Bahamas
Image generated by artificial intelligence
Where to dive in Bahamas
Andros Barrier Reef
Atlantic Ocean
TEMPERATURE24°C - 31°CVISIBILITY18 - 40 m
Bimini
Atlantic Ocean
TEMPERATURE22°C - 31°CVISIBILITY25 - 40 m
Exuma Cays
Atlantic Ocean
TEMPERATURE22°C - 31°CVISIBILITY20 - 30 m
Long Island
Atlantic Ocean
TEMPERATURE24°C - 30°CVISIBILITY18 - 40 m
Nassau
Atlantic Ocean
TEMPERATURE24°C - 30°CVISIBILITY15 - 40 m
Tiger Beach
Atlantic Ocean
TEMPERATURE24°C - 31°CVISIBILITY15 - 30 m
Top species 12
- Unlikely
- Likely
- Very likely
Diurnal Frequent sightingsBlacktip Shark
Carcharhinus limbatus
The Blacktip Shark is easily recognized by the dark tips on its fins. It is a fast and energetic predator, often seen leaping out of the water. Blacktip sharks can be found in warm coastal waters around the world.
BEST SEASON
Nocturnal Frequent sightingsCaribbean Reef Shark
Carcharhinus perezi
The Caribbean Reef Shark is a robust, streamlined requiem shark commonly found in tropical waters of the western Atlantic Ocean, particularly around coral reefs. It is an apex predator, primarily feeding on bony fishes, cephalopods, and crustaceans. Known for its unique ability to rest motionless on the seabed or inside caves, this species typically reaches lengths of 2-2.5 meters and can weigh up to 70 kg.
BEST SEASON
Cathemeral Frequent sightingsCommon Bottlenose Dolphin
Tursiops truncatus
The Common Bottlenose Dolphin is a robust dolphin characterized by its short, stocky snout and grey coloration with a paler underbelly. Highly intelligent and social, these dolphins form complex fission-fusion societies. They are found globally in temperate and tropical marine waters, and are known for their active swimming, leaps, and use of echolocation for hunting.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsGreat Barracuda
Sphyraena barracuda
The Great Barracuda is a large predatory fish known for its fearsome appearance and speed. It has an elongated body, pointed head, and large teeth, making it a proficient hunter in coastal and open waters.
BEST SEASON
Crepuscular Frequent sightingsGreat Hammerhead Shark
Sphyrna mokarran
The great hammerhead is the largest hammerhead species, recognizable by its wide, flat head and tall, curved dorsal fin. As a migratory apex predator, it uses its unique head for enhanced sensing and pinning down prey.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsGreen Sea Turtle
Chelonia mydas
The green sea turtle is a large marine reptile distinguished by its heart-shaped carapace and a single pair of prefrontal scales.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsHawksbill Sea Turtle
Eretmochelys imbricata
The Hawksbill Sea Turtle is a medium-sized marine turtle recognizable by its distinctive hawk-like beak and overlapping scutes, which create a serrated edge on its carapace. Primarily found in tropical coral reefs, it plays a crucial role in these ecosystems by feeding mainly on sponges, which are toxic to most other animals. This species is critically endangered due to historical exploitation for its beautiful shell and ongoing threats like habitat loss and bycatch.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsLemon Shark
Negaprion brevirostris
The Lemon Shark is known for its yellow-brown coloration and blunt snout, which helps it camouflage in sandy coastal waters. It is a diurnal predator that often forms small groups, primarily hunting fish and crustaceans in shallow reefs and lagoons.
BEST SEASON
Nocturnal Frequent sightingsNurse Shark
Ginglymostoma cirratum
The Nurse Shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) is a slow-moving, bottom-dwelling shark typically found in tropical and subtropical coastal waters, including coral reefs and mangrove channels. It is a nocturnal carnivore, primarily feeding on crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish using a powerful suction-feeding mechanism. During the day, they are often observed resting in large aggregations, sometimes piled together in caves or under ledges.
BEST SEASON
Crepuscular Frequent sightingsSouthern Stingray
Hypanus americanus
The Southern Stingray is a graceful, diamond-shaped ray known for its broad, flat body and pointed pectoral fins. It can be found over sandy or muddy seabeds in warm, shallow waters of the western Atlantic Ocean.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsSpotted Eagle Ray
Aetobatus narinari
The Spotted Eagle Ray is known for its distinctive spots and elongated snout, which resembles a bird-like beak. It thrives in tropical waters, especially around coral reefs and coastal zones. The ray is a powerful swimmer and can often be seen leaping out of the water.
BEST SEASON
Variable Frequent sightingsTiger Shark
Galeocerdo cuvier
The tiger shark is a large apex predator recognized by the dark vertical stripes along its body, especially visible in juveniles. It inhabits tropical and subtropical waters and has a highly varied diet, feeding on fish, rays, turtles, seabirds, and other marine animals.
BEST SEASON
More marine life 46
Almaco JackSeriola rivoliana
Atlantic LizardfishSynodus saurus
Atlantic Spotted DolphinStenella frontalis
BarracudaSphyraena spp.
Black DurgonMelichthys niger
Blue SharkPrionace glauca
Bull SharkCarcharhinus leucas
Caribbean Reef OctopusOctopus briareus
Caribbean Spiny LobsterPanulirus argus
Common OctopusOctopus vulgaris
Common Thresher SharkAlopias vulpinus
Dusky SharkCarcharhinus obscurus
Eagle RayAetobatus spp.
Flying GurnardDactylopterus volitans
Garden EelHeterocongrinae
GlasseyeHeteropriacanthus cruentatus
Gray TriggerfishBalistes capriscus
Greater AmberjackSeriola dumerili
Green Moray EelGymnothorax funebris
Humpback WhaleMegaptera novaeangliae
LionfishPterois spp.
Live SharksuckerEcheneis naucrates
Loggerhead Sea TurtleCaretta caretta
Midnight ParrotfishScarus coelestinus
Ocean SunfishMola mola
Oceanic Whitetip SharkCarcharhinus longimanus
Pearly RazorfishXyrichtys novacula
Princess ParrotfishScarus taeniopterus
Queen AngelfishHolacanthus ciliaris
Queen ParrotfishScarus vetula
Rainbow RunnerElagatis bipinnulata
Sargassum TriggerfishXanthichthys ringens
Scalloped Hammerhead SharkSphyrna lewini
Scarlet-Striped Cleaner ShrimpLysmata grabhami
Sergeant MajorAbudefduf saxatilis
Silky SharkCarcharhinus falciformis
Smooth Butterfly RayGymnura micrura
Smooth Hammerhead SharkSphyrna zygaena
Sperm WhalePhyseter macrocephalus
Spinner DolphinStenella longirostris
Spiny Butterfly RayGymnura altavela
Spot-fin PorcupinefishDiodon hystrix
Spotfin BurrfishChilomycterus reticulatus
Stoplight ParrotfishSparisoma viride
Yellow StingrayUrobatis jamaicensis
Yellowfin TunaThunnus albacares
Explore Bahamas on the map
Frequently asked questions about Bahamas
What are the best dive destinations in Bahamas?
Bahamas has 6 dive destinations, including Andros Barrier Reef, Bimini, Exuma Cays, Long Island, Nassau, and Tiger Beach.
When is the best time to dive in Bahamas?
It depends on where you dive in Bahamas: Andros Barrier Reef from November to May, Bimini from May to July and from November to March, Exuma Cays from November to May, Long Island from November to April, and Nassau from November to May.
What marine life can you see diving in Bahamas?
Divers can encounter 58 species in Bahamas. Highlights include Blacktip Shark, Caribbean Reef Shark, Common Bottlenose Dolphin, Great Barracuda, Great Hammerhead Shark, and Green Sea Turtle.
When can you see the Great Hammerhead Shark in Bahamas?
The Great Hammerhead Shark is most often seen in Bahamas from November to March.
When can you see the Tiger Shark in Bahamas?
The Tiger Shark is most often seen in Bahamas from March to April and from June to December.
When can you see the Blacktip Shark in Bahamas?
The Blacktip Shark can be seen in Bahamas all year round.
What is the water temperature in Bahamas?
Water temperature across Bahamas ranges from 22°C at Bimini to 31°C at Andros Barrier Reef.
What wetsuit do I need to dive in Bahamas?
The water across Bahamas ranges from 22°C to 31°C, so pack anything from a rash guard or a 1–3 mm shorty to a 5 mm wetsuit depending on the site and the season.
What is the visibility like when diving in Bahamas?
Visibility in Bahamas ranges from 15 m to 40 m. The clearest water is found at Andros Barrier Reef.
What can you see on a night dive in Bahamas?
After dark, Bahamas reveals nocturnal species such as Caribbean Reef Shark, Nurse Shark, Blue Shark, Caribbean Reef Octopus, Caribbean Spiny Lobster, and Common Octopus.
Every answer is built from the conditions and sightings data we keep for Bahamas. Spotted something that looks off?
Tell us