Next Time I Go to the Bahamas, I’m Definitely Going Diving with Sharks
Nothing accurately describes the otherworldly feel of gliding on a gentle current in crystal clear water, surrounded by beautiful corals and dozens of sharks. Sharks are one of the most misunderstood marine animals. We often think of them in the way that Hollywood has portrayed them, as vicious predators. While it is true that sharks are apex predators, they play an intricate and vital role in maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem. Diving with sharks is actually safe in general and an amazing way to connect with these elegant creatures.
A Bit About the Bahamas
The Bahamas are a renowned destination for encountering sharks on a dive. The Bahamas archipelago consists of 770 islands and is located east of Florida at the intersection of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The island country is known for its pink and white sand beaches, sunny skies, clear water, and great weather. It is a beautiful location, both in and out of the water. For divers, it promises to be a paradise of marine life and reefs that are healthy and teeming with life.
I Have to Go After Hearing This
I am lucky to have had the privilege of diving with sharks several times around the world. While I have been to the Bahamas, I have not yet had the pleasure of diving with sharks there. It is an experience I am eagerly waiting for after receiving this beautifully written report from a friend:
My first dive at close range with so many sharks is etched in my memory. The day was warm, and the visibility of the water was at least 50 meters. In the quiet of the blue depths at the Shark Buoy dive site, I was suddenly surrounded by blacktip reef and nurse sharks. The Nurse Sharks were tucked under corals and resting on the white-sand sea floor. They seemed oblivious to the divers gliding over them. The blacktip reef sharks were energetic and as curious about us as we were about them. Keeping my hands held against my BC as advised during the topside pre-dive brief, a blacktip cruised alongside me, brushing up against my arm. I was humbled to be in such close proximity to so awesome a marine animal, one that has a recorded history dating back 400 million years. To be sure, there were other notable sightings on the dive, such as the goliath Nassau grouper as well as other small fish and colorful corals, but the sharks were what sold me on the dive. Tiger Beach is a shallow dive with enviably long bottom time. It is remarkable due to the number and variety of sharks there. We were surrounded by tiger, reef, lemon, and nurse sharks. While I did not see any during my trip, hammerheads are also regularly seen here in season (December – March). We positioned ourselves on the sandy sea bottom and the experienced shark feeder chummed the water with tuna. The sharks silently journeyed in, ate the fish, and gave us a clear view of their rows of razor-sharp teeth. While you don’t see reef action at this sandy beach, you do see other remarkable sights, like a massive school of fish cleaning the open mouth of a resting lemon shark. Spending time with these graceful beings in their own habitat creates a sense of appreciation for the wonder of our beautiful planet and a renewed commitment to protecting it for the next generation.