We would like to introduce you to the five best wreck dives in the Bahamas. Sometimes, when planning a diving holiday, it is not so easy to decide where to go and what to see, especially if you are traveling as a group or with your partner.

Wrecks and sharks, it does not get any better. Photo Credits: bamahas.com.

Some divers prefer diving mysterious wrecks, while others want to go and see the big stuff. Me, personally, I love both! Luckily, wreck diving in the Bahamas is just as popular as the shark dives and is offered by multiple dive operators in the region.

You can easily combine both when planning a scuba trip and get the best of both worlds. Why choose, if you do not have to? 🙂

The Bahamas are one of the most famous island chains on the planet, not only for family holidays but also for scuba divers looking for some adventure beneath the surface of the ocean.
The islands have abundant diving opportunities available in crystal clear, warm waters.

From underwater caves to extensive coral reefs filled with color and a fantastic variety of marine species, there’s a dive site to suit every level of diver and every expectation.

Wreck Diving in the Bahamas

But in addition to exploring colorful reefs and swimming with myriads of different species of fish, there are also quite a few famous wreck dives. Some of these wrecks have been sunk on purpose to make artificial reefs, while others have not, but many of these are known worldwide as some of the best of their kind for those who love to explore wrecks and glean a bit of history during their underwater adventure.

Remember always to dive within your limits and only penetrate a wreck when you are properly trained to do so.

Below is a list of the 4 best wreck dives within the Bahamas so that you can plan your trip more efficiently by narrowing down your many choices to those wrecks that will take your breath away.

1. Hesperus/Turtle Wreck

The Hesperus/Turtle Wreck is, by far, one of the most sought-after wreck dives in the Bahamas, and known throughout the world, with divers rating it as one of the best for exploring and encountering marine life.

The average depth at this site is roughly 6 meters or 20 feet, but you can reach maximum depths of 11 meters, or 35 feet, which should give you ample time to explore, and makes it ideally suited for underwater photographers.

Also read: Why You Want to Dive with Oceanic Whitetip Sharks in the Bahamas?

Located off the island of Bimini, the water temperatures are warm enough throughout the year to dive here at any time. You can expect to see countless marine animals as well, especially large fish that are stunning to watch as they glide past you and along the wreck.

Divers here have also enjoyed spotting rays and turtles during their trip. Thanks to its shallow depth, good visibility and abundance of life, it is ideally suited for underwater photographers and also ideal for those who love a night dive where you stand a good chance of spotting lobsters, and if you get lucky, even an elusive hammerhead shark.

During the night, loggerhead turtles also flock to the wreck –hence the nickname “Turtle Wreck”–so if that’s the species you’re after, definitely book a night dive during your trip.

The Hesperus was a cement barge that sunk along with its cargo so that you can see the bags of cement throughout the wreck. And the wreck is picturesquely surrounded by sea grass.
You will also find colorful corals, many tropical fish species and caribbean sharks like:

  • Reef sharks
  • Blacktip sharks
  • Hammerheads
  • Nurse sharks

Turtle at James Bond Wrecks, Nassau, Bahamas. Photo Credits: Ashleyhauck

2. James Bond Wrecks

Located in Nassau, New Providence, the [James Bond wrecks] (http://www.bookyourdive.com/blog/2014/3/4/scuba-diving-movies) are probably the most famous of all the wreck dives in the Bahamas, thanks to the popularity of the James Bond films. While their celebrity days might be over, they have now reached new fame for the wide array of fish and marine creatures you can find here during your dive.

The two featured wrecks here are the Tears of Allah, which was featured in the film Never Say Never Again, and The Vulcan Bomber, which was featured in Thunderball. Both wrecks can be explored in one single dive. You would typically start the dive at the deeper one, which is the tears of Allah.

Once you have visited this beautiful little wreck, you will reach the “Vulcan Bomber” after a short swim. This is not a plane, but was a fiberglass construction; that was sunk to star in the movie Thunderball. Today, nothing but the metal framework remains, beautifully overgrown with all kinds of corals and sponges.

Maximum depth for this dive is 15 meters or 50 feet. Divers who have visited the site have nothing but good things to say about it, and they especially enjoyed the fact that there are so many marine animals to see swimming around the wrecks.

The Vulcan mock-up being constructed on a wharf in the Bahamas. Photo Credits: Urbanghostsmedia.com.

Theo’s Wreck

Theo’s Wreck is easily found off the coast of Grand Bahama Island, where the water is so crystal clear that you can see the hull of the wreck from the moment you dive into the water. The freighter, which was sunk in 1982, measures 74 meters, or 238 feet, and rests at around 31 meters, or 100 feet, deep.

Over time, this wreck has been able to develop into quite the gorgeous coral reef. Theo’s Wreck is covered in abundant and colorful corals and sponges, including stunning black coral. Also, don’t be surprised to be surrounded by a variety of different fish, as well as turtles, rays, and sharks, during your dive here, making it an unforgettable experience.

Also read: Go Shark diving in the Bahamas With These Amazing 5 Sharks

Airplane Wreck #2

Tired of seeing the same old sunken ships during your wreck dives? Then why not head over to Airplane Wreck #2, located within the waters surrounding Coco Cay, a private island in the Bahamas.

This is the chance of a lifetime to see an airplane on the bottom of the sea, resting at just 3 to 5 meters, or 11 to 15 feet, deep. This is yet another artificial wreck purposely placed underwater to develop into a thriving reef for divers and snorkelers to enjoy, and you will see plenty of gorgeous fish here, along with parts of the fuselage and wings of the plane.

Plane Wreck Bahamas. Photo Credits: Stuart Cove

And these are just our favorite ones! The Bahamas offer so much more amazing dives on wrecks, with sharks, on beautiful reefs! Definitely, more than you can do in just one diving trip! But give it your best shot!

Have you explored the shipwrecks in the Bahamas already, and which were your favorite dives or would you like to go?
Let us know in the comments below!

Would you like to go wreck diving in the Bahamas? Feel free to contact us. We have multiple partners that offer dive packages + accommodation and scuba lessons.

 

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