Scuba diving holidays in Paradise Island, Bahamas

Whether you are a beginner or a professional diver, the waters surrounding the city of Nassau on New Providence Island and the adjoining Paradise Island offer an excellent choice of dive sites for thrill seekers. From shallow reefs and wrecks for novices to deep blue holes and drop-offs for experienced divers, there are plenty of unforgettable underwater adventures to be had.

The capital Nassau is a popular launching point for diving excursions but many choose to take their diving holiday in Paradise Island, which is connected to New Providence Island by two 600-foot bridges. Dive centres in Paradise Island will take divers to similar spots as Nassau dive centres because the islands are so close. These include unique sites such as the Lost Blue Hole, a beautiful natural underwater sinkhole measuring approximately 100 feet wide and almost 200 feet deep; the Will Laurie, a 110-foot freighter which was damaged in a violent storm, and exciting spots for shark encounters such as Shark Wall, Shark Arena and Shark Runway, where large numbers of wild Caribbean reef sharks can be seen.

Other popular dives sites around Paradise Island and Nassau include the famous Thunderball Reef, used during several of the James Bond movies including the movie of the same name Thunderball, and The Mahoney Wreck, a 200 foot freighter that dates back to the 1800s when it was blown apart and scattered amongst 25-40 feet of water. A huge variety of beautiful caverns, walls and reefs can also be found in the Bahamas' crystal clear waters. Many of these sites are adorned with beautiful coral formations and inhabited by a fascinating array of marine life, including brightly-coloured tropical fish, loggerhead turtles, moray eels, spotted rays, stingrays, octopus, lobsters, nurse sharks, Nassau groupers, tarpon and hundreds of other sea creatures.

Night dives can also be booked with local dive centres in Paradise Island. These can be just as exciting as daytime dives, if not more so, because marine life varies as nocturnal species make an appearance, and colours of the corals and fish appear different by torchlight. The underwater seascapes are also dramatic and beautiful, if not a little eerie. Whichever dive sites you explore around Paradise Island, you can be sure of some of some unforgettable experiences.