December in Bimini means one thing to a lot of us, Hammertime! That’s right folks, the impressive and massive greater hammerheads begin their influx into the waters surrounding North and South Bimini this month. With average lengths near double digits, and some reaching over 14 to 15 feet long, these sharks are awe inspiring to dive with. The cooler water temperature also brings an increase in the number of bull sharks to the waters surrounding Bimini. If you want to see one of these apex predators in their natural environment, options abound in Bimini. My personal favorite spot to carefully and safely watch bull sharks is at the Bimini Trader. It’s a wreck not far from the channel that separates North and South Bimini. An old inter-island supply boat that sank about 15 years ago, it makes for a great dive on its own, but after the water cools down it seems like the bull sharks use it as their “home base” for a few months. If sharks aren’t your thing, there is still plenty of reasons to choose Bimini in December. Dropping water temperatures, mid to low 70s, also tend to bring many of the larger grouper and lobster over the wall and into shallower waters. However, this year we seem to have noticed it is doing the same to those pesky lionfish, who, like the grouper, move up to shallower depths when the water gets too cold. This makes for excellent spearfishing. Lionfish ceviche, lobster ravioli, and grouper thermidor, come on. Sound tasty? Remember that Nassau grouper are CLOSED to harvesting from December 1st to February 28th so that they can spawn, so you’ll have to use black, gag, yellowfin, or a tiger grouper for that thermidor recipe.
Thanks for reading, and good luck diving.