Grand Bahama

The Chimney & Mermaid Pond

Closed to divers

Not for visiting divers: according to Cristina Zenato the Chimney and Mermaid Pond are not officially closed, but extremely difficult and dangerous. Neither entrance has a cavern. The Chimney cycles between siphon and spring, so entering at the wrong tide is very dangerous; in Mermaid Pond the water's composition makes the visibility drop very quickly. People of the Water do research and conservation there but guide no one.

Source: Cristina Zenato (People of the Water), e-mail November 2026 ↗Source: People of the Water – exploration ↗

Max depth30 m (98 ft)
CertificationFull cave
SpecialExperienced divers

Directions

Diving and fills

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Now at The Chimney & Mermaid Pond

Status

Closed

The dive

Mermaid Pond has dark water, poor visibility and microbial growth; the lines have to be relaid because the water degrades them.

Tidal suction: the Chimney sucks water in twice a day and blows out twice, with ~20 min of slack. National Geographic calls the inflow vortex deadly ('like going over a waterfall'). Enter only at the end of the inflow phase, with local knowledge.

Source: People of the Water – exploration ↗Source: National Geographic – Deep Dark Secrets, aug 2010 ↗

Profile and sections

Mermaid Pond has dark water, poor visibility and microbial growth; the lines have to be relaid because the water degrades them.

At the end of 2012 Cristina Zenato was the first to connect Mermaid Pond to the Chimney, the first link between a land cave system and an ocean blue hole in the Bahamas. She explored and mapped about 8000 ft (~2.4 km) at the time; since 2019 she and Kewin Lorenzen have returned for research and conservation and mapped much more.

Depth and profile: Chimney: shaft ~12 m deep and ~3.7 m wide · cave mostly to ~-14 m, one section to ~-30 m
Configuration: No data; narrow shaft with strong tidal flow.
DPV: Not DPV-suitable (estimate): Narrow shaft and strong tidal flow

Who can dive where

CaveAt least Full cave
Whole caveConfigurations: Backmount / twinset / Sidemount / CCR / Small cylinders / no-mount (speleo sumps)
Whole caveConfiguration unknown — research beforehand · doesn't decide who may dive
Whole caveGoes down to 30 m (trimix or deco may be needed) · doesn't decide who may dive
Whole caveExperienced divers only · doesn't decide who may dive

Experienced diversDepends on water level or swellPermission needed

This is how the planner decides who in your team may dive this cave. Rules your own trip adds (organizer, a mail, the AI) show with your trip.

How to get there

Ocean blue hole in 1.5–2 m of water, with a land entrance (Mermaid Pond) ~450 m away. Research and exploration site of People of the Water (Cristina Zenato), who guide no one here.

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Around The Chimney & Mermaid Pond

FillsNo fill station known nearby

Caves nearby4

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