Page 175 - The British Big Four

he best of the diving can be found away from Nassau, along the older and much-deteriorated wreck, the “Bahama Mama,” and both

T southwest end of the island. New Providence is also where Nas- are boat dives.
sau, the largest city and transportation hug of the Bahamas is to be
found. That combination makes New Providence a prime setting for
ahama Mama – This wreck and nearby wall are a fine dive and
Beither the start of a larger Bahamas diving vacation, or for an entire the wreck is a terrific backdrop for shark photos.

trip in and of itself. V ulcan Bomber - The Vulcan Bomber was used in the filming of
Thunderball. While the covering has rotted away, the frame-
T he Willaurie - is a popular dive, as is a multi-wreck site called work remains. Looking much like a jungle gym with a lot of jungle
Steel Forest, but the most popular wreck is the Ray of Hope, a
200-foot freighter that is the site of frequent shark feeds. The Wil- on her, she is easily the most photogenic site in the area. Spreading

laurie sank in Nassau’s harbor in 1988, was raised and sank again. A deepwater gorgonians, colorful sponge growth, a great structure

second attempt succeeded in keeping her afloat. She was towed to and lots of fish make her a photographer’s dream. A must-do site.

the southwest corner of New Providence and laid to rest at a depth T he Shark Arena - The Shark Arena is less of a dive site than a dive
of 70 feet. Sitting upright and crowned by a steel framework, she format. Run by Stuarts Cove’s Dive Bahamas, the dive consists
now sports a coating of sponge and cup corals and is home to many

fish. With a minimum depth of 45 feet, she is appropriate for every of going into the water clad in chainmail as dive masters wrangle

level of diver. in dozens of caribbean reef sharks with crates of bait for up-close

encounters with these 8 to 10-foot long fish.
ay of Hope - Described by Scuba Diving magazine as the most
hark Runway - one mile offshore and features a dozen or so
R popular wreck off New Providence, the Ray of Hope is a 200- resident Caribbean Reef Sharks. There is also a new shipwreck
Sfoot freighter. The wreck rests on its keel on a gentle slope, with the
bow in 40 feet of water and the stern at 60 feet, so even the deep- here called the Bahama Mama. She was sunk intentionally-as a dive

est parts of the ship are within Open Water-certification limits. The attraction-and sits upright in less than 50 feet of water.

site has become a magnet for groupers, reef sharks and schools of

silversides, while the ship’s interior is considered by reviewers and

dive operators to be easy to penetrate. Near the site is a second,