Caribbean · Bahamas
Bahamas
Sharks, blue holes, and 700 islands of options.
Destination snapshot
Best time
November–May
Water temp
76–84°F
Visibility
80–150 ft
Skill level
Intermediate to advanced
Flight time (US)
~1 hr (Miami)
Currency
Bahamian Dollar
Great for
Sharks · Blue holes
Avg cost
$$$
Why visit
From tiger-shark encounters to the swimming pigs, the Bahamas is the Caribbean's wildest sampler.
Nassau and Bimini are the easy-access hubs. Long Island, Cat Island, and Andros are for divers who want the specific animals and don't mind a second flight.
Best dive sites
- Tiger Beach
- Dean's Blue Hole
- Bimini Hammerheads
- Great Isaac Cay
- Andros Wall
Best snorkeling spots
- Thunderball Grotto
- Exuma Cays
- Pig Beach
What you may see underwater
Best time to visit
November–May — tiger season peaks Oct–Jan
Interesting fact
Tiger Beach, off Grand Bahama, is one of the only places on Earth where you can reliably free-swim with tiger sharks in bright, sandy shallows.
Who this destination is best for
- Shark divers
- Advanced divers
- Photographers
- Bucket-list travelers
Recommended dive operator
All Star Liveaboards
Multiple destinations, Bahamas
A fleet of premier dive liveaboards operating in the Bahamas, Galapagos, Palau, Indonesia, and Belize. Small groups, unlimited diving, and access to remote reefs, walls, and pelagic hotspots.
Why Salty Reef recommends it
Liveaboard diving across the world's best reefs
Travel planning
Average budget
$2,500–$5,000 / week
Suggested length
5–7 nights
Where to stay
Nassau, Bimini, Long Island, or a liveaboard
When to go
November–May — tiger season peaks Oct–Jan
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a liveaboard to dive the Bahamas?
- For big-animal spots like Tiger Beach and Bimini, a liveaboard or dedicated shark charter is the standard. Nassau, Exuma and Andros can be done from shore-based resorts.
- When are the sharks?
- Tiger sharks peak October–January. Great hammerheads at Bimini run January–March. Oceanic whitetips off Cat Island are best April–June.
- Is it good for snorkelers too?
- Yes — the Exumas, Andros barrier reef and Thunderball Grotto (Staniel Cay) are world-class snorkel spots.
Ready to dive Bahamas?
Tell us your dates and experience level — we'll match you with the right resort and operator, and handle the details.
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