Best Dive Sites in the Abacos, Bahamas
You certainly don’t need to be a diver to enjoy a Bahamas yacht charter vacation with Navigare, but if strapping on air tanks and roaming through an underwater maze of coral sounds like your idea of fun, be sure to include Abaco’s best dive sites in your travel plans.
An award-winning yacht charter with Navigare Yachting is the ideal way to explore the underwater world of the Bahamas. All of our charter yachts come equipped with snorkeling gear at no extra cost, so every guest can experience the vibrant marine life that makes these islands so special.
Our charter base is located in Marsh Harbour, Abaco, with easy access to an array of diving and snorkeling sites. The Abacos, like the Exumas, are known for being a little more secluded than the rest of the Bahamas, which is especially important if you’re hoping to spend time with some of the more shy marine life. You won’t find a lot of man-made tourist attractions here, but it’s a pretty good trade-off to dive with turtles, tropical fish, and, of course, sharks.
One of the reasons the Abacos boast some of the best dive sites in the world is their unique reef structures. Compared to the rest of the Bahamas, the reefs here are more exposed to Atlantic currents and temperatures, which helps form caves and tunnels at the bases of the fringing reefs, perfect for exploration. This exposure also delivers a constant flow of nutrients, creating a buffet for marine life and coral growth and ensuring a vibrant array of sea creatures is always nearby.
Because many of the dive sites are relatively shallow (often less than 60 feet), both experienced and inexperienced divers will fall in love with these incredible underwater landscapes.
Fowl, Sandy, and Pelican Cays
All three of these dive sites are protected National Parks, keeping their biodiverse ecosystem one of the healthiest in the world. A lack of current makes these some of the best sites to dive (and even snorkel) in the Bahamas, regardless of experience level.
Pelican Cays, Land, and Sea Park
Pelican Cays, Land, and Sea Park protects 2,100 acres of coral reefs. It serves to preserve over 170 species, including sea turtles. As a result, you’re able to see some fish and sea life here that you’d be unlikely to find outside of these areas.
Established in 1972, this national park was the second land and sea park of its kind in the Bahamas. The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park was the first, in 1958, with an original goal of protecting West Indian Flamingos, but it later went on to inspire the Bahamas National Trust.
Sandy Cay
Sandy Cay, located inside Pelican Cay National Land and Sea Park, is an underwater playground. The coral reef is gorgeous and healthy, so you’ll see a lot of fish, and if you’re reasonably lucky, some Spotted Eagle Rays. Because the maximum depth is 30 feet, this area attracts divers of all levels, as well as snorkelers, making it a great destination for groups with both divers and snorkelers if the weather is favorable.
Fowl Cay
You can reach Fowl Cay’s 3 square mile reserve from Marsh Harbour, where at depths of 33-98 feet, a wide variety of marine sea life is waiting for you. Here, you’ll find rock formations, tunnels, coral heads, and some good swim-throughs and caves. You’ll see some reef fish and likely turtles. What makes this site extra special is the underwater flowers, sponges, and corals.
Best Dive Sites Featuring Coral Pinnacles in the Abacos
The Towers and The Pillars
These dive sites have huge coral pinnacles (50-60 feet tall) and all of the intriguing caves and tunnels that go along with them. The Towers (with two tower pinnacles, each around 60 feet tall) are likely to offer sightings of Caribbean reef sharks as well as rays and turtles. The Pillars are known for housing an impressive number of fish and turtles to keep you company as you explore.
Best Dive Sites Featuring Sharks in the Abacos
If you’d like to encounter large marine animals, like sharks, you’ve come to the right place. Divers from all over the world know that they can get their shark thrills diving in Abaco, Bahamas, and that they can do it year-round.
Shark Rodeo
Sure to give you a heart-pumping moment, this area may feature upwards of 100 blacktip and Caribbean reef sharks that come here to feed. Tiger Beach in Grand Bahama certainly is the most famous area for tiger shark sightings, but if you’re a shark enthusiast, Shark Rodeo is worth a visit as well.
The Ledge
This striking coral formation teems with life, including blacktip reef sharks and giant sea turtles. Located at a depth of 40 to 60 feet, The Ledge is an ideal site for divers looking to swim with sharks.
Wreck Dives in the Abacos
People often consider the Exumas to be home to the best wreck dives in the Bahamas, but the Abacos also has some great sunken environments to check out, most notably the San Jacinto.
At 20-50 feet below the surface, the first US-built steamship was wrecked in 1867 and is now home to more tropical fish than you could imagine, including some green morays. Most of the wreck, which is spread out across acres because of the large amount of rubble, is now coral-covered, but you can still spot the boilers and some of the stern, which remain remarkably intact.
Other Notable Dive Sites in the Abacos
There is no limit to the amount of time you could spend diving in the Abacos during your Bahamas yacht charter vacation. These living, breathing, underwater wonders are ever-changing, ensuring that no two dives are ever the same. Along with the dive sites above, here are a few other places to add to your list of the best dive sites in the Abacos, Bahamas:
Guana Coral Caverns
On the north side of Guana Cay are the Guana Coral Caverns. You could spend days exploring the caverns and tunnels in these vast coral gardens.
Depth: 50-60 feet
The Cathedral
The Cathedral, close to Scotland Cay, is a dive site wher you can explore an underwater cathedral-like formation.
Depth: 60 feet
Kristin’s Crannies
This dive is near the Cathedral and is a lovely coral head.
Depth: 25 feet
Guppy Garden
Two healthy coral heads are at this site near the Maze.
Depth: 30 feet
Cuda Alley
At this reef, you might get to see a school of barracudas.
Depth: 20-50 feet
Mermaid Reef
Small, but still with interesting sea life, this reef often has large moray eels.
The Skyscrapers
The coral structures here reach the surface and may feature black-tip sharks.
Depth: 60 feet
The Maze
As its name suggests, this reef structure features maze-like tunnels, but still offers good light.
Depth: 30 feet
Learn more about a Bahamas charter yacht vacation with Navigare so you can jump in the water and check out these world-famous dive sites. Our Navigare base is located at the Conch Inn Marina in Marsh Harbor, only minutes from the airport. All of our charter yachts come equipped with snorkeling gear, ensuring that every guest can enjoy the vibrant underwater world of the Bahamas. If you’re interested in diving, our charter specialists are happy to assist with arranging additional equipment rentals during your sailing adventure.
Navigare Yachting is a five-time 2024 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award winner. Since 2001, over 400,000+ charter guests have set sail with Navigare - it’s safe to say that your yachting adventures will be in capable hands. With 12 exotic locations worldwide, the possibilities are endless! Whether you're an experienced sailor or a first-time adventurer, Navigare Yachting opens up a world of exploration, discovery, and sailing that comes with complete peace of mind.