Bahamas Scuba Diving on Liveaboard dive trips aboard the Dolphin Dream.
The Bahamas lie off the east coast of Florida. With more than 700
islands stretching to the southeast. These islands dot the edges of what are
referred to as Banks (vast areas of shallow water).The Banks consist of white
sand and grass in 10 to 30 feet of water. The edges of the banks are lined with
cays, rocks, reefs, and wrecks. Then it drops off to a water depth of 200 to
2000 feet. Around the edges the water is clear and the bank takes on an
aquamarine color. In calm conditions you feel that you are Scuba Diving in a the world's
largest swimming pool.
The northern most bank is called the Little Bahama Bank. On
it’s southern edge lies the island of Grand Bahama. Between the Bahamas
and Florida runs the Gulfstream. A major ocean current that flows north along
the western edge of the Little Bahama Bank. The Port of West End is on Grand
Bahama island and is 60 miles east of Palm Beach Florida. West End is our port
of arrival in the Bahamas on our liveaboard dive trip. After Customs we head north ward passing Indian Cay,
Wood Cay, and Sandy Cay. As the islands disappear behind us we pass the last
little piece of land Memory Rock.
North of Memory Rock we come upon beautiful healthy reefs, ancient
ship wrecks, and emerald waters, Bahamas scuba diving at it's best. White Sand Ridge is an area 35 miles north of
West End. White Sand Ridge is where we have the highest percentage of dolphin
encounters. The spotted dolphin are far ranging. We have swam with dolphins all
along the edge from West End to 60 miles north past White Sand Ridge to Walkers
Cay. We have also had dolphin encounters south of West End at Freeport, Lucaya,
Grand Bahama, Bimini, Cat Cay, South Riding rock, and Orange Cay.
The weather in the Bahamas is similar to south Florida. Hot in the
summer and cool in the winter. Summer time air temperatures range from 85 to 95
deg. and water temperature from 80 to 86 deg. Mostly bright sunshine but the
occasional thunder storm move through. Hurricane season is from June to
November. On rare occasions hurricanes do affect us. Over ten years we estimate
only a three percent lose from hurricanes, most of the time it is only a day or
two lost. Winter time
temperatures range from 65 to 85 deg. and water temperatures range from 74 to
80 deg. Mostly bright sunny days and clear star filled nights.
We always hope for light winds and calm seas but occasionally Mother
Nature can be rough on us. The weather good or bad is all part of having a
truly wild dolphin adventure.
The Bahamas usually has beautiful weather and it is the best
place in the world to swim with wild dolphins.
