Dolphin Expedition Dive Sites
WHITE SAND RIDGE, WESTERN EDGE OF THE LITTLE BAHAMA BANK
Mount Olympus
Mount Olympus, the mythological home of the gods, is a beautiful wall dive on the very edge of the Little Bahama Bank. The top of the reef is at 75', and then it drops off sharply to over 500'. The reef itself is composed of several very large coral head patches with canyons and sand chutes between, providing 25'-30' of relief. Fed by the nearby Gulf Stream current, the reef is covered with a thriving biodiversity of filter feeding invertebrates, including corals, sponges, gorgonians, etc. Tropical fish are in abundance, including schools of creole wrasse and blue runners. There are frequent sightings of larger fish, such as jacks, king mackerel, permit, barracuda, grouper, and also pelagics such as wahoo. Caribbean reef sharks, hammerhead sharks, and spotted eagle rays are possible, too.
El Capitan
El Capitan is a beautiful massive patch reef comprised of half a dozen large coral heads situated on a sand bottom that gently slopes from 85' down to over 130'. The top of the highest head rises to 55', providing relief of over 30'. The individual heads are divided by canyons and sand chutes. There is a healthy invertebrate population, full of corals, sponges, gorgonians, etc., as well as plenty of fish, including schooling tropicals, angelfish, horse eye jack, snapper, spotted eagle rays, mackerel, permit, grouper, even african pompano and tarpon.
The Sugar Wreck
A shallow dive that is like swimming in an aquarium, the Sugar Wreck is the remainder of a molasses barge that went down over a century ago. Lying in only 18' of water on a hard rock bottom, the wreck is a teeming oasis of life on the bank. The exposed ribs of the barge, along with the hull plating, deck winches and anchor, are filled to overflowing with vast schools of grunt, snapper, blue runners, and barracuda. Nurse sharks, jacks and permit are also frequently seen. The Sugar Wreck is an outstanding night dive, providing countless opportunities for photography and videography, including loggerhead turtles that sleep here regularly. The Sugar Wreck has been called "the best wreck dive," "the best night dive," or "the best night wreck dive I've ever done" by past visiting divers.
El Dorado
El Dorado is a long strip of patch reef on a sand bottom of 65'-70', offering up to 15' of relief. This nice patch of reef is 100 yards long, and 15 yards wide. It is pockmarked with holes and crevasses that host a healthy reef ecosystem. Many nice corals, invertebrates and fish of all types. Frequented by caribbean reef sharks, cubera snapper and grouper. Tiger sharks and hammerheads have been seen here as well.
Mini Wall a.k.a. V Reef
The Mini Wall/V Reef is a fine multi level dive located at the first drop off on the edge of the Little Bahamas Bank. Here the 50' sand flat drops sharply down to over 90'. Located on top of that drop is a collection of coral heads and patches of coral that offer 10'-15' of relief, arranged in a V formation, with one side of the V comprising the reef at the edge of the drop. Divers can dive the steep mini wall early in the dive, and then explore the canyons and crevasses of the shallower V reef in the later part of their dive. Healthy reef, lots of corals and invertebrates. Plenty of tropical fish, not as many schooling fish, and game fish including jacks, mackerel, the occasional shark and on rare occasions, a goliath grouper.
Hogfish Reef
A large healthy patch reef located on a flat sand bottom in 45', this self contained reef offers up to 10' of relief, filled with colorful tropical fish and thriving invertebrates. Anglefish. Wrasses, butterfly fish, spanish hogfish, royal gouramas, and parrot fish are all common here. It is a nice, typical Bahamas patch reef at a depth that allows plenty of time to explore and observe.
Lighthouse Wreck
The Lighthouse Wreck is the epicenter of the White Sand Ridge. The wreck is comprised of just a few twisted steel I beams that are the remains of an old navigational structure that give it it's name. Though very small in size, this bit of debris sits in 20' of very clear water in the middle of the vast pure white sand plain that is the White Sand Ridge. Because it is the only structure for a great distance, it draws robust schools of grey snapper, and barracuda of all sizes. There is also a photogenic school of large horse eye jack, numbering up to 100 individuals, that make this site their home. Occasionally, there are also permit mixed in. It is a great place to get that perfect jack or barracuda photo, and because it is the epicenter of the White Sand Ridge, spotted dolphins may be encountered here as well. In fact, a majority of spotted dolphin encounters occur within a three mile radius of this spot.
Tiger Beach
Near one of our primary anchorages, Tiger Beach is the site of one of the few dependable tiger shark dives in the world. While we won't be actively chumming these sharks, sightings in the early morning hours are possible, and may provide a photographic opportunity. Sightings may also include lemon sharks, nurse sharks, and even bottlenose dolphins.
Lighthouse Reef
A small patch reef located just off the White Sand Ridge, in 50' of water, on a hard bottom. Though small in overall size, it is very easy to spend an entire dive exploring the outcrops and overhangs of this jumble of healthy coral. Lots of tropical fish and schools of grunt draw a variety of larger predator fish which can include many species of snapper, grouper, jacks, permit, mackerel, and the occasional african pompano.
The Hump
The Hump is a large coral head on the edge of the drop off. The main body of the reef is on a sand bottom at 85', and the deeper drop is immediately adjacent. The reef provides 15'-20' of relief, and is comprised of healthy Gulf Stream fed corals, invertebrates, and fish. In addition to the typical vast selection of tropical fish, larger predatory fish, pelagic species, spotted eagle rays and sharks are all potential sightings here.
Sherwood Forest
Sherwood Forest is a dynamic spur and groove reef formation on a sloping 45'-65' bottom. Relief of up to 10' offers habitat for a host of fish and invertebrate species. With lots of nooks and crannies, there is plenty to see and explore here.
BIMINI & VICINITY
The Strip
The Strip is a small, self contained patch reef on a sand bottom in 35' of water. It is host to a variety of colorful tropical fish and schools of grunt. Eels are often seen here as well. It is a popular night dive.
Moray Alley & Little Caverns
Moray Alley and Little Caverns are two distinct sites, located near each other, that sharing the same overall profile. These dives consist of numerous scattered small to medium sized coral heads on a sloping 55'-75' sand bottom. The heads themselves are each self contained reef environments, offering a home to many colorful tropical fish, sponges, and invertebrates of all kinds. Larger predatory fish patrol between the heads, and turtles are regular visitors, too.
Bimini Barge
The Bimini Barge is a large barge situated on a flat sand bottom in 90' of water. It is host to schools of snapper, jacks and barracuda, and is visited by larger gamefish such as cubera snapper, king mackerel, and african pompano.
The Stingray Wreck
Stingray Wreck is the remains of a tugboat lying several miles up on the Great Bahama Bank, on a sand and grass bottom in 18' of water. As the most prominent feature around, it draws schools of grunts and snappers, as well as angelfish, parrotfish, and barracuda. As the name implies, the surrounding area often host numerous southern stingrays. Other gamefish drawn to the site include cubera snapper, grouper, horse eye jack, amberjack, african pompano and cobia. Sightings of numerous species of shark are also possible.
Turtle Rocks
Turtle Rocks is a mile long chain of rocks separating the shallower expanses of the Bahama Bank from the gradual slope to the drop off. Offering three distinct dives, Turtle Rocks’ sites are a collection of coral heads, rock ledges and overhangs, and sand holes. Depths range from as shallow as 15' right at the rocks, to a depth of 45' on the outer edges. The variety of terrain leads to an equal variety of life, including corals, sponges, crabs, anemones, and all types of invertebrates. In addition to an assortment of tropical fish, moray eels, caribbean reef sharks and spotted eagle rays are regularly sighted. It is a popular night dive.
The Wreck of the Sapona a.k.a. the Concrete Ship
The Wreck of the Sapona, locally referred to as the Concrete Ship, is the 85+ year old wreck of a freighter constructed of steel reinforced concrete, sitting on a hard bottom in 18' of water. The Sapona has a colorful history as a wreck, having served as a speakeasy and liquor smuggling transshipment point during Prohibition, and later as a target for practicing US bombers flying out of Homestead, FL during WWII. The remains tower out of the water above, while providing shelter for teeming schools of snapper and grunt, and a host of smaller tropicals.
CAT CAY & VICINITY
Cat Wall a.k.a. The Notch
The Cat Wall is a multi level wall dive consisting of several large coral heads sitting on the edge of the Bahama Bank's secondary drop off, where the depths finally drop away to over 500'. On a sand bottom at 85'-95', these coral heads rise to a depth of 65', offering plenty of relief and mountainous vistas. Between the two largest heads is a canyon that runs over the edge of the wall as a sand chute, giving the site it's secondary name. Divers start their dive by dropping down The Notch to their maximum depth, then ascend ahead of decompression obligations to explore the shallower parts of the reef. The reef itself is washed by the warm Gulf Stream current, with outstanding biodiversity as a result. Schools of creole wrasse and bait fish of all sorts hover over the rocks, while smaller tropicals hide in the cracks and crevasses among the coral, gorgonians, and sponges. Along the wall, barrel and rope sponges thrive. Larger game fish feed along the edge here, and large black grouper, dog snapper, horse eye jacks, and king mackerel can be seen. In addition, pelagic fish like wahoo and dolphin (mahi mahi) may be seen on occasion, and at the top of the food chain, caribbean reef and hammerhead sharks are regular sightings.
Tuna Alley
Tuna Alley is a well developed primary drop off reef, where the Bahamas Bank makes it's first drop into deeper water. Offering two distinct dives, the top of the reef is at 45', with the coral dropping sharply to 85', before the gentle sand slope continues on toward the secondary drop, out of range on this dive. Nourished by the Gulf Stream current, the reef is highly decorated, and full of life. The face of the drop off is shot through with tall narrow crevasses, swim through canyons and gopher holes, all encrusted with myriad invertebrate species
Victory Reef
Victory Reef is very similar in overall description to Tuna Alley, but with average depths running 10' shallower. It is a well developed drop off reef that offers three distinct dives that start at 35' and fall away to 75', and more. Healthy corals, sponges and fish life abound in and around the many narrow canyons and crevasses. In addition to the wide variety of colorful tropical fish, turtles and sharks are sometimes sighted.
Walk In The Park
Walk In The Park is a coral head patch reef sitting on a flat sand bottom in 55'. This site is primarily comprised of three large coral heads offering 15' of relief, the largest having a large swim through tunnel. Caribbean reef sharks are commonly seen here, as well as black grouper and snapper. The reef itself has over 15 species of hard coral that can be seen by the observant diver.
Bull Run
Bull Run is a coral head patch reef sitting on a flat sand bottom in 55'. A collection of coral heads creates a natural crescent shaped amphitheater that is sometimes the site of an organized shark dive. Large black grouper, nurse sharks, caribbean reef sharks, and the occasional bull shark, which give the site it's name, frequently add excitement to the dive.
55 Heads
55 Heads is so called because it consists of many coral heads (maybe 55?) sitting on flat sand in 55' of water. With coral heads that offer 10'-15' of relief scattered in every direction, there is plenty to see and explore. Smaller tropical fish and invertebrates abound, and between the heads larger grouper, jacks, barracuda and sharks patrol.
Stevie's Wonder
Stevie's Wonder is a thriving strip of patch reef sitting on a sand bottom in 40' of water. It is home to a wide range of fish, coral, sponges and invertebrate life. It is a popular night dive.
The Wreck of the Miami
The Wreck of the Miami is the shattered and scattered remains of a commercial crew and supply boat that serviced nearby Ocean Cay. Sitting on a sand bottom in 35' of water, the Wreck of the Miami is a very popular night dive, where lobster, big eye snapper and loggerhead turtle round out the sighting list. During the day, mackerel, barracuda, jacks, and sometimes permit or african pompano can be seen, cruising between the well encrusted pieces of the wreck.
