February in South Eleuthera is another great month for diving. Water temperature is 73 to 74 degrees, so don’t forget your hood to compliment your long sleeve shorty or full wet suit, 3 mm is fine. Visibility is well in excess of 100 feet, clear as pool water. Winter brings in the pelagic fish and the spotted eagle rays along the wall, with an occasional whale shark along and hawksbill turtles to the shallow reefs. The cooler deeper water tends to bring the large grouper up onto the top of the wall and onto the shallower reefs. Nassau grouper season hunting or capture is closed for conservation reasons from December 1 through February 28. The Nassau grouper are friendlier than ever sensing that they are not being hunted and provide great photo opportunities. Some smaller schools of very large mutton snapper begin to appear cruising along the walls of Exuma Sound. Watching these schools hunt/feed can make for exciting dives.
Safety tip for February: If you are headed to the Bahamas for a February dive trip and bringing your own gear, especially regulators and BCD’s, remember to have the annual service done prior to your trip as most of the out island dive shops do not have traditional repair shops.
Fun tip for February: Review the “other creatures” tab under the library tab on the website and see who can find any of those on your dive (fire worms are around this time of year).
Diver tip for February: Don’t forget to bring a hood, even at 73 to 74 degrees, your dives can be cut short if you get cold and bring your camera–the visibility is off the charts in February.