So looking forward to the official beginning of spring on Friday, March 20. ‘Winter’ peaked for us here in Abaco in February with a number of windy and cool days, where evening temperatures dipped to the lower 60s°F, and water temperature suddenly dropped from 76°F to 71°F. But comparing our winter weather to what our friends in the northeast and Canada have been experiencing, it has been bliss.
With warmer, longer days on the way and hopefully fewer cold fronts, we look forward to a rise in both air and water temperatures, along with generally calm seas and amazing visibility. For us, that means air temperature should vary from 67°F at night to 78°F during the day, and an average water temperature of 75°F. Thermal protection of a 3 mil wetsuit is still recommended for diving and snorkeling.
The reefs are alive with healthy hard and soft corals and an abundance of tropical fish that inhabit them. A typical dive usually includes sightings of grouper, snapper, angelfish and parrotfish, along with several species of rays, sharks and turtles. The angle of the sunlight enhances the colors on the coral heads and provides the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the kaleidoscope of colors. If you’ve been thinking about taking up underwater photography, this is a great time to start.
The last full moon of winter will occur at 1:06 p.m. on Thursday, March 5. Fun-filled Full Moon parties at Cracker P’s on Lubbers Quarters are on the horizon.
As the height of the tourism season begins in May, March and April are great months to become a certified SCUBA diver. If you are not certified, but are interested in pursuing the sport, then we suggest you sign up for a resort/Discover SCUBA Diving lesson. The lesson provides an opportunity to try diving to see if it is for you. It only takes a couple of hours in the swimming pool to be introduced to the basic principles of diving and, better yet, the lesson includes equipment and a dive trip. If you find diving is not your thing, the coral reefs of Abaco nearly reach the surface in a number of locations and offer equal enjoyment for snorkelers at the top while divers enjoy diving at the base.
Abaco is an ideal choice to enjoy spring break. With short, non-stop flights to Marsh Harbour from Florida, including New Smyrna Beach, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami – and from Nassau in the Bahamas, we are easily accessible.
So get a head start on diving this year by visiting Abaco in March. It will leave ample time for a return visit this summer.