Living There
Shark Diving may be among the very most thrilling encounters people have underwater. The Bahamas offers some of the greatest up close encounters with a few of the larger shark species, although there are several well-known hotspots, such as the Galapagos Islands and Cocos Island.
The Bahamas have been really proactive at recognizing their value in ecotourism and protecting sharks. In 1992, they set a ban on long-line fishing in place which had a huge impact on protecting sharks.
Epic Diving , based in the Bahamas, offers dedicated shark diving excursions with numerous key species. From the ubiquitous reef shark, the tiger shark that is larger-than-life, to the ultra rare oceanic whitetip and great hammerhead, these excursions offer nonstop heart-pounding excitement. They company’s dive boat, M/V Thresher, moves between isles for the best meetings with the various species during the right seasons.
The year starts off in Bimini where divers have the chance to dive with the Great Hammerhead shark, a usually timid and uncommon species. Bimini is now a world hotspot for this species, offering reliable close up encounters from January to March. During these excursions, divers will also often see nurse and bull sharks, as well as stingray. The dives are shallow, generally between 20 – 40 feet deep.
In March, Thresher goes to Cat Island, one of the family islands of the Bahamas. Over the last several years, this little isle has become world famous for it is incredible Oceanic Whitetip Shark diving. A pelagic species, the oceanic party favors deep water and there’s no better place on earth than Cat. The island has a steep shelf with incrediblly and incredibly clear deep water just offshore. Divers hold the opportunity to snorkel with the oceanics which provides close and safe interaction with the sharks. SCUBA diving is conducted with an average depth to 20 – 30 feet as an effortless drift. During these meetings in the open blue, guests will most likely see dusky sharks and silky, also as chance encounters with white marlin and blue. Closer to walls and the incredible reefs of lemon sharks, reef, nurse and the island are regulars, with great hammerhead sharks and the occasional tiger making an appearance.
Epic Diving spends the rest of the year on the West End of Grand Bahama Island in the world famous Tiger Beach. This place offers divers close, cage-free diving with large tiger sharks. These big predators have a larger than life existence underwater and can reach lengths of 16 feet. Again, diving is done on some of the deeper reefs, with depths ranging from 15 feet up to 50 – 60 feet in shallow, clear, warm water. Aside from the tiger sharks, divers will soon be encompassed by innumerable reef and lemon sharks, and possess the opportunity to see an occasional great hammerhead passing by.
The operation of epic Diving’s is top notch and security is the upmost concern. The conservation-minded operation gives comprehensive shark diving briefings before guests get in the water and share their passion for sharks with everyone. Contact guests to begin an unforgettable shark diving adventure!
