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| Image by Ty Sawyer |
GETAWAYS -- BAHAMAS NATURAL WONDERS
Six Bahamian islands made to impress
Why travel to the far edges of the Earth when the Bahamas are only 150 miles away from Florida? There's not much in the world of underwater adventures that can't be found among the 700 islands that make up the Bahamas. The entire notion of big-animal encounters began here. And the Bahamas still ranks at the top of any list for shark and wild dolphin encounters. Plus, you'll find the world's least-explored and third-longest barrier reef just off Andros. Here, you never know what might show up, and everything from sperm whales to hammerhead sharks has wandered along this dramatic precipice. It's also one of the few places in the world where oceanic blue holes dramatic corridors to the center of the Earth exist. And for wreck aficionados, there's a lifetime worth of artificial reefs, both purposely and accidentally sunk. Above the water, the Bahamas has retained its slow and easy vibe, and the people of the islands remain friendly and open everywhere you go. There are beaches that go on for miles, begging for footprints. And if you like to eat, the conch has been elevated to gourmet status here.
ANDROS
On stage
Act 1: The Pact My colleague and I have a rather unusual pact. Wait. Let me back up one step. I like to make images underwater. She's Michelle Makmann, Sport Diver's multimedia producer and videographer. And we both love to dive with sharks (well, everything, but especially sharks). For some strange reason we both feel the invincibility that comes with holding a big hunk of waterproof metal and strobes. It's as if the sharks should think, Hey, it's the press, and journalists are friends, not food. These underwater guys are trying to help us. So, no chewing on the guys with the cameras! But the reality of it is that we both fully understand that once in the water, we're in the food chain and it's not a zoo. Anything can happen when dealing with wild animals whose brains are ruled by instinct honed by millions of years of survival in an unremittingly hostile world, not by intelligent reasoning.
That said, our pact. On numerous occasions, my strobes, when they've fired off, have emitted an electrical signal that must mimic a hurt fish,
because various shark species Caribbean reef, lemon, blacktip, gray have decided that my strobes are a meal. I've actually had to chase sharks down the reef when they have bitten and taken off with my strobes, housing, arms my whole setup. We've been bumped, gotten some really, really, close footage of open shark mouths, and rubbed shoulders with the men in the gray suits on numerous occasions.
So we've often mused, morbidly, about the possibility of getting nipped.
Which led to our pact: Get the shot, then help the other person.
It's become a joke between us. Yes, a sick one. And we repeat it to each other as we giant-stride into the water just off the island of Andros in the famously sharky Bahamas. We're diving on the chumsicle a frozen hunk of fish parts that slowly melts and drives the sharks batty trying to get to it which leads to a nice bit of action. We're out with PADI Dive Resort Small Hope Bay Lodge, just off North Andros. Well, the action picks up predictably. I move in for the shots, feeling invincible in the moment and not paying the slightest bit of attention to what's going on behind me.
Makmann, on the other hand, has noticed that a small, 4-foot shark seems to be feeling a bit daring and has made several close passes by me. She moves her camera into place, focuses and frames a nice shot. Then this little bugger decides to pass on the chumsicle and go for the expensive entrιe, my camera. More specifically, my strobe arm. The shark bites, knocks out a few teeth on the metal, shakes my camera a bit just to make sure there are no hidden bits of meat. Then he lets go in exasperation, probably mumbling a little shark curse word, heads back to the chumsicle hierarchy (in which this small shark gets leftover table scraps, maybe) and resigns itself to savoring the scent of fish. The frenzy on the frozen treat crescendos in the wild abandon of a street brawl, then the sharks calm down and continue about their day.
After I recover, I look up at Makmann. She signals that she got the shot. I see her smile so big, water leaks into her mask.
We can't wait to review the footage. Everything's good until the moment the shark moves in. Then, inexplicably, the camera moves to the side, then up. Makmann was so shocked that it actually happened, she, without even realizing it, looked out from behind the camera to see if it was true and quit filming while she watched. She ended up with a nice shot of the bottom of the boat. She couldn't believe it. But, at least I knew at that moment that pact or no pact, she would have moved in to help me if I needed it rather than get the shot. But we'll see next time, right?
Act 2: Holes of Life
If you look at Andros from the air, it looks like someone aimed a Tommy gun at this, the largest of the Bahamas' 700 islands, and riddled it with bullet holes. And then if you zoom in from that 30,000-foot vantage, you'll see, at this very moment, a boat heading right to a spot where three such holes can be seen. I've just left the dock at Tiamo Resort, one of the world's leading sustainable "eco-luxe" resorts. They take sustainability seriously with composting toilets, solar-heated water and solar-powered lights, low-impact cottages and a host of other sustainable features in their private beach bungalows. But, it's the natural heritage in the water that draws our little boat across the bight.
We settle over one of the blue holes. Here, fresh water and salt water mix; the tide rushes in and out of the cave system, and all around the blue holes that pockmark the bight between North and South Andros, you can find marine life. It's as if they're the marine world's version of "watering holes." Everything shows up to socialize, perhaps to gossip and mingle at the cleaning stations. The edges of this particular blue hole are surrounded by southern stingrays, probably 30 to 40 of them snuggled into the sand, eyes peeking out to watch the world. Schools of jacks flit in and out of the deep-blue maw of these blue holes. Caribbean reef sharks pass by. Then a hawksbill turtle, then another. Big grouper hover in the water. Parrotfish circulate. And there are piles of jittery macro critters and cleaning stations.
We snorkel over to the other two blue holes same story. Life crowds the rim. It's like they're acolytes waiting for some marine messiah to rise from the deep mystery that hides somewhere in the magenta. I watch waiting, mesmerized, in the same way, just one more passing pilgrim caught up in the blue paradise.
Back at Tiamo, time slows. The waves, inches high, lap at the shore. Seabirds dash at the water's edge. That night we all settle around a communal dinner, and the talk roams from bonefishing to Andros' unique world to the sea, until we've all wandered off to our bungalows to enjoy the wonder of a true, deep sleep.
Intermission: The Air We Breathe
Between dives, Andros exists in a state between tranquil and raw. The 2,300-square-mile island which is actually two main islands, North and South Andros remains mostly wilderness. It's the least inhabited and least explored of the Bahamas Islands. I love to wander the trails to find rare orchids (yes, I think this is manly), or go with guides to swim in inland blue holes or roam through the islands' several unique and fragile eco-systems to learn about bush medicine. And I always keep my eye out for the Chickcharnie, a mythological creature that roams the pine forest (sometimes, if I have enough "sky juice," a coconut-gin mind-bender, I can see them). And the fastest pace I can ever achieve, or want to, on Andros is a slow amble on bike, by foot or by the silent stealth of a kayak. Because it's so untrammeled, I usually have entire beaches to myself, especially during that magical hour of sunrise. And Andros is a bonefisherman's nirvana. Every resort on the island will take you out to the flats to wage war with a flimsy stick against this legendary game fish. At the end of the day, it always creeps into my head that Andros is only 155 miles from the neon explosion of South Florida, and when I look across the horizon, I can see the bright glow of a bustling Nassau, the most-populated city in the Bahamas. That's how far the edge of the Earth is, I think, just beyond the bright glow of a world ruled by man rather than nature. And then I look up at a blanket of stars and at that moment a soothing, Caribbean breeze wraps around me and carries off the last of my stress.
Act 3: Vertical Bliss
A five-minute boat ride from Andros, and the world falls away in a rush. The world's third-largest and least-explored coral reef sits right at the doorstep. It's a deep, mysterious world, where you never know what will show up from the 6,000-foot depths spotted eagle rays, submarines or sperm whales. With its on-site PADI Dive Center, Coral Caverns Dive Center, which is right in Cargill Creek on the southeast corner of Central Andros, uses mooring balls at all their sites along the wall. Start at any one of them, and you could come back speechless. Or, light (I'll explain in a minute). The deep walls are heavy with black corals, whip wire corals and sponges. A parade of possible encounters eagle rays, hammerhead sharks, silky sharks rise up from the deeper waters. But come prepared to dive a little deeper and possibly experience nitrogen narcosis to see the big stuff, especially on the wall. Makmann had her first real encounter with narcosis here off Andros. The wall came alive in ways I hadn't yet experienced. I slipped down a little past 123 feet under the close supervision of the divemaster. Massive wire corals spiraled out like giant springs. Family-sized lobsters peeked out from their sponge lairs. The wall was thick with life. My more-conservative computer made me ascend before the others, so I watched them tour the top of the reef, in and around giant, black-coral trees, with a hawksbill turtle as a willing guide. Schools of spadefish circled me on my safety stop.
Back on the boat, when Makmann stepped up the ladder, she took out her reg, eyes wide with the thrill of the dive, and said: "Wow, it's amazing how light you get at 160 feet. I felt like I was floating. Woo so much fun. I like diving deep."
I laughed. "That's called narcosis. Rapture of the deep."
The divemaster chuckled.
"Really? So, I wasn't floating? What about the turtle?"
"No, the turtle was real. And all I could do was watch," I said.
We can't wait to slip over the edge of the wall again.
Encore: Indulgent Me
Time for an admission and a confession. Sometimes I like a little pampering. Actually, more and more so the older I get. And that's what I'm thinking as I drive a golf cart down a palm-shaded lane to my spa treatment at the private-island getaway of Kamalame Cay. This 96-acre enclave has swept me away with its casual island elegance. I'm staying in, perhaps, the most romantic cottage I've experienced on Andros or any place in the world. It's private, with a wall of French doors that open to a verandah and miles of wide, soft beach and a shallow, quiet bay. The muslin curtains billow soothingly in the breeze. There's a soaring feeling to the 20-foot ceilings. It feels like a dream like the kind of villa you might imagine having in heaven. Truly.
No exaggeration.
And there's even a PADI Dive Center just for guests. When I arrived at the dock earlier, the dive boat was pulling in, and the guests had a surprise encounter with a sperm whale between wall dives. I mentioned that I'd like to experience the same in the morning, and I truly believe this place could make it happen.
But for now I'm at the spa, which sits in a building at the end of its own dock over the water. The wall in the treatment room opens to the sea. It's a refuge within a refuge, a place where you begin to feel rejuvenated as soon as you enter. The salt air mingles with the aromatic oils meant to inspire tranquility, and within minutes I'm asleep. I awake to seabirds hovering in the breeze, and a lone stingray passes in the water below.
That night, I stay in the cottage is just too nice to leave. I eat a Caesar salad with grilled chicken out on the verandah. Quiet music plays on my CD player, and the palm fronds rustle just enough for ambience. I read a bit, then soak in the oversized tub with a cup of tea. The bed wraps me up and I sleep on the crest of a cloud, dreaming of nothing at all. Ty Sawyer
QUICK GUIDE
Small Hope Bay Lodge (smallhope.com), a full-service dive center since 1960, is minutes from the third-largest barrier reef in the world. You can dive reefs, wrecks, walls, blue holes or caves, or rub shoulders with sharks around the chumsicle. The family-run lodge is simple, rustic and perfect for a relaxed getaway. Nondivers can choose from activities, such as birding, kayaking, sailing and windsurfing. Tiamo (tiamoresorts.com) is a luxury eco-lodge on South Andros. There are no roads; you take a boat to the resort. You can dive, fish for bonefish, snorkel or explore on guided treks. Coral Caverns Dive Resort (coralcavernsresort .com) in Cargill Creek on Central Andros sits five minutes from the barrier reef. Plus, you can kayak, go on nature walks, bike or just lounge poolside. Kamalame Cay (kamalame.com) is a 96-acre private island off Andros. This enclave of privacy, pampering and luxury features exclusive beachside villas and barefoot elegance for the discerning traveler. Nondiving activities include tennis, windsurfing and much more. For more information on diving in the Bahamas Islands, contact the Bahamas Diving Association (bahamasdiving.com).
LONG ISLAND
Out Island spice of life
So far I've made it about 20 of the 110 feet of length that comprise the wreck of the Comberbach. I've been on the bottom at 100 feet now for about 15 minutes and think to myself, If I have any chance of seeing what else is on this lush wreck, I better start swimming now. The problem has been that it's just too overwhelming. I get distracted easily and dive slowly excruciatingly so if you were to ask some of my buddies. This wreck is covered in movement, texture and color that make me want to stop. There's also a nearby sailboat to explore, but I know that at my pace, I will never reach it. So, I make my way down the port side of the upright wreck to the screw. It's been removed, but the rudder is covered in encrusting sponges, green algae and soft corals. There's so much color and texture that it looks like the leftovers from a barroom fight between a painter and sculptor. I'm out of bottom time, so I ascend to the deck at about 75 feet. A green moray peeks up from a crack in a bulkhead to greet me. Arrow crabs, big ones, hide in the shadows. And parrotfish and wrasse add movement to the colorful world of this wreck.
Then, just as I was getting to know the wreck, it was time to ascend. It was like this for all my dives. At Shark Reef probably the most raw and wild of all the shark dives in the Bahamas, where they toss in a bucket of scraps and the sea explodes with a true frenzy I wanted to stay in the water and do it again. At Conception Island Wall, I made it about 50 fascinating feet, exploring among the massive coral heads, before it was time to come up. Truly, I'd just like to stay at this site for about a month straight. It was like I was being teased mercilessly. Here's one great dive. Time to come up. Here's another. Running out of air, time to come up. Dang you. And, they're all wrapped in viz so clear you feel dizzy. Then there was Dean's Blue Hole, which is the world's deepest at 660 feet, and probably the loveliest, too. Here, you feel like you're hovering over a shaft that leads to the blue center of the Earth. If you hang quietly in the water, I'm sure you could feel the pulse of the Earth.
Above the water, time stands still on Long Island. Doing nothing feels like an activity. I usually take a bike, get lost and just tell myself I'm exploring. The island is only about one-mile wide, so my sense of direction must be pretty slim. Beaches and blue water wrap around both coasts along the entire 60-mile length, and mostly, they're all yours. But what you will remember most as you explore Long Island is that everywhere you go, you're genuinely and warmly welcomed. And in today's world, that's worth traveling any distance to experience. TS
QUICK GUIDE
Stella Maris Resort (stellamarisresort.com) started the whole shark-diving trend in the Bahamas and is Long Island's premier gateway to the diverse undersea experience of this quiet Out Island. You'll find modest rooms at the all-inclusive resort and three dive boats for short or long trips. You can dive with sharks and on wrecks and reefs as well as in blue holes. For more information on diving in the Bahamas Islands, contact the Bahamas Diving Association (bahamasdiving.com).
NASSAU
Lights, camera, dive action!
Nassau: To the film industry, it's the Hollywood of the Bahamas. Here, some of the most-memorable underwater scenes have been filmed: from Walt Disney's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and vintage James Bond films, such as Thunderball and Never Say Never Again, to more recent endeavors, such as Flipper and Into the Blue.
Divers will enjoy Nassau for the same reasons underwater filmmakers flock here. Think clear water, good weather, diverse underwater scenery and easy shore access. And then there are the "locals." Where do you think they got the sharks that harassed Jessica Alba? Certainly not from some studio backlot.
In fact, Nassau offers one of the richest assortments of dive sites in the Bahamas, ranging from expansive shallow reefs to walls, plus plenty of wrecks and critters. And as a bonus, there are also a few unique sites guaranteed to crank up the thrill meter.
Take, for example, the Lost Ocean Blue Hole, located east of Nassau. Although not as lost or elusive as it once was thanks to modern GPS technology, the 80-foot-wide, circular mouth of this blue hole draws divers into purple twilight, with the bottom 195 feet below. While diving the edge of the hole's cavernous opening, it's common to see lionfish among the coral heads dotting the rim. Another of Nassau's underwater claims to fame is the almost guaranteed presence of sharks. Collectively, between the island's three primary sites Shark Wall, Shark Arena and Shark Runway divers should expect to see two dozen or more large Caribbean reef sharks on any given excursion. The one operator who seems to know these animals best is PADI Five-Star Gold Palm Instructional Development Center Stuart Cove's. Since 1977, Cove has provided his knowledge of sharks to films like For Your Eyes Only, Never Say Never Again and Into the Blue.
And if you do get your fill of sharks, choose from the ample opportunities to explore the collection of well-preserved wrecks. Most were put down just for the enjoyment of divers, and some have held supporting roles in various
underwater productions. So even if you're not a Hollywood bigwig, when it comes to adventure beneath the waves, Nassau is guaranteed to provide plenty of bang for your buck. Walt Stearns
QUICK GUIDE
From the day they opened in 1978, Stuart Cove's Dive Bahamas (stuartcove.com) has been one of Nassau's most-popular full-service dive resorts. Since its humble beginnings with just one boat, the operation has grown to a fleet of seven dive vessels, five of which exceed 40 feet in length. From its operation base on the southwest side of New Providence Island, Nassau, Stuart Cove's offers a wide spectrum of diving activities from three-hour Learn to Dive Programs to adventure dives for experienced divers, including shark dives, wall flying (wall dives with scooters) above 6,000-foot drop-offs, to exploring 13 different wrecks. Stuart Cove's also offers Fin Photo, an on-site photography center staffed by shooting experts: Rent a camera or simply solicit tips on how to nab better images. For more information on diving in the Bahamas, contact the Bahamas Diving Association (bahamas diving.com).
ELEUTHERA
Diving out there
Divers in search of a true Out Island experience need to look no further than Eleuthera. Stretching some 100 miles north to south and just two miles across at its widest point, this land mass sits between the ocean-swept reefs of the Atlantic coast and the shallow, underwater gardens of the Great Bahama Bank. While surprisingly close to Nassau, the long, crooked island of Eleuthera, with its stunning pink-sand beaches, is a world apart, and it provides a plethora of unique diving opportunities.
Along its northern shore, it's possible to ride a 4-knot current through schools of fish at Current Cut, then explore a train wreck at the nearby Devil's Backbone. Just inland, a mysterious, limestone sinkhole holds artifacts from the Arawak culture. The truly adventurous can explore the Sink Hole, aka the Bone Cave. Located at the north end of the island in the middle of a mango plantation, this complex cave system, which bottoms out at 95 feet, offers a look at remnants of the ancient Lucayan civilization, as well as blind cave fish.
But, perhaps, the most exciting news to come out of Eleuthera in quite some time is being made on the island's southern end. The brand-new development of Cape Eleuthera is near completion. In addition to being a world-class resort destination, the Powell Pointe Resort at Cape Eleuthera will allow divers unprecedented access to the deep waters of the eastern Exumas, and the opportunity to search for lost shipwrecks along the coast of Rock Sound a settlement once notorious for its population of "wreckers," who would use false navigation lights to lure unsuspecting ships to doom on the nearby coral reefs.
As compared with established dive areas, such as Nassau, Grand Bahama and the Exumas, South Eleuthera is an almost undiscovered territory. One thing that divers are guaranteed to find is water clarity in the 150- to 200-foot range which is a signature of the Southern Bahamas. The island's drop-offs typically start to descend around 80 feet, giving divers the sensation of flight when hovering over into the abyss.
If anyone ever tells you the walls in the Bahamas are not as spectacular as others in terms of physical formation, then these people haven't seen the southern islands and their deep fissures, tunnels and archways that appear throughout the eastern edge of the Bank. Intertwined with the reefs' formations are tapestries of ornately colored sponges, which seem to glow against the dark waters below.
Back on top of the shelf, many shallow reefs in the 10- to 70-foot depth range are graced with tall coral heads separated by wide gullies of sugar-white sand. Tenants of these coral castles vary from gorgonians, giant barrel and orange elephant ear sponges, to plentitudes of small fish.
All this awaits those who come to Cape Eleuthera. And who knows what else might lie below. Only time and the efforts of some adventurous divers will tell. WS
QUICK GUIDE
Intimate, secluded and exclusive sums up Powell Pointe Resort at Cape Eleuthera (capeeleuthera.com). Cape Eleuthera's spectacular setting blends an authentic island atmosphere with all the contemporary amenities one might expect. Less than 220 miles east of the Florida coast, Cape Eleuthera's convenient location is ideal for a weekend island getaway. Yet the glassy-blue waters, pristine natural surroundings and charming Bahamian hospitality are reason enough to stay a lifetime.
The main property is comprised of four-star, waterfront resort homes with welcoming front porches and decks, king or queen master bedrooms, as well as many services and amenities to suit all guests' needs, providing a taste of the island lifestyle. These spacious homes are situated in small groups surrounding the full-service, deep-water marina. The Cape Eleuthera Marina is the Bahamas Out Islands' largest, with a dive shop and charter boat on the premises. For more information on diving in the Bahamas, contact the Bahamas Diving Association (bahamasdiving.com).
GRAND BAHAMA
A triple threat
Located 80 miles due east of the Florida coast, Grand Bahama is just a 30-minute plane ride away. Most visitors come for the island's enticing collection of hotels, casinos and white-sand beaches, but the real action isn't at the gaming tables it's in the water.
To divers, it's a place of diversity and adventure. A short boat ride from the island's southern shore will carry you to the open expanses of the Tongue of the Ocean, where you can step off the boat and into 2,000 feet of water, then drift back toward the precipitous, coral-encrusted slopes that rise from the abysmal depths.
If walls and blue water aren't enough to get your adrenaline flowing, then consider the sharks. The PADI Five-Star Gold Palm Resort Underwater Explorers Society (UNEXSO) has been staging shark dives for many years, and divers never tire of the thrill of seeing these apex reef predators.
Dolphin lovers will find an experience that can't be duplicated at a marine park. The UNEXSO team has given thousands of divers the chance to swim with a family of bottlenose dolphins in the open ocean. No pens, no trainers just you and them, swimming together in a natural environment.
Third but certainly not least on the list is the mammoth hulk of Theo's Wreck. Sunk in October 1982 as a joint collaboration between the Bahama Cement Company and UNEXSO, this 230-foot, Norwegian-built steel freighter is the Bahamas' largest fully intact vessel situated within sport-diving range. Resting on her port side with a maximum depth of 105 feet, the dramatic appeal of this looming hulk is enhanced by the way it perches precariously close to the edge of the shelf.
Any one of Freeport's three signature dives would be a sensational adventure, worthy of many retellings. If you were to do all three, well, your family and friends might tire of hearing the stories, but the memories will last a lifetime. WS
QUICK GUIDE
When UNEXSO (unexso.com) first opened in Freeport, Grand Bahama, back in 1966, it was both a dive operation and a club. Today, UNEXSO is a multifaceted dive operation with something for everyone. Located in Port Lucaya, within walking distance of the Westin and Sheraton at our Lucaya Resort, Pelican Bay at Lucaya and Port Lucaya Resort and Yacht Club, UNEXSO offers guests the option of daily scuba dives to reefs and wrecks a short distance off the beach. For the more adventurous, it offers shark dives where guests can see these majestic creatures swim by. Or, choose to participate in the Shark Feeder Program and feed these predators just like the pros do. If that's not your flavor, there is the Dolphin Experience in either its special lagoon facility or out in the open ocean. If that's not enough, inquire about its tech courses. For more information on diving in the Bahamas, contact the Bahamas Diving Association (bahamasdiving.com).
THE ABACOS
Top of the Bahamas
Named after Great Abaco, the largest landmass in the chain, the Abacos span nearly 130 miles in length and include Walker's Cay in the north and Hole in the Wall at the southernmost tip. In between lies a chain of islands and cays protected from the open Atlantic by fringing barrier reefs.
The outer reefs, islands and cays create a large, naturally protected expanse of water that is commonly referred to as the Sea of Abaco, which has made the Abacos a favorite cruising ground for yachtsmen. For divers, this topography sets the stage for an assortment of beautiful, quaint little cays and colorful shallow reefs in the 10- to 60-foot range.
A must-see site is Coral Caverns off Green Turtle Cay: It features a series of dramatically tall coral formations that create a catacomb of twisting alleyways and expansive swim-throughs.
Farther south, Great Guana Cay offers miles of spectacular dune-lined beaches with nearshore reefs the most spectacular of which are located along its northernmost shore.
Throughout the Abacos is a series of national preserves and parks, including Fowl Cay National Preserve and Pelican Cays National Land and Sea Park. The larger of the two Pelican Cays' parks protects an extensive area of shallow reefs and mangroves harboring an array of marine life. Because fishing is strictly controlled, the reefs are abundant with sea turtles and groupers.
If historic shipwrecks are your passion, visit the USS Adirondack. This Civil War gunboat struck a reef off the north end of Man-O-War Cay in 1862, the same year that it was built. While shipworms have eaten nearly all of its wooden timbers, divers will find among the wreck's debris field two 13-foot cannons and boilers from the Adirondack's steam engine.
Great Abaco might be the largest and most talked about of the chain, but it's the maze of cays and islands that thread through the Caribbean Sea that make the Abacos Islands the dive paradise that they are. WS
QUICK GUIDE
Dive Abaco (diveabaco.com), located in Marsh Harbour, Great Abaco Island, specializes in referral certifications, Open Water certifications, specialty instruction and dive tours aboard its 10-passenger, 28-foot Delta and 16-passenger, 30-foot Island Hopper. Dive Abaco runs many charters out to the Fowl Cay National Preserve and neighboring Pelican Cays National Land and Sea Park. Shark dives, island-hopping adventures and sunset cruises are also available. For more information on diving in the Bahamas, contact the Bahamas Diving Association (bahamasdiving.com).
