[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he glassy warm days of September are perfect for exploring the 84° F plus crystal clear waters surrounding the Bimini islands. Long hot days with perfect weather beckon everyone from the most casual snorkeler to veteran dive masters to get in and cool off. With sea conditions almost always super calm (with the exception of those pesky tropical waves), there is arguably no better time to explore the reefs and wrecks around the tiny Islands in the Stream.
Many of the full time “Smack Boats”, or commercial lobster vessels as they are known in the Bahamas, are taking a break from a heavy month of work after season opened August 1st. It leaves a perfect window for free diving some of the Great Bahama Bank in search of some of the tastiest “bugs” around. Any debris, plane wreck, small sailboat, or even golf cart that tumbled into the waters here are prime grounds for searching out a tasty meal you caught yourself. Remember that harvesting “crawfish”, as they are called here, is illegal on tanks and must be done free diving. Spearing them is permitted, and the usual preferred method over tickle stick or snare due to the added challenge of holding your breath. September is also my favorite month for collecting lobster, as I can be almost certain all the females have already dropped their eggs.
If marine mammals are your thing, the oily smooth seas in the afternoons when the wind drops off and it becomes difficult to tell where the ocean ends and the sky begins, are perfect for spotting wild Atlantic and bottlenose dolphin fins on the horizon. These encounters can be breath-taking, and last for hours under the proper conditions. If you you’re planning on using your own boat to find them, remember the more animated and engaging you can be in the water, the more interactive the dolphins get. As the Atlantic spotted dolphins age, they develop spots. The young smooth dolphins, with no spots and pink underbellies are the key to an amazing day. The juveniles are the most playful and engaging of the playful species, so try to find a pod with some babies.
Most importantly, get wet this month. Escape the heat and go swimming, snorkeling, free diving, or scuba diving in the clear, cool, Gulfstream kissed waters surrounding our tiny gem of an island on the western edge of the Great Bahama Bank, Bimini.