Scuba diving holidays in the Exumas, Bahamas

The Exumas are an archipelago of over 350 cays and islands located within central Bahamas. Exuma Island and Little Exuma, along with the Exuma Cays, are ranked amongst the most beautiful and exotic islands in the Bahamas. Boasting stunning white sandy beaches and crystal clear aquamarine waters, this paradise destination was the location of two James Bond films, Thunderball and Never Say Never Again, as well as Hollywood blockbusters Splash and Pirates of the Caribbean, leaving behind some fascinating movie history both above and below the water.

It is no wonder that divers consider the Exumas a dream destination: the reefs and islands are famous for their pristine beauty. 176 square miles have fortunately been protected by the government and named Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. It is the first of its kind in the world and has been a great success. The breathtaking seascapes in the park attract divers from all over the world, who come here to explore crystalline turquoise waters teeming with tropical marine life. The vibrant coral gardens are full of hundreds of coral species such as elkhorn, stag horn and rare black coral, as well as sea fans and sponges of all colours, shapes and sizes. The park is inhabited by a plethora of exciting sea creatures, including lemon sharks, nurse sharks, sting rays, eagle rays, eels, turtles, lobsters and a huge variety of fish. The diversity is simply breathtaking.

The sea life isn't the only attraction below the water in the Exuma Islands. Spectacular walls, caverns, wrecks, reefs and blue holes provide exiting underwater playgrounds for both experienced divers and novices. Some of the highlights include the Austin Smith Wreck, the Cathedral, Angelfish Blue Hole, Lobster Reef, Pillar Wall, Jeep Reef and Elkhorn Gardens, although there are so many more to discover besides. One of the most famous is the beautiful Thunderball Cavern, which was used in numerous films, including the James Bond film of the same name. Offering a maze of entrances and underwater pathways, divers can observe numerous varieties of coral, fish and other marine life here.

Many dive centres in the Exumas will provide you with all the training, equipment and advice you need before venturing into the water, guiding you to the best sites for your level of experience. The variety of dive sites in the Exuma Cays is truly unique, providing underwater adventures that cannot be found anywhere elsewhere. So, if you book a scuba diving holiday in the Exumas, make the most of every opportunity you get.