of islands with blue holes, caves, walls and shipwrecks. Their tropical location in the Atlantic means that not only sharks of all kinds, but Humpback Whales, several species of dolphins, Spotted Eagle Rays and even Whale Sharks make their way here at various times of the year. The whole region offers an amazing variety of diving experiences in an area of more than 1,000 square miles of some of the clearest oceanic waters in the world.

The Southern Bahamian islands include the Exumas, Conception, Long Island, Stocking Island and San Salvador. A necklace chain of three hundred and fifty islands and cays makes up the Exumas, and it is on Great Exuma, at George Town, that divers will join Turks and Caicos Explorer II. A liveaboard boat is the finest way to explore these remote islands, many of which are uninhabited.

From George Town there is a two-and-a-half hour sail to appropriately-named, string-bean-shaped, Long Island. Grouper Valleys is a stunning dive of around 15-25 metres in water that can be so clear that divers can be deceived by the depth. Because there is little coral in the area, this dive site feels more like ‘blue water’ diving and the fish life here is the main attraction, with Tiger Groupers and Graysbys hiding in the channels. Nassau Groupers and huge Jewfish can also be found here. Shark Reef is one of the most popular dives on Long Island and is an area where local divemasters have been feeding sharks for some time. Blacktip and Caribbean Reef Sharks are the most commonly sighted, but there have been occasional sightings of Bull Sharks and Scalloped Hammerheads. A school of Horse-eye Jacks often frequent the dive site and barracuda are sometimes seen, but it is the sharks that are ever-present!

From Long Island the boat may move on to Conception Island, an uninhabited reef-rimmed speck on the map with a Land and Sea Park of only 6 square miles. Above water the island is a nesting site for Green Turtles and seabirds. Underwater, large coral heads are interspersed with sand chutes, and elephant ear and barrel sponges are prolific. Schooling Horse-eye Jacks, snappers and groupers can all be found here. Keep an eye on the blue beyond as turtles and sharks cruise the area. Bull sharks have been seen infrequently at Conception, so it is worth keeping your eyes open. Coral formations commence at around 5 metres and black coral can be found as shallow as 18 metres.

From Conception it is around a three-and-a-half hour trip to San Salvador, the exposed peak of a sea mount, and there are times when the boat cannot get out this far, but when it does there is a choice of around 15-20 dive sites, depending on the weather and currents. Perhaps one of the most famous is Great Cut, where a 70-metre section of the main reef wall splintered away, creating a double drop-off. Cross the first ridge at 12 metres and you will come to the chasm between the ridges, which drops to around 50 meters. The second section of the wall dips vertically out of sight. On the threshold of the open sea, one can expect the unexpected, but more common reef fish include Bermuda Chub, Blue-stripped Grunts and Midnight Parrotfish. Double Caves are like slides that start at around 15 metres and end at 30 metres. Swim up or down the tunnels! The walls have good populations of purple tube sponges and large plate corals.

At the shallow Stingray Reef on Stocking Island, French Grunts, Queen and French Angelfish, snappers and tangs can be seen as well as some large Southern Stingrays for whom the dive site is named. There are several opportunities for macro photographers as the area is great for small wrasse and blennies peeping from rocks and crevices as well as large lobsters and crabs tucked away in rocky cracks. Stingray Reef is sometimes used as a night dive location as it is only 9-15 metres deep.

On selected weeks, Turks and Caicos Explorer II makes cruises from Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands to Mayaguana and Samana Cay, in the so called ‘Undiscovered Bahamas’. Samana Cay is in fact deserted and now a village lies in ruins, but now you can visit this remote spot with Explorer Ventures. Many sites on this itinerary have not yet been named. Perhaps you can suggest your ideas after exploring these sites?

Samana Cay and Mayaguana lie north of Providenciales and on the eastern side of the chain of islands comprising the Bahamas. Mayaguana, is a surprisingly diverse, pristine and unspoiled territory. Walls begin at around 23 metres and hard coral growth and intact sponges cover huge swathes of the reef. Devil’s Point is a popular site where coral heads serve as oases of marine life. Keep an eye out for larger game fish too. At Samana Cay the underwater topography provides for shallow sandy areas and sections of reef dropping to over 300 metres! The island is surrounded by a continuous ridge of coral reef where larger fish and rays congregate.  Here you may be able to spot the rare Jackknife Drumfish amongst Queen Angelfish and hawkfish. At Plana Cay swim throughs and crevices harbour a wealth of marine life and turtles frequent the walls. Over the sandy slopes the patch reefs hold critters in the cracks and crevices, and garden eels abound. Coral life here is very healthy with some giant gorgonians.

The variety of dive sites from close-up reefs to wide angle, blue water dives, walls, swim-throughs and drop-offs, along with the amazing range of marine life, including a variety of sharks, make a visit to the Southern Bahamas a great choice for both beginner divers and the more experienced.

RIDING ROCK RESORT AND MARINA

The family owned and operated Riding Rock Resort and Marina on San Salvador has 44 rooms and is situated right on the beach of this delightful southern Bahamian island. The small island (only 12 miles long) is unspoiled and life moves at a very laidback pace! 12 Standard rooms overlook the pool area and 30 Deluxe Oceanfront rooms enjoy sea vistas. All rooms are air conditioned, with en-suite facilities, cable TV, telephone and have a porch or a balcony. Deluxe rooms have a mini fridge. Everybody can enjoy access to the freshwater swimming pool meals are enjoyed in the Driftwood Lounge, specialising in American and Bahamian cuisine. Here you can enjoy grouper fingers at lunch and an evening cocktail at the Driftwood Bar whilst you watch the sun set! Wireless internet is free in the restaurant, bar and marina.

RIDING ROCK DIVE CENTER

Two custom built dive boats can whisk up to 24 and 20 divers respectively to any one of the over 50 dive sites located mostly on the lee side of the island. Both boats have shade and a fresh water shower, a marine head and rinse tanks for gear and cameras. Water and fresh fruits are offered between dives. Divers can perform a giant stride to enter the water and utilise the wide aluminium ladders to exit. The dive boats depart for a two tank morning dive before returning to shore for lunch. A third dive is offered in the afternoon.

 

Turks and Caicos Explorer II operates a number of 7 nights cruises in the Southern Bahamas from June to September, departing from the Exuma Services Marina in George Town on Greater Exuma.

There may be opportunities to make landings and enjoy land tours (subject to local conditions), so you are not at sea for the entire week. Turks & Caicos Explorer II is an ideal choice for those who want to try out a liveaboard for the first time. Sailing times are relatively short with the run from Conception to San Salvador being amongst the longest sailing at around three-and-a-half hours. In certain weather conditions it may not be possible to reach San Salvador.

TURKS & CAICOS EXPLORER II: Price from about $1895. Includes: 7 nights cruise on Turks & Caicos Explorer II on a twin/share basis with full board (except dinner on Friday evening), including soft drinks and alcoholic drinks; 5 full days of diving (up to 4 or 5 dives daily, including night dives) plus one or two dives on the last day. Reductions for non-divers and extra weeks. A port tax of $85 and a fuel surcharge of $95 (subject to change) are not included in the package price and will be collected on board. Dinner on the last night is not included, but guests will go as a group to one of the local restaurants. Airport transfers are not included; taxis are freely available. Single Occupancy Supplement: 50% of the cruise cost (but you can avoid paying the supplement if you are willing to share a cabin).

FLIGHTS: Example price: from about $360 return from Miami to Georgetown. Stop-overs are available in Nassau.

Dolphin on the move (Sheila Pearce)