Some people want to jump out of a plane at 30,000 feet for an adventurous vacation; others get their kicks from diving with sharks in the Bahamas! This adrenaline-pumping activity can be intimidating, but by choosing a professional shark diving company with plenty of experience you can have the best experience of your life in the clear warm waters of the Bahamas.
WHAT IS SHARK DIVING?
Shark diving allows scuba divers to get up-close and interact with a variety of different shark species. They usually take place during the day, although some of the best dives with sharks can be at night, as species such as tiger sharks are nocturnal.
Diving with sharks takes place in around 15 to 100 feet of water. Professional shark dive companies know where certain species of sharks hang out and are able to provide the best dives with sharks.
First-time shark divers will understandably be nervous of encountering these animals. By following the training and initial briefing about sharks’ behavior, you are unlikely to feel threatened. However, curious sharks may bump you with their nose or fins or pull on your fins to try to learn more about you.
In some parts of the world, shark diving takes place using shark-proof cages to protect the divers, particularly if they are baiting great white sharks or aggressive bull sharks.
TYPES OF SHARKS FOUND IN THE BAHAMAS
The Bahamas is often referred to as the “shark diving capital of the world”. The warm waters around the islands are home to many species of sharks including nurse sharks, lemon sharks, tiger sharks, hammerheads and Caribbean reef sharks. These species have given their name to many locations in the Bahamas including Tiger Beach, Shark Alley and Bull Run.
While reef sharks may only reach 3-5 feet, hammerheads and tiger sharks are much larger, averaging 10-14 feet or more in length.
A shark dive may encounter as many as 20 sharks at a time or you may find them singly. Although you sign up to see sharks, you will undoubtedly encounter many more marine creatures such as turtles, rays, lobsters and many types of colorful reef fish.
Offering pristine dive conditions, undisturbed locations and a prolific number of sharks, the Bahamian shark dives are among the best there is. The success of shark diving has led to many tourists visiting the area specifically to enjoy the best shark dive possible. It will certainly be an exciting adventure that you will never forget.
COMPANIES OFFERING THE BEST SHARK DIVES IN THE BAHAMAS
Based in Nassau, the Stuart Cove Shark Adventure is a two-tank dive for thrill-seekers wanting to get close to wild sharks in their native environment. Afternoon trips include free swimming with sharks followed by a second shark feeding dive.
The Carib Dancer is part of the Aggressor fleet and shark dives can be booked from their live-aboard charters.
Scuba Adventures have over 25 years of experience in shark diving and focus on getting excellent photographs of your shark encounters.
For single shark dive charters, Bahamas Shark Diving is a very experienced Bahamas company providing all the dive equipment you need. They operate from the 86-foot expedition trawler vessel M/V Dolphin Dream, which has excellent safety equipment and camera facilities onboard.
You do not need to be certified to take part in one of these Bahamas shark dives but it helps to have previous drift and deep diving experience. However, you should be prepared to sign a responsibility waiver and you are advised to take out emergency insurance.
Creative Commons Attribution: Permission is granted to repost this article in its entirety with credit to Grand Isle Resort & Spa and a clickable link back to this page.
