[dropcap]A[/dropcap]ll in all, September is a stellar month for doing just about anything in the water in Bimini. The air and water temperatures are mid-80s, and the prevailing winds are generally calm almost all month long. Our afternoon showers and occasional thunderstorms seemed to start late this year, and we have no reason to believe that September will bring anything different from that weather pattern.
Our typically strong shark populations in Bimini are somewhat lacking in September. Even the super reliable and consistent reef shark feeds are producing only a small (3-6) number of Caribbean Reef sharks. Just not a great time of year for sharks in Bimini. However, the Atlantic Spotted Dolphin Safaris have been outstanding as of late. Large numbers of playful pods have been spotted quite regularly about a mile west of North Rock and Mosel Bank. Which is great, as the water tends to be clearer there near the Continental Shelf, then east on the bank where we tend to find them other times of the year.
A beach erosion project has been underway since early August, and will continue into September. Dredging of the entrance channel that divides North and South Bimini means plenty of navigational hazards when entering the channel. Be on the lookout for the dredge and all the pipes that run the entire distance of the channel and onto Radio Beach in Alice Town where the sand is being pumped to. All due to all the turbidity caused by the dredging, many close sites to Bimini, like the Kinks and the Mini Barge are suffering from very poor visibility on an outgoing tide. You would be much better off diving these sites at high tide, or running south for some stunningly clear water.
Be safe, and enjoy the diving this month!
