Page 275 - The British Big Four

The Wrecks of The Bahama Islands

Agood wreck is a great dive, and The Bahamas divers because of its abundant fish life. Congrega-
offers many great wreck dives, both natural tions of snappers, grunts, wrasse, gobies, angel-
and artificial. While the wrecks off our islands of- fish and parrotfish are everywhere on the wreck.

fer a myriad of opportunities for adventure, they The remains of an old sailing ship that grounded

can generally be separated into three categories: many years ago, the Sugar Wreck is only 20 feet

shallow wrecks, wrecks in moderate depths and deep.

deep wrecks. We’ll highlight just a few of the best The Hesperus is another fascinating shallow
in each category for you here. wreck. An oasis of life on the vast sandy plain
of the Grand Bahama Bank, the Hesperus is also
The shallow wrecks of The Bahamas are great packed with fish, but it is better known for the
fun because you don’t have to worry about
your bottom time. In fact, many of them are so huge Loggerhead Turtles that shelter within its

shallow they can be easily explored by snorkel- planks and plates at night. Maximum depth on

ers. Shallow wrecks also benefit from having lots the Hesperus is about 15 feet.

of sunlight, which allows coral to grow on them The wreck of the Sapona has been a sailor’s
quickly and attracts lots of fish. The abundant navigational landmark for many years, be-
sunlight splashes them in rainbow hues of yellow,

red and purple. You don’t need the aid of a pow- cause it sits high out of the water south of Bimini.

erful dive light or strobe to boost the colors of a It’s also one of the best snorkel and shallow dive

shallow Bahama wreck. wrecks in the world. Surrounded by less than 20

The Sugar Wreck, off the West End of Grand feet of clear water, the Sapona treats her visitors
Bahama Island, is an all-time favorite of many to a close-up viewing of hundreds of reef fish.