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ABACOS DIVING

(from www.go-abacos.com)

Large Barrier Reef System

The world's fourth largest barrier reef system runs almost 100 miles from Walker's Cay (the "top" of The Abacos) to about 20 miles south of Elbow Cay. As a matter of fact, about 5% of the world's coral reefs are located in the Bahamas.

Immediately to the west of the reef system, The Abacos' exquisite string of offshore cays extends about 85 miles from Walker's to just off Little Harbour. The Abacos' Sandy Cay, Fowl Cay and Pelican Cay National Park underwater preserves are protected by the Bahamian government and offer some of the finest and most colorful shallow water diving in the entire Caribbean area. The Abacos' extensive reef system and hundreds of under- or undiscovered offshore cays combine to create one of the world's safest, most exciting and most rewarding boating, diving and snorkeling areas (please click for an Abaco islands MAP or Central Abacos SATELLITE IMAGERY). Of the 3,000 coral islands and reefs that make up the Bahamas, only about 20 are inhabited.

Shore diving opportunities throughout The Abacos

Almost all the Abacos' Cays offer shore diving opportunities with reefs and coral heads as close as 1' below the surface and 5 yards from the beach (esp. Manjack, Great Guana and Green Turtle Cays). Anywhere you explore Abacos' reefs, you'll see a rainbow-streaked underwater panorama - a fascinating and exciting variety of marine life, with some of the best sights found in shallow depths of 30 to 50 feet. While it's illegal to use scuba equipment to catch any fish or other marine life, snorkels and compressor rigs are permitted. Due to the islands' occasionally turbulent past and their proximity to long-ago trade routes, a wide variety of wrecks can easily be found along The Abacos' outer reefs. The historic San Jacinto (the first U.S. steamship) sank in 1865 in the Green Turtle Cay area, and the Union warship "Adirondack" which sank on the reef near Man-O-War Cay in 1862, are two of the most popular wrecks.

Warm waters and excellent visibility

The crystaline ocean waters surrounding The Abacos range (on average) from 70F to 86F degrees. Dozens of spectacular (and relatively UNexplored) snorkel and SCUBA dive sites are easily accessible (within 30 minutes) by boat from just about anywhere in the Central Abacos. Depending on your location, the time of year and weather conditions, underwater visibility commonly ranges up to 150-200 feet. No matter which settlement or cay you choose to visit, a dive operator is almost always close-by. Whether you're exploring the Sea of Abaco (the 2- to 5-mile wide protected "island highway" which runs the entire length of The Abacos chain) or the offshore reefs, you'll won't loose sight of land since the islands are rarely more than a few mile apart.

DIVE and SNORKEL OPERATORS

ABACOS: BEST DIVE SPOTS

"... (in the Abacos) the reefs allow for snorkeling, diving and wading, which together make up some of the best marine-life adventures in the world." (Power and Motoryacht Magazine)

BAHAMAS FISH: