Bahamas
3 regions · 15 sites · down to 133 m
The Bahamas are all about blue holes: inland holes in the limestone and ocean blue holes that breathe with the tide. The site covers three islands: Grand Bahama with the Lucayan Caverns, Abaco with the caves in the South Abaco pine forest, and Andros with its deep, layered blue holes. Almost everywhere you dive with a local guide, and a freshwater layer over salt water with a halocline comes as standard.
Map
Not to be missed
- Ben's Cave & Burial Mound Cave (Lucayan Caverns) →
Ben's Cave and Burial Mound Cave in Lucayan National Park are a fine introduction at cavern level, with a halocline at about 8–10 m.
- The Chimney & Mermaid Pond →
A full cave dive ruled by the tide: the Chimney sucks water in twice a day and blows it out twice, with about 20 min of slack.
- Dan's Cave (Crystal Caves of Abaco) →
Very clear water and delicate passages in the Crystal Caves of Abaco: full cave, sidemount and guide-only.
- Stargate Blue Hole →
One of the best-known inland blue holes on Andros, down to 104 m, with an H₂S layer at about 15 m: only for experienced full cave divers.
- Diana's Dungeons (Small Hope Bay) →
A cavern dive by boat at Small Hope Bay, also open to open-water divers with a guide.
Regions
- Grand BahamaThe Lucayan Caverns (Ben's Cave, Burial Mound) in Lucayan National Park and the Old Freetown system (Owl's Hole, Mermaid's Lair): guided cavern dives from Freeport and Lucaya, with fresh water over salt water.5 sites · down to 30 m
- AbacoThe Crystal Caves of South Abaco (Dan's Cave, Ralph's Cave, Nancy's Cave) and Sawmill Sink: extremely decorated caves under the pine forest, protected and only dived with a guide, in sidemount.4 caves · down to 60 m
- AndrosThe island of blue holes: Stargate and the Black Hole in South Andros, Guardian and Small Hope Bay's cavern dives in Central Andros, and Uncle Charlie's and Conch Sound in the north. Layered water with H₂S and bacterial layers, deep shafts and tidal flow.6 blue holes · down to 133 m
Good to know
- Cave diving here almost always goes through a local guide or operator. In Lucayan National Park you need permission from the Bahamas National Trust and an instructor arranged in advance; in the South Abaco Blue Holes Conservation Area diving is guide-only.
- All blue holes and caves fall under the AMMC. Some caves hold Lucayan remains and fossils: never touch bones.
- The water is layered: fresh water on top, salt water below, often with H₂S at the halocline. The top layer can be murky; below it visibility is often much better.
- On Abaco you dive sidemount, OC or CCR; backmount is no longer guided in the delicate sections. Every diver is assessed first, and the most delicate sections require work-up dives.
- Hurricane Dorian (2019) hit Grand Bahama and Abaco hard, including a ceiling collapse in the Mermaid cavern. Ask about the current state of caves and operators.
Tips for safe and enjoyable diving
- Dive ocean blue holes only at slack water and plan it with your guide: they breathe with the tide.
- The only chamber is in Nassau, so from Grand Bahama, Abaco and Andros you need an evacuation. In an accident, call 911 or 919, then DAN America (+1-919-684-9111), and check that your insurance covers the chamber.
- Don't apply sunscreen or lotion before a cave dive: the freshwater lens is the island's drinking water.
- Bring 5–7 mm with a hood for Grand Bahama; the water there and on Abaco is cooler than you'd expect in the tropics.
- Blue holes are overhead environments: fatal accidents have happened here to divers without cave training. Go only with cave training and a local guide, and spend a rest day by the water, for example swimming at Sawmill Sink or Captain Bill's Blue Hole.
Certification requirements, configurations and trimix depths are estimates for planning. Always check them locally and dive within your training.
News
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