Scuba Diving in The Exumas
Our scuba diving adventures offers personalized scuba diving experiences in the Exuma Cays. We work with each guest to tailor the perfect dive trip, taking into account their dive site preferences, desired marine life, and food preferences.
With small group sizes (2-6 divers per divemaster) we ensure a safe and enjoyable diving experience. And our attention to detail means that divers can relax and enjoy the underwater world, without having to worry about the little things.
If you’re looking for an unforgettable scuba diving experience in the Exuma Cays, contact our Adventures Agent today. We’ll make sure you have the adventure of a lifetime.
Every dive trip is guided by a PADI Certified Divemaster and Instructor to enhance your experience. Our experienced captains, combined with our great locations offer you some of the best scuba diving in the Bahamas.
Scuba Rentals & Fills
Discover Scuba Diving in the Exuma Cays
If you’ve ever had the desire to try scuba diving, the Discover Scuba Diving program in the Exuma Cays is perfect for you. This program is a quick and easy way to experience what it feels like to breathe underwater.
Under the direct supervision of a PADI professional, you’ll learn how to use scuba equipment in shallow water (down to 12 meters /40 ft). You’ll also get an introduction to some of the basic safety rules and skills that will carry over to your full scuba certification course.
Most importantly, you’ll get to experience the exhilaration of breathing underwater and being comfortable in this environment. The Discover Scuba Diving program is the way to learn basic skills & safety rules that will carry over to your full scuba certification course when you take the next step.
PADI Discover Scuba Diving Information
PADI Discover Scuba Diving: $147
Optional: Open water dive (+$150), 2 Open water Dives (+$250)
Course time: 1 day (1 hour)
Content: 1 academic module, 1 confined open water session, Optional: Open Water Dive
Maximum depth allowed: 12 meters / 40 feet, under a PADI Professional’s supervision
Prerequisites: +10 years old, no previous experience necessary.
NOTE: Maximum is three non-certified divers to go on an open water dive per dive instructor. When grouping non-certified and certified divers, we carry 4 divers max per dive instructor.
Course Package Includes: All Materials and Equipment
The most famous dive area is the Exuma Land and Sea Park. It is one of the Bahamas National Parks and Protected Areas managed by the Bahamas National Trust. You will dive along walls, healthy untouched reefs, and sharks in this vast park. There are dives with varying depths to enjoy a scuba experience here that meets their skill level.
Within the Land and Sea Park is Jeep Reef, a famous dive. Jeep Reef has one of the healthiest and most colorful reefs in the Bahamas and is known for the reef’s coral-encrusted jeep.
While in the Exuma Cays, you will have the chance to visit multiple dive sites, each with its own unique experience. A few dive sites consist of beautiful, thriving sea walls such as the Black Tip Wall, where reed sharks are often spotted, and Pillar Wall begins at 80′ and drops down more than 333 feet, especially great for deep divers.
There is also a wreck you can dive around; the Austin Smith Wreck, lying down at 65 feet and is about 82 feet long, has created a spectacular dive spot. When it comes to reefs, the Amberjack Reef and Danger Reef, another site, is a small patch of reef that is extraordinarily full of marine life, hundreds of fish will surround you, and there is multiple reefs shark that calls this reef their home.
Scuba Diving in the Exuma Cays FAQ
Scuba Diving in the Exuma Cays
Scuba Diving in the Exuma Cays
Explore the beautiful waters while scuba diving around the Exumas.
As a boutique scuba diving experience, we cater to a small group of six people or less and focus on personal attention, comfort, safety, and environmental responsibility. We have a luxury boat and keep our service very personal.
- Tailor-Made Service: All our Adventures consider the needs of our guests in terms of dive sites, desired marine creatures, and food menus. This flexibility is a cornerstone of the boutique dive experience. This is to ensure that each and every guest feels pampered and cared for throughout the journey.
- Attention to Detail: From post-dive snacks to fluffy towels, no detail goes unnoticed, leaving divers with nothing to worry about.
- A Low Ratio of Dive Master to Divers: On these dives, our divemasters are only responsible for 2 to 6 people, ensuring safe and quality scuba diving.
- A Full-Service Dive Routine: Our Diver Master sets up your equipment and disassemble equipment. In between, the crew takes all responsibility for washing and changing tanks. There’s no need to do even the slightest bit of work!
Every dive trip is guided by a PADI Certified Divemaster and Instructor to enhance your experience. Our experienced captains, combined with our great locations offer you some of the best scuba diving in the Bahamas at our doorstep, we are able to offer you personal first-class scuba courses and dive excursions to an underwater world that will take your breath away!
Wreck Dive in the Exuma Cays
Wreck Dive in the Exuma Cays
The Austin Smith Wreck Dive, lying down at 65 feet and is about 82 feet long, has created a spectacular dive spot.
The Austin Smith, also known as the HMBS Flamingo, was originally a 90-foot Bahamian Defense Force Cutter and was decommissioned in 1995. As it was being towed to its final resting place as an artificial reef, the Austin Smith accidentally sunk en route and now rests in 60 feet of water in the Exuma Cays. Living in and around the wreck are nurse and reef sharks, possible eagle rays, turtles, and lots of fish: snapper, angelfish, grunts, anemones, and grouper.
Reef Dives in the Exuma Cays
Reef dives are some of the most popular types of dives, and for good reason. There is an incredible amount of marine life that can be found on reefs, making them a truly fascinating underwater world to explore.
One of the best reef dives in the world can be found at Amberjack Reef. This small patch of reef is home to hundreds of fish, as well as multiple reef sharks. When you dive here, you will be surrounded by an incredible variety of marine life, making it an unforgettable experience.
If you are looking for an amazing reef dive, Amberjack Reef is definitely one that you should add to your list.
Dog Rocks Reef Dive in the Exuma Cays
Dog Rocks reef is a beautiful dive spot located in the northernmost section of the Exumas. The reef is accessible by boat and offers divers stunning visibility, often up to 150 feet. You’ll see plenty of Caribbean marine life here, including nurse sharks, reef sharks, turtles, stingrays, and a variety of fish.
The Washing Machine in the Exuma Cays
What is the Best Scuba Diving Season in the Exuma Cays
What is the Visibility in the Exuma Cays?
Fishing Guides in the Exuma Cays
Exuma Cays Fishing Charters
We offer
- The most up-to-date equipment
- Certified and Insured
- Top of the line boats
- Best tips for fishing
And the best part about all of these excursions is that no experience is necessary in order to try. Our Fishing Charter Captains are will become aware of your needs and skill level, and make sure you feel as comfortable as possible.
No licenses or permits are required; all necessary equipment is included led by an experienced local guide. You will receive personal attention from our experienced crew and enjoy a flexible itinerary on this fishing charter from the Exuma Cays, Bahamas.
Private Guide
Explore the Exuma Cays! Our unique boat tours and experiences are perfect for those looking for a new and exciting adventure. Our experienced staff will take you on a journey through the stunning Exuma Cays landscape, and you’ll get to experience everything the area has to offer.
Group Tours
We offer three different group tours.
1. Swimming Pigs- Daily
2. Exuma Land and Sea Park- Saturdays
3. Mermaid Snorkeling Tour- Wednesdays
What are the Fishing Laws
How much fish am I allowed to keep?
The regulations specify the amount of fish and fishery products that can be aboard a licensed foreign sport fishing vessel at any time. The bag limits are:
* 18 pelagic fish (Any combination of Dolphin, Wahoo, Kingfish or Tuna)
* 10 lobsters (when in season)
* 6 conchs
* 60 pounds or up to 20 demersal fish such as snappers and groupers, whichever is the lesser.
How much fish can I take home when I leave The Bahamas?
When you leave The Bahamas via a foreign vessel that had a sport fishing permit, you may take as many marine resources as the new catch limits listed above allow. This does not depend on the number of person aboard the vessel.
I am a permanent resident of The Bahamas, are the rules different for me?
You still need to obtain a sport fishing permit to use any foreign owned vessel for fishing. The catch limits that apply to visitors however, do not apply to permanent residents. As is the case for a Bahamian citizen, your catch cannot exceed 250 pounds. Doing so will put you in the commercial fishing category.
How many fishing rods can I have on my boat?
There is no limit to the number of rods you may have onboard the vessel. You are limited to the use of six or less at any given time. The use of more than six rods moves you to another category of sport fishing vessel. The fee for such a permit is $10,000 per year.
Can I use scuba gear or an air compressor for fishing?
No.
Can I use an electric reel?
Yes.
Can I use a cast net to gather bait fish?
The use of a net must be specifically authorized. If you wish to use a cast net to gather bait, you must specify that you want to use this kind of gear on the sports fishing permit application form. Once approved the issuing officer will include the use of the cast net when he issues the sports fishing permit. Any such approval will be expressed in writing on the permit.
Can I still gather conchs while in The Bahamas?
Sport fishers are allowed to gather conchs. The maximum number that you may have aboard the sport fishing vessel at any time is six (6). Remember that there is a legal size limit for conch in The Bahamas. The shell must have a well-developed flaring lip. This is a sign of maturity.
Is there a catch limit for bonefish?
There is no catch limit for bonefish. Catch and release is strongly encouraged.
Do I need a sport fishing permit to go after bonefish?
This depends upon whether or not you are using a Non-Bahamian owned vessel. A sport fishing permit is required if you are fishing using a Non-Bahamian owned boat.
Do I have to use a local fishing guide?
There is no requirement that you use a Bahamian guide. The Department of Marine Resources encourages the use of Bahamian fishing guides as this provides an enhanced fishing experience.
Am I allowed to keep any billfish (marlins, sailfish, swordfish) caught?
Unless you are fishing in an approved tournament, all billfish caught must be returned to the sea unharmed.
Is fishing for sharks allowed?
No. Sharks are now protected in The Bahamas as a result of an amendment made in 2011. Sharks may only be taken under special permits for very specific purposes. A shark that is hooked during the course of any fishing activity is to be released unharmed.
Can I sell some of the fish I catch in The Bahamas?
Visitors to The Bahamas are not allowed to sell or trade any fishery products. This constitutes commercial fishing and would be a serious violation of the law.
Can I fillet fish while aboard my vessel?
Yes. Once you have a valid sport fishing permit the catch limits detailed above apply.
When traveling from Florida, when do I cross into Bahamian waters?
The maritime boundary between The Bahamas and the United States of America (USA) has not been formally agreed upon. In the South Florida area, where the USA and The Bahamas are separated by the Gulf Stream, NOAA Chart 11469 depicts the line marking the limits of the United States Exclusive Economic Zone. This line essentially runs up the middle of Gulf Stream. If you are east of that line, you are considered to be within the waters of The Bahamas and the laws of The Bahamas are applicable. The distance you may be from any land mass in The Bahamas is not particularly relevant as the line setting the limits of the territorial waters of The Bahamas is not always drawn from a land mass.
Can I use a spear for fishing?
Yes, although you will need to obtain specific authorization. Sport fishermen visiting The Bahamas are limited to angling with a hook and line held in the hand or attached to a rod and reel. The fisheries regulations prohibit sport fishers from the use of a spear, trap or net (other than a landing net), unless such use is specifically authorized. The authorization to use a spear is easy to get.
How do I get permission to engage in spearfishing?
A person wishing to use a spear should put this on their application form for the sport fishing permit. Permission may be granted by the officer issuing the permit for the use of a spear with a hand held sling, referred to as a Hawaiian sling in The Bahamas, or a pole spear. When permission is granted for the use of a spear, this must be endorsed in writing on the permit by the issuing officer.
Where can I go spearfishing?
Spearfishing Is not allowed within 1 mile of the coast of New Providence or the southern coast of Freeport, Grand Bahama Island. It is also prohibited within 200 yards of the coast of any Out Island.
Can I use a speargun?
No. The use of a spear gun for fishing is not allowed in The Bahamas.
There are two ways to obtain a Fishing permit including pre-registration online via official cruising permit vendors, before you arrive in The Bahamas or filling out paperwork upon arrival at Bahamas Customs and Immigration. More details outlined below:
1) Online (preferred): Prior to travel, fishers can submit an electronic declaration, or apply for a permit through one of the official cruising permit vendors. These online systems are the preferred and easiest way to clear customs. Those boaters who choose to per-register online will still have to proceed to see Bahamas Customs and Immigration at their Port of Entry.
2)In-person: Fishers can also obtain this permit when they visit Bahamas Customs and Immigration at their Port of Entry, upon arrival.
Official Fishing Permit Vendors