With March here, the waters surrounding Bimini teem with opportunities for avid underwater enthusiasts. The water temperatures of the mid 70s offer a beautiful contrast to the warming air temperatures. Try not to be put off by most of the guides wearing hoods, gloves, and booties; we are just wimps when it comes to cooler water. Most guests are fine all week long with just a full 3mm suit. Our prevailing easterly can be relatively unpredictable this time of the year, however, our geography allows for many protected dive/snorkel sites on the west side of both Bimini and Cat Cay.
The visibility of the stunningly clear water here is at least 80 feet, and only gets better the deeper (i.e. closer to the Gulf Stream) you get. As far as critters go, sharks and rays are what’s going on this month. Tons of blacktip reef sharks and bulls are hanging around until the water warms up. Without a doubt however, my favorite thing about March is greater hammerheads! This is usually our last month of “consistent” greater hammerhead sightings. These beautiful and often impressively large (10 feet to 17 feet) make Bimini their home from January to March. Anyone who has seen these sharks will testify that they are one of the most majestic and powerfully graceful animals you can see in the wild, and if you ever get the chance to see them, JUMP ON IT! Hammerheads use the shallows and flats here to feed on turtles, juvenile sharks, and their favorite, stingrays. If big sharks are just not your thing, the waters surrounding Bimini swarm with eagle rays this month. We see these spotted rays almost everywhere, but my favorite spots to watch schools of these guys are in shallower reefs off Honeymoon Harbor and Piquet Rocks.
Whatever your reasons are, you will not be disappointed with the variety of underwater options available in Bimini!
FORECAST BY: Neal Watson II
PADI Instructor #240841 Bahamian Master License #8662
Bimini SCUBA Center at Bimini Sands Resort and Marina
Phone: (242) 448-6606
Email: neal_wtsn@yahoo.com
www.BiminiScubaCenter.com