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Why do scuba divers love the Bahamas? Home to sharks of nearly every stripe, colorful reefs, intact wrecks and a keen devotion to laid-back living, it’s no wonder the Bahamas is a go-to vacation spot for North Americans. Do these 3,000 islands and cays that lie scattered at the convergence of the Atlantic and Caribbean have it all? As divers and general lovers of the tropical good life, we say these islands come pretty darn close to scoring a perfect 10. From the electrifying shark-feeding dives of Nassau and Grand Bahama to the lost-in-time allure of the Out Islands, here are 20 reasons to love the Bahamas.

Say aloha to this lava-forged underwater playground in the Hawaiian Islands

Dive lights make night dives possible, and they can really ratchet up the fun quotient of a day dive by allowing you to probe darker recesses in the reefs. Whether you prefer a mini light that lives in a BC pocket (until you need it), a powerful primary light that can lay down some serious illumination on a tropical night dive, or a compact canister light that you wear on your wrist, there are myriad models to choose from ranging in size, burn time (dependent on the type, size, number and even brand of batteries being used, and also on the measuring procedure), power and price.

Underwater photographer and environmental educator Annie Crawley has an incredible, magical manta encounter in Indonesia. At a time when mantas are in desperate need of protection, scuba divers need to be educated about these magnificent animals.